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everettwilkinson · 7 years ago

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POLITICO Playbook: RICHARD SHELBY tells Tapper he didn’t vote for ROY MOORE

Good Sunday morning. BUZZ — SOME HOUSE DEMOCRATS are talking about skipping the State of the Union in January.

THE PRESIDENT is at Trump International Golf Club this morning. He is scheduled to return to Washington later today. TRUMP’S MONDAY: The president is lunching with VP Mike Pence and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue. He will also sign a space policy directive.

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BEHIND THE SCENES AT 1600 — THE BIG STORY — “INSIDE TRUMP’S HOUR-BY-HOUR BATTLE FOR SELF-PRESERVATION,” by NYT’s Maggie Haberman, Glenn Thrush and Peter Baker: “Around 5:30 each morning, President Trump wakes and tunes into the television in the White House’s master bedroom. He flips to CNN for news, moves to ‘Fox & Friends’ for comfort and messaging ideas, and sometimes watches MSNBC’s ‘Morning Joe’ because, friends suspect, it fires him up for the day.

“Energized, infuriated — often a gumbo of both — Mr. Trump grabs his iPhone. Sometimes he tweets while propped on his pillow, according to aides. Other times he tweets from the den next door, watching another television. Less frequently, he makes his way up the hall to the ornate Treaty Room, sometimes dressed for the day, sometimes still in night clothes, where he begins his official and unofficial calls.

“As he ends his first year in office, Mr. Trump is redefining what it means to be president. He sees the highest office in the land much as he did the night of his stunning victory over Hillary Clinton — as a prize he must fight to protect every waking moment, and Twitter is his Excalibur. Despite all his bluster, he views himself less as a titan dominating the world stage than a maligned outsider engaged in a struggle to be taken seriously, according to interviews with 60 advisers, associates, friends and members of Congress.

“For other presidents, every day is a test of how to lead a country, not just a faction, balancing competing interests. For Mr. Trump, every day is an hour-by-hour battle for self-preservation. He still relitigates last year’s election, convinced that the investigation by Robert S. Mueller III, the special counsel, into Russia’s interference is a plot to delegitimize him. Color-coded maps highlighting the counties he won were hung on the White House walls. …

— KEY PARAGRAPH: “Before taking office, Mr. Trump told top aides to think of each presidential day as an episode in a television show in which he vanquishes rivals. People close to him estimate that Mr. Trump spends at least four hours a day, and sometimes as much as twice that, in front of a television, sometimes with the volume muted, marinating in the no-holds-barred wars of cable news and eager to fire back.” http://nyti.ms/2Ap5Fe1

— NYT NOTE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE STORY: “Glenn Thrush contributed to this article before he was suspended pending the result of an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behavior.”

IN ISRAEL — AP at 7:51 a.m.: “JERUSALEM (AP) – Israeli police: Security guard seriously wounded in stabbing at Jerusalem’s central bus station.”

— DAVID KENNER in Foreign Policy: “Trump Administration Blindsided Palestinian Leaders on Jerusalem Designation”: “Just last week, Palestinian diplomats were cautiously optimistic that U.S. President Donald Trump was on a path that could deliver what the president termed the ‘ultimate deal’ — a negotiated solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

“According to a senior Palestinian official, their optimism was bolstered by a series of interactions with Trump, culminating in a previously unreported meeting on Nov. 30. The meeting included Trump’s son-in-law and senior advisor Jared Kushner, Special Representative for International Negotiations Jason Greenblatt, and Deputy National Security Advisor Dina Powell, who met with three senior Palestinian intelligence and diplomatic officials.

“The American side, however, did not inform the Palestinian delegation that Trump would recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital at the meeting — even though the president had insisted on doing so in internal deliberations days earlier.

“The meeting, which was confirmed by a National Security Council official, a former U.S. diplomat, and a senior Palestinian official, was held as the first news reports that the Trump administration would recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital were already breaking. The Palestinian delegation asked whether Trump would sign the waiver to prevent the U.S. Embassy from moving to Jerusalem, which the president did sign this week, but the American side did not volunteer the additional information about Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem.” http://atfp.co/2BXzm37

— “Israeli defense chief calls for Arab boycott after protests,” by AP’s Aron Heller in Jerusalem: “Israel’s defense minister called Sunday for a boycott of Arab businesses in an area where residents took part in violent protests against President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Avigdor Lieberman, who heads the nationalist Yisrael Beiteinu party, said the Arabs of Wadi Ara in northern Israel were ‘not part of us’ and that Jewish Israelis should no longer visit their villages and buy their products. Hundreds of Israeli Arabs protested Saturday along a major highway in northern Israel, where dozens of masked rioters hurled stones at buses and police vehicles. Three Israelis were wounded and several vehicles were damaged.” http://bit.ly/2kNVOYg

— REUTERS/BEIRUT: “Violence flares at protest near U.S. Embassy in Lebanon”: “Lebanese security forces fired tear gas and water canons at protesters near the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon on Sunday during a demonstration against President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.” http://reut.rs/2Ar3max

— CHEAT SHEET: “The Jerusalem Issue, Explained,” by NYT’s Max Fisher: http://nyti.ms/2ycz6u5

CALLING IN THE REINFORCEMENTS — “Booker, Patrick rally black Alabamians for Jones,” by Gabe Debenedetti in Selma, Alabama: “Democrat Doug Jones needs African-American voters to turn out in big numbers for him to have a shot at beating Roy Moore in Tuesday’s Alabama Senate election. So the former U.S. attorney brought in two of his most prominent surrogates on Saturday to help: New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker and former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick.

“Their message, amid fears of lagging enthusiasm among black voters and polls showing a neck-and-neck race between Jones and Moore, was that there is no simply excuse for not voting in this election. ‘I know you all made, already, a million phone calls, but I’m here to try to get some folk woke,’ said Booker, addressing a crowd of roughly 200 at Alabama State University in Montgomery, three hours after Patrick appeared with Jones in Selma. ‘Some people don’t understand: the opposite of justice is not injustice. It is inaction and indifference.’ ‘Bad people get elected when good people don’t vote,’ Booker added.” http://politi.co/2jDvmx6

— THE STEP BACK: “Alabama, Despite History of Unruly Politics, Has ‘Never Seen Anything Like This’,” by NYT’s Campbell Robertson and Jonathan Martin in Montgomery, Alabama: “‘I don’t think you can compare this one with anything,’ said Bill Baxley, 76, whose first foray into Alabama state politics was as attorney general nearly five decades ago. ‘I haven’t seen in my lifetime — a long time, I’m 83 going on 84 — one this unique,’ said Sen. Richard C. Shelby, who was first elected to the State Legislature in 1970 and is now the dean of the Alabama congressional delegation.

“‘Never seen anything like this,’ said Glen Browder, 74, a former congressman, during whose political career different Alabama governors were convicted of bribery, brought down by sex scandal and indicted on a charge of stealing money to buy fancy shower stalls and a riding lawn mower.

“The special Senate election here, to be decided Tuesday, has made for one wild and ugly campaign season. It was never going to be afternoon tea, but with the airing of allegations in November that Roy S. Moore, the Republican nominee, had hounded and molested teenage girls when he was in his 30s, the race tightened — and the dialogue went south. Mr. Moore has gone about creating a real-life political science experiment, testing whether last year’s presidential campaign was an anomaly or whether voters remain just as willing to shrug off truth-stretching, multiple charges of sexual misconduct and incendiary speech.” http://nyti.ms/2BXI41j

WAPO’S BOB COSTA and MICHAEL SCHERER: “Bitter Senate race tests Alabama’s image in the country — and at home”: “For many Alabama voters, unaccustomed to a competitive election and the national attention that has come with it, the bitter showdown between Republican Roy Moore and Democrat Doug Jones has become something more personal than a race to fill an open Senate seat. It is now a referendum on the state’s identity. Supporters of Jones say with concern that a win Tuesday by the firebrand Moore would derail the state’s efforts to escape its painful history and rebrand as a forward-thinking place welcoming to Fortune 500 companies and a highly educated workforce.

