#it's a civic service brad

[themfp1]

To Fund Immigrant Services, Denver Slashed Its Police Department and Will Answer 911 Calls With…Drones

By: Brad Slager You have to give the officials inside Denver City Hall a little credit. Unlike much of the waffling and equivocating we normally expect from our civic leaders, at least in the Mile High City they remain committed to their pledge of being a sanctuary city. This is not to say their pledge is in any way pragmatic – or even sane. But they remain committed all the same (while they…

[sunaleisocial]

Second round of seed grants awarded to MIT scholars studying the impact and applications of generative AI

New Post has been published on https://sunalei.org/news/second-round-of-seed-grants-awarded-to-mit-scholars-studying-the-impact-and-applications-of-generative-ai/

Second round of seed grants awarded to MIT scholars studying the impact and applications of generative AI

Last summer, MIT President Sally Kornbluth and Provost Cynthia Barnhart issued a call for papers to “articulate effective roadmaps, policy recommendations, and calls for action across the broad domain of generative AI.” The response to the call far exceeded expectations with 75 proposals submitted. Of those, 27 proposals were selected for seed funding.

In light of this enthusiastic response, Kornbluth and Barnhart announced a second call for proposals this fall.

“The groundswell of interest and the caliber of the ideas overall made clear that a second round was in order,” they said in their email to MIT’s research community this fall. This second call for proposals resulted in 53 submissions.

Following the second call, the faculty committee from the first round considered the proposals and selected 16 proposals to receive exploratory funding. Co-authored by interdisciplinary teams of faculty and researchers affiliated with all five of the Institute’s schools and the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing, the proposals offer insights and perspectives on the potential impact and applications of generative AI across a broad range of topics and disciplines.

Each selected research group will receive between $50,000 and $70,000 to create 10-page impact papers. Those papers will be shared widely via a publication venue managed and hosted by the MIT Press under the auspices of the MIT Open Publishing Services program.

As with the first round of papers, Thomas Tull, a member of the MIT School of Engineering Dean’s Advisory Council and a former innovation scholar at the School of Engineering, contributed funding to support the effort.

The selected papers are:

“A Road-map for End-to-end Privacy and Verifiability in Generative AI,” led by Alex Pentland, Srini Devadas, Lalana Kagal, and Vinod Vaikuntanathan;

“A Virtuous Cycle: Generative AI and Discovery in the Physical Sciences,” led by Philip Harris and Phiala Shanahan;

“Artificial Cambrian Intelligence: Generating New Forms of Visual Intelligence,” led by Ramesh Raskar and Tomaso A. Poggio;

“Artificial Fictions and the Value of AI-Generated Art,” led by Justin Khoo;

“GenAI for Improving Human-to-human Interactions with a Focus on Negotiations,” led by Lawrence Susskind;

“Generative AI as a New Applications Platform and Ecosystem,” led by Michael Cusumano;

“Generative AI for Cities: A Civic Engagement Playbook,” led by Sarah Williams, Sara Beery, and Eden Medina;

“Generative AI for Textile Engineering: Advanced Materials from Heritage Lace Craft,” led by Svetlana V. Boriskina;

“Generative AI Impact for Biomedical Innovation and Drug Discovery,” led by Manolis Kellis, Brad Pentelute, and Marinka Zitnik;

“Impact of Generative AI on the Creative Economy,” led by Ashia Wilson and Dylan Hadfield-Menell;

“Redefining Virtuosity: The Role of Generative AI in Live Music Performances,” led by Joseph A. Paradiso and Eran Egozy;

“Reflection-based Learning with Generative AI,” led by Stefanie Mueller;

“Robust and Reliable Systems for Generative AI,” led by Shafi Goldwasser, Yael Kalai, and Vinod Vaikuntanathan;

“Supporting the Aging Population with Generative AI,” led by Pattie Maes;

“The Science of Language in the Era of Generative AI,” led by Danny Fox, Yoon Kim, and Roger Levy; and

“Visual Artists, Technological Shock, and Generative AI,” led by Caroline Jones and Huma Gupta.

[jcmarchi]

Second round of seed grants awarded to MIT scholars studying the impact and applications of generative AI

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/second-round-of-seed-grants-awarded-to-mit-scholars-studying-the-impact-and-applications-of-generative-ai/

Second round of seed grants awarded to MIT scholars studying the impact and applications of generative AI

Last summer, MIT President Sally Kornbluth and Provost Cynthia Barnhart issued a call for papers to “articulate effective roadmaps, policy recommendations, and calls for action across the broad domain of generative AI.” The response to the call far exceeded expectations with 75 proposals submitted. Of those, 27 proposals were selected for seed funding.

In light of this enthusiastic response, Kornbluth and Barnhart announced a second call for proposals this fall.

“The groundswell of interest and the caliber of the ideas overall made clear that a second round was in order,” they said in their email to MIT’s research community this fall. This second call for proposals resulted in 53 submissions.

Following the second call, the faculty committee from the first round considered the proposals and selected 16 proposals to receive exploratory funding. Co-authored by interdisciplinary teams of faculty and researchers affiliated with all five of the Institute’s schools and the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing, the proposals offer insights and perspectives on the potential impact and applications of generative AI across a broad range of topics and disciplines.

Each selected research group will receive between $50,000 and $70,000 to create 10-page impact papers. Those papers will be shared widely via a publication venue managed and hosted by the MIT Press under the auspices of the MIT Open Publishing Services program.

As with the first round of papers, Thomas Tull, a member of the MIT School of Engineering Dean’s Advisory Council and a former innovation scholar at the School of Engineering, contributed funding to support the effort.

The selected papers are:

“A Road-map for End-to-end Privacy and Verifiability in Generative AI,” led by Alex Pentland, Srini Devadas, Lalana Kagal, and Vinod Vaikuntanathan;

“A Virtuous Cycle: Generative AI and Discovery in the Physical Sciences,” led by Philip Harris and Phiala Shanahan;

“Artificial Cambrian Intelligence: Generating New Forms of Visual Intelligence,” led by Ramesh Raskar and Tomaso A. Poggio;

“Artificial Fictions and the Value of AI-Generated Art,” led by Justin Khoo;

“GenAI for Improving Human-to-human Interactions with a Focus on Negotiations,” led by Lawrence Susskind;

“Generative AI as a New Applications Platform and Ecosystem,” led by Michael Cusumano;

“Generative AI for Cities: A Civic Engagement Playbook,” led by Sarah Williams, Sara Beery, and Eden Medina;

“Generative AI for Textile Engineering: Advanced Materials from Heritage Lace Craft,” led by Svetlana V. Boriskina;

“Generative AI Impact for Biomedical Innovation and Drug Discovery,” led by Manolis Kellis, Brad Pentelute, and Marinka Zitnik;

“Impact of Generative AI on the Creative Economy,” led by Ashia Wilson and Dylan Hadfield-Menell;

“Redefining Virtuosity: The Role of Generative AI in Live Music Performances,” led by Joseph A. Paradiso and Eran Egozy;

“Reflection-based Learning with Generative AI,” led by Stefanie Mueller;

“Robust and Reliable Systems for Generative AI,” led by Shafi Goldwasser, Yael Kalai, and Vinod Vaikuntanathan;

“Supporting the Aging Population with Generative AI,” led by Pattie Maes;

“The Science of Language in the Era of Generative AI,” led by Danny Fox, Yoon Kim, and Roger Levy; and

“Visual Artists, Technological Shock, and Generative AI,” led by Caroline Jones and Huma Gupta.

[afishtrap]

actually, the main reason USPS has “lost” money so many years in a row was because it was forced to essentially set aside money.

sort of like if you got married, had a decent two-person income, and was told you had to start making tuition down-payments now, for the TWELVE children you’re told you (might) have -- at rates for the ivy league schools they will all (probably not) attend (but the point here isn’t to make you save, it’s to make you suffer, so reality isn’t as important).

let’s say your decent pay period income was (an easily divisible) $1000 dollars -- but post-tuition decree, it’s become $250 dollars. of course you’d end up in the hole within a pay period or two, because you still have all the debt that was easy to handle at $1000 and is now impossible at only $250.

from the wiki article:

[The Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act] reorganized the Postal Rate Commission, compelled the USPS to pay in advance for the health and retirement benefits of all of its employees for at least 50 years, and stipulated that the price of postage could not increase faster than the rate of inflation. It also mandated the USPS to deliver six days of the week. According to Tom Davis, the Bush administration threatened to veto the legislation unless they added the provision regarding funding the employee benefits in advance with the objective of using that money to reduce the federal deficit.

what’s important to remember is that even though USPS is a civic service (and thus worth doing if it’s operating at a loss), it has been operated not too unlike a business, much like the Patent Office. when it doesn’t break even, it accrues debt, which it has to pay off.

contrast this with a 2004 article talking about USPS finance status:

Cash flow from operations went to paying down the postal service's debt, now $1.8 billion from a high of $11 billion. In the past two years, the USPS has used savings from the Civil Service Retirement System Funding Reform Act of 2003 to pay down debt, but this year savings will go toward holding off a rate increase until calendar year 2006.

“We're virtually going to break even [in 2005],” Strasser said. “I think we'll do even better than our plan.”

until congress pulled its stunt in 2006 that turned the doing-alright USPS into a massive constant drain, which in turn became the justification for cutting staff, raising postage, and generally making the USPS less usable, less affordable, less extensive, which in turn became the justification for calling it a failed service and trying to privatize it. it’s pure sabotage for the purposes of jettisoning something that’s historically a backbone of our democracy. 

from the washington post:

For James Madison, the low-cost nonpreferential circulation of newspapers was a political imperative. By helping Americans speak truth to power, House Speaker Jonathan Trumbull Jr. proclaimed the Postal Service “among the surest means of preventing the degeneracy of a free people.” President George Washington went so far as to propose unsuccessfully that every newspaper go in the mail free of charge. For the Founders, a well-informed citizenry, not profit-making for even letter delivery, was the reason the Postal Service was so crucial to the future of the republic.

The 19th-century Postal Service circulated information indispensable for commerce, public affairs and personal matters throughout the country and around the world rapidly, accurately and at low cost. No other organization of any kind came close to its achievement.

The combination of expansive mission and oversight from Congress also meant deficits were to be expected. Low-cost circulation of all of these periodicals was expensive.

