#chicago fire 2.7

[shayveridekidd]

THE EP IN S2 WHEN THE TRAIN CRASHES INTO A WAREHOUSE AND MILLS AND BODEN GET STUCK AND THEYRE OUT OF WATER AND THERES A PROPANE TANKER ON FIRE AND BODEN TELLS EVERYONE TO EVACUATE AND SEVERIDE AND CASEY ARE JUST LIKE “NAH❤️” AND CASEY GOES BACK TO SEARCHING FOR THE LITTLE GIRL AND SQUAD TAKES ON THE TANKER AND HERMANN TAKES TRUCK GOES TO PULL BODEN AND MILLS OUT AND DAWSON AND SHAY AND THAT BADASS TRAUMA SURGEON ARE LIKE FUCK IT WE’RE STAYING WITH THE RED TAGS. yeah, i’m watching that episode.

[un-nonymous]

Have you ever seen someone in like, head-to-toe (shoulder-to-thigh?) spanx, but without the bra part? It’s like a BYOB (bra) situation? It’s not great.

Anyway, my best friend’s wedding is this Saturday in Chicago and we leave at 6am Thursday. I need 8 more days to be ready for the trip.

It’s been so long since I’ve written over here that I was excited to fill in the “Listening to:” field. That’s … never been a thing here. Livejournal. Twenty (20) years ago. It’s fine. You should listen to this song though.

I don’t care about no hoes, where is your spouse at?

Red text!

(Personally, I truly don’t care about no hoes nor spouses. In fact I’m very actively trying to become a spouse myself, for fuck’s sake.)

So I’m a bridesmaid in my best friend’s wedding this weekend and I love her but she did us all dirty with the color of these dresses. It’s like a smoky lavender - the kind that looks good on no one. We were able to choose our own style at least, but they are all relentless and unforgiving. I am wearing head-to-toe spanx (BYObra) and you can see like, the line of the contour? on the thigh? And it’s not because I have thick legs. I mean, it’s because the material of the dress is almost as though it was stuck to you, but it flows nicely in a breeze. I don’t know. I’ve also lost a bunch of weight since June (thanks, keto!) and that honestly helps me feel better about the dress. I took selfies tonight, even! Maybe I’ll post one.

This has been a hard week. Since Friday, I: organized and attended yet another suicide prevention training at work; unexpectedly found myself needing to support a dear coworker towards the end of that training class because he had been struggling with all the thoughts we’d been talking about for 2 hours and needed to step outside to cry and asked if I would join him (a senior general superintendent); attended a coworker’s wedding with another coworker, got drunk for the first time in a while and lost the latter coworker’s sunglasses before raising my voice at a third coworker who was getting mouthy with me; had what would have been the worst hangover of my life Sunday if it weren’t for Amazon’s party patches*; have been running around with my hair on fire at the office for both 10+ hour days I’ve had today and yesterday.

That whole thing was all about work. I’m working on that, but now’s not a good time for progress.

Seriously though, look up “party patches” on Amazon. Slap 2 of them on you (gonna do 3-4 for this weekend’s festivities, I have to be in proper shape for Nine Inch Nails at Riot Fest on Sunday #priorities) and while they won’t always stop a hangover from happening (I mean honestly how do you stop a speeding train, you know?), they will help you avoid an ambulance at least. Ask me how I know. Look for the blue and orange packages. They’re just vitamins, I don’t know what kind of witchcraft they’re about otherwise but they’re like $30 for I want to say 40-something patches? You really can’t put a price on magic.

(Ok here’s how I know: The last time I got that hungover, it was the morning after Matt and I got into a big argument about something stupid in public and I was crying at the table quietly but also pretty dramatically and the server had just approached with the check that I stubbornly insisted on paying. I could not pick my head up off the pillow the next morning and it took us 3 weeks to finally reach the end of the conversation because I was so embarrassed that I cried at a server as a 37-year-old woman for really the dumbest reason. I’m really fun to date. Fortunately he and I were genuinely fine those 3 weeks, we aren’t about grudges which has probably done a world of good for our 5-year run so far. But I was wearing 0 party patches that night. I currently have 2.7 packs for the bridal party and maybe the groomsmen if they’re acting right.)

Matt is standing up in the wedding too and we’re going to walk down the aisle together. I hope at least a couple people throw shoes at him. Gently, because he is a gem, but he needs a kick in the ass and he knows it.

Hope you and yours are loving your adventures lately. 🖤

[whattolearntoday]

A bit of October 8th history...

1480 - Great Standing on the Ugra River: standoff between forces of Akhmat Khan, Khan of the Great Horde, and Ivan III Grand Prince of all Rus; Tatar-Mongols retreat, leads to disintegration of the Horde 

1871 - Great Fire of Chicago kills 200 people and destroys over 4 square miles of buildings and the original Emancipation Proclamation (pictured)

1917 - Leon Trotsky named chairman of Petrograd Soviets as Bolsheviks gain control

1945 - Microwave oven patented

1971 - John Lennon releases the single “Imagine”

1998 - US House of Reps votes to begin impeachment hearings against President Clinton on charges of lying about his affair with Monica Lewinsky

2001 - US President GW Bush announces the establishment of the Office of Homeland Security

2018 - Major climate report by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change for the UN says planet will warm 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit by 2040 with dire results

2019 - FBI confirm Samuel Little is America’s most prolific serial killer in history after verifying more than half of his 93 confessed murders

[beardedmrbean]

MSNBC's biggest star announced this month she will be only doing her show one day a week. What some hope will be the liberal network's next standout is still officially representing the president of the United States.

It's a strange time at MSNBC, which is undergoing something of an identity crisis in the Biden era.

Rachel Maddow, by far MSNBC's highest-rated host and a mainstay of its primetime lineup for over a decade, will only appear on Mondays beginning this month, while Jen Psaki, reportedly set to join the streaming platform Peacock as a host and also appear across MSNBC programs as a commentator, still remains President Biden's White House press secretary and occasionally spars with future colleagues.