“And they express a nagging feeling that a Moore victory would be a deflating sign that Alabama remains beholden to its past. … Supporters of Moore, meanwhile, see his candidacy as a conduit for their rejection of the national media and political elites who they believe unfairly caricature their home state as a cultural backwater.” http://wapo.st/2jlYfB6

— WAPO’S DAN BALZ: “For Republicans, there likely can be no truly good outcome. If Moore wins, the party will have preserved the seat but will be saddled with a new senator under a cloud of allegations, including assaulting a teenager many years ago as well as a pattern of pursuing teenagers half his age when he was in his 30s. If he wins and is sworn in, he probably will face an ethics investigation that will keep the controversy alive until his fate is resolved and perhaps much longer than that. For the Republicans, it’s a hot mess.” http://wapo.st/2BR5hRQ

— HOWELL RAINES (former NYT exec editor): “In a sense we are all Alabamians now, wincing when sophisticates abroad satirize our willingness to be beguiled by abnormality. Electing Mr. Jones, who is admired nationally for prosecuting racial crimes, would be a cultural watershed for Alabama voters and a sign that the Trump base will fracture with unexpected ease. Deep in their bones, Alabamians know that if Roy Moore goes to Washington, the wardrobe department at ‘Saturday Night Live’ will surely accommodate them by finding a cowboy vest, a tiny pistol and a Girl Scout dress, and they’re prepared to feel very put upon.” http://nyti.ms/2Arg1tW

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ISAAC DOVERE — “Why Democrats win even if they lose in Alabama”: “Democrats head into Tuesday’s Senate election in Alabama confident that they’ll come out on top no matter who wins. And many Republicans agree with them. If Doug Jones prevails, Democrats expect it will further excite their base, bolster candidate recruitment and fuel fundraising heading into 2018, coming off their near-sweep of last month’s elections. They will revel in picking up a Senate seat in the Deep South, especially in a state so central to President Donald Trump’s political rise and where he earlier backed the loser of the GOP primary. Practically, Republicans would have a 51-49 Senate majority, leaving them with a single vote to spare assuming Democrats stick together.

“But the alternative won’t make for bad politics, either, Democrats say. If Roy Moore wins, they’ll spend the next year yoking every Republican they can to the accused child predator and a president who welcomed him into the GOP fold. They’ll be quick to remind everyone of all the other comments Moore has made against Muslims and gays and in favor of Vladimir Putin’s view of America as evil, as well as his rosy view of slave-era America. ‘He’ll be the gift that keeps on giving for Democrats. If you’re running in 2018, Roy Moore’s going to be your new best friend. As a Republican, to think that you can win without the baggage of Roy Moore is pretty naïve,’ said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).” http://politi.co/2jkfF0U

— “Trump to cut robocall for Moore,” by Alex Isenstadt in Mobile, Alabama: “Donald Trump has agreed to record a robocall for Alabama Republican Roy Moore ahead of next week’s special election, the president’s most direct involvement in Alabama on behalf of the embattled candidate to date. The call, according to a source close to the Moore campaign, is expected to go out to Alabama voters on Monday, a day before the election.” http://politi.co/2A8teU5

SUNDAY BEST, ROY MOORE EDITION — JAKE TAPPER talks to SEN. RICHARD SHELBY (R-ALA.) — in Tuscaloosa — on CNN’S “STATE OF THE UNION”: SHELBY: “Well, I’d rather see the Republican win. But I hope that Republican would be a write in. I couldn’t vote for Roy Moore. I didn’t vote for Roy Moore. But I wrote in a distinguished Republican name and I think a lot of people could do that. Will they do it? I’m not sure. I don’t know what’s going to happen. As a Republican, I had to vote Republican. I wanted to vote Republican. I understand where the president is coming from. I understand we would like to retain that seat in the U.S. Senate. But I tell you what, there’s a time — we call it a tipping point — and I think so many accusations, so many cuts, so many drip, drip, drip. When it got to the 14 year old story, that was enough for me. I said I can’t vote for Roy Moore.”

TAPPER: “You’re going to wake up on Wednesday, and one of these two men, Roy Moore or Doug Jones, is going to be your fellow senator from Alabama. Which one would you rather deal with on a professional level?”

SHELBY: “Well, I don’t have to answer that question today. I — I had rather see another Republican in there, and I’m going to stay with that story. I’m not going to vote for the Democrat. I didn’t vote for the Democrat or advocate for the Democrat. But I couldn’t vote for Roy Moore. The state of Alabama deserves better. I think we have got a lot of great Republicans that could have won and carried the state beautifully and served in the Senate honorably.”

CHUCK TODD talks to SEN. TIM SCOTT (R-S.C.): TODD: “You know, there’s been some concern that the election of Roy Moore is just going to send a larger negative message about what the Republican Party stands for. You have been somebody, as a leader in the party, to try to talk about inclusion. I wonder if comments like this that Roy Moore said when he was revering the age of slavery when he said, ‘I think it was a great time in America at the time when families were united, even though we had slavery. They cared for one another. People were strong in their families.’

“And then I thought about that quote and this tweet from Steve King earlier this week. And he says this, ‘Diversity is not our strength.’ And then he quotes Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán quote, ‘Mixing cultures will not lead to a higher quality of life, but a lower one.’ This stuff inside your party, look Sen. Scott, I know you don’t want to associate yourself with that. But it’s associated with the Republican party. What do you do about this?

SCOTT: “Well, very little that I can do about people who speak ignorantly. And you just have to call it for what it is, No. 1. No. 2, the bottom line is both when Steve King and Tim Scott arrived in this country, we were actually creating diversity because the Native Americans were already here. So that is just a ridiculous statement. Listen, I wasn’t supporting Roy Moore before the allegations. The allegations reinforced why I wasn’t there. The good news is, thank God for leaders like John Ratcliffe, Trey Gowdy, Mia Love, a diverse group of young thinkers who will take our country and our party in a better direction.”

— MARTHA RADDATZ speaks with REP. TERRI SEWELL (D-ALA.) on ABC’S “THIS WEEK”: RADDATZ: “And congresswoman, I want to get your reaction to [a] mailer that the Jones campaign sent out to voters, which says, ‘think if a black man went after high school girls anyone would try to make him a Senator?’ Many view that mailer as racially insensitive. One African-American voter told a local news outlet he no longer plans to vote after receiving the ad, saying, for his campaign to put this flyer out it is a complete slap in the face. You’re the only African-American representing Alabama in Congress. Was that a mistake?”

SEWELL: “Listen, ads don’t, mailers don’t vote, it’s people who vote. And I really believe that the folks of Alabama will see through all of this nonsense about Roy Moore. At the end of the day…” RADDATZ: “But was that mailer a mistake? Do you think that was a mistake? I know people vote and mailers don’t, but was it a mistake?” SEWELL: “Yeah. Well, listen, I don’t think that the folks are concentrating on one piece of literature. I think that we have to look at the whole body of evidence and facts that Doug Jones has been, you know, saying as to why he is the right candidate for the state of Alabama.”

CLIP AND SAVE — NIKKI HALEY told CHRIS WALLACE on “Fox News Sunday” that she wouldn’t take secretary of State of she was offered. She said she’s happy in New York.

AROUND THE TAX REFORM HORN …

— “As tax plan gained steam, GOP lost focus on the middle class,” by WaPo’s Damien Paletta: “The GOP tax plan on the cusp of becoming law diverges wildly from the promises President Trump and top advisers said they would deliver for the middle class — an evolution that shows how traditional Republican orthodoxy swamped Trump’s distinctive brand of economic populism as it moved through Washington. The bill was supposed to deliver benefits predominantly to average working families, not corporations, with a 35 percent tax cut Trump proposed on the campaign trail as part of the ‘Middle Class Tax Relief and Simplification Act.’ …

“But the final product is looking much different, the result of a partisan policymaking process that largely took place behind closed doors, faced intense pressure from corporate lobbyists and ultimately fell in line with GOP wish lists. As top lawmakers from the House and the Senate now rush to complete negotiations to push the tax plan into law, it amounts to a massive corporate tax cut, with uneven — and temporary — benefits for the middle class that could end up increasing taxes for many working families in future years.” http://wapo.st/2kNXReU

— TRUMP ON TAX REFORM: @realDonaldTrump at 8:35 a.m.: “Getting closer and closer on the Tax Cut Bill. Shaping up even better than projected. House and Senate working very hard and smart. End result will be not only important, but SPECIAL!” … at 8:30 a.m.: “Things are going really well for our economy, a subject the Fake News spends as little time as possible discussing! Stock Market hit another RECORD HIGH, unemployment is now at a 17 year low and companies are coming back into the USA. Really good news, and much more to come!”

ON THE WILDFIRES — “Southern California’s fire devastation is ‘the new normal,’ Gov. Brown says,” by L.A. Times’ Ruben Vives, Melissa Etehad and Jaclyn Cosgrove: “Gov. Jerry Brown surveyed the devastation Saturday in Ventura — the area hardest hit by firestorms that have displaced nearly 90,000 people in Southern California — calling it ‘the new normal.’ The visit came four days after Brown declared a state of emergency in response to the wildfires. In all, blazes from Ojai to Oceanside have destroyed more than 790 structures and burned 175,000 acres.” http://bit.ly/2nRk8K7

ZINKE RESPONDS — “Zinke attacks reporting on helicopter rides,” by Ben Lefebvre: “Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke on Saturday attacked POLITICO’s coverage of his use of $14,000 in taxpayer-funded helicopter rides in the D.C. area — but offered no facts that contradicted the story that ran Thursday. ‘Here are the #facts the DC media refuses to print,’ Zinke said in a statement on his official Twitter account.

“‘Recent articles about official Interior Department helicopter usage are total fabrications and a wild departure from reality.’ His statement went on to note — as POLITICO’s story had said — that the trips in question had included a visit to an emergency management exercise in West Virginia and a flyover of a power line project in Virginia. Zinke also defended a separate helicopter flight last summer over two national monuments in Nevada. POLITICO had reported in September on that flight, which Interior Department documents said cost at least $40,000.