Rather than arouse ire, however, Americans — Democrats and Republicans alike — preferred this deficit-running operation to its rivals. Telegraph giant Western Union was widely reviled in its post-Civil War heyday for its narrow business strategy and reliance on what we would today call fake news to beat back calls for reform. In fact, countless reformers in the 1880s wanted the Postal Service to take over Western Union and run it in accordance with the egalitarian “post office principle” — access for all, at low cost, without regard to the expense. Civic ideals trumped any consideration of the bottom line. Pundits have it wrong; not the telegraph, but the Postal Service, was the true Victorian Internet. The telegraph catered to an upscale urban clientele; the Postal Service provided cheap and convenient service for the entire population.

Message AF!!

[ivy-loves-chocolate]

(Original S.T.A.R.S office from Resident Evil 2 1998)

Candidates had to undergo an intense screening process and recruitment was carried out by a scouting system on a merit basis regardless of sex, age or personal history. In addition, despite the previous working record of most of its members, S.T.A.R.S. was first and foremost a policing organisation and not a military one. Therefore, investigation skills and advanced first-aid training were more desirable traits for candidates rather than combative skills such as shooting and hand-to-hand combat. In essence, priority was given more to civic relief and the prevention of criminal offences rather than active elimination of offenders and terrorists.

(Picture of the STARS members. Top row (right to left): Brad, Barry, Weskers, Richard, Kenneth, Forest, Edward. Bottom row (right to left): Frost, Jill, Chris, Enrico and the last guy is later to be replaced by Rebecca Chambers)

Following the unit's inauguration in April 1996, Albert Wesker was made the unit commander at the request of Umbrella Corporation. Wesker had an impressive list of credentials including recent experience as an army tech engineer. Because Umbrella's funding covered approximately 50% of S.T.A.R.S. operational costs, their recommendation was accepted. Former S.W.A.T. team member Barry Burton joined him and through Barry the likes of Chris Redfield, Jill Valentine and Forest Speyer joined the team.

(Albert Wesker’s desk from Resident Evil 2 Remake)

Before S.T.A.R.S. could become operational, they had to undergo an intensive 18-month training program. This began in April 1996 when Joe Kendo, an ex- S.W.A.T. member from San Francisco, was hired as a trainer to put the S.T.A.R.S. members through their paces until December that year. When his contract as a trainer expired, he was requested to manufacture customised weapons for the team. Joe and his brother Robert ran the famous 'Kendo Gun Shop' business they had established in 1984 and had a reputation for making excellent firearms. In addition, Umbrella Corporation also supplied weapons for the S.T.A.R.S. to trial. Throughout the next year, the S.T.A.R.S.' continued their rigorous training, taking part in drills, controlled exercises, role- plays, academic testing and recruiting more members until they were finally cleared for active service in December 1997.

Credit

[brooklynmuseum]

Stronger Together

Hi Brooklyn. We hope you and your loved ones are safe and healthy. The times are difficult and it is valid if you may not feel your best. It is okay to feel your feelings, and take your time to heal during these moments. As you navigate these difficult times, remember that you are a part of the community that is here to support you. The Brooklyn, and New York community at large, is one of the most vibrant and resilient there is!

If you have questions, or have more you wish to see or to spotlight, reach out. We want to hear from you. Please email stay.connected@brooklynmuseum.org. 

Also, text 'COVID' to 692-692 to get important COVID-19 related updates sent straight to your phone. You can text 'COVIDESP' to get updates in Spanish.

Local Business Highlights of the Week: 

Oxalis is temporarily closed for service, but will offer pick up and delivery on Friday, Saturday and Sundays from 4pm-8pm of fresh and prepared foods, cocktails and wine. Place your order, or pre order at www.boxalis.com , by phone at (347) 627-8298 or by email at hello@boxalis.com

No-frills Korean flavors are still being served at the famed Kimchi Taco. Take out and no-contact delivery available from 12-10pm daily. 

Census

A reminder to complete the 2020 Census today at my2020census.gov. 

In this webinar, you will learn about the guiding principles the Census Bureau is implementing for the use of administrative records and research findings for the housing and demographic questions on the survey.

On May 12th, United Way is launching United We Count, United We Vote – a civic engagement campaign to mobilize people in civic participation and collective action during this time of uncertainty and social distancing. Register for the event here.

For literature on the 2020 Census and how it may affect your community, check out the reading below:

How Changes to the 2020 Census Timeline Will Impact Redistricting

Census in a Time of COVID-19: What can we do as individuals?

Resources for children and families

COVID-19 has dramatically changed our lives. All New Yorkers deserve to celebrate, honor, and memorialize their loved ones. Get funeral & burial guidance from the City of New York.

If your work schedule was reduced as a result of the coronavirus and you are unable to pay your rent, you can apply for a Cash Assistance special grant request to get benefits for emergencies.

The City of New York's COVID-19 Hotel Program provides free hotel stays to eligible New Yorkers who cannot isolate where they live and frontline workers in the healthcare industry who wish to reduce the risk of transmission at home. This will help New York City stop the spread of COVID-19.

Scholastic Learn At Home allows open access to daily learning journeys divided into four grade spans—Pre-K–K, Grades 1–2, Grades 3–5, and Grades 6–9+, covering ELA, STEM, Science, Social Studies, and Social-Emotional Learning. 

CORE: CHILDREN OF RESTAURANT EMPLOYEES is dedicated to serving food and beverage service employees with children, who are faced with a health crisis or a natural disaster and are in need of support and in need of our help. If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19, you can apply here. 

Resources for artists, freelancers, and gig workers

Rauschenberg Emergency Grant Program provides one-time grants to artists of up to $5,000 for unexpected medical emergencies.

Max’s Emergency Relief & Resource Fund is a one-time grant award of between $500-$1000 ($1,000 when funds are available) to assist artists in all art disciplines who have a steady work history, but who are experiencing a temporary financial set back.  Visit their application here. 

In light of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the artist community, on March 18 Foundation for Contemporary Arts launched the FCA Emergency Grants COVID-19 Fund. To find out your eligibility, click here.  

Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of American have developed an Emergency Fund to help genre writers pay medical expenses not otherwise covered by insurance. Visit their website for more information.

Employment Resources

New York State is waiving the 7-day waiting period for Unemployment Insurance benefits for people who are out of work due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) closures or quarantines. Visit the New York State Department of Labor (DOL)  website for more information.

The New York State Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act requires businesses to give early warning of closing and layoffs. More information for business is available from the New York State Department of Labor. 

Find Employment through Virtual Workforce Career Center online. The Virtual Workforce1 Career Center system connects New Yorkers, via web or phone, to one-on-one help from professionals who can help.

NY Job Listings during Quarantine organized by Davide Chen. 

PTFB is offering assistance in finding employment at Northwell Health for FOH/BOH foodservice and housekeeping positions. Find out how to apply here.

Resources for the Undocumented Community

List of Resources for Undocumented People in NYC may be located here. Document is translated in three languages, English, Spanish and Portuguese. 

For more information regarding DACA, check out Informed Immigrants.

CUNY Citizenship will be live, May 13th at 12:00PM on Facebook with Shawn Rahman, Managing Attorney for Training and Capacity Building with the latest immigration updates.

Contact Jesus Perez if you are an undocumented student at Brooklyn College who needs support via email: jperez@brooklyn.edu or phone: 718.951.5023

Funding Opportunities

The Carroll and Milton Petrie Student Emergency Grant Fund was created to provide eligible students facing short-term, nonrecurring emergencies with a one-time grant to alleviate the situation.  To find if you are eligible, visit the Brooklyn College’s Website. 

Volunteer or Participation Resources

The NYC Network of Worker Cooperatives has joined the national #ShareMyCheck campaign to encourage those in a relatively stable position to donate all or a portion of their check to people who are not eligible for these checks - those that are historically and contemporarily most impacted by economic and health crises. 

LGBTQ+ Resources

Ohher Publishing angels is offering $50 relief funds for trans/non-binary/two spirt people of color who are in need of community support right now. To learn more, visit Leste Magazine. 

Trans Lifeline is a trans-led organization that connects trans people to the community, support, and resources they need to survive and thrive. If you are in need of mental health assistance, visit their website here. 

 Upcoming Webinars

Tuesday, May 12: 2:00PM-3:30 PM: Brookings’ Reopening the Coronavirus-Closed Economy

Wednesday, May 13, 6:00PM-7:00PM: Make The Road New York will host a Seminario Web De Estudio Comunitario (community study webinar) on Facebook live.

Thursday, May 14, 2020 4:00pm-7:00pm: New York City Network of Worker Cooperatives is hosting a COVID-19 Health Awareness Training. The goal of this program is to Increase health and safety awareness for workers in industries with potential exposure to COVID-19.  

Remember to Follow Our Elected Officials For Up To Date News:  

Stay up to date with information provided by Governor Cuomo. Follow our New York State governor on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for up to date information regarding new health guidelines closures, and executive orders. 

The Mayor has a new Daily Message available on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube every morning. If your constituents have questions, comments or concerns, they want him to respond to, they can send them using the hashtag #AskMyMayor 

The Office of the Brooklyn Borough President provides the most up-to-date information and resources to Brooklynites. Follow these pages regularly and follow Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams on social media for real-time updates.

Congresswoman for the 9th District, Yvette D. Clark is working hard in Congress to support our local communities. Follow the Congresswoman on her Twitter to receive updates on what is going on in Washington DC and resources available in your ‘hood!

Follow updates and news from Council Member Laurie A. Cumbo on Facebook and Twitter. Cumbo serves as the Council Majority leader for Brooklyn’s 35th District- Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Crown Heights, Prospect Heights and Bed-Stuy.

Follow New York City Council Member Robert E. Cornegy, representing Brooklyn 36th District- Bedford Stuyvesant and Northern Crown Heights on Twitter , Facebook, and Instagram for important updates regarding COVID-19 updates. 

Check out New York City Council Member Brad Lander’s resource page aimed to help NYC-based freelancers and artists navigate these uncertain times. Have your voice heard, fill out the survey and explore what benefits might be available to you. Follow him on Twitter for important updates.

Follow updates from the NYC City Immigrant Affairs office on Twitter interested in renewing your DACA application form. Call ActionNYC at 1-800-354-0365. 

Roxanne Swentzell (Kah'p'oo Owinge (Santa Clara Pueblo), born 1962). Making Babies for Indian Market, 2004. Clay, pigment. Brooklyn Museum, Gift in memory of Helen Thomas Kennedy, 2004.80. © artist or artist's estate

[pcwpolwrestling]

Howard Schultz Talks 2020: PCW Extreme Political TV

THIS WEEK ON EXTREME POLITICAL TV-Samantha Bee gets full frontal with a steel folding chair-The Polar Vortex of Doom vs. Phil…from Punxsutawney -Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz talks 2020 -Drama in Des Moines 2020 is one year away -Dawn McGill and the art of the deal -Average Joe in a match of Titanic proportion -The SEC implodes-Jill Berg returns-Jack Fraiser vs. SNAFU- PCW Title #1 Contender’s Match

================================

[ON SCREEN GRAPHIC: Blue background. The top of the Capitol Building occupies the left hand side of the television screen.