RACHEL MADDOW ANNOUNCES SHE'S ROLLING BACK MSNBC SHOW, WILL HOST ONLY MONDAY NIGHTS STARTING IN MAY

Maddow made the announcement in April after returning from a hiatus dating back to January, only months after reportedly re-upping with the network for an eye-popping $30 million per year.  

In her absence, MSNBC still billed it the "The Rachel Maddow Show" but with fill-in hosts, such as Ali Velshi and Ayman Mohyeldin.

Maddow’s decision to cut her show appearances to one day a week comes after her lowest-rated month in the demo since November 2015. From April 4 to 8, she had her worst-rated week since 2016, averaging about 1.3 million viewers. "The Rachel Maddow Show" averaged 2.7 million viewers during the same dates in 2021 when she hosted each night, and she averaged 2 million nightly viewers during January 2022 before she stepped aside. 

"You see the existential importance of a single person on all of prime time when she's not there," an MSNBC insider told Fox News Digital.

RACHEL MADDOW ON HIATUS LEAVES MSNBC ‘LOST AT SEA,’ CRITICS SAY

Another MSNBC insider said Maddow essentially calling the shots "shows what kind of a powerful voice she is."

"She's incredibly captivating as a broadcaster," they said. "She's Michael Jordan. I think she's the best in the the business right now."

Imagine the Chicago Bulls paying Jordan to sit out four out of every five games, though.

"Rachel Maddow hosting one day a week … is almost like her not hosting at all – no matter what MSNBC tries to spin, her show is gone for good," Fourth Watch media newsletter editor Steve Krakauer told Fox News Digital. "Cable news is all about consistency, and habits – MSNBC will now have to rely on a new host to form a relationship with viewers at 9 p.m."

Who that will be is a 30-million-dollar question for MSNBC; fans have frequently floated rabidly anti-GOP host Nicolle Wallace – a reliable Democratic booster and a big Jen Psaki fan – as a possibility for the time slot. She, along with Maddow and far-left host Joy Reid anchor MSNBC's special political news coverage, and Maddow will continue to appear for such broadcasts along with her Monday nights in primetime. 

CNN media reporter Oliver Darcy said the effort to use fill-in hosts to hold Maddow's ratings had not proven successful.

"It really hasn't worked out well for MSNBC," Darcy said of Maddow's absences last month on CNN+. "It's going to take a while for a new host to also build a relationship … This is a big problem for them."

REPORTER TELLS POLITICO THEY'RE AFRAID TO BATTLE PSAKI: ‘MAKES YOU LOOK LIKE AN A--HOLE’

NBCUniversal News Group chairman Cesar Conde, who started the gig in May 2020, is the high-powered executive who paid Maddow and oversees NBC News, MSNBC and CNBC. A former high-level employee of NBC News who is familiar with the company’s inner workings told Fox News Digital last month when Maddow announced her reduced workload that he should be held responsible.  

"Cesar Conde should be fired for the embarrassing Maddow deal alone where she’s paid eight figures to barely work while MSNBC ratings crater," the former NBC News staffer said.  

Psaki's plans to join the liberal network have excited its base of viewers; the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee even sent a fundraising email off the news. Meanwhile, Psaki's continued interactions with NBC News reporters when she's set to be one of their de facto co-workers has raised eyebrows among some media watchdogs.

Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism professor of professional practice Bill Grueskin believes Psaki should have been more transparent weeks ago. 

"Psaki should have either delayed negotiating with networks until her resignation was in place, or she should have been upfront about the negotiations once they started," Grueskin told Fox News Digital. "Now, of course, we know that she's bound for MSNBC, and viewers can take that into account when they see her these days in the White House press room or later in front of a studio camera."

During April 1's press briefing, NBC News chief White House correspondent Kristen Welker, a future colleague of Psaki's, pressed her, "Given the reports ... how can you continue to be an effective briefer if you do in fact have plans to join a media outlet?"

PSAKI GRILLED OVER CONDUCTING JOB NEGOTIATIONS WITH MSNBC WHILE SERVING AS PRESS SECRETARY 

"Well, I have nothing, again, to announce about any conversations or any future plans," Psaki reiterated before vowing that whenever she leaves the White House she will first be spending time with her family. 

Welker continued grilling her, asking "how is it ethical to have these conversations with media outlets while you continue to have a job standing behind that podium?" Psaki pointed to the "stringent ethical and legal requirements" she insisted she has abided by regarding her future plans.

On April 20, during a panel moderated by NBC's Kelly O'Donnell on "The Modern Presidency," O'Donnell addressed the elephant in the room and asked Psaki if she could share anything about her future plans, citing reports she was set to join MSNBC.

"I have no personal knowledge about any of that," O'Donnell told the audience. "Is there anything you can tell us about your future?"

"Not yet," Psaki said. "Nothing at this point to announce, but at some point, there will be another person in this job."

"Well I want to push you to make news, but I don't want to push you out the door," O'Donnell said.

But while CNN reported that NBC News staffers are annoyed that Conde would bring Psaki into the fold when she’s still working as Biden’s mouthpiece, the former high-level staffer called the whole ordeal "silly." 

RATINGS WOES, MADDOW ARRANGEMENT PUT SPOTLIGHT ON CORPORATE SIBLINGS NBC NEWS, MSNBC: ‘NOTHING BUT FAILURE'

"Whoever is leaking that just wants to let people know NBC News is supposedly independent," the ex-employee said. 

Another MSNBC insider told Fox News Digital, however, that there have been tensions between NBC's White House unit and MSNBC in the past over the latter's progressive content, putting the former in an "uncomfortable" position. They said that's cooled of late as MSNBC's dayside programming as become more news-heavy, as opposed to its staunchly liberal content that begins at 4 p.m. each day with Nicolle Wallace's "Deadline: White House."