“POLITICO’s reporting was based on records that the Interior Department had released under the Freedom of Information Act. Zinke’s travels got more attention Friday in a follow-up story by The Associated Press that mentioned all the helicopter trips.” http://politi.co/2iLKlEd … Ben’s original story http://politi.co/2BOD0Lw

— SPOTTED: ZINKE dining with family at Landini Brothers Restaurant in Alexandria, Virginia, last night.

WHAT CONSERVATIVES ARE READING — “Republicans step up defense of ‘not qualified’ judicial nominees,” by Seung Min Kim and John Bresnahan: “Senate Republicans have declared war on the American Bar Association. Since 1953, the venerable legal organization has played a critical, behind-the-scenes role in assessing judicial nominees and their fitness to serve on the bench. But with the ABA emerging as a major stumbling block in President Donald Trump’s effort to transform the courts, the GOP is accusing the non-partisan group of holding a liberal slant and is seeking to sideline it.

“The ABA has deemed at least four of Trump’s judicial nominees ‘not qualified’ – a high number, although other administrations evaluated candidates privately before they were nominated. Democrats warn of dire consequences of ignoring the group’s evaluations. But Republicans are intent on a dramatic reshaping of the federal judiciary that could last for decades and so far, haven’t been persuaded by the ABA’s ratings.” http://politi.co/2BPLulW

MEDIA CRITIC IN CHIEF — @realDonaldTrump at 6:14 p.m.: “.@daveweigel of the Washington Post just admitted that his picture was a FAKE (fraud?) showing an almost empty arena last night for my speech in Pensacola when, in fact, he knew the arena was packed (as shown also on T.V.). FAKE NEWS, he should be fired.” … at 5:01 p.m.: “.@DaveWeigel @WashingtonPost put out a phony photo of an empty arena hours before I arrived @ the venue, w/ thousands of people outside, on their way in. Real photos now shown as I spoke. Packed house, many people unable to get in. Demand apology & retraction from FAKE NEWS WaPo!”

— @daveweigel at 5:04 p.m. replying to Trump: “Sure thing: I apologize. I deleted the photo after @dmartosko told me I’d gotten it wrong. Was confused by the image of you walking in the bottom right corner.”

— @NicolleDWallace: “Some free PR advice for my pals in the media – Donald Trump would love to have a fight about whether the press tells the truth – FACT: there are higher standards in every newsroom than on potus twitter feed and White House press briefing- do not take the bait. Carry on.”

LISTEN IN to the latest bonus Playbook Audio Briefing episode from our live recording Thursday night at Sixth and I Synagogue. Today we’re posting Jake and Anna’s discussion with NRCC’S JOHN ROGERS and DCCC’S DAN SENA http://bit.ly/2iMHyuF Make sure you subscribe on your favorite podcasting app (Apple Podcasts http://apple.co/2uK0bDc … Stitcher http://bit.ly/2BTyvQZ) so you don’t miss our daily briefings.

— ICYMI here’s a link to our talk with NYT’S Michael Barbaro http://bit.ly/2AGWD96 and POLITICO all-star panel of Seung Min Kim, Rachael Bade and Annie Karni http://bit.ly/2iGgf4X

FUN CLICK — SNL’s “Visit with Santa Cold Open” — “Santa Claus (Kenan Thompson) and his elf (Kate McKinnon) field some uncomfortable Christmas present requests” from kids related to politics. 6-min. video http://bit.ly/2iMtO2P

PHOTO DU JOUR: An Army Black Knights cadet celebrates the win over the Navy Midshipmen on Dec. 9 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Army beat Navy 14-13. | Elsa/Getty Images

AT FOGGY BOTTOM — “U.S. Diplomat’s Resignation Signals Wider Exodus From State Department,” by FP’s Dan De Luce and Robbie Gramer: “An award-winning U.S. diplomat who was seen as a rising star at the State Department has issued a scathing resignation letter, accusing Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and the Donald Trump administration of undercutting the State Department and damaging America’s influence in the world. Elizabeth Shackelford, who most recently served as a political officer based in Nairobi for the U.S. mission to Somalia, wrote to Tillerson that she reluctantly had decided to quit because the administration had abandoned human rights as a priority and shown disdain for the State Department’s diplomatic work, according to her letter, obtained by Foreign Policy.

“‘I have deep respect for the career Foreign and Civil Service staff who, despite the stinging disrespect this Administration has shown our profession, continue the struggle to keep our foreign policy on the positive trajectory necessary to avert global disaster in increasingly dangerous times,’ Shackelford wrote in her Nov. 7 letter, which is published below. One phrase was redacted on Shackelford’s request. ‘With each passing day, however, this task grows more futile, driving the Department’s experienced and talented staff away in ever greater numbers,’ she wrote.

“Her former colleagues said her departure — and the sentiments expressed in her letter — reflect a wider exodus of midcareer diplomats who have lost confidence in Tillerson’s management and the Trump administration’s approach toward diplomacy. ‘She’s emblematic of what we’re losing across the board,’ said one of Shackelford’s former State Department colleagues. ‘She is the best among us. We should not be losing the best among us. And that should concern people that we are,’ the former colleague said.” http://atfp.co/2ASUiKz

VALLEY TALK — “Tech’s new D.C. partner: Charles Koch,” by Nancy Scola: “The tech industry has found a surprising new ally in its effort to shape public policy in Washington: the 82-year-old libertarian billionaire Charles Koch. Two organizations founded by Koch, one an education-focused institute and the other a grant-making foundation, have spent the past year ramping up their efforts to shape public debate on tech policy topics like self-driving cars and the rights of online publishers.

“And despite their ideological distance on issues like the Paris climate accord, the Koch groups and left-leaning Silicon Valley are working together to advance the argument that innovation is most likely to flourish when legislators and regulators leave it alone. … The deep-pocketed Koch groups have the resources to help tech put on educational events, co-host conferences and fund academic research. But the alliance with Charles Koch also allows Silicon Valley to expand its contacts and influence in the age of Donald Trump — in a Washington that looks much different from what the tech executives who supported Hillary Clinton had expected after the 2016 election.

“For an industry in need of new friends in D.C., amid threats of antitrust scrutiny and criticism of its role in enabling Russian election interference, the Kochs’ deep ties to conservative circles may prove useful.” http://politi.co/2kPTf7V

DEMS TRY TO MOVE FORWARD — “DNC ‘unity’ panel recommends huge cut in superdelegates,” by Kevin Robillard: “A commission set up to help reform the Democratic presidential nominating process has voted to restrict the number of superdelegates as part of a slew of changes. The Democratic Party’s Unity Reform Commission is recommending cutting the number of superdelegates by about 400, equal to a 60 percent reduction. Many of the remaining superdelegates would see their vote tied to the results in their state.

“The commission is also suggesting that absentee voting be required as an option for presidential caucus participants. It is calling for automatic voter registration and same-day voter registration. And it wants to mandate public reporting of raw vote totals from caucus states. The recommendations will now go to the Democratic National Committee’s rules and bylaws committee, and then likely to the full 447-member Democratic National Committee for consideration sometime next year, where it will need two-thirds support to pass.” http://politi.co/2ARNnkR

— “Democrats eye gains in Pennsylvania trial on ‘goofy’ gerrymandering,” by Reuters’ Joseph Ax in Lower Merion, Pennsylvania: “The 7th congressional district has become a national poster child for critics of gerrymandering, the process by which one party draws district boundaries to ensure an advantage among voters. Democrats say the lines have helped Republicans like U.S. Representative Patrick Meehan, the four-term incumbent [Democrat Daylin] Leach seeks to unseat, to stay in office.

“That could soon change, however. On Monday in state court in Harrisburg, one of three lawsuits challenging those boundaries heads to trial. The outcome could shift several battleground districts in Pennsylvania and in turn boost the Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives, where they last held the majority from January 2009 to January 2011. The 7th district is so precisely engineered that at one point it narrows to the width of a single seafood restaurant, snaking past two other congressional districts so it can link two far flung Republican-leaning areas.” http://reut.rs/2iO5fCG

BONUS GREAT WEEKEND READS, curated by Daniel Lippman:

— “Tales of War and Redemption,” by Phil Klay in the American Scholar: “A soldier may call out to God while in combat, but the experiences that cause him to do so might be the very ones that later cause him to abandon his faith altogether. What kind of God would allow any of the innumerable things that happen in a war zone? This old complaint takes on a particular urgency when you’ve seen children dying slowly after going through more pain than any human being should ever experience.” http://bit.ly/2y80OIn

— “Chronicler of Islamic State ‘killing machine’ goes public,” by AP’s Lori Hinnant and Maggie Michael: “For nearly two years, he’d wandered the streets of occupied Mosul, chatting with shopkeepers and Islamic State fighters, visiting friends who worked at the hospital, swapping scraps of information. … He forced himself to witness the beheadings and deaths by stoning, so he could hear the killers call out the names of the condemned and their supposed crimes. … He wasn’t a spy. He was an undercover historian and blogger.” http://bit.ly/2BP4iS4