Centered in the middle of the screen: “P-SPAN. THE POLITICAL CHANNEL.”]

P-SPAN Announcer (off screen): The P-SPAN Network bring you long-form public affairs programming from the nation’s capital and are a public service of…

[ON SCREEN GRAPHIC: Logos of twenty three different cable and satellite television companies replace the Capitol Building and P-SPAN graphic.]

P-SPAN Announcer (v/o): …your television provider.

[ON SCREEN GRAPHIC: Returns to the blue background with the top of the Capitol Building occupying the left hand side of the television screen with “P-SPAN. THE POLITICAL CHANNEL.” centered in the middle of the screen.]

P-SPAN Announcer (v/o): P-SPAN. The Political Channel.

===============================

DAWN McGILL’S OFFICEThe owner of PCW works at her desk making sure tonight’s show goes smoothly. She’s on the phone with the backstage crew when…

Dawn looks up. She looks around. Shrugs. Goes back to work. A few seconds later.

Now she’s slightly annoyed. She pauses. Then back to work. She starts to type on her laptop and-

Properly annoyed, Dawn gets up from her chair and marches out of her office, down the hall, and into the floor of the arena where she sets eyes on the obnoxious noise bothering her.

Dawn McGill: Oooh! I knew it!

‘Full Frontal with Samantha Bee’Host Samantha Bee

McGill marches right down to ringside…grabs a steel folding chair from underneath the ring…walks around the ring…and before Bee can screech again…

*BLAM*

…Bee gets a steel chair facial and that’s the end of that.

McGill simply drops the chair, turns around, and heads back towards her office.

==============================

PCW Extreme Political TV on P-SPAN Sunday February 3rd, 2019 Taped February 2nd at the Peoria Civic Center Peoria, Illinois

Announcers:‘The Voice of PCW’ Johnny Suave‘Low Level Reporter at the New York Times Trying to Make a Name for Herself’ Colleen Crowder

==============================

The camera pans all over the Peoria Civic Center Center as PCW is on the air!

Crowd: PCW!…PCW!…PCW!…

Cut to the ring where ‘The Voice of PCW’ Johnny Suave and ‘Low Level Reporter at the New York Times Trying to Make a Name for Herself’ Colleen Crowder stand.

Johnny Suave: Hello everyone and welcome to Political Championship Wrestling!

Crowd: PCW!…PCW!…PCW!…

Johnny Suave: I am Johnny Suave. She is a low level reporter at the New York Times trying to make a name of herself Colleen Crowder.   And-

Crowder is upset about Dawn McGill dropping Samantha Bee with a chairshot to start the show.

Colleen Crowder: If Dawn McGill wasn’t a woman, you’d think she’d be exhibiting toxic masculinity.

Johnny Suave: Or perhaps Miss McGill is fed up with the toxic femininity that oozes out from Samantha Bee.

Offended, Crowder accuses Suave of toxic masculinity.

Johnny Suave: Well speaking of Dawn McGill and her toxic masculinity, here she comes to the ring and I’m guessing it’s to address the business transaction that took place this past week.

DAWN ADDRESSES THE PCW FAITHFUL McGill thanks the crowd for coming out to the show. She doesn’t want to take too much of their time so she gets right to the point.

Dawn McGill: Ladies and gentlemen, as of this moment the PCW Heartland title is once again the P-C-W title!

The fans stand and let out a roar.

McGill states the deal is the stereotypical corporate, cliché-ish ‘win-win.’

Dawn McGill: Mr. McMann gets his sports entertainment empire…the Political Wrestling Federation…and all the bells and whistles that go along with it. We…PCW…we get our freedom and we keep our traditions. Extreme Election Night stays right here. We continue to have a seat at the table of the Political Universe.

More thunderous applause.

McGill says PCW gets to show the world…and the Mitch McConnells of this world…that money…especially corporate money isn’t the end-all, be-all. PCW may not have the financial resources of a big corporation but PCW doesn’t need the financial resources of a big corporation to make it work because we have something they don’t- heart.

Dawn McGill: Bigger isn’t necessarily better. We aren’t wrestling for a soulless corporate overlord concerned about profits. We are wrestling for you.

As for Nancy Pelosi’s comments…

VIDEO: Nancy Pelosi (CA-Progressive Alliance)

Nancy Pelosi: Dawn McGill is making a big mistake here. She needs us. PCW needs us. All businesses need a strong, central government telling them what to do and how to succeed. She’s giving all that up to go on her own.

McGill fires right back at her…

Dawn McGill: …we don’t need you, Nancy. We don’t need you telling us what to do. We don’t need you telling us how to succeed. PCW are masters of our own destiny. All we need from you is to stay the hell out of our way. We can take care of ourselves just fine.

McGill thanks everyone again and reminds them about next week’s supershow at the D.C. Armory,

Crowder thinks McGill is misguided is she thinks she doesn’t need Nancy Pelosi or even Mitch McConnell’s help to succeed.

Colleen Crowder: She didn’t build this. PCW needs Nancy Pelosi more than Nancy Pelosi needs PCW.

Suave ignores her and moves on to the wild winter weather that invaded the Midwest last week.

THE POLAR VORTEX OF DOOMClimbing into the ring is a new PCW personality- the Polar Vortex of Doom. He’s about six foot eight tall. Not very athletic. Dressed in all blue.

His theme music is the Cold Miser song from the classic Christmas show ‘A Year Without a Santa Claus.’

Johnny Suave: Three days ago, the temperature in Peoria was about sixty-five degrees colder than it is right now.

The Polar Vortex raises his arms menacingly to the crowd.

Colleen Crowder: This is all global warming’s fault! See? Al Gore was right.

Johnny Suave: WAIT A MINUTE!

Suddenly PCW Heartland Champion ‘The One Man Anti-Hollywood A-List’ Stone Chism comes down to the ring.

Colleen Crowder: What is he doing here?

He slides in. Boot to the gut. Lift. Anti-Hollywood Blockbuster to the Polar Vortex.

Colleen Crowder: Not sure that was called for.

Chism leaves. Next down, ‘Canadian Bad Boy’ Justin Beaver.

Johnny Suave: It’s been really cold in some parts of Canada. Like Siberian level cold.

Beaver takes the dazed Polar Vortex and hits his finisher- the Pop Star.   He exits.

Next down, PCW Tag Team Champions Weapons of Mass Destruction. A. Tom Bomb. Hy Drogen Bomb. Daisy Cutter-Bomb.

Colleen Crowder: This is not his fault. This is our fault for changing the climate and using fossil fuels and-

Atomic Powerbomb to the Polar Vortex. A-Bomb exits.

Hydrogen Powerbomb to the Polar Vortex. H-Bomb exits.

Daisy Cutter Powerbomb to the Polar Vortex. She exits.

By now, there’s a line of PCW wrestles waiting to climb into the ring.

As the carnage continues…

STATE OF PCW ADDRESS SET…Suave reviews the week.

Johnny Suave: Both the Red Brand and Blue Brand held shows this weekend following the end of the shutdown. The President of the PCW Executive Committee Nancy Pelosi has invited PCW CEO Donald Trump to give his ‘State of PCW’ Address on Tuesday February 5th. The new deadline date is February 15th. Can both factions- the Progressive Alliance and the American Patriots- find a compromise way forward on Trump’s security concerns?

Colleen Crowder: Johnny, it would all be simpler if the Trump and the American Patriots simply acquiesced to the Progressive Alliance’s view of the situation.

MORE DRAMA BETWEEN McCARTHY AND McGILL Suave reviews the latest installment of the war between Professor McCarthy and PCW Heartland Owner Dawn McGill…

VIDEO: Last Week’s Show – The Flock AttackProfessor McCarthy’s Flock attack Rah and Halitosis during their match against the Progressive Alliance’s ‘New Age Sensitive Guy’ Blaine Thomas-Taylor and NPC.

Johnny Suave: …Professor McCarthy’s Flock have attacked Rah and Halitosis and it’s a fourteen on two beatdown!

Deep State #1 wields the infamous baseball used two weeks ago in the attack on Ray McAvay. He whacks Halitosis in the back with it and takes out the Luchador with Insane Bad Breath.

…

Johnny Suave: AND HERE SHE COMES!

McGill, Universal PCW Champion Ray McAvay, The Les Miserables (General DeBauchery, Al Cahall, Nic Koteen), Truckin’ Perfectly Average (Ken Worth-American Trucker, Average Joe, Brad Company) and Beer Bellied Softball Playing Ninja (Hank, Tiny, and Stan) crash the ring and it’s on.

McAvay has the Big Bertha driver and wields it like a crazed samurai. He pole axes his way through the crowd taking out everything in sight. The Beer Bellied Softball Playing Ninja chase the Young Jerks to the back.   McGill chokes out Codee Pink (Codee Pink Glitter Bombed McGill two weeks ago).

Suave notes that ‘this time’, McGill was ready for the attack and came down in numbers to chase Professor McCarthy’s Flock to the back.

Crowder differs in her assessment. She blames McGill for escalating the situation by responding in an overly violent way.

Johnny Suave: Because swinging a baseball bat with the intent of hurting someone isn’t the least bit violent.

Colleen Crowder: Or a Big Bertha Driver?

Johnny Suave: Touche.

POLAR VORTEX- PART 2 There’s still action going on in the ring.   Now it’s Couch Potato who’s getting his shots in on the Polar Vortex of doom.

Johnny Suave: Isn’t that cute.

In between chasing down the Twinkies that the PCW fans throw into the ring, CP has the Polar Vortex of Doom locked up in the Barcalounger Stretch.

Colleen Crowder: That’s just wrong.

CHISM SENDS DANIELS OFF Suave talks about Stone Chism sending ‘Mr. Hollywood’ Kevin Daniels back to the Blue Brand last week after Chism defeated him.

VIDEO: Last Week’s Show- Chism vs. Daniels

Daniels pokes Chism in the eyes. Daniels for a True Hollywood Blockbuster.

Colleen Crowder: That’s it! END IT!

Chism kicks through and flips out.

Johnny Suave: NO! HE REVERSED IT!

Colleen Crowder: NOOOO!

Backslide. Cover.