Psaki's dalliance with MSNBC and its reputation for defending the Biden administration was fodder for comic Trevor Noah at last weekend's White House Correspondents Dinner.

Addressing Psaki, he said, "Right now your job is to make the Biden administration look good at all costs. Now that you’re at MSNBC … hmm, actually, you’ll be fine."

Watchdogs aren't impressed with how Psaki is handling the situation, however.

"It's absurd that she's essentially holding two jobs at once – working for the White House while she's an MSNBC-host-in-waiting. She needs to leave the White House immediately and stop the charade," Krakauer said.

University of North Carolina journalism professor Lois Boynton, a fellow at the Parr Center for Ethics, is aware that jumping from the press secretary gig to a news role isn’t anything new, but Psaki’s situation differs from her predecessors because she’s still fielding questions in the James S. Brady Briefing Room on a regular basis and will soon be offering her opinion for the partisan network. 

"While most political-to-news transitions are to analyst roles, it appears Psaki will be a host for what NBC News president Noah Oppenheim referred to as MSNBC’s ‘perspective programming side;’ that is, opinion programs," Boynton told Fox News Digital. 

Boynton noted that ethics codes for the Public Relations Society of America and Radio Television Digital News Association both address concerns about real, potential and perceived conflicts of interest.

"Bottom line: avoid these conflicts and disclose any that materialize," Boynton said. "The perceptions that can emerge are valid. Will her current employer fear she might favor reporters with scoops in what is presumed to be her next job destination? Will MSNBC reporters ask softball questions since she’s possibly a peer-to-be? And, ultimately, how will public trust in the news be affected?"

Boynton feels it's "evident that some NBC News journalists fear this conflict will rub off" on them as a sister network of MSNBC, which they believe may "further harm their own reputation and trustworthiness." 

"There could be further guilt by association if the public presumes this to be another piece of evidence that media generally can’t be trusted," Boynton said. "A shift from press secretary to an MSNBC role, in and of itself, isn’t inherently unethical. It’s knowing Psaki is expected to shift into a role with MSNBC before she has left her present position that results in a conflict of interest. As they say, timing is everything." 

[wintinfinity]

Population of chicago 1930

There were 1,152,868 housing units at an average density of 5,075.8 per square mile (1,959.8/km 2). The 2000 United States Census had shown the population density of the city itself was 12,750.3 people per square mile (4,923.0/km 2), making it one of the nation's most densely populated cities. More than half the population of the state of Illinois lives in the Chicago metropolitan area. Population Historical populationĪs of the 2010 United States Census, there were 2,695,598 people and 1,194,337 households residing within the city limits of Chicago. 2.1 2019 United States Census Bureau American Community Survey estimates.The city's population peaked in the 1950 Census, although two of the three most recent Censuses as of 2022 have shown moderate growth. Within fifty years of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, the population had tripled to over 3 million. By the close of the 19th century, Chicago was the fifth largest city in the world. Within the span of forty years, the city's population grew from slightly under 30,000 to over 1 million by 1890. English is the primary language of the city, and Christianity accounts as the predominant faith.ĭuring its first century as a city, Chicago grew at a rate that ranked among the fastest growing in the world. The ethnic makeup of the population is 28% Hispanic and 72% belong to non Hispanic background. The racial makeup of the city in 2010 was 45.3% white (31.7% non-Hispanic white), 32% black, 5% Asian, and 3% from two or more races. It is the third largest city and metropolitan area in the United States by population, and the city was home to over 2.7 million people in 2020, accounting for over 25% of the population in the Chicago metropolitan area home to approximately 9.6 million. For other uses, see Chicagoan (disambiguation).Ĭhicago's demographics show that it is a large and ethnically diverse metropolis.

[history-today]

Today In History:

A bit of October 8th history…

1480 - Great Standing on the Ugra River: standoff between forces of Akhmat Khan, Khan of the Great Horde, and Ivan III Grand Prince of all Rus; Tatar-Mongols retreat, leads to disintegration of the Horde

1871 - Great Fire of Chicago kills 200 people and destroys over 4 square miles of buildings and the original Emancipation Proclamation (pictured)

1871 - the original Emancipation Proclamation

1917 - Leon Trotsky named chairman of Petrograd Soviets as Bolsheviks gain control

1945 - Microwave oven patented

1971 - John Lennon releases the single “Imagine”

1998 - US House of Reps votes to begin impeachment hearings against President Clinton on charges of lying about his affair with Monica Lewinsky

2001 - US President GW Bush announces the establishment of the Office of Homeland Security

2018 - Major climate report by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change for the UN says planet will warm 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit by 2040 with dire results

2019 - FBI confirm Samuel Little is America’s most prolific serial killer in history after verifying more than half of his 93 confessed murders 

[momentsinhistory]

Today In History:

A bit of October 8th history…

1480 - Great Standing on the Ugra River: standoff between forces of Akhmat Khan, Khan of the Great Horde, and Ivan III Grand Prince of all Rus; Tatar-Mongols retreat, leads to disintegration of the Horde

1871 - Great Fire of Chicago kills 200 people and destroys over 4 square miles of buildings and the original Emancipation Proclamation (pictured)

1871 - the original Emancipation Proclamation

1917 - Leon Trotsky named chairman of Petrograd Soviets as Bolsheviks gain control

1945 - Microwave oven patented

1971 - John Lennon releases the single “Imagine”

1998 - US House of Reps votes to begin impeachment hearings against President Clinton on charges of lying about his affair with Monica Lewinsky

2001 - US President GW Bush announces the establishment of the Office of Homeland Security

2018 - Major climate report by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change for the UN says planet will warm 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit by 2040 with dire results

2019 - FBI confirm Samuel Little is America’s most prolific serial killer in history after verifying more than half of his 93 confessed murders 

[whattolearntoday]

A bit of October 8th history...