— “Hillary Clinton meets Mary Beard: “I would love to have told Trump: ‘Back off, you creep,’” by Decca Aitkenhead in the Guardian: Clinton: “There is a deliberate, very well-organised, sophisticated assault on facts and reason and evidence. In our country, it’s driven originally by a cabal of billionaires and religious fundamentalists, and their view is that it doesn’t matter what they say. If they say it often enough and they put enough money behind it, they’ll convince a significant number of people.” http://bit.ly/2BheTsV (h/t TheBrowser.com)

— “The Consent of the (Un)governed,” by Laurie Penny in Longreads: “The search for a more human understanding of power and consent is not simply stage-dressing for a bigger fight. It is the big fight. It’s all about the grabby old men, and it always has been.” http://bit.ly/2nFAvsZ

— “My Experience at Charlie Rose Went Beyond Sexism,” by Rebecca Carroll in Esquire: “In 1997, I joined the production team of Charlie Rose’s popular interview show. I was the only black journalist on staff. … Twenty years later, in this watershed moment of examination and reckoning as one powerful white man after another is disgraced … we’re still not talking about the ramifications for black women — or the broader connection to structural racism in America.” http://bit.ly/2jxjMUb

— “Ryan Zinke Is Trump’s Attack Dog on the Environment,” by Elliott D. Woods in Outside: “Early in his political career, the interior secretary irked fellow Republicans with his willingness to stand up for conservation. Things have changed, and whether you love or hate his ideas, know this: he’s one of the few Trump-era cabinet secretaries with the juice to make things happen, and he’s got the boss’s back.” http://bit.ly/2BXFXKP

— “Can Sexual Predators Be Good Scholars?” by Becca Rothfeld in the Chronicle of Higher Ed – per ALDaily.com’s description: “Writing and thinking are intimate activities. Does that suggest brilliant men pay an intellectual price for mistreating women? It’s comforting — and certainly false — to think so.” http://bit.ly/2A4VQO8

— “Success Academy’s Radical Educational Experiment,” by the New Yorker’s Rebecca Mead: “Inside Eva Moskowitz’s quest to combine rigid discipline with a progressive curriculum.” http://bit.ly/2AHgDIR

— “The true story of the fake U.S. embassy in Ghana,” by Yepoka Yeebo in the Guardian: “Last year, the U.S. State Department said it had uncovered a fake embassy in Accra that had been issuing a stream of forged visas. The story went viral – but all was not as it seemed.” http://bit.ly/2j9jaXU

— “Young Americans,” by Michael Hall in the December issue of Texas Monthly: “Pedro Villalobos is a star prosecutor. Gerardo De Loera is a musician. Joseph Ramirez is a tech entrepreneur. They’re young, they’re smart, they make America great. They’re also undocumented, able to live in the country legally under controversial legislation set to end. Now, with time running out as Congress mulls their fate, they—and thousands more like them—face being sent back to a place they’ve never called home.” http://bit.ly/2BUWBuF

— “When Does Work Actually Get Done?” – Priceonomics: “Sustaining focus year-round is more of a Herculean pipe-dream than a reality of the modern workplace. We come into the office with resolve and determination, pump out a few tasks, eat lunch, then gradually deteriorate into a potpourri of Reddit posts and cat videos. But there are certain times where we’re more likely to get our work done.” http://bit.ly/2jcS1Dn

— “Millennials Have Officially Killed the Holiday Office Party – Thanks Vox.com,” by The Weekly Standard’s Matt Labash: “It is a time-honored tradition … Show up to your company’s voluntary holiday gathering, where absences are informally noted by supervisors who will passive-aggressively punish the missing come January. Pretend you enjoy socializing with colleagues that you wouldn’t invite over to your house on a dare.” http://tws.io/2kPe1Vk

— “9 common-sense rules for getting the most out of meetings,” by Ray Dalio on TED.com: “Veteran financier Ray Dalio has been in every kind of meeting: the good, the bad and the ugly. Here’s how he keeps his meetings focused and productive.” http://bit.ly/2iGmPIH

— “Longform Podcast#273: Zoe Chace,” a reporter and producer at “This American Life”: “Radio is a movie in your head. It’s a very visual thing. It’s a transporting thing—when it’s done well. And it’s louder than your thoughts. It is both of those things. It would just take me out of the place that I was, where I was lost and couldn’t figure things out.” http://bit.ly/2AGqheT

— “Will Trump Inspire the Next Great American Novel?” by Tom Rosenstiel in POLITICO Magazine: “Once upon a time, Washington spawned towering works of political fiction. What about now?” http://politi.co/2kaApEP

SPOTTED: John Kerry and Jon Hamm on Thursday night at “Hamilton” in London’s West End, where the two took a selfie together at the Victoria Palace Theatre. Kerry first met Hamm after Kerry’s speech at the Charlotte Democratic Convention in 2012. While in London, Kerry had a Carnegie Endowment for International Peace climate change dinner with Ambassador Bill Burns and met with friends from Parliament (both Labour and Tory) who work on foreign policy. Kerry, whose birthday is tomorrow, is heading to Paris for French President Emmanuel Macron’s Tuesday climate change conference titled “One Planet” …

… Rex Tillerson doing the opening coin-toss at the Army-Navy game yesterday in Philly. Also in the stands: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Joe Dunford and State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert with her brother Joe Nauert, a Navy midshipman — pic of the Army kids storming the field after they won 14-13 http://bit.ly/2BsFmUn … Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) last night in the lobby of the Kimpton Lorien Hotel and Spa on King Street in Old Town Alexandria

HOLIDAY PARTY CIRCUIT — SPOTTED at Ron and Sara Bonjean’s annual Christmas party last night at their house in Alexandria where the special surprise celebrity guest was Tori Spelling: Don and Shannon McGahn, Sean Spicer (pic of Sean and Spelling: http://bit.ly/2BqYKkI), Rodell Mollineau, Brian Walsh, Doug Heye, Brian Baker, Aaron Keyak, Tim Burger, Scott Mulhauser and Kara Carscaden, Brad Rateike, Adam Kennedy, Zach Parkinson, Tyler Ross, Sarah Westwood and Jon Conradi, Michelle Fields and Jamie Weinstein, Janet Donovan, Michael and Mary Kathryn Steel, Sam Feist, Polson Kanneth, Marie Harf and Joshua Lucas, Dan Conston, Kelley Hudak, Lauren French, Mark Paustenbach, Mitchell Rivard …

… Andrew Kovalcin, Craig Gordon, Michael LaRosa, Steve Shepard, Benny and Katelyn Rieley Johnson, Brian Danza, Mike Dubke, Michael Falcone, Zeke Miller, Josh and Ali Rogin, Jahan Wilcox, Hadas Gold, Rob Saliterman, Bill McQuillen, Lauren Pratapas, Matt Dornic, Hanna Hope, Neil Grace, Jeff Grappone, Matt and Rebecca Haller, Liz Johnson, Stuart Roy, Steve Shepard, Robert and Katie Zirkelbach, Ben Jenkins, Sean Sullivan, Kevin Sheridan and Erika Gutierrez, Patrick O’Connor, Alice Lloyd, Jenna Lifhits, Hannah Yoest, Meridith McGraw, Vanessa Morrone and Mike Ambrosini, Becca Glover, Katy Summerlin, Ryan Hughes, Eli Yokley.

SPOTTED at Robert Draper and Kirsten Powers’ holiday party yesterday at their house near Catholic University: Chris Stirewalt, Karen Tumulty, Alice Stewart, Juleanna Glover, Christopher Hale, Brendan Buck and Rebecca Berg, Rebecca Cutler, Todd Harris, Tim Burger, Doug Heye, Phil Rucker, David Swerdlick, Sally Quinn, Asawin Suebsaeng and Elizabeth Brown.

WEEKEND WEDDING — OBAMA ALUMNI — “Mary Baskerville, Theodore Newman”: “Ms. Baskerville, 30, is a public relations manager in the corporate and financial practice of Burson-Marsteller in New York. Until January, she was a sponsorship manager at the Clinton Global Initiative in New York, part of the Clinton Foundation. She graduated from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va. … Mr. Newman, 35, is an insurance claims manager at the Starr Companies, an insurance and financial services company in New York. He graduated from Northwestern and received a law degree from American University. … The couple met in 2013 at a happy hour at Alero, a Mexican restaurant in Washington. Ms. Baskerville was working in press advance for the Obama administration.” With pic http://nyti.ms/2yWdZj5

BIRTHDAYS OF THE DAY: Megan Whittemore, deputy chief of staff for Sen. David Perdue (R-Ga.) and VP of the Senate Press Secretaries Association. A trend she thinks deserves more attention: “Opposites really do attract. My husband and I are a bipartisan couple living and working in a partisan political city, and I believe we can always use more bipartisanship in this town. That’s why I enjoy working with the Senate Press Secretaries Association, which is one of the few bipartisan organizations on the Hill that help bring people together.” Read her Playbook Plus Q&A: http://politi.co/2AIhQzE

… Dateline NBC correspondent Andrea Canning. How she got her start in journalism: “I started at ‘Extra,’ where I babysat editors’ kids so they’d make my resume reel for me. I mailed out 50 VHS tapes and was off to Greenville, MS for my first on-air job.” Q&A: http://politi.co/2BZ2reh

BIRTHWEEK (was yesterday): Brian McGuire, policy director at Brownstein Hyatt and a McConnell alum, who celebrated with his wife Ashley in New York City for the day (hat tip: Scott Jennings, who was on time).