One…

Two…

THREE!

*DING-DING-DING*

Johnny Suave: AND THAT’S IT! STONE CHISM HAS DEFEATED KEVIN DANIELS!

Colleen Crowder: Kevin Daniels goes back to a better place…a more enlightened and tolerant place where Hollywood stars are given the reverence they’re entitled to in the Blue Brand.

Johnny Suave: Yeah, whatever.

MORE POLAR VORTEX STUFF The crowd roars again. Millennial Mark, accompanied by Snowflake Suzie, runs down to the ring.

Johnny Suave: Hey Look! Even Millennial Mark is going to get into the act.

Colleen Crowder: Aw come on!

Millennial Mark slides into the ring. And like Malak getting in the last stab in after Arnold Schwarzenegger vanquishes his opponent (see the movie Conan the Destroyer), Mark aims carefully and hits his Parent’s Basement Dropkick on the semi-conscious Polar Vortex.

Colleen Crowder: All right, are we done with this yet?

Johnny Suave: We’ll be back right after this.

=======================

**COMMERCIAL BREAK**

=======================

Johnny Suave: And we’re back on Extreme Political TV and-

POLAR VORTEX- THE ULTIMATE DECISIONSuddenly, a giant groundhog (or someone dressed in a groundhog costume) waddles down to the ring.

Johnny Suave: Hey look! Here comes PHIL! And he’s from Punxsutawney!

Colleen Crowder: Phil? What? Are we still doing this?

Johnny Suave: Hah! You said Kevin Daniels went to a better place. Would the Blue Brand have a giant groundhog come to the ring and…

The giant costumed groundhog pulls the Polar Vortex up…puts his head between his legs and places him upside…and then drops…

Johnny Suave: …PILEDRIVE the Polar Vortex! Oh…HOLY CRAP!

And that takes care of the Polar Vortex.

Colleen Crowder: Okay, are we done with this now?

Johnny Suave (facetiously): I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, that move ought to be banned…of course, we’re talking about the piledriver!

Crowder rolls her eyes and sighs.

Suave runs down the rest of the show… –Drama at Des Moines is one year away- the start of the road to Extreme Election Night 2020–Professor McCarthy comments from the Blue Brand Show in San Francisco last night–The Sports Entertainment Corporation: P.M.C. Banks and Kirk Walstreit vs. Rick Beam- Country Club Pro w/Pool Boy Pete and Jack from State Barn Insurance–Former Starbucks head honcho Howard Schultz speaks about 2020.–Mr. McMann tries to keep the Sports Entertainment Corporation together–Main Event: SNAFU vs. Jack Fraiser in a PCW Title #1 contender’s match–Next week’s D.C. Supershow preview

AVERAGE JOE INTERVIEW PCW backstage interviewer Blair Moise introduces Average Joe. Average Joe comes out in his bright yellow t-shirt with ‘Average Joe’ emblazoned in the front (think the shirt from the movie ‘Dodgeball’) and red shorts.

Average Joe tells Blair he’s very happy with the dawning of a new era in Political Championship Wrestling.

Blair asks about his opponent tonight. Average Joe says he has no clue who he is and where he came from except that he apparently arrived here on a big boat.

Cut back to Suave and Crowder at the broadcast table.

Johnny Suave: Let’s go to Kimber Marshall in the ring.

MATCH #1 – Average Joe vs. Billy ZaineKimber is in the ring and ready to roll.

Kimber Marshall: Representing Truckin’ Average Company…

Valet/Manager Tequila Sheila comes out next to her theme music.

‘Tequila Sheila’- Bobby Bare

‘Pour me another…tequila…

Sheila twirls around as the crowd shouts out: ‘SHEILA!”

Brad Company and Ken Worth-American Trucker appear first.

Average JoeHT: 6′ 2″ WT: 220 / HOME: Defiance, OH FIN: Average Slam

All three men shake hands and walk down to the ring.

Kimber Marshall: And his opponent…

Billy ZaineHT: 5’10” WT: 175 / HOME: Pittsburgh, PA

Zaine starts down to the ring dressed like the character Caladon Hockley in the movie ‘Titanic’- a stylish 1910’s vintage tuxedo with a white bow tie. Crowder calls him well-dressed, well-cultured and wonders what he’s doing in PCW.

Zaine reaches halfway down and suddenly veers over to the barricade. Suave wonders what he’s doing. He’d find out fast enough when Zaine plucks a young child from the crowd, holds him up in the air, and calls out…

Billy Zaine: I HAVE A CHILD!

With said child…that he has, Zaine takes off towards the ring.

Billy Zaine: I HAVE A CHILD!

Colleen Crowder: What the hell is going on here?

Johnny Suave: He has a child!

The parents jump the barricade and run after him. Zaine hits the ring and shows the child to the referee.

Billy Zaine: I HAVE A CHILD!

The referee just tells him to get in the ring already. He does. The child stays at ringside until his bewildered parents take him back to his seat.

Johnny Suave: All right, this Titanic struggle is under way.

*DING-DING*

Zaine taunts Average Joe that “I HAVE A CHILD!” Average Joe attacks and they brawl in the ring. Average Joe throws forearms and uppercuts, then boots Zaine down! He drags Zaine right back up and boots him back down. Zaine tackles Average Joe and they roll around in the ring. Back to their feet, Average Joe dropkicks Zaine’s legs out. Average Joe has Zaine set for the Average Slam. Zaine reverses into a small package. One…tw- easy kickout for Average Joe! Zaine shouts “I HAVE A CHILD!” again. Average Joe fires up the fans, runs the ropes and returns with BIG lariat! Cover, one…two…Zaine kicks out.

Johnny Suave: Billy Zaine started off fast early on but now it appears he’s hit an iceberg and he’s starting to tread water.

Colleen Crowder: What are you talking about?

Johnny Suave: I just have a sinking feeling this isn’t going to end well for Zaine.

Pumphandle slam by Average Joe and an Irish whip into the corner. Average Joe charges forward. Zaine grabs the ref and throws him in the way. Ref down. Zaine fights Average Joe off but charges right into a superkick! Cover…one…two…Zaine gets the shoulder up at 2.7.

Johnny Suave: Zaine is seriously listing now.

Colleen Crowder: You’re making references to the Titanic, aren’t you.

Average Joe drags Zaine up and plants him with the Average Slam. Cover…one…two…THREE!

*DING-DING-DING*

WINNER: Average Joe @ 3:02

Johnny Suave: Average Joe gets the win here on Extreme Political TV. That Average Slam literally broke Zaine in half and he floundered on the surface before his hopes sunk to the depths of the ocean.

Colleen Crowder: That’s oddly profound coming from you.

Post-match, Ken Worth and Brad Company hit the ring to celebrate with Average Joe. The child runs into the ring and kicks Zaine in the balls.

The referee spots something on the mat. He walks over and picks it up.

Close up- It’s a sparkly (and large) Heart of the Ocean necklace. He looks around and slips it in his pocket.

VIDEO: – The Kickoff of PCW’s 2012 Road Show Across America Tour. PCW Drama in Des Moines/Monday, January 3rd, 2012

The crowd chants, “PCW…PCW…PCW” as ‘The Voice of PCW’ Johnny Suave comes out.

Suave welcomes everyone to the start of PCW’s Road Show across America tour. Suave states tonight is the beginning of the long road to November’s PCW Extreme Election Night 2012.

Johnny Suave: The main event tonight is the Iowa Caucus Match which is going to be a wild free-for-all bunkhouse brawl match involving: ‘American Citizen’ Kevin Scott- representing Mitt Romney (R-MA), Farmer John- representing Michele Bachmann (R-MN), Magnum P.O.’d- Newt Gingrich (R-GA), Jim Schmidt- Ron Paul (R-TX), The Right Rev. Randy Richardson- Rick Santorum (R-PA), and Texas Jack- Rick Perry (R-TX)…

Suave says in one year it all begins again – the road to PCW Extreme Election Night 2020 – with Drama in Des Moines-Des Moines, Iowa Feb 3rd, 2020

Who’s officially in consideration to be the Progressive Alliance’s candidate for CEO: Cory Booker (NJ), Kamala Harris (CA), Julian Castro (TX), Tulsi Gabbard (HI), John Delaney (MD), Richard Ojeda (WV), former tech executive Andrew Yang (NY)

Who looking into being in: Elizabeth Warren (MA), Kirsten Gillibrand (NY), Pete Buttigieg (IN)

Who’s thinking about being in: Former PCW COO Joe Biden, billionaire Michael Bloomberg (NY), Sherrod Brown (OH), Amy Klobuchar (MN), and Bernie Sanders (VT).

Colleen Crowder: Any one of the candidates, potential candidates would be a huge improvement on PCW CEO Donald Trump.

Suave then notes that Trump is definitely in for 2020. Who else may jump into the race on the American Patriots’ side? William Weld (MA), Bob Corker (TN), Larry Hogan (MD), and John Kasich (OH).

Colleen Crowder: And even one of these four would be an improvement on Trump.

Suave introduces a video from last night’s Blue Brand show in San Francisco, California.

VIDEO: Professor McCarthy speaks at PWF Blue Brand Show last night.

In the ring with his Flock (The Green World Order, The Young Jerks, Codee Pink, Emily S. List) Berkeley, California Professor McCarthy holds up the ‘good book that spells out what’s correct and incorrect’ and denounces the deal made to separate the Red and Blue Brands completely from PCW. McCarthy calls the action giving ‘the fox complete free rein of the hen house.’

Professor McCarthy: For too long, Dawn McGill has been rewarded for her bad behavior and her incorrect views and actions. We must use any means necessary to punish her to make clear to everyone that if you don’t say the things that are correct to say we will shout you down…if you don’t do the things that are correct to do we will shut you down. You will conform to the politically correct things in this book or we will destroy you.

McCarthy declares PCW must be shut down and brought back under the Political Universe umbrella because it’s being run by ordinary people (ie…McGill) and ordinary people need us…the enlightened…the elite…their betters…to speak for them…to tell them what they need to do…what to say…what to think…and what to believe.

Johnny Suave: And there you have left wing fundamentalism in action.

Colleen Crowder: This has nothing to do with religion.  What Professor McCarthy says makes perfect sense.  At least, that’s what our narrative says.

Johnny Suave: Only if you’re a Washington, D.C. insider beltway elitist okay with what the status quo was before.