1480 - Great Standing on the Ugra River: standoff between forces of Akhmat Khan, Khan of the Great Horde, and Ivan III Grand Prince of all Rus; Tatar-Mongols retreat, leads to disintegration of the Horde (pictured)

1871 - Great Fire of Chicago kills 200 people and destroys over 4 square miles of buildings and the original Emancipation Proclamation

1917 - Leon Trotsky named chairman of Petrograd Soviets as Bolsheviks gain control

1945 - Microwave oven patented

1971 - John Lennon releases the single “Imagine”

1998 - US House of Reps votes to begin impeachment hearings against President Clinton on charges of lying about his affair with Monica Lewinsky

2001 - US President GW Bush announces the establishment of the Office of Homeland Security

2018 - Major climate report by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change for the UN says planet will warm 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit by 2040 with dire results

2019 - FBI confirm Samuel Little is America’s most prolific serial killer in history after verifying more than half of his 93 confessed murders

[caesarmacarthur]

Gun Violence Essay

Introduction:

Gun violence is one of the largest problems currently facing America, and one of the most divisive debates in history that has rattled American society. This is due to widespread gun violence across the country. The issue is so prevalent, that Americans are more likely to die from gun violence than the combined risks of drowning, fire and smoke, stabbing, choking on food, airplane crashes, animal attacks, and natural disasters (Mosher). Another statistic pointing towards its effect is that at least 750,000 people were injured by gunshots over the last decade in the U.S., and 320,000 people were killed.

Gun violence also costs Americans over $229 billion annually, with direct costs totaling around $8.6 billion. Nearly half of which is attributed to prison costs, another $221 billion account for costs that relate to impacts on the quality of life for the victims of gun violence (Follman). On average, 100 people in the U.S. are killed with guns each day, and between 2001 and 2013, firearm injuries took more U.S. lives than the combined number of U.S. people killed by war, AIDS, illegal drug overdoses, and terrorism (Candanosa). In 2019 there were 15,208 deaths, 14,789 in 2018, 15,679 in 2017, 15,112 in 2016, 13,537 in 2015, and 12,418 in 2014. Those numbers do not include yearly suicide by firearms which is even higher (“Gun”).

What is being done to stop this swell of violence that so deeply effects our society? Mass shootings are arguably the most covered form of gun violence by media and thus receive the most public attention. However, compared to other forms of gun violence, mass shootings are rare in comparison and only account for .02% of yearly firearm deaths (“Mass”). As a result, the daily firearm violence that directly affects communities often gets overlooked in discussions about addressing the violence.

Proposal:

What is needed to address gun violence is a multi-pronged community level approach that deals with the causes of and helps prevent future incidents of gun violence before it takes place. One example of this that has proven to be successful at reducing violence is The Chicago Violence Reduction Strategy or (VRS) which has been associated with a 23% reduction in all shootings and a 32% reduction in shooting victimization among those participating (“Evaluating”).

How does this method achieve this remarkable reduction in violence? The gist is that VRS incorporates the provision of social services and collective accountability to deter street violence in collaboration with law enforcement. The main aspect the program uses is something called “Credible messengers”- who ideally are former members of the groups affected by gun violence. These messengers attempt to dissuade groups from engaging in violence and to warn of what could happen if the violence persists. This is to generate community wide objections to violence and give help to those who are affected to prevent future violence.

The implementation of the strategy was conducted in the following manner, street groups that were disproportionately responsible for gun violence were identified, which then provided a detailed social-network mapping of which groups are involved in violent disputes with whom and in what crime hotspots. Once those responsible were identified, intervention took place. This was in the form of respected members of the affected communities who coordinated with the program to deliver a message to the rest of those in the said groups. The massage warned of the potential consequences if the violence continued, highlighted that the people in the groups were valued by the community but that their actions were unacceptable. It was then voiced that there was help for those in the groups that wanted it in the form of social service provisions (“Full”).

This multi-pronged community level approach is a better solution than the status quo approach.  In the wake of shootings that garner nationwide coverage, the most common proposals that get pushed are usually increased gun regulation, and stricter mental health checks. The thought is that increased restrictions on arms will reduce the number of these rampant shootings. However, in 1990 there was a study done that tracked data from every U.S. city with a population above 25,000 and measured the impact of the most wide-reaching gun regulations that dealt with gun ownership. The results showed that the gun regulations produced no evidence that they have either a positive, or negative effect on crime rates (Kleck, Gary, et al).

The other side is mental health, the perception that there is a strong link between mental illness and gun violence is due to media coverage of shootings and violent events involving guns. There have been multiple studies which link media coverage of high-profile acts of violence by people with serious mental illness and a negative public opinion of the said group (Swanson et al.). It has also been shown that policies which intend to keep guns out of the hands of those with serious mental illnesses is not that effective. Risk prediction, particularly for statistically rare events like mass shootings, is a very inexact science.  Studies have pointed out that more than 99% of gun-disqualifying mental health records archived in the NICS (background checks) have not resulted in any denials of attempted firearms purchases by prohibited individuals (Swanson et al.).

So, what is an effective solution to the violence if the status quo of mental health and firearms regulations is proving ineffective to combat the surge of gun violence across the country? This evidence proves that the multi-pronged community approach should become the standard as it offers identification, intervention, and services to those likely to engage in gun violence before it escalates to another shooting.

Justification:

Does this program achieve its goal of reducing shooting participation among the group affiliated members that participated with it? After the initial interventions took place, attendees were interviewed about their perceptions of the message delivered during interventions and repeatedly it was shown that those who heard the message understood it clearly. According to one individual who attended, “It gave me a head’s up on me knowing that I can’t get up with the wrong people or the wrong place. That sticks.” And another reiterated the idea that hearing from those in the community was more impactful than outside law enforcement as hearing from a formerly incarcerated community resident convinced him to seek help via social services provided by the program. After they initially left the intervention, “It meant a lot to me, that’s why I came back. The dude, what he said was true.” (“Full”).  