BIRTHDAYS: Mike Shields of Convergence Media and a CNN political commentator … Symone Sanders … Fox News’ Mike Emanuel is 5-0 (h/t James Rosen) … Mercury CEO Kieran Mahoney (h/t Jon Haber) … Michael Bodley … Justin Ahn … Sen. David Perdue (R-Ga.) is 68 … Charlie Watkins … Politico Magazine’s Katie Fossett … former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is 61 … Greg Rothman … Misha Belikov, analyst at Point72 Asset Management … Google alum Steve Johnston (h/t Tim Burger) … Mitchell Rubenstein … N.Y. Daily News’ Erin Durkin … Robert Maguire … Rep. Austin Scott (R-Ga.) is 48 … Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) is 57 … Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) is 64 … Edelman’s Shawn Stafford … Kip Wainscott, senior adviser on Silicon Valley at National Democratic Institute … Chris McGrath … Bill Baroni, former deputy executive director of the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey …

… Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.) is 67. He’s “celebrating with his wife, children and grandchildren and is looking forward to a big birthday cake from world-renowned Rick’s Bakery in Fayetteville” (h/t Tim Griffin) … Jennifer Cox, chief of staff for Rep. Dan Kildee (D-Mich.) (h/t Mitchell Rivard) … Ryan Beene … Jackie Etter-Krause … Gigi Anders … Lisa Rowan … Tom Zampino … David French, SVP of gov’t relations at National Retail Federation … Ellie Bartow … Kristin Wilson Keppler … Matthew Gagnon is 37 … Doug Rosenthal … Don McDowell … Susan Milligan, political writer for U.S. News & World Report … David Kieve, partner at Hilltop Public Solutions … Laura De Castro … Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony List … Doug Badger … Scott MacKay … Jess Peterson, president and CEO of Western Skies Strategies … Gloria Loring … Hope Hodge Seck … Mitchell Schwartz … Rick Siger … Michelle Mayorga … Wayne Smith (h/ts Teresa Vilmain)

****** A message from PhRMA: In the competitive marketplace for medicines, negotiations between pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and biopharmaceutical companies result in substantial rebates and fees. According to a new report, in many cases, this system often creates incentives for PBMs to prefer medicines with higher list prices and higher rebates. Read more about how money flows through the supply chain here: http://onphr.ma/2kgd6Nu ******

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luckybouquetnachous-blog · 7 years ago

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Travelling To Mombasa Kenya? Know Earlier than You Go

The tourism industry is the most important supply of revenue to Kenya after agriculture. Mombasa is a ravishing sunny tropical island with white sandy seashores and welcoming warm waters alive with all manner of marine life. Other national parks that make the list for best wildlife viewing are Denali Nationwide Park in Alaska, Glacier Nationwide park in Montana, Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado and Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota. The water in most metropolis accommodations is often secure for consuming Nevertheless, if in doubt, bottled water is on the market. Climbers can rent gear, ropes and gear in Kenya, however might want to carry their very own private equipment and equipment. For many who cannot afford the quick flight safaris which can be accessible to single travelers, becoming a member of a price range safari presents a viable solution to enjoying the wonders of the Mara in a more affordable manner. When planning your journey to Kenya, you need to consider taking injections so that you do not contract any diseases. An element from this, there are other journey locations where you'll be able to spend your holidays and have full adventure. The islands are surrounded by sea lions, seals, grey whales and humpback whales. Some elements of the country are extra weak to disease outbreaks and so you should arm your self with the required injections. Mombasa enjoys a pleasant tropical local weather all year long with the most popular months between December to April hitting a maximum of 31C and the cooler months between July and August with highs of 27C. You may save over $200 as in comparison with traveling in the excessive season. Functions may be made at any Kenya excessive fee or embassy previous to touring. It is necessary also to notice that a few of these injections will last in your physique for a long time period and some can as much as 25 years just like the Hepatitis B. These should cowl particularly the long term travellers. Elsewhere, outcomes have been introduced otherwise nationally to their announcement regionally, and the outcomes have been delayed for twenty-four hours at a time when Kibaki's Kenya election rival, Raila Odinga, was leading in the polls. That they are called finances safari does not however imply that they're low high quality safaris. I am not an expert rooster tikka recipe maker, however my recipe below is definitely not slaved-driving! Blessed with super topographical variety stretching over four climatic zones and that includes coral reefs, desert landscapes, volcanoes and snow-capped mountains, Kenya has it all in one. The Amboseli National Park is Positioned on the foot of Africa's highest mountain (Mt. Probably the most widespread national parks in Kenya with a wide range of accommodation; the panorama is dominated by Mount Kilimanjaro and the park is famous for its large recreation and scenic beauty; chicken life is plentiful. Nonetheless, if you're touring alone and don't mind becoming a member of other like-minded, although strangers on safaris, you can break via the fee barrier and revel in magnificent safaris. The vast mouth of the coastal waters at Kilifi Creek makes Mombasa a really perfect place for crusing and there are yachts as well as skilled crew obtainable for rent. Firstly of a 12 months, Kenya could typically count on to be welcoming tons of of vacationers a day - the latest fall out decreased the numbers right down to a brave few who had decided to disregard the inevitable warnings from the foreign office about travelling to the country, which was then positioned within the 'civil unrest' list of locations not to go to. The single entry visa (obtainable upon arrival) is USD50 (correct on the time of printing) or the equal in local forex. Currency Rules There are not any restrictions on the movement of forex into Kenya for currency transactions. Ensure that to examine any electrical appliance that you may be bringing along with you for compatibility. That could be a better approach to take pleasure in Kenya's secrets and techniques, quite than touring in a big group of 40 or extra as most people do. If you'll find a tour firm that offers this degree of personal service, then your trip may be tailored to fit your personal timetable and desires, and not these of the bulk, or even in some circumstances the minority! Safety it is a wise precaution to not stroll alone within the isolated towns or seashore areas notably after dark. Take your credit cards together Traveller's Cheques and a few U.S. Dollars money. You can have a custom-made tour to suit your requirements or select a number of finances and luxurious safari packages with the assistance of your company. National Reserve The world's most well-known Sport Reserve as a result of annual wildebeest, zebra and gazelle migration over this vast plain offering breathtaking views; house to a profusion of wildlife and birds; activities embrace wonderful recreation viewing yr round, balloon rides and hen watching. cheap hotels near me If you're travelling extensively throughout the country just remember to bring appropriate baggage. American Categorical, Visa, Grasp Card and different properly-recognized playing cards are widely accepted at ATMs and main institutions throughout Kenya however you will need to ask who you're paying if they take such cards in advance. The Mombasa Kenya beaches reminiscent of Nyali, Bamburi, Mtwapa, Tiwi, and Diani have world-class resorts and guesthouses that provide wonderful lodging and cuisine. For that you will have to guide yourself a luxurious journey vacation, with private service providing vacation planning from simply yourself and your partner. Most resorts and restaurants embody a 10% service charge. The excessive value of transportation in some locations makes it troublesome to get pleasure from various excursions. The park is home to 116 species of amphibians and reptiles, 139 species of mammals and greater than four hundred species of birds. Resulting from altitude and topographical variations of the varied regions, these seasons and temperatures usually are not uniform and differ greatly. Malinda is another part of Kenya you must not miss: situated on the Indian Ocean Malinda presents Hemingway's a luxurious resort that offers the easiest private service. You need to then go to the Masai Mara Nature Reserve, the place the large game animals are less beneath menace from human exercise. There are additionally many varieties of water sports alongside the Coast which include scuba diving and scuba safaris, water-snowboarding, snorkeling, wind-browsing and you may as well view the coral reefs utilizing a glass bottomed boat. The capital is Nairobi, and that may be a good place to begin. These islands are now an Indonesian national park and permits and tour guides are required, however they make the expertise far more user-friendly (Komodo dragons aren't in petting zoos for a motive). Yellow fever is also prevalent in Kenya and what you can do to protect your self from this is by taking the Yellow Fever injection which usually lasts within the body for a very long time and is generally really helpful for travelers who are planning to stay within the country for a significantly long time. Attempt to head for the Cottar 1920 Mari Safari Camp, where the 22,000 acre non-public concession houses solely 12 guests, however it's properly worth it, and no luxurious journey travel to Kenya should miss a visit to Cottars. Kenya has over forty parks and sport reserves where you'll have a unique alternative to watch the most magnificent wildlife in Africa. Theodore Roosevelt is a less well-known park and due to this fact provides nice viewing of bison, wild horses, deer and elk with out all of the crowds. You'll be able to camp within the park for higher game viewing and images. Visit the magnificent Fort Jesus and harbour, see the Arab structure in Outdated City and smell the scent of spices. One common thing with these two Islands is their long beaches, ideal for picnic and rest underneath the hot sun. There are a lot of types of lodge in Nairobi, but for those who can, try to ebook into one of many few boutique accommodations that accommodate only a few guests, twelve being a good quantity. Kenya is a democratic nation and, Mwai Kibaki is the current President. Tanjung Puting Nationwide Park in Borneo is likely one of the last locations to see orangutans in their very own pure habitat. A very good quality insect repellent is price bringing. Traveller's cheques are widely accepted and many motels, journey businesses, safari companies and restaurants settle for credit cards. This type of disease is very common in the highland region of the country however guests to Nairobi and Mombasa also must take it. For instance, the tourism businesses in Kenya pay a Catering Tourism and Improvement Levy(CTDL). Before departure, travellers are advised to transform any excess Kenya Shillings into overseas foreign money at a financial institution or bureau de change. However there's additionally the option of looking at this as a chance to fulfill new folks and make mates. Activities are doubtless going to be scheduled so that each person who wants to take part should take part at the agreed scheduled time. The Masai Mara sport reserve is likely one of the most popular safari locations in Kenya. Visas: most guests to Kenya require a visamultiple and singe entry visas are available. Unfortunately the big game, the lions specifically, are in grave danger in Nairobi Park because of the motion of people, so take advantage of the opportunity to see them in the wild while you can. If you are travelling by home/chartered flights inside Kenya, remember that there are baggage restrictions, notably on smaller plane. Calvin Cottar is among the finest guides in the nation, and can take you on a recreation drive in a FOUR WHEEL DRIVE or even a extra conventional ox cart. The Kenya Airways is the nationwide airline and a Sky Workforce associate member. Humpback whales and sea lions are in abundance off shore and on land bears and moose are sometimes instances available for viewing. In the event you call or email the journey agent, they'll tell you whether it is out there or not, relying on your dates of journey. These will be less expensive than eating out at exotic restaurants or motels. Wildlife and the Kenyan seashores are the principle highlights of tourist attraction. Nairobi has lots offer anyone seeking journey travel to Kenya, and you do not have to travel to unknown places to find some of Kenya's finest kept secrets and techniques. Subsequently, the Federation of Tour Operators cancelled all holidays to Kenya, and a lot of people beforehand booked to visit the fascinating country have been left with no possibility however to cancel, and hurriedly check the small print of their worldwide journey insurance insurance policies! Your physician or private physician is aware of you higher and so you need to make some extent of consulting her or him to advise you better on the most important vaccinations that you must take earlier than you journey to Kenya. One space this has affected essentially the most is Kenya's previously buzzing tourism trade, and is one that's simply the nation's largest supply of international earnings, totalling an estimated £500,000,000 per yr. In Malindi, there is the most effective Sea Fishing within the African Content material the place you can see sailfish. Forex Kenyan shilling (KSH) currently round Ksh67 per USD. This place is ideal for snorkeling, diving, fishing and browsing. Areas which can be more susceptible in cities are slums like Kibera in Nairobi where there is very poor sanitation and lack of enough piped water which all the time results in outbreaks of typhoid and Cholera. A yellow fever vaccination is beneficial if the traveller comes from an contaminated nation or space. With many airlines flying to Kenya, this airport has change into a journey hub for East and Central Africa. Why not spend some time in the park and check out the elephants, leopards and cheetahs, and of course the lions. It will likely be an ideal experience to know and understand how the Masai tribesmen are in a position to stay peacefully throughout the dispersal area full of wildlife. Take Karen Blixen's home, for instance, the author of 'Out of Africa', made into an Oscar profitable film, or the Carnivore restaurant, the place you can dine on some unique recreation.