=======================

**COMMERCIAL BREAK**

PCW RANKINGS

PCW Title Champion: The One Man Anti-Hollywood A-List’ Stone Chism #1 Contender: Jack Fraiser #2 Contender: SNAFU #3 Contender: ‘American Citizen’ Kevin Scott #4 Contender: Average Joe

PCW Tag Team Title Champion: Weapons of Mass Destruction: A. Tom Bomb and Hy Drogen Bomb #1 Contender: Island of Misfit Wrestlers: Rah and Halitosis #2 Contender: The Dork Dynasty: Leonard and Sheldon Robertson #3 Contender: The Beer Bellied Softball Playing Ninja: Hank and Tiny #4 Contender: Truckin’ Average Company: Ken Worth-American Trucker and Brad Company

=======================

HOWARD SCHULTZ SHOWS UPFormer Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz walks out on stage. Schultz tells the PCW fans he’s considering a run at becoming the next CEO as a ‘centrist’ independent. He explains he’s been a life-long supporter of the Progressive Alliance but when people look at both factions (American Patriots and the Progressive Alliance) people see extremes on both sides.

Howard Schultz: I want to see everyone win. I will be an independent person who will embrace those type of ideas because I’m not in bed with either side.

Schultz states he strongly disagrees with CEO Donald Trump on many issues but mainly, he feels people are exhausted with the extreme polarization between the factions.

Howard Schultz: Their trust has been broken. And they are looking for a better choice.

Schultz thanks the fans for their time and exits.

Crowder tells Suave this is a bad idea and his bid would draw people away from the Progressive Alliance working to Trump’s advantage.

Johnny Suave: Because having more choices is a bad thing?

Colleen Crowder: No. Because it increases the chances that Trump could get four more years as the CEO.

Johnny Suave: But if John Kasich did the same thing, you’d be okay with that.

Colleen Crowder: Yes. Because it-

Johnny Suave: …decreases the chances that Trump gets four more years.

Suave sends it backstage to Blair Moise.

REACTIONBlair Moise has an angry Neera Tanden, president of the Center for American Progress.

Neera Tanden: If he enters the race, I will start a Starbucks boycott because I’m not giving a penny that will end up in the coffers of a guy who will help Trump win in 2020.

Tanden stomps off in a huff. Then there’s an eclipse…no, wait…it’s Michael Moore. Moore says the same thing. If Schultz gets into the race, he will call for a boycott of Starbucks as well stating an independent bid for CEO that will ‘split the support’ of the Progressive Alliance is not acceptable.

Johnny Suave: Again, because more viable alternative choices for CEO than what the American Patriots and the Progressive Alliance give us is a bad thing.

Colleen Crowder: If the end result is four more years of Donald Trump at the top- yes.

MATCH #2- The Sports Entertainment Corporation: P.M.C. Banks and Kirk Walstreit vs. Rick Beam- Country Club Pro w/Pool Boy Pete and Jack from State Barn Insurance’Party Wherever We Go (SEC Theme Song)- Robert Randolph and the Family Band

‘Sports Entertainment Genius’ Mr. McMann walks out first followed by Banks and Walstreit. The official ‘Mouthpiece of the SEC’ Phil Finebaum joins them…then ‘Charlie Wrestling’ Charlie Blackwell, ‘Hollywood Bad Boy’ Justin Beaver, ‘Hollywood Bad Girl’ Miley Vyrus, and ‘Pop Songstress’ Taylor Switt.

Phil Finebaum: My faction is better than your faction and the SEC is the best!

Walstreit walks around holding up a velvet painting of ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit.

Switt, of course, lugs her ever present guitar overfilled with white powder that leaves a trail behind her.

CSPN has their camera following every move the SEC makes.

Banks and Blackwell are the Political Universe Tag Team Champions. Blackwell faces ‘Red Solo Plastic Cup’ Ray McAvay next week at the D.C. Armory supershow for the Political Universe Title.

Johnny Suave: There’s a lot of internal turmoil going on with the SEC right now. Let’s see how things hold together in this match.

Ring Announcer Kimber Marshall introduces Beam, wearing a captain’s hat, dickey, and a suitable sports jacket, and Jack from State Barn Insurance, dressed in the usual red polo shirt and khaki pants, as both are already in the ring. Then she introduces the SEC.

The Sports Entertainment Corporation P.M.C. BanksHT: 6-0 WT: 240 / Gainesville, FL FIN: Bank Statement

Kirk Walstreit – ‘Wall Street Market Analyst with the Man Crush on ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit.’ HT: 6’ 2” WT: 220, HOME: New York City, NY FIN: Stock Market Plunge

*DING-DING*

Banks and Beam start off. Elevated flapjack from Banks followed by a drop kick produces the first cover of the match. One…tw- strong kickout by Beam who bails from the ring. Banks dives over the top rope to tackle Beam. There’s a momentarily brawl outside before both men go back in the ring. Banks tags Walstreit in. He trades chops then kicks with Beam. Beam tags Jake in. Both he and Walstreit run the ropes until Walstreit hits a rolling cutter. Cover…one…two…-Jake kicks out. Walstreit avoids a corner rush and catches Jake with a million dollar bomb and tags Banks back in. Banks and Jake trade punches. Banks reverses a whip and slams Jake into the corner. They trade corner offense with Banks coming out on top. Banks gets whipped across the ring into the ropes. He ducks under and connects on a delayed bridging German suplex. Cover…one…two…Jake gets the shoulder up. Jake tags Beam back in.

Walstreit jumps in. He and Banks hits a sandwich super kick on Beam. Banks walks the ropes and takes out Jake while Walstreit, who apparently tagged in, hits a spinning slam on Beam. Cover…one…two…Beam gets the shoulder up. Walstreit sets Beam up for his finisher and drops him with the Stock Market Plunge. Banks races across the ring and takes Jake out. Cover…one…two…THREE!

*DING-DING-DING*

WINNER: The SEC: P.M.C. Banks and Kirk Walstreit at 3:15

POST-MATCHBanks and Walstreit high five in the ring. McMann and Finebaum join them but the victors give them a cool reception. Then Walstreit’s personal manager, Gordon Guyko, comes to the ring.

With the CSPN cameras running, Guyko tells McMann that he’s ‘lost his edge.’

Gordon Guyko: You used to be on the vanguard of the sports entertainment movement. You used to have a single-minded vision. And you’ve lost it.

Guyko apologizes to McMann but advises him that his services are no longer needed. He says Banks and Walstreit have signed on to a new company.

THUMP

THUMP

THUMP-THUMP-THUMP

Pop. Big…big pop.

THUMP

THUMP

THUMP-THUMP-THUMP

The crowd erupts when the video screen shows the door to a dressing room in the back. A police escort is waiting at the door. One of the policemen knocks on the door.

Policeman: “Ms. Berg. It’s time.”

Colleen Crowder (voiceover): What do you mean it’s time? It’s time for what?

The door opens and eight male bodyguards walk out of the dressing room encircling a petite 95 pound woman and her male assistant in the middle. The woman, dressed in a smart, dark business suit and heels, is busy talking on her cell phone.   The man furiously scribbles down notes as the group makes their way towards the ring.

Also following the procession to the ring, PCW veterans Big Oil and four time PCW Champion Yamamoto Tanaka.

Big Oil- MGR: Texas Tex HT: 6′ 11″ WT: 323 / HOME: Houston, TX FIN: Oklahoma Driller (modified piledriver)

Yamamoto Tanaka- The Japanese SuperDestroyer HT: 6′ 9″ WT: 350 / HOME: Nagano, Japan FIN: Japanese Super Destroyer

THUMP

THUMP

THUMP-THUMP-THUMP

Johnny Suave (v/o): THE SELF-MADE ENTREPRENEUR FROM NEW YORK CITY’S FINANCIAL DISTRICT IS COMING TO THE RING!

A huge roar greets the procession as it emerges from the back onto the stage and starts their way down the ramp.

Johnny Suave: THE PHENOMENON KNOWN AS-

The crowd is rocking and a chant of JILLLLLLLL-BERGGGGGG! JILLLLLLLL-BERGGGGGG! fills the arena.

Two of the bodyguards use a fire extinguisher to create a fog like effect as Jill walks through. Two others hold sparklers up in the air as she passes by.

Johnny Suave: JILL BERG IS HERE!

JILLLLLLLL-BERGGGGGG! JILLLLLLLL-BERGGGGGG!

Berg is helped into the ring and she shakes hands with Guyko.

Jill Berg: P.M.C. Banks. Kirk Walstreit. Welcome to JILL BERG ENTERPRISES!

Berg then turns to Charlie Blackwell and offers him a deal right there on the spot.

Johnny Suave: Berg is trying to poach Charlie Blackwell from the SEC?

Already incensed by the defections of Banks and Walstreit, ‘The Mouthpiece of the SEC’ Phil Finebaum pleads with Blackwell to turn her down flat.

Jill Berg: Well? We’re waiting.

Blackwell finally says no.

Berg shrugs. Banks and Walstreit attack Blackwell. Justin Beaver attacks Banks and Walstreit. Brief brawl until Big Oil clubs Beaver in the back…spins him upside down…spikes him with the Oklahoma Driller.

Johnny Suave: HOLY CRAP!

Beaver out on the mat. Tanaka wipes out Finebaum and McMann. Vyrus and Switt step back away from the carnage and wisely sit this one out.

Walstreit drags Blackwell to his feet…sets him up…and drops him with the Stock Market Plunge. Walstreit covers…Guyko makes the three count. Guyko snatches Blackwell’s Tag Team title belt and presents it to Kirk Walstreit.

Johnny Suave: And that is what you call a corporate takeover.

Colleen Crowder: Wait a minute. Where are the attorneys? Someone should be suing someone about this.

Jill Berg raises her hands in the air.

Johnny Suave: We’ll be back after this.

=======================

**COMMERCIAL BREAK**

Extreme Attorneys Felcher and Felcher- ‘Seriously Bad Lawyers with Seriously Bad Combovers’

=======================

Suave reviews PCW’s involvement in next week’s D.C. Armory supershow.

PCW Tag Team Title Match: Weapons of Mass Destruction: A. Tom Bomb and Hy Drogen Bomb © vs. The Dork Dynasty: Leonard and Sheldon Robertson.

Johnny Suave: These two tag teams met two weeks ago and the Dorks nearly pulled off the upset win.

REPLAY: WMD vs. The Dork Dynasty – 1/20/19 PCW Extreme Political TV

14th MINUTEAmy whips off her shirt.

Johnny Suave: WARDROBE MALFUNCTION!  WARDROBE MALFUNCTION!

H-Bomb stares at Amy and shrugs.

Amy: Really?

Sheldon slides in from behind, schoolboy roll up.  Referee down to the mat.