It is important to note that VRS effectiveness was measured by looking at shooting data and comparing those involved with a group that did attend versus those involved that did not attend interventions. It was found that attendance of the interventions yielded a significant reduction in the likelihood of subsequent group shootings. 12 months post intervention, groups that received intervention, on average, were involved in 0.36 shootings and those who did not receive intervention were involved in 0.46, that is a total of 22% fewer shootings that involved participated groups (“Full”). Another note, participation also showed a 32% reduction in the likelihood of nonfatal and fatal victimization in the 12 months after the VRS intervention. (“Full”).

Rebuttal:

One of the main challenges and refutations of the success of the VRS strategy, would be the evident mutual mistrust that group involved persons and law enforcement have for one another. As VRS is based on the cooperation between law enforcement and leading community members, if the two groups do not share a trust for one another, that could seriously threaten the success of VRS. Group involved members only held an average 2.7% trustful view towards the justice system. Police in affected districts also held a deep mistrust of group involved individuals. 30% of officers believed there is no way to change the behavior of gang members, and only 10% believed gang members cared about the impact their violence had on the community (“Full”).

These numbers are troubling and raise a concern for how effective a method like VRS could even be. However, such a deep-seated mistrust only proves that programs like VRS are necessary to expose group members and police to one another with the common goal of making the communities they live and serve in safer. How can you repair the relationship between the groups if they are not shown that they both share common goals?

Advantages:

Does VRS have any additional benefits outside of the stated goal? The answer to this is yes. There were surveys done on group members in districts that had received VRS intervention and those who did not receive it, that attempted to get an idea about community and group perceptions of their neighborhood overall safety post intervention measures. It was found that those in the district that did receive intervention were associated with a significantly higher rating of neighborhood safety and a higher perception that there would be punishment for further shootings post intervention (“Full”). This shows that VRS generally caused an increased feeling of neighborhood safety and less of a desire to engage in future shootings.  

Discussion:

In face of such a pervasive and sensitive issue for many across the nation, VRS proves that a community-based approach is the most effective way to truly combat the problem of gun violence in communities. VRS tackles the issue in a multi-pronged approach using identification, intervention and services which is needed for a complex issue such as community gun violence. If the local officials and law enforcement continue to sit back and only address gun violence with a retroactive approach, without seeking to combat the causes, the problem will continue, and more people will become statistics in an ongoing epidemic that is devastating to all who are affected by it. Evidence proves that programs like VRS work to reduce gun violence so encourage local officials and law enforcement to implement these community-based programs.  

[history-today]

A bit of October 8th history…

1480 - Great Standing on the Ugra River: standoff between forces of Akhmat Khan, Khan of the Great Horde, and Ivan III Grand Prince of all Rus; Tatar-Mongols retreat, leads to disintegration of the Horde

1871 - Great Fire of Chicago kills 200 people and destroys over 4 square miles of buildings and the original Emancipation Proclamation (pictured)

1871 - the original Emancipation Proclamation

1917 - Leon Trotsky named chairman of Petrograd Soviets as Bolsheviks gain control

1945 - Microwave oven patented

1971 - John Lennon releases the single “Imagine”

1998 - US House of Reps votes to begin impeachment hearings against President Clinton on charges of lying about his affair with Monica Lewinsky

2001 - US President GW Bush announces the establishment of the Office of Homeland Security

2018 - Major climate report by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change for the UN says planet will warm 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit by 2040 with dire results

2019 - FBI confirm Samuel Little is America’s most prolific serial killer in history after verifying more than half of his 93 confessed murders 

[thesenseofplace]

Comparing and Contrasting the Seine and Chicago Rivers

Introduction

Waterways have historically been a founding point for cities—their constraints and opportunities were once essential for people seeking to create a life and community in the area. Valuable resources included drinking water, irrigation, trade, and fording, and use and value of rivers has changed drastically since. Today, the main benefit of urban rivers is recreation—a river is often the most environmentally active region of a city, providing a habitat for wildlife, absorbing carbon, and depositing and eroding its banks.

The Seine River and Chicago River have been developed with the purpose of being used for recreation by the residents of these cities. The usable areas of these rivers are called the Seine quays and the Chicago Riverwalk, respectively.  

Dimension

In the dimension of time, the facilities along the Seine are older. The quays of the Seine were first built in the 1500’s, to help boats that would have otherwise docked on the muddy riverbank (Schofield). The Chicago Riverwalk was built in 2001, and had massive success (Allen).

In the dimension of space, the Chicago Riverwalk boasts 2.7 miles of walkable length, which are continuous with a lakefront trail and allow for additional foot and bike traffic. The Seine quays, having existed for much longer, cover more than 10 miles, although only a portion of those have been recently redeveloped into modern “riverwalk” infrastructure.  

Program

The Chicago River is not, strictly speaking, a river. It is a canal, straight and hard-banked, designed to keep the city sanitary and perpetually visited by ships.By the 1830s, Chicago had become a village with a mix of French Canadians, Yankees and Native Americans. The social center of that village was Wolf Point. It took only a few decades for Chicago to completely transform from a small settlement to a bustling, industrial boomtown.

In the late 1880s, local leaders decided to re-engineer the river. As Chicago grew, this allowed sewage and other pollution into the clean-water source for the city, contributing to several public health problems. They reversed the flow and built a 28-mile-long canal to connect the Chicago River with Illinois and Mississippi rivers.

The construction of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal opened a vital transportation link between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River. The rebuilding of Chicago started after the Chicago fire. Daniel Burnham’s Plan for Chicago intended to link the City to its hinterlands with a network of parks and natural waterways. The plan also called for an esplanade lining the river’s Main Stem.

In recent years, the relationship between Chicago’s river and people has entered an entirely new chapter. Chicagoans are rediscovering their river, finding new ways to appreciate and improve upon waters and shores.