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stephaniefchase · 7 years ago

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Bajan Newscap 8/15/2017

Good Morning #realdreamchasers. Here is your daily news cap for Tuesday, August 15TH, 2017. There is a lot to read and digest so take your time. Remember you can read full articles via Barbados Today (BT), or by purchasing a Daily Nation Newspaper (DN).

GOVERNEMNT PAYING LIP SERVICE - President of the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) Akanni McDowall is charging that the outcome of last Friday’s meeting of the Social Partnership was another indication that the Freundel Stuart-led Cabinet does not take workers’ concerns seriously. And he says a meeting of the island’s four major trade unions – the NUPW, the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU), the Barbados Secondary Teachers’ Union (BSTU), and the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) – will be convened shortly to discuss the way forward. Representatives of the trade unions and the private sector met with Stuart and other government officials for eight hours at the Hilton Barbados Resort last Friday, during which the National Social Responsibility Levy (NSRL), which increased from two per cent to ten per cent as of July 1, featured prominently. In his closing remarks, the Prime Minister said although the NSRL was being viewed by its critics as the “sin against the Holy Ghost”, his Government was forced to “bite the bullet” in an attempt to address the large fiscal deficit. He repeated an earlier assertion – denied by the trade unions – that when Government met with leaders of the labour movement on June 23, they agreed to wait until September 30 to see how the levy would performed. Stuart further contended that he had made a promise that, depending on its performance, Government would be willing to seriously consider either a coping allowance or serious discussions on a salary increase. He therefore implored the unions to stick to the agreement. However, like BWU General Secretary Toni Moore, McDowall categorically denied that such an agreement had been reached. The NUPW boss told Barbados TODAY while they went into the discussions hoping for a resolution, the contentious issues were left unresolved. The NUPW leader would not say whether the unions would resume actions to force the administration to accede to their demands for a 50 per cent reduction in the NSRL. (BT)

STEPHEN NOT OPTIMISTIC ABOUT ECONOMIC RECOVERY - The writing had been on the wall for the Barbados economy for some time, and Government should have taken the necessary steps to avoid the current situation, says economist Jeremy Stephen. And he is warning that unless some tough medium-term strategies are employed investor and consumer confidence will not return anytime soon. The economist said Government must find ways to increase tourism spend; while carrying out public sector reform; finding new drivers of economic growth; and ways of ensuring food security while giving incentives to farmers to improve the performance of the agriculture sector. However, Stephen said those efforts were being stalled due to international occurrences, the lack of political will, tight fiscal space, and Government’s inability to understand what needed to be done and the tools required to execute proficiently. The economist said it seemed Government was afraid to take risks and the “bold decisions” that were needed, adding that it was now too late for any form of public debt refinancing without hurting its ability to repay its Credit Suisse loan. The latest Central Bank report indicated that the economy grew by 2.2 per cent, but the reserves dropped to just 9.7 weeks of import or $635.5 million, well below the 12 weeks benchmark. Stephen told Barbados TODAY while he welcomed the 2.2 per cent economic growth, when inflation and other factors were considered he was “not overly impressed”. He said he did not expect investor and consumer confidence to return for another two to three years, although he anticipates an uptick in spending as the country approaches a general election. He added that any government assuming office following the next election, would have to drastically cut expenditure in order to help boost investor confidence. In a separate interview, Executive Director of the Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICAB) Reginald Farley said it was necessary for Government to implement a “coherent” medium-term strategy to ensure sustained economic growth, as well as growth in the foreign exchange reserves. Pointing out that the major challenge for the economy remained the high fiscal deficit and low foreign reserves, Farley said there was also a need to boost investor and consumer confidence. The former Minister of Economic Development said while taxation was necessary Government simply could not tax its way out of its current economic problems. He said while ICAB was pleased with the overall 2.2 per cent GDP growth, which was driven mainly by tourism, he was concerned that the debt and Government expenditure continued to be “a drag” on the economy. (BT)

BUS TERMINAL DELAYED AGAIN - The multi-million-dollar River Bus Terminal complex on Nursery Drive, The City faces yet another delay, with the new completion date set for the end of this year. By then, the project will be just about a year-and-a-half behind schedule, although Director of the Barbados Transport Authority Alex Linton could not immediately say how much the delay would cost the taxpayer. Back in November 2015, Minister of Transport and Works Michael Lashley had said construction on the terminal would start in January last year and be finished by August. However, he announced in April 2016 that a revised deadline of June 2016 could not be met due to financial constraints, and set October as new finish date. This afternoon, Linton said a meeting was scheduled with stakeholders for tomorrow to discuss continuing plans for the project. The new terminal is expected to accommodate about 300 commuters in the main section. It will also house Transport Authority offices on the second floor, an outpost for the Royal Barbados Police Force, transport inspectors and the umbrella organizations for the privately-owned public service vehicles. Lashley has said the terminal will also have bathroom facilities and an internet cafe on the third floor for disembarking students so they could engage in productive pursuits while awaiting the arrival of their parents who may be employed in the city or its environs. (BT)