Johnny Suave: WE MAY HAVE NEW CHAMPIONS!

One…

Two…

Colleen Crowder: COME ON!

H-Bomb rolls through…

Johnny Suave: NO!

…and hooks the legs

One…

Two…

THREE.

*DING-DING-DING*

WINNER AND STILL PCW HEARTLAND TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: Weapons of Mass Destruction @ 13:20 (10:00 for television)

Suave announces the second match…

PCW Title Match: ‘The One Man Anti-Hollywood A-List’ Stone Chism © vs. the winner of tonight’s match between SNAFU and Jack Fraiser.

SNAFU INTERVIEWBlair Moise welcomes SNAFU and his charismatic manager E.J. Flack.

Blair asks about the match. Flack responds this is what SNAFU has been working towards- a PCW title shot.

E.J. Flack: You’ll never hear me say good…or great…or excellent when I talk. You’ll hear me say ‘elite.’ Or and NARFLE THE GARTHOK!

Crowd: NARFLE THE GARTHOK!

E.J. Flack: In the PCW world, you want to compete for the PCW title. Period. This is the experience I want SNAFU to have. Tonight, he has a chance to earn that experience…to earn that title shot…to NARFLE THE GARTHOK on a larger scale.

Flack motions to SNAFU and both men move on.

JACK FRAISER INTERVIEWAs SNAFU moves along, Jack Fraiser slides in with a Molson in his hand.

Blair asks him about the match. Fraiser says it’s a big one and he plans on going all out to get a PCW title shot.  Fraiser guzzles down the last of the Molson inside the can and tosses it away.

Jack Fraiser: I need to go get my Oootlander now.

So Fraiser exits.

MAIN EVENT/PCW TITLE #1 CONTENDER’S MATCH: SNAFU vs. Jack FraiserCut back to Suave and Crowder.

Johnny Suave: So now it comes down to this. SNAFU versus Jack Fraiser and the winner punches their ticket to meet ‘The One Man Anti-Hollywood A-List’ Stone Chism next week in Washington D.C.

Colleen Crowder: None of these wrestlers are good enough to shine the shoes of the wrestlers at the Blue Brand.

Suave sends it to Kimber Marshall.

SNAFU, accompanied as always by Coach E.J. Flack, makes his way out on stage.

SNAFU HT: 5′ 11″ WT: 210 / HOME: Philadelphia, PA FIN: Philly FacebusterMGR: E.J. Flack

’Feel Invincible’- Skillet

The fans chant ‘SNAFU!…SNAFU! as he and Flack make their way to the ring.

The video screen comes to life:

It’s 1946 in the Scottish Highlands.

On the hill of Irish na Dun, British nurse Blaire Rendell hears the tell-tale buzzing sound as she approaches the standing stones. This makes her very happy.]

Blaire Rendell (Scottish accent): Soon, I’ll be back with my true love Jamie and I will be truly happy once again in eighteen century Scotland.

Blaire goes to the standing stones where the buzzing sound gets louder and louder. Soon she faints and falls to the ground. When she wakes up…

Blaire nearly jumps in the air when she encounters a man dressed in heavy plaid lumberjack shirt, a warm coat, and a tuque.

Blaire Rendell: Wh-who the hell are you?   And where the hell am I?

Jack Fraiser: My name is Jack Fraiser. You are in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada.

Blaire Rendell: Saskatoon…Saskatchewan Canada? That can’t be true. I’m supposed to be in Scotland.

[A hockey puck comes flying by just barely missing both of them.]

Blaire Rendell: What the *BLEEP*!

Jack Fraiser: Nope. This is definitely Canada.

Jack Fraiser AGE: 24 / HT: 6”3” WT: 205 / HOME: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan FIN: Canadian National RailawayValet: ‘Oootlander Blaire Rendell

Johnny Suave: SNAFU has been here before. SNAFU has held the PCW Television title. Tonight, he’s gunning for the big one…the PCW Title. Jack Fraiser is still learning and he’s been knocking on the door. Can he take the next step tonight?

Colleen isn’t paying attention. She’s filing her nails.

E.J. Flack jumps onto the ring apron and fires up the crowd.

E.J. Flack: NARFLE THE GARTHOK!

Crowd: NARFLE THE GARTHOK!

*DING-DING*

Johnny Suave: Here we go!

1st MINUTECollar and elbow tie up. Both men jockey for position. Side head lock from SNAFU, he lands a kick but tries a shoulder block and Fraiser floors him. SNAFU back with a step up hurricanrana. He hits a second hurricanrana and hooks the legs.

One…

Two…

Fraiser kicks out. Both men trade blows in the center of the ring, then shoulder blocks.

Johnny Suave: Back and forth early on. Both men know that with American Citizen Kevin Scott lurking that the road to the title gets a lot harder if they can’t win tonight.

2nd MINUTEFraiser takes down SNAFU with a tilt head scissors. Scoop slam from Fraiser. Neck breaker from Fraiser. Fraiser covers.

One…

Two-SNAFU kicks out.

Fraiser punches SNAFU. SNAFU fires back with a gut wrench release power bomb to take control. SNAFU attacks with punches on the mat.

Johnny Suave: This action is ferocious.

Crowder continues to file her nails and ignore the match.

Johnny Suave: But not as ferocious as Colleen attacking her nails.

3rd MINUTEFraiser goes over and clocks Flack on the ring apron. Flack starts to come in but the referee sees him and goes over to stop him. That allows Blaire to sneak in and kick SNAFU in the balls.

Johnny Suave: HOLY CRAP!

Fraiser rolls him up and gets the referee’s attention.

One…

Two…

SNAFU kicks out and rakes Fraiser in the eyes. SNAFU rolls out and takes five.

Johnny Suave: Good move on SNAFU’s part. He knows Fraiser is getting momentum and this is one way to slow it down.

4th MINUTESNAFU back in after conferring with Flack. Quick go behind from SNAFU. Both men trade wrist locks, then leg sweeps and covers for the traditional standoff.

Johnny Suave: These guys are pretty evenly matched.

Crowder again does not respond. But she does react when the PCW Champion ‘The One Man Anti-Hollywood A-List’ Stone Chism arrives at the broadcast table.

Stone Chism: Dawn McGill says if you’re not going to discuss the match and just file your nails then you can leave and I will.

Crowder becomes irate and starts to argue with Chism. She refuses to leave. Chism simply tips the chair and causes Crowder to tumble off. Then he sits down.

Stone Chism: Johnny, I wanted to come down anyways and scout these two.

Crowder unloads a torrent of obscenities and demands Chism relinquish the chair. He doesn’t.

Suave tries to ignore her and discuss the match with Chism. Suave repeats his opinion that SNAFU and Fraiser are evenly matched and will give Chism a good match next week. Chism agrees.

5th MINUTECrowder finally gives up and stomps off to the back…

…

9th MINUTESNAFU, brandishing a chair thanks to E.J. Flack, smacks Fraiser in the back with the chair. He grabs a wrist lock and takes Fraiser down with an arm drag. But Fraiser avoids further offense and connects on his own springboard corkscrew plancha. Fraiser scrambles over for the pinfall.

One…

Two…

SNAFU gets the shoulder up. Side slam from Fraiser and another cover.

One…

Two…

Again SNAFU gets a shoulder up. Fraiser pulls him up and then hits a backwards power slam. Cover.

One…

Two…

SNAFU kicks out and rolls out of the ring.

Johnny Suave: THAT WAS CLOSE!

Stone Chism: Jack Fraiser has improved a lot over the past year. That was an impressive sequence.

10th MINUTEBlaire Rendell gets in SNAFU’s face on the outside. That allows Fraiser to climb up to the top rope. He gets ready to jump but Flack runs over and whacks the top rope. Fraiser loses his balance and crotches himself on the top rope. SNAFU back in…top rope neckbreaker. Cover.

One…

Two…

Fraiser gets the shoulder up and counters an Irish whip with a hand stand springboard knee strike. He hooks the legs.

One…

Two…

TH-no…SNAFU kicks out. Fraiser tries a side slam. SNAFU counters with a tilt a whirl head scissors. Then Flack throws him another chair and *BLAM* Fraiser crumples to the mat. Cover.

One…

Two…*BLAM* Rendell in the ring and she nails SNAFU with a chair. Flack runs in…*BLAM* he gets clocked by the chair. Fraiser goes to cover but the referee is trying to get Rendell out of the ring.

11th MINUTEFraiser sets SNAFU for his finisher. He sticks SNAFU in the corner and goes to the opposite side. He chugs forward and slams into SNAFU at full speed.

Johnny Suave: CANADIAN NATIONAL RAIL-AWAY!

SNAFU tips forward face first. Fraiser turns him over. Cover.

One…

Two…

THREE!

*DING-DING-DING*

Johnny Suave: FRAISER DID IT! FRAISER DID IT!

WINNER AND NEW #1 CONTENDER: Jack Fraiser @ 10:19

Johnny Suave: Jack Frasier will meet this man, PCW Champion Stone Chism for the title next week in Washington D.C. Stone?

Stone Chism: Jack earned it. I’m looking forward to the match next week.

Suave thanks everyone for tuning in. Next week, PCW matches taped at the D.C. Armory supershow plus ‘Red Solo Plastic Cup’ Ray McAvay defends the Political Universe Title against Charlie Blackwell.

Johnny Suave: Next week on PCW Extreme Political TV. See you then.

[‘Trumpet Concerto No. 2 in D major – 3 Allegro assai’ begins to play in the background and P-SPAN quickly cuts away to another political event.]

[1962dude420-blog]

Today we remember the passing of George Jones who Died: April 26, 2013 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee

George Glenn Jones (September 12, 1931 – April 26, 2013) was an American musician, singer, and songwriter. He achieved international fame for his long list of hit records, including his best-known song "He Stopped Loving Her Today", as well as his distinctive voice and phrasing. For the last two decades of his life, Jones was frequently referred to as the greatest living country singer. Country music scholar Bill Malone writes, "For the two or three minutes consumed by a song, Jones immerses himself so completely in its lyrics, and in the mood it conveys, that the listener can scarcely avoid becoming similarly involved." Waylon Jennings expressed a similar opinion in his song "It's Alright": "If we all could sound like we wanted to, we'd all sound like George Jones." The shape of his nose and facial features earned Jones the nickname "The Possum".