On Chicago’s north side, it flows through Neighborhoods and avenues. The north side comprises of 77 community areas.  

The source of the main stem of the Chicago River is Lake Michigan. Water enters the river through sluice gates. Here the land use is mainly mixed with business district. Major Chicago landmarks can be found here.

Zoning and Land Use Map: Main Stem. Source: City of Chicago Department of planning and development  

Heading south, the channelized river flows past skyscrapers and an open Chinatown park, and The industrial corridor which is surrounded by densely-populated neighborhoods.

Riverwalk Project:

Looking at the current framework the new Chicago river corridor development plan considers the Specific recommendations for improvements to public and private land that support the goals of the plan. Public demand for access and recreational amenities continues to grow, ensuring that future development will include a diverse mix of industrial, commercial, residential, and recreational uses.

Five key components frame the Chicago River Corridor Development Plan and Design Guidelines:

PATHS AND GREENWAYS

PUBLIC ACCESS

HABITAT AND LANDSCAPING

RECREATION

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

The Seine has played an important role in the history of France and, in a way, the world.  Since it provides a route from the English Channel into the heart of the country, and was navigable by sea vessels, then barges, for a long period of time.

The Seine’s importance as a shipping route made many great French cities grow up around it.

In the mid-18th century, the embankments of the Seine were constructed to facilitate river traffic and navigation. By the late 18th century, the banks were being utilized for recreation and health. River access provided an escape from the dense urban fabric of Paris.  

In the early 19th century, Napoleon began to transform the banks from pedestrian to industrial, building quays to facilitate mercantile exchange. By the mid-20th century, the banks of the Seine were given to the automobile, and memory of a pedestrianized embankment mostly lost in collective memory.

Below the bridge on the left and right quays you will see hundreds of sunbathers, cyclists, strollers, joggers anything else you could hope for, making use of the elegant stone quays. The quays run along the entire length of the river as if bisects the city, parts merge into riverside highways and others into pedestrian walkways and bicycle paths. A section of the pedestrian bank has been designated the "Paris Beach" by the new Mayor, and has become THE summer attraction in the city. Thousands of tons of sand are imported along with full size palm trees, beach chairs and chaise-lounges to create what may be the only artificial "beach" in Europe.

Component

The Chicago Riverwalk and the Seine in Paris are vibrant pedestrian spaces, but they deliver life to their respective cities in different ways. The Chicago Riverwalk is a new development featuring a clear delineation of space between programs. The Riverwalk is comprised of 6 ‘coves’ on the western half and a greenspace running the length of the eastern half. Separated by bridges, the 6 coves feature plazas, marinas, restaurants, and a theater. 

The Seine is comprised of a more informal use of space. The main pedestrian area of the Seine stretches from the Eiffel tower in the west to Notre Dame in the east. The banks of the Seine in these areas are left largely unprogrammed. Areas of greenery, picnic tables, and even small beaches are spread across the banks. Pedestrians make their way along the river, stopping when they to please. Another influential component to the Seine is the historic bridges that cross over it. These have become pedestrian magnets linked by their views of the river.

The Chicago Riverwalk and the Seine are both popular pedestrian spaces, but they are very different in the way they provide vibrant pedestrian experiences.  

Sources

Barrett, M. (n.d.). The River Seine. https://www.aparisguide.com/seine/

Schofield, H. (2013, October 14). Reclaiming Paris’s River Seine quayside. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-24520146

Allen, K. (2013, November 7). Reclaiming Rivers: The Latest Trend in Urban Design. https://www.archdaily.com/445637/reclaiming-rivers-the-latest-trend-in-urban-design

Paris Photo:

https://archive.curbed.com/2016/9/27/13080078/paris-bans-cars-seine-right-bank-air-pollution-mayor-anne-hidalgo

Chicago Photos:

https://www.asla.org/2018awards/453251-Chicago_Riverwalk.html

https://beltmag.com/chicago-river-future/

https://www.architecture.org/news/chicagos-riverwalk/the-chicago-river-from-industry-to-recreation/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_River#:~:text=Today%2C%20the%20main%20stem%20of,Chicago%20Sanitary%20and%20Ship%20Canal.

https://gisapps.chicago.gov/ZoningMapWeb/?liab=1&config=zoning

https://interactive.wttw.com/chicago-river-tour/history-chicago-river

[nbatrades]

Cleveland Cavaliers Deal Luke Jackson to Boston Celtics for Dwayne Jones

On October 13th, 2006, the Cleveland Cavaliers traded forward Luke Jackson and cash considerations to the Boston Celtics for center-forward Dwayne Jones. Cleveland also received a trade exception from Boston in the deal.

In 2004, the Cleveland Cavaliers were just finished with LeBron James’ rookie season. Though the team had finished out of the postseason, they still had some things in their favor. They ended up with the 10th pick in the 2004 NBA Draft. Looking for another prospect to complement James, the Cavs homed in on wing Luke Jackson.

A four-year college star at Oregon, Jackson had averaged 21.2 PPG, 7.2 RPG and 4.5 APG in his senior year. He was a finalist for the Naismith College Player of the Year and John R. Wooden awards. The Cavaliers envisioned Jackson’s shooting as the perfect complement to James, and his history as a point-forward in college as an intriguing bonus.

Jackson joined the Cavs’ Summer League roster in Orlando. Jackson has noted in a few interviews after his playing career that in his first Summer League practice, he herniated two discs in his back (via Ridiculous Upside):

“I was more of a shooting guard and LeBron is a small forward, so it wasn’t a bad fit at all, but during my first day of Summer League I herniated two discs in my back and it basically crippled my athleticism.”

Jackson ended up missing all of Summer League. He had a limited role with the Cavaliers during the beginning of the 2004-05 season. Jackson appeared in 10 games (2.9 PPG and 0.6 RPG in 4.3 MPG) before having season-ending surgery to repair a herniated disc in his back. 