PSV OPERATORS DISCUSS FARE HIKES WITH SINCKLER – Privately owned public service vehicle (PSV) owners and operators have finally held their long requested meeting with Minister of Finance Chris Sinckler on demands for a hike in bus fares and duty-free concessions. However, at the end of today’s talks, they are no closer to a resolution, as they must now prepare a detailed proposal for discussion at a future meeting, Chairman of the Alliance Owners of Public Transport (AOPT) Roy Raphael told Barbados TODAY this afternoon. He said their request for increased bus fares and duty-free concessions on imported vehicle parts is based on the rising cost of doing business, which has been compounded by the recent imposition of the National Social Responsibility Levy. He also said that following public concerns about the conduct of PSV operators, the organization assured Sinckler that there were two model routes – Sugar Hill and Howells & Ivy – where the operators adhere to the rules, including the wearing the uniforms and keeping law and order. Meanwhile, Director of the Barbados Transport Authority Alex Linton said there were signs of an improvement in discipline among the PSV operators. (BT)

TAXI-MEN: NO TO UBER - The world-wide ride-hailing transportation service Uber is making moves to enter the Barbados market but local traditional taxi operators are fuming over the news. Minister of Tourism Richard Sealy last week disclosed that Uber officials “have been to Barbados and they are talking with the officials responsible for that sector, the Ministry of Transport and Works.” But the idea is not sitting well with some of the principals of taxi operations here. “It is going to kill taxis altogether,” declared Charles Layne, president of the Bridgetown Port Taxi Co-operative Society Limited which has a membership of over 130. “I can’t believe that Government would want to do that” Layne said yesterday in disbelief, adding: “Right now we are going for 3 000 taxi permits and nearly 2 000 ZMs.” He suggested Uber would affect the taxi operators in Barbados “tremendously” and argued the island was “too small” to accommodate the Uber service. (DN)

GARBAGE SCHEME FACES FURTHER SETBACK - At least one private waste hauler has pulled out of a deal with the state-owned Sanitation Service Authority (SSA) over a lengthy delay in payment for garbage collection. Truckers, who last October reached a deal with Government to help clear mounting garbage, recently complained they had not been paid for several months, with the SSA owing in excess of $1 million. Minister of the Environment Dr Denis Lowe admitted to Barbados TODAY on the sidelines of Friday’s Social Partnership meeting at the Hilton Barbados Resort that “there have been some challenges recently in the area of pay”, but the issue was being sorted out, and the waste haulers were well on the way to receiving the outstanding monies. However, Managing Director of Project Recycle Anderson Fat Child Cherry today confirmed that neither he, nor the other waste haulers had been paid. This notwithstanding, he was quick to point out that he was understanding of Government’s financial position and he was committed to working with the SSA in these difficult times. An official of another company also confirmed to Barbados TODAY that his company also had not been paid and was holding out for payment. The official, who did not want the company named, also suggested that the SSA was finding itself in a similar predicament to last year, when an inadequate supply of vehicle to service the country led to overflowing receptacles and huge piles of garbage littering streets and sidewalks. It was those problems that led Government to agree a scheme last October with Project Recycle; Williams Liquid and Solid Waste Management; Garbage Master Limited; Simpsons Trucking Skip Services; and Forde’s Freighting and Rental Service Limited to improve the island’s waste collection. The deal was for six months in the first instance at $411 per hour, but was later revised to $300 per hour, VAT inclusive. During a row with the truckers in February over the revised fees, Lowe had suggested that while the programme had been useful in terms of assisting the SSA with waste collection, it might have run its course. He also explained at the time that the SSA was in a position to sustain between 20 to 24 trucks on the road daily. On Friday, the minister told Barbados TODAY the almost 50-year-old SSA had evolved, as had its needs. He noted that the equipment that the waste collection agency used to service the island 20 to 30 years ago was all but obsolete. Lowe said studies had been conducted and the results submitted to Cabinet, and a debate would soon follow in Parliament on the findings of the reports. Barbados TODAY understands that there was to be a meeting with the various stakeholders, this evening to address the outstanding issues. (BT)

CDB FUNDS $1.7 MILLION SCHOOL REPAIRS PROGRAMME - The Ministry of Education is to spend approximately $1.7 million to upgrade primary and nursery schools ahead of the start of the new school year in September. Director of the Educational Technical Management Unit of the Ministry of Education Richard Harrison said in a release the repairs, funded by the Caribbean Development Bank, began on July 7 and are scheduled to be completed on August 21. According to the release the ministry is expected to spend $1.52 million of the total to carry out priority repairs at 18 schools across the island. The refurbishment programme will address problems with roofs, bathrooms and nutrition areas, as well as electrical rewiring and storage improvements. The new school year begins on Monday September 4 for teachers, and Monday September 11, for students. (BT)

COME BACK OR PAY BACK, JONES TELLS SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS - Minister of Education Ronald Jones has issued a stern warning to the island’s latest national development scholarship winners that they must either come back home upon completion of their studies or pay back whatever was spent on educating them abroad. The Ministry of Education has offered scholarships to Dawn-Marie Armstrong, who will pursue a professional doctorate in sports and exercise psychology; registered nurse Roseanna Lewis, who will be pursuing her master’s degree in occupational health, safety and environmental management; Hallam Connell, who will study for a BSc in Animal Science; Natalya Brathwaite, who will be working towards a master’s degree in forensic accounting; Matthew Banfield, who will pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Music and Music Performance; and Peter Bernstein, who will pursue MSc in Clinical Neuropsychology. Four of the six will study in the United Kingdom, while the other two will pursue their further education in Canada and New Zealand. Additionally, Sharice Francis has been named as the island’s latest Commonwealth scholarship winner and will be heading to the University of Aberdeen in Scotland to pursue her master’s degree in human rights law and criminal justice. Francis was offered a 2017 Chevening Scholarship earlier this year but turned it down in favour of the Commonwealth scholarship. The national development scholarships are offered in areas identified as critical to the island’s development. Jones said although the country was going through its fair share of financial and economic challenges, Barbados continued to look out for its young people. He advised the recipients to be “an ambassador for Barbados, not only in your behaviour, but in the quality of your work”. (BT)

DECLINE IN CXC NUMBERS - The Barbados-based Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) is reporting a decline in the number of candidates who registered for major exams in the 2016-2017 academic year. Delivering the assessment at the CXC’s headquarters this morning, Director of Operations Stephen Savoury announced there was a one to two per cent drop in the number of entries in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Exam (CAPE), even though registration was up for courses in the Caribbean Vocational Qualification and the Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence. CXC Registrar Glenroy Cumberbatch told reporters he was aware of falling population rates across the region, however only about 21 per cent of candidates eligible to write CSEC exam were doing so. Meanwhile the CXC has recorded a slight improvement in this year’s CAPE examination results, compared to last year’s figures. Cumberbatch said 92 per cent of the candidates received grades one to five this year, compared to last year’s figure of 90 per cent. According to the registrar, new subjects were introduced in the last academic year, including Financial Services, in which 71 per cent of candidates received grades one to five, and Green Engineering which had a 78 per cent pass rate. The examination results were delivered to the Ministries of Education around the region today, and will be released to the students on Friday. (BT)

MORE TIME NEEDED FOR LEARNING, SAYS CXC REGISTRAR - IF REGISTRAR OF the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), Glenroy Cumberbatch, had his way, schoolchildren would get more time in school than they currently do. He told the DAILY NATIONyesterday at a press conference to announce this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) results that today’s work environment was more demanding than ever, so it made sense for children to take extra time to better prepare themselves. “The [CARICOM] Regional HRD (Human Resource Development) committee is looking at strategies to improve human resource development and one of the issues coming up is the number of people leaving school without adequate qualifications and that giving them additional time at school may be a good way of trying to better prepare them before they leave. “Twenty years ago the work you were doing was low to semi-skilled, but in today’s economy, there are not many of those jobs; [now] you have jobs where you need some kind of vocational or academic qualifications. (DN)

STUDENTS PUT SCIENCE TO THE TEST - Seventeen-year-old Diego Lascurain was among students breathing a sigh of relief Friday after successfully completing a programme focused on boosting the skills of teens in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). He was one of three Queen’s College students taking part in the 2017 edition of the Student Programme for Innovation in Science and Engineering (SPISE), the others being Matthew Clarke and Shanna Edwards. “The tools were great, the classes were great and the homework was manageable. To be honest, I think it’s good that it’s intense because when you’re learning and its full immersion rather than doing one hour per week,” said Lascurain. He was initially concerned about taking four weeks out of his summer vacation for the programme, but now has no regrets. (DN)

FORCE UNDERMINED! EX TOP COP HINTS AT SUBVERSION AND MEDDLING IN RBPF - Former Commissioner of Police Darwin Dottin has spoken publicly on issues related to the Royal Barbados Police Force (RBPF) for the first time since the Caribbean Court of Justice dismissed his request for special leave to appeal his removal from office four years ago. In an hour-long interview with Barbados TODAY, Dottin shied away from making any direct accusations, choosing instead to speak in general terms. He also did not address specifics of his own removal in June 2013 when he was ordered by the Police Service Commission (PSC) into early retirement “in the public interest”, saying while he felt the public had not had the full details, he would wait until after his legal matter was settled before talking about it. However, Dottin spoke of subversion of the promotion process, and stopped just short of accusing the authorities of political interference in the running of the Force. Describing himself as a strong believer in the commissioner’s independence, Dottin, who ran the RBPF from 2003 to 2013, said he had experienced problems in freely doing his job. One of the most controversial issues towards the end of his tenure was that of promotion. The PSC angered Dottin and several officers when it rejected his recommended promotions list and replaced it with its own. Fourteen officers have since sued the PSC over the decision. The retired chief told Barbados TODAY there was something fundamentally wrong with any policy that ignored the commissioner’s input in relations to promotions. His substantive case concerning his dismissal remains to be heard by the Barbados High Court. He has asked the Court to determine that there is no such concept as “administrative leave” and that he could not have been compulsorily retired in the public interest under the Pensions Act. Asked if he had experienced political interference while he was the commissioner, Dottin would not be drawn into giving a direct response. However, he said there were “red lines” that should not be crossed, noting that this had to do specifically with situations where subordinates in the force would bypass the commissioner and appeal directly to authorities outside of RBPF. (BT)