Born in Texas, Jones first heard country music when he was seven, and was given a guitar at the age of nine. He married his first wife, Dorothy Bonvillion, in 1950, and was divorced in 1951. He served in the United States Marine Corps and was discharged in 1953. He married Shirley Ann Corley in 1954. In 1959, Jones recorded "White Lightning", written by J. P. Richardson, which launched his career as a singer. His second marriage ended in divorce in 1968; he married fellow country music singer Tammy Wynette a year later. Years of alcoholism compromised his health and led to his missing many performances, earning him the nickname "No Show Jones". After his divorce from Wynette in 1975, Jones married his fourth wife, Nancy Sepulvado, in 1983 and became sober for good in 1999.

George Jones has been called "The Rolls Royce Of Country Music" and had more than 160 chart singles to his name from 1955 until his death in 2013. Johnny Cash once said, "When people ask me who my favorite country singer is, I say, 'You mean besides George Jones?'"

In 1990, Jones released his last proper studio album on Epic, You Oughta Be Here With Me. Although the album featured several stirring performances, including the lead single "Hell Stays Open All Night Long" and the Roger Miller-penned title song, the single did poorly and Jones made the switch to MCA, ending his relationship with Sherrill and what was now Sony Music after 19 years. His first album with MCA, And Along Came Jones, was released in 1991, and backed by MCA's powerful promotion team and producer Kyle Lehning (who had produced a string of hit albums for Randy Travis), the album sold better than his previous one had. However, two singles, "You Couldn't Get The Picture" and "She Loved A Lot In Her Time" (a tribute to Jones' mother Clara), did not crack the top 30 on the charts, as Jones lost favor with country radio, as the format was altered radically during the early 1990s. His last album to have significant radio airplay was 1992's Walls Can Fall, which featured the novelty song "Finally Friday" and "I Don't Need Your Rockin' Chair", a testament to his continued vivaciousness in old age. Despite the lack of radio airplay, Jones continued to record and tour throughout the 1990s and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame by Randy Travis in 1992.

In 1996, Jones released his autobiography I Lived To Tell It All with Tom Carter, and the irony of his long career was not lost on him, with the singer writing in its preface, "I also know that a lot of my show-business peers are going to be angry after reading this book. So many have worked so hard to maintain their careers. I never took my career seriously, and yet it's flourishing." He also pulled no punches about his disappointment in the direction country music had taken, devoting a full chapter to the changes in the country music scene of the 1990s that had him removed from radio playlists in favor of a younger generation of pop-influenced country stars. (Jones had long been a critic of country pop, and along with Wynette and Jean Shepard, he was one of the major backers of the Association of Country Entertainers, a guild promoting traditional country sounds that was founded in 1974; Jones's divorce from Wynette was a factor in the association's collapse.) Despite his absence from the country charts during this time, latter-day country superstars such as Garth Brooks, Randy Travis, Alan Jackson, and many others often paid tribute to Jones, while expressing their love and respect for his legacy as a true country legend who paved the way for their own success. On February 17, 1998, The Nashville Network premiered a group of television specials called The George Jones Show, with Jones as host. The program featured informal chats with Jones holding court with country's biggest stars old and new, and of course, music. Guests included Loretta Lynn, Trace Adkins, Johnny Paycheck, Lorrie Morgan, Merle Haggard, Billy Ray Cyrus, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Charley Pride, Bobby Bare, Patty Loveless, and Waylon Jennings, among others.

While Jones remained committed to "pure country", he worked with the top producers and musicians of the day and the quality of his work remained high. Some of his significant performances include "I Must Have Done Something Bad", "Wild Irish Rose", "Billy B. Bad" (a sarcastic jab at country music establishment trendsetters), "A Thousand Times A Day", "When The Last Curtain Falls", and the novelty "High-Tech Redneck". Jones' most popular song in his later years was "Choices", the first single from his 1999 studio album Cold Hard Truth. A video was also made for the song, and Jones won another Grammy for Best Male Country Vocal Performance. The song was at the center of controversy when the Country Music Association invited Jones to perform it on the awards show, but required that he perform an abridged version. Jones refused and did not attend the show. Alan Jackson was disappointed with the association's decision, and halfway through his own performance during the show, he signaled to his band and played part of Jones' song in protest.

On March 6, 1999, Jones was involved in an accident when he crashed his sport utility vehicle near his home. He was taken to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he was released two weeks later. In May of that year, Jones pleaded guilty to drunk-driving charges related to the accident. The crash was a significant turning point, as he explained to Billboard in 2006: "when I had that wreck, I made up my mind, it put the fear of God in me. No more smoking, no more drinking. I didn't have to have no help, I made up my mind to quit. I don't crave it." After the accident, Jones went on to release The Gospel Collection in 2003, for which Billy Sherrill came out of retirement to produce. He appeared at a televised Johnny Cash Memorial Concert in Jonesboro, Arkansas, in 2003, singing "Big River" with Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson.

In 2008, Jones received the Kennedy Center Honor along with Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey of The Who, Barbra Streisand, Morgan Freeman, and Twyla Tharp. President George W. Bush disclosed that he had many of Jones' songs on his iPod. Jones also served as judge in 2008 for the 8th annual Independent Music Awards to support independent artists' careers. and Rolling Stone named him number 43 in their 100 Greatest Singers of All Time issue. An album titled Hits I Missed and One I Didn't, in which he covered hits he had passed on, as well as a remake of his own "He Stopped Loving Her Today", would be released as his final studio album. In 2012, Jones received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement award.

On March 29, 2012, Jones was taken to the hospital with an upper respiratory infection. Months later, on May 21, Jones was hospitalized again for his infection and was released five days later. On August 14, 2012, Jones announced his farewell tour, the Grand Tour, with scheduled stops at 60 cities. His final concert was held in Knoxville at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum on April 6, 2013.

Jones was scheduled to perform his final concert at the Bridgestone Arena on November 22, 2013. However, on April 18, 2013, Jones was taken to VUMC for a slight fever and irregular blood pressure. His concerts in Alabama and Salem were postponed as a result. Following six days in intensive care at VUMC, Jones died on April 26, 2013, at age 81. Former First Lady Laura Bush was among those eulogizing Jones at his funeral on May 2, 2013. Other speakers were Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, news personality Bob Schieffer, and country singers Barbara Mandrell and Kenny Chesney. Alan Jackson, Kid Rock, Ronnie Milsap, Randy Travis, Vince Gill, Patty Loveless, Travis Tritt, the Oak Ridge Boys, Charlie Daniels, Wynonna, and Brad Paisley provided musical tributes. The service was broadcast live on CMT, GAC, RFD-TV, The Nashville Network and FamilyNet as well as Nashville stations. SiriusXM and WSM 650AM, home of the Grand Ole Opry, broadcast the event on the radio. The family requested that contributions be made to the Grand Ole Opry Trust Fund or to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Jones was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Nashville. His death made headlines all over the world; many country stations (as well as a few of other formats, such as oldies/classic hits) abandoned or modified their playlists and played his songs throughout the day. The week after Jones's death, "He Stopped Loving Her Today" re-entered the hot country songs at number 21.

[architectnews]

Karl Miller Center PSU, Portland Oregon

Karl Miller Center PSU, Portland, Oregon Building Project, Design, USA Architecture Photos

Karl Miller Center PSU in Portland

Apr 14, 2021

Karl Miller Center PSU, Portland Oregon

Design: SRG Partnership in collaboration with Behnisch Architekten

Location: Portland, Oregon, USA

The Karl Miller Center, the LEED Platinum new home of the School of Business at Portland State University (PSU), establishes a powerful identity for this business program, reflecting its aspirations and international prominence in sustainability while providing students, faculty, and the community with a much needed place to hang out, study, and collaborate. Located in downtown Portland, the Center—a renovation and a major addition—promotes active learning and enlivens the streetscape and public realm with connections to the city’s rich network of public spaces.

Enhancing the Pedestrian Realm Three primary elements comprise the building: a renovated ’70s-era structure, a major addition, and an atrium that links the two. The atrium’s circulation—with diagonal ramps connecting the floors above—creates a dynamic, active hub. To the atrium’s west, the renovated, 100,000sf structure is retrofitted with a corrugated metal panel facade system, punctuated by square, punched windows of different sizes. To its east, regionally sourced, FSC-certified Alaskan Yellow Cedar clads the 45,000sf addition, which reads as a composition of four stacked boxes, some larger than others. One cantilevered box, poised en pilotis—with concrete columns as high as 40 feet—frames the entry plaza beneath it.

While the addition’s moves take cues from the International Style, it displaces that rationality with a shifting composition, regional materials, and a dramatically angular juxtaposition: the building’s canted glazing encloses the transition between the old building and the new and features the Center’s main entry.

The project also reconsiders the 200’x200’ cadence of Portland’s city blocks with a building that reads as two distinct structures; the metal-clad renovation that abuts the site’s perimeter sits alongside the wood-clad series of stacked, sliding boxes. This approach presents a more diverse streetscape and reinvigorates existing links between the urban center, pedestrians, transportation, and parks.

Fostering Active Learning and Collaboration The building not only provides an active gathering place for business school students, but a destination for the campus-at-large and Portland. Benefiting from a diverse program, activities animate the five-story atrium as the heart of the building. A variety of spaces are arranged strategically to maximize connection and communication, including informal meeting and study areas, gardens, classrooms, business incubators, student spaces, faculty and administrative offices, and retail. They encourage community-building for the School, the University, and its neighborhood.

Activating the Plaza and Atrium A one-story grade differential between 6th Avenue and Broadway creates two ground levels, further heightening the activity within and around the building. These ground levels are populated with public-oriented spaces to activate an exterior plaza and the central, interior daylit gathering space, a new home for civic and University events.

Sustainability Leveraging Portland’s temperate climate, all new construction is designed without mechanical cooling equipment. Passive sustainable strategies minimize environmental impact, enhance human comfort and well-being, and reduce the total site EUI of the new building to less than half the original, pre-renovated structure. The LEED Platinum status advances PSU’s dedication to social, economic, and environmental sustainability.