The Cavs looked like a playoff team for much of the ‘04-‘05 season. They had the third best record in the East (31-21) after 52 games. The Cavs dropped nine of their next 12 games, falling to 34-30. Soon after, Cleveland fired head coach Paul Silas and replaced him with assistant Brendan Malone. 

Cleveland still struggled, going 8-10 down the stretch to end up with a 42-40 mark. The Cavs were tied for eighth with the New Jersey Nets, but the Nets had the head-to-head tiebreaker over Cleveland. 

Cleveland transformed after the team was bought by new owner Dan Gilbert. Gilbert fired Jim Paxson as general manager and replaced him with Danny Ferry. Mike Brown subsequently filled in the vacant head coaching position.

Armed with loads of cap space in the summer of 2005, the Cavs pursued several high profile targets. After striking out on guards Ray Allen and Michael Redd, Cleveland signed guard Larry Hughes. The team also signed veteran Donyell Marshall and re-signed All-Star center Zydrunas Ilgauskas. 

Jackson managed to recover from his back issue and played in 2005 Summer League with the Cavs. He ended up contributing 10.5 PPG on 37.5% shooting, 2.7 RPG and 3.5 APG in four games. 

With James as the centerpiece and a higher profile supporting cast, there were raised expectations for Cleveland. Jackson was given some opportunities to play, but he generally struggled to string together solid performances. Surgery on a broken left wrist caused him to miss a big portion of the season. Overall, Jackson participated in 36 games and recorded 8.8 MPG, 2.7 PPG on 34.1% on FGs, 1.1 RPG and 0.7 APG.

Cleveland was one of the better teams in the East during the 2005-06 season. They got off to a 9-2 start and never looked back. The Cavs finished third in the East with a 50-32 record. Cleveland beat the Washington Wizards in the first round of the 2005 playoffs 4-2. The Cavs lost in seven games in the second round to the Detroit Pistons. During Cleveland’s playoff run, Jackson had to have a second procedure on his back in less than two years.

Jackson joined the Cavs for Summer League and struggled mightily. The wing shot just 31% in six games and posted 11.5 PPG, 5.3 RPG and 4.0 APG in 32.7 MPG.

Though Jackson was healthier by the time his third season would begin, he had fallen further down the food chain in Cleveland’s ecosystem. The Cavs had a multitude of options next to LeBron James at the two-guard spot with Larry Hughes, Damon Jones and Sasha Pavlovic leading the way. 

To give Jackson an opportunity to play somewhere else, the Cavaliers dealt him to the Boston Celtics in the middle of 2006 training camp. Jackson ended his time in Cleveland with 2.7 PPG, 1.0 RPG and 0.6 APG in 46 appearances with Cleveland. He shot 35% on FGs, 38% on threes and 79% from the charity stripe.

Dwayne Jones became a member of the Boston Celtics after he was a minor piece in a six-player trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Known as a raw talent, Jones had the ability to rebound and play scrappy defense, but provided little on offense. Boston went 16-24 after that trade and finished the season with a 33-49 mark. Overall, Jones saw action in 14 games and posted 1.0 PPG and 2.2 RPG in 6.2 MPG. 66.6% of Jones’ minutes came in the last two games of the season when Boston sat several key players after they were eliminated from playoff contention. 

In the offseason, Jones played on the Celtics’ Summer League team, averaging 2.5 PPG and 2.7 RPG in four contests. Jones was on Boston’s roster for 2006 training camp. Due to a glut of centers (Theo Ratliff, Al Jefferson, Kendrick Perkins and Michael Olowokandi), Jones was likely to be cut despite having a guaranteed contract for the 2006-07 season.

The trade happened during training camp. Jackson and the Cavs were coincidentally in Boston for a game against the Celtics the same day as the trade. 

At this point, the Cavs and Celtics agreed on a deal that benefitted all parties. Jackson would get a chance to play potentially. Jones would stick with a Cavs team that had less depth in the frontcourt. 

Cleveland cut some payroll by dealing Jackson’s over $2 million salary for Jones’ $660,000 contract. Boston fit Jackson’s salary into a $2.1 million trade exception that originated from Dan Dickau being dealt from Boston to Portland several months prior. The Cavs sent Boston cash considerations to pay off some of Jackson’s deal. Cleveland also received a trade exception from making the trade.

Once the dust settled from the trade, Jackson was never able to make an impact in training camp with the Celtics. The last roster spot came down to Jackson and center Michael Olowokandi. An injury to center Theo Ratliff created more of a need for Olowokandi. Jackson was waived by the club before the start of the season. He later signed a 10-day contract with the Los Angeles Clippers in January of 2007.

Dwayne Jones spent much of his time in Cleveland on the bench. The 6-foot-11 center only appeared in four games with the Cavs, compiling 0.8 PPG and 1.5 RPG in 4.8 MPG. Jones had a brief stint in the NBA D-League. He appeared in two games (one start) with the Albuquerque Thunderbirds, averaging 11.5 PPG, 11.5 RPG and 6.0 BPG.

The Cavaliers finished the 2006-07 season with a 50-32 record. As the second seed in the East, Cleveland swept the Washington Wizards 4-0 in the first round. After defeating the New Jersey Nets 4-2, Cleveland upset the first seed Detroit Pistons in six games in the Conference Finals. Cleveland’s championship run would end in the NBA Finals. where they were swept in four games by the San Antonio Spurs. Jones did not play in Cleveland’s run to the Finals.

Jones performed in Las Vegas Summer League with the Cavaliers in the summer of 2007. He was solid in his role as a starter, putting up 9.6 PPG on 67% from the field, 7.6 RPG and 1.4 BPG in five games.