MAN CHARGED IN RELATION TO FAIRCHILD STREET SHOOTING - Police have arrested and formally charged a Christ Church man in connection with last Friday’s shooting incident in the area of the Fairchild Street Market. A woman and a man were left nursing gunshot injuries. The accused is Rico Omar Grimes, 28, of Lot #1 Maxwell, Christ Church. He was charged with two counts of serious bodily harm, two counts of endangering life and one count of use of a firearm. Grimes is expected to appear in the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court tomorrow. (BT)

CONTONE CONVICTED CALYPSO SINGER JAILED FOR HOUSE BREAK-IN - In his 2017 calypso release, he sang Come back Tomor, but those were not the words Contone heard from Magistrate Kristie Cuffy-Sargeant when he appeared in court today. He will actually have to wait six months before he can be released from HMP Dodds. The entertainer, whose real name is Derrick Anderson Brathwaite, broke into a house and fell asleep on a mattress, and was also found with a passport that was not in his name, as well as a number of old cheque books earlier this month. “I is an entertainer, and I get drunk . . . I guilty because I drop sleep,” Contone told Magistrate Cuffy-Sargeant even before the charge that he had entered the house of Albert Selby sometime between August 9 and 12 as a trespasser, with intent to commit theft, had been read. Selby’s house, which is unoccupied but contained personal effects, was secured last Wednesday. When the caretaker returned to the property three days later, about 10 a.m., he heard noises coming from upstairs. Contone was found and questioned and he admitted that he had broken through a back door. “That building I just went in and lay down. I ain’t tief nothing,” Contone, who was also wanted by the No. 1 District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court, said. (BT)

COACHES MUST HAVE C-LICENCE - All premier league clubs are required to have C-licence coaches by the 2019 football season. In making the announcement, chairman of the Barbados Football Association’s (BFA) technical committee, Adrian Donovan, said clubs were informed of the requirement in 2016 to give them sufficient time to acquire coaches with the necessary qualifications. “The response has been good and the club officials and coaches understand that if we intend to take our football to another level and to take it seriously, then we have to take these steps,” Donovan told NATIONSPORT. “We had D-Licence courses arranged and now two C-licence as it stands now.” (DN)

HARD STARTS - Former queens Deacons and Chargers made poor starts to the 2017 Goddard Enterprises Limited senior knockouts when the new season served off on Sunday night at Oldbury, St Philip. Deacons were stunned by Club United 25-14, 19-25, 21-25, 25-19, 9-15 while Chargers surged from two sets down to then lose in five to Carlton 16-25, 22-25, 25-22, 25-6, 11-15. Those opening matches proved to be an ideal launch for the new points system, with Club and Carlton earning three points and Deacons and Chargers two. Previously, Club and Carlton would have earned five points each for winning their matches and Deacons and Chargers would have gained two each for winning two sets. (DN)

CHESS PLAYERS IN FIGHT FOR FINISH - Three barbadian players are battling for podium finishes at the Central American and Caribbean Youth Chess Championships in Panama. After the seventh round of matches yesterday morning, Under-12 competitors Leigh Sandiford and Vanessa Greenidge, and Under-18 entrant Gabriella Cumberbatch were still in contention for top three places. Cumberbatch, the 2015 national women’s champion, was in joint fourth on four points ahead of the eighth and penultimate round of matches yesterday evening. After losing her first game against Cuban Woman FIDE Master Mesa Martinez, Cumberbatch bounced back to defeat the higher-ranked Carolina Hau of Panama in the second round and Jamaican Davicia Chambers in the third round. She suffered defeats in the next two games before earning another point through a bye. (DN)

LAVINE A CUT ABOVE THE REST - Shaquile Lavine put on an outstanding display when the National Bodybuilding and Physique Championships took place at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre on Saturday night. The young bodybuilder achieved a rare double with the capture of the senior and junior Mr Barbados titles. Lavine won the senior Mr Barbados title after a keenly contested battle with Ramon Broomes. In the physique competition, Hadley Hoyte retained his title after fighting off a stiff challenge from the likes of Terry Went and Fabian Eristee in the height class for contestants up to 173 centimetres. Alex Ifill won the height class for competitors up to 174 centimetres, with John Thompson of Wellness Centre placing second and Julien Jones of Twin Gym placing third. The consistent Jamil Jones of J & S Fitness won the keenly contested men’s muscular physique category which was being staged for the first time. Second place went to Twin Gym’s Jermaine Bradshaw who last competed in 2013, while Ryan Bascombe of the Fitness Workshop took the third position. The graceful Ramona Morgan of J & S Fitness continues to shine in the figure competition. She brought a completely toned package to once more emerge in winners’ row. The Thompson sisters Lynette and Dionne placed second and fourth respectively while Kara-lyn Belle came third. Belle, who trains at the Hilton Sports & Wellness Club, had previously taken first position in the 2015 and 2017 Mr Bridgetown competition. The symmetrically proportioned schoolteacher Shakira Doughlin continued her reign in the Bikini Fitness Contest. Doughlin has been a model of consistency over recent times and is the reigning St Michael Bikini queen. On the night she was simply an exquisite cut above the rest. Vanessa Jones came second and Natasha Joseph had to settle for third position. Doughlin, who has previously represented Barbados at the regional and international level, is scheduled to fly Barbados’ flag at the Central American and Caribbean Championships next month in Mexico. Julia Davis of Brute Force won the women’s physique title but was the only entrant in that category. With the Saturday evening show going into Sunday morning, it begged the question why organisers staged a ‘contest’ in a category with just one competitor. (BT)

QUERY OVER BAJAN JAILED IN CANADA - “Mr. Scotland IS being held in prison for no real reason at all.” This was the declaration of Ontario Superior Court Judge Edward Morgan, speaking about the prolonged detention of Barbadian Ricardo Scotland, who has been in a Niagara maximum security jail for the past 18 months. Scotland has no criminal record and is not considered dangerous to society. Yesterday, Morgan ordered Scotland freed and was emphatic in his criticism of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), saying that “although the government cannot provide a clear rationale for Mr Scotland’s initial or continued detention the reason for this lack of clarity is itself clear to me: there is no rationale”. Scotland, who is father to a 13-year-old daughter, had languished in a Canadian immigration detention jail in Thorold Ontario for about 18 months while Canada’s federal authorities try to deport him to Barbados. This is despite the fact that he hasn’t been convicted of a crime and is seeking refugee status to remain permanently in the country. Scotland had faced criminal charges four years ago but the proceedings were stayed, meaning no conviction. (DN)

SECURITY TIGHT - With 2 000 ARTISTES from 27 Caribbean countries heading to Barbados this week for CARIFESTA XIII, police say they will draw on all resources to make it secure, including calling on private security. CARIFESTA is coming on the heels of a spate of murders and brazen shootings, including an incident on Kadooment Day which left 20-year-old Tareid Rock dead and 18 bystanders injured. Seeking to allay any fears surrounding the safety of CARIFESTA, which has not been held in Barbados since 1981, Assistant Commissioner of Police William Yearwood yesterday insisted they were up to the task. “There is no need of high fear in coming to Barbados for CARIFESTA,” stressed Yearwood, who joined Inspector Wayne Archer at the final pre-CARIFESTA media briefing to give a comprehensive preview of the security plans for the ten days of CARIFESTA activity. (DN)

GRAND CARIFESTA PARADE - Delegations from 27 Caribbean countries will take to the streets of Bridgetown on Friday in a spectacular procession to Kensington Oval for the opening ceremony of CARIFESTA XIII. The parade of countries participating in the estimated $6 million regional event being staged in Barbados, begins at Queen’s Park at 3:30 p.m. and ends at Kensington Oval where thousands are expected to turn out for the official opening of the Caribbean cultural extravaganza, which runs from August 17 to 27. Giving the final pre-festival media update yesterday, Minister of Culture Stephen Lashley said there was a “very high level of interest” in CARIFESTA. He encouraged Barbadians to line the parade route and also to support the more than 500 events which will showcase the best the Caribbean has to offer in literature, music, craft, art, dance, film and theatre at 27 venues. (DN)

That’s all for today folks there are 146 days left in the year Shalom! #thechasefiles #dailynewscaps Follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram for your daily news. #bajannewscaps #newscapsbystephaniefchase

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