Cleveland kept much of their team intact for the 2007-08 season. Jones was a free agent and signed to a training camp deal with Cleveland. A contract holdout between center Anderson Varejao and the Cavs proved to be a blessing in disguise for Jones. Varejao’s absence allowed Jones to step up in preseason. A 13-rebound, five-block performance against the Detroit Pistons helped seal Jones’ place on the roster.

Jones saw more opportunities to get into games during the ‘07-‘08 season. The former Saint Joseph’s standout played in 56 games. He managed 1.4 PPG and 2.5 RPG in 8.4 MPG. Cleveland suffered a bit of a Finals hangover, starting off the season 10-14. Improved play and a midseason three-team trade with the Chicago Bulls and Seattle Supersonics helped Cleveland rebound from their bad start.

Despite a decent finish, Cleveland finished off of their 50-win pace from the previous year with a 45-37 record. In the 2008 postseason, the Cavaliers managed to defeat the Washington Wizards 4-2 in the first round. They played a classic second round matchup against the 66-16 Boston Celtics, losing the series in a tight Game Seven on the road. Jones barely played in Cleveland’s 2008 playoff run. He appeared in five out of 13 contests, scoring three points in 20 minutes.

In the 2008 offseason, Jones became a free agent and was a training camp signing for the Orlando Magic. He ended his run in Cleveland with averages of 1.4 PPG and 2.4 RPG in 60 career games. Jones shot 52% from the field and 48% from the free-throw line in that time.

Luke Jackson on the trade (via Worcester Telegram & Gazette):

“It kind of caught me off guard, but I’m happy. Hopefully, I’ll get an opportunity to prove myself.”

How the Cavs are helping him out by trading him:

“I think they’re doing me a favor. There’s a lot of guards there. I’m not going to get an opportunity to play there. Not that they’re aren’t some really talented guys here, but they’re trying to play up-tempo. Hopefully I’ll get to play a little bit of small ball.”

On learning that he will play against his former team since Cleveland was in Boston to play the Cavaliers (via Boston Globe):

“It’s been a little crazy. You wake up and all of a sudden you learn that you’re playing against your old team. It’s part of the business.”

On his health:

“I’m healthy. It’s the best I’ve felt since I’ve been in the NBA. I’m totally healthy and looking forward to a long career.”

On being a Celtics fan:

“I grew up a Celtics fan. I was a huge Danny Ainge and Larry Bird fan.”

Cleveland Cavaliers general manager Danny Ferry on the trade (via Cavs.com):

“We think Dwayne will be a good fit with us. He has the potential to be a quality rebounder, defender and shot blocker in the NBA. We look forward to having him with us and helping him further develop as an NBA player. Luke has worked his tail off to return from injuries and we wish him the best as he takes the next step of his career. As we looked at our current roster situation, we felt that this trade would better balance our roster and hopefully also put Luke in a better situation to succeed.”

On Dwayne Jones (via Akron Beacon Journal):

“Dwayne is a young guy who is a good defender and he helps our depth. We had a lot of guards and we felt we could make this move. We wish Luke the best of luck.”

Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge on Jackson (via Boston Globe):

“I really liked Luke coming out of college and I really liked him when he was healthy.”

How he’s fond of Jackson who shares the same hometown of Eugene, Oregon:

“He’s from Eugene [Ore.], so how bad can he be?”

Celtics head coach Doc Rivers on Jackson (via Boston Globe):

“He really hasn’t had a chance to play yet. He’s another shooter you can add. When you see the speed of Sebastian [Telfair] and Rajon [Rondo], the more shooters you can put on the floor, the more you can spread the floor.”

How shooting is important (via Worcester Telegram & Gazette):

“It gives us another experienced shooter. I don’t think you can have enough of them. Dwayne, it would have been tough for him with the numbers. Luke was a high draft pick. So you might as well take a look.”

Cavaliers forward LeBron James on Luke Jackson (via Boston Globe):

“It’s a new start for Luke. You never like to see a teammate go elsewhere, no matter if he’s playing every last single game or if he hasn’t played that many games at all. He has a fresh start and it’s going to be helpful for him.”

Image of Luke Jackson via Getty Images/Andrew D. Bernstein

[rabbitcruiser]

Lamps, Chicago (No. 6)

During its first hundred years, Chicago was one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. When founded in 1833, fewer than 200 people had settled on what was then the American frontier. By the time of its first census, seven years later, the population had reached over 4,000. In the forty years from 1850 to 1890, the city's population grew from slightly under 30,000 to over 1 million. At the end of the 19th century, Chicago was the fifth-largest city in the world, and the largest of the cities that did not exist at the dawn of the century. Within sixty years of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, the population went from about 300,000 to over 3 million, and reached its highest ever recorded population of 3.6 million for the 1950 census.

From the last two decades of the 19th century, Chicago was the destination of waves of immigrants from Ireland, Southern, Central and Eastern Europe, including Italians, Jews, Poles, Greeks, Lithuanians, Bulgarians, Albanians, Romanians, Turkish, Croatians, Serbs, Bosnians, Montenegrins and Czechs. To these ethnic groups, the basis of the city's industrial working class, were added an additional influx of African Americans from the American South—with Chicago's black population doubling between 1910 and 1920 and doubling again between 1920 and 1930.

In the 1920s and 1930s, the great majority of African Americans moving to Chicago settled in a so‑called "Black Belt" on the city's South Side. A large number of blacks also settled on the West Side. By 1930, two-thirds of Chicago's black population lived in sections of the city which were 90% black in racial composition. Chicago's South Side emerged as United States second-largest urban black concentration, following New York's Harlem. Today, Chicago's South Side and the adjoining south suburbs constitute the largest black majority region in the entire United States.

Chicago's population declined in the latter half of the 20th century, from over 3.6 million in 1950 down to under 2.7 million by 2010. By the time of the official census count in 1990, it was overtaken by Los Angeles as the United States' second largest city.

The city has seen a rise in population for the 2000 census and is expected to have an increase for the 2020 census.

Source: Wikipedia