Karl Miller Center PSU in Portland, Oregon – Building Information

Project Team Architecture : Designed by SRG Partnership in collaboration with Behnisch Architekten Contractor: Skanska USA Civil Engineer: KPFF Consulting Engineers Structural Engineer: Catena Consulting Engineers Mechanical Engineer: PAE Engineers Electrical Engineer: PAE Engineers Geotechnical Engineer: NW Geotech Landscape: Mayer/Reed Lighting: Littlefish & Luma Acoustical Engineer: Listen Acoustics Climate Engineer: Transsolar Survey: Dave Mills IT/Telecom/Security: Reyes Engineering LEED: Green Building Services Space Utilization: Biddison Hier

SRG Design Team: Jon Wiener, AIA – Principal-in-Charge Kent Duffy, FAIA – Design Principal Sam Stadler, AIA – Project Manager Louise Foster, AIA – Project Architect Mark Kogut, AIA – Project Architect Emily Wright, IIDA – Interior Designer Nita Posada, IIDA – Interior Designer Jim Wilson, AIA – Specifications David McCarthy, AIA- Construction Administration Rebecca Bompiani – Project Designer

Photography: Brad Feinknopf

Karl Miller Center PSU, Portland Oregon information / images received 140421

Location: Portland, Oregon, USA

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Comments / photos for the Karl Miller Center PSU, Portland Oregon building design by Skylab Architecture page welcome

Website: Portland, Oregon, USA

The post Karl Miller Center PSU, Portland Oregon appeared first on e-architect.

[armeniaitn]

Congressional Members Support Continued Aid to Artsakh and Armenia

New Post has been published on https://armenia.in-the.news/society/congressional-members-support-continued-aid-to-artsakh-and-armenia-24422-24-06-2020/

Congressional Members Support Continued Aid to Artsakh and Armenia

The Armenian Council of America (ACA) is pleased to announce that on June  22, members of the US House of Representatives from California, Connecticut, Michigan, New York, and Rhode Island, provided testimony before the House Appropriations Committee, in support of continued demining aid to Artsakh and assistance to Armenia.

Representatives Judy Chu (D-CA), David Cicilline (D-RI), Jim Costa (D-CA), TJ Cox (D-CA), John Garamendi (D-CA), Jim Himes (D-CT), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Brad Sherman (D-CA) and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) emphasized the importance of continued assistance to Artsakh specifically, while Rep. Costa also requested $100 million in aid to Armenia and raised concerns regarding Azerbaijan’s recent military escalation and the the disparity in military assistance provided to Azerbaijan in comparison to Armenia.

[embedded content]

Rep. Sherman urged the committee to strengthen the US-Armenia strategic partnership by supporting robust assistance to Armenia and the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) in the FY21 State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs appropriations bill. Rep. Sherman also stressed the need to “include $1.5 million for Artsakh demining and robust funding for regional rehabilitation services for survivors of landmine injuries, and language urging our continued efforts to help Nagorno Karabakh deal with the problems of mines, health and education projects.”

“Armenian Americans applaud Rep. Sherman for calling on Congress to prioritize the US-Armenia relationship,” stated ACA Washignton D.C. Representative Taniel Koushakjian. “Armenia’s Velvet Revolution presents an important opportunity for the United States to raise our level of commitment to the Armenian people and to ensure that democracy prevails in the South Caucasus. We are also grateful to Reps. Schiff, Chu, Cicilline, Costa, Cox, Garamendi, Himes, Maloney and Tlaib for presenting a united front in preserving USAID’s life-saving humanitarian aid program in the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, as well as their calls to hold Azerbaijan accountable for their military aggression towards Armenia and Artsakh,” added Koushakjian.

As ACA’s March 11 letter to the Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs emphasized, Congress has a unique opportunity to elevate the US-Armenia strategic partnership to a model partnership for the region and in doing so, will help bring the South Caucasus region closer to peace. Armenia as one of the few bright spots in the world today, Armenian citizens, and their brothers and sisters here in the US, are proud that they have risen to the challenge to take control of their destiny and have charted a new, more peaceful, more democratic, and more pluralistic path towards a stronger, Western-style democratic society. ACA believes these steps should be rewarded, highlighted and that the US-Armenia partnership should be deepened and strengthened as a model partnership for the region.

In the same light, some of Armenia’s neighbors who have gone backwards, who have taken destabilizing steps, and whose provocative behavior have increased the prospect of war, should be recognized and held accountable in line with US values.

The Armenian Council of America is committed to promote the civic and civil rights interests of the Armenian American community. ACA also aims to strengthen US – Armenia and US – Artsakh ties, the development of programs promoting sustainable economic growth and good governance in Armenia, while promoting the values and responsibilities of global citizenship.

Read original article here.

[un-enfant-immature]

Microsoft pledges $500M to create affordable housing around Seattle

At a time when tech companies are being blamed for creating housing shortages in cities across the country, Microsoft told the Seattle Times it will make a $500 million pledge, its largest ever, to create affordable housing around Seattle. The company is currently in the middle of a multi-billion dollar expansion of its Redmond, Washington campus.

Microsoft’s pledge comes half a year after Seattle City Council failed to pass a “head tax” that would have required companies making more than $200 million a year to pay $275 per employee in taxes. The money would have been used to address housing issues and homelessness, but council members blamed the repeal of the new tax ordinance on Amazon, which said it would stop construction on a new building if it passed. Amazon is based in Seattle, but also planning new headquarters in Arlington, Virginia and Long Island City, New York.

In an interview with the Seattle Times, Microsoft president and chief legal officer Brad Smith said the housing pledge grew out of conversations the company began having with Challenge Seattle, an alliance formed by 18 businesses to address civic issues in the area, last summer. Most of the funds will be used to increase housing for low- to middle-income workers across the Puget Sound region.

“At some level we as a region are going to need to either say there are certain areas where we’re comfortable having more people live, or we just want to permanently force the people who are going to teach our kids in schools, and put out the fires in our houses, and keep us alive in the hospital, to spend four hours every day getting to and from work,” Smith told the newspaper. “That is not, in our view, the best outcome for the community.”

Smith added that he hopes the pledge will help create “tens of thousands of units.” In addition to being the largest pledge ever made by Microsoft, which holds $135 billion in cash reserves and short-term investments, the company says it is one of the largest housing contributions ever by a private corporation.

The money will be used in three ways: $225 million will be loaned at below-market interest rates to developers building units for households making between $62,000 to $124,000 a year; $250 million will be used for market-rate loans to support the construction of affordable housing for people making up to 60 percent of the local median income, or about $48,150 for a two-person household; and the rest of the money, $25 million, will be donated to services for low-income and homeless people. Loans will be made over a period of three years and any profit will be put back in the fund.

Microsoft’s affordable housing initiative is partially modeled after Housing Trust Silicon Valley, which provides loans for affordable housing and services for the homeless in the Bay Area.

[pcwpolwrestling]

Shutdown Over...For Now/Now What?: PCW Extreme Political TV

THIS WEEK ON EXTREME POLITICAL TV -The shutdown is over. Now what? -McAvay/Codee Pink ‘Smile’ controversy -Professor McCarthy’s Flock attacks again/much different result this time. –The SEC’s “Canadian Bad Boy” Justin Beaver vs. Ken Worth-American Trucker -PCW Heartland owner Dawn McGill talks about backstage workers – The Island of Misfit Wrestlers: Rah and Halitosis vs. NPC and ‘New Age Sensitive Guy’ Blaine Thomas-Taylor (Progressive Alliance) – MAIN EVENT/NON-TITLE MATCH: PCW Heartland Champion ‘The One Man Anti-Hollywood A-List’ Stone Chism vs. ‘Mr. Hollywood’ Kevin Daniels

================================

[ON SCREEN GRAPHIC: Blue background. The top of the Capitol Building occupies the left hand side of the television screen.

Centered in the middle of the screen: “P-SPAN. THE POLITICAL CHANNEL.”]

P-SPAN Announcer (off screen): The P-SPAN Network bring you long-form public affairs programming from the nation’s capital and are a public service of…

[ON SCREEN GRAPHIC: Logos of twenty three different cable and satellite television companies replace the Capitol Building and P-SPAN graphic.]

P-SPAN Announcer (v/o): …your television provider.

[ON SCREEN GRAPHIC: Returns to the blue background with the top of the Capitol Building occupying the left hand side of the television screen with “P-SPAN. THE POLITICAL CHANNEL.” centered in the middle of the screen.]

P-SPAN Announcer (v/o): P-SPAN. The Political Channel.

===============================

VIDEO: PCW HEADQUARTERS- Washington D.C.

PCW CEO Donald Trump announces that the shutdown of the Red and Blue Brand shows is temporarily over and shows will resume starting this Friday February 1st.

Trump states that with this announcement, the American Patriots and the Progressive Alliance are on the clock and have three weeks, or until February 15th, to figure out how they want to do the security enhancements.

Is this the end of the inter-faction warfare and will the American Patriots and Progressive Alliance get together to do what’s right for PCW?

…

Yeah right.

==============================

PCW Extreme Political TV on P-SPAN Sunday January 27th, 2019 Taped January 26th at the Wings Event Center Kalamazoo, MI

Announcers: ‘The Voice of PCW’ Johnny Suave ‘Low Level Reporter at the New York Times Trying to Make a Name for Herself’ Colleen Crowder

==============================

The camera pans all over Kalamazoo, Michigan’s Wings Event Center as PCW is on the air!

Crowd: PCW!…PCW!…PCW!…

Cut to the ring where ‘The Voice of PCW’ Johnny Suave and ‘Low Level Reporter at the New York Times Trying to Make a Name for Herself’ Colleen Crowder stand.

Johnny Suave: Hello everyone and welcome to Political Championship Wrestling!

Crowd: PCW!…PCW!…PCW!…

Johnny Suave: I am Johnny Suave. She is a low level reporter at the New York Times trying to make a name of herself Colleen Crowder.

Colleen Crowder: Mansplaining…mansplaining…mansplaining.

Suave states ‘big doings’ in PCW this past week and gets right to it.

END OF THE SHUTDOWN Johnny Suave: The shutdown is over…for the moment.

Colleen Crowder: Trump gave in because he knew he was losing to Nancy Pelosi and wanted to save face.

Johnny Suave: Or Trump has done the right thing for PCW’s backstage workers who will be getting their back pay and giving Pelosi and the Executive Committee one more chance to address his security concerns.

Suave then talks about PCW Heartland Owner Dawn McGill ripping the Progressive Alliance for blocking backpay for backstage workers earlier in the week before the end of the shutdown.

VIDEO: PCW Heartland Owner Dawn McGill

Dawn McGill: This has become beyond ridiculous. This isn’t about making PCW better. This is about opposing Mr. Trump at all costs, even if it means putting workers on the lower end of the economic scale in financial crisis.

McGill goes on and explained how she’s putting some of the Red and Blue Brand staff to work with the Heartland brand in the interim.

Crowder is not impressed.

Colleen Crowder: Dawn McGill again is off base. She can barely run this so-called political wrestling federation much less take care of their workers. The Progressive Alliance executed a game plan to defeat Donald Trump and that’s all that matters. While it’s regrettable that some of the lower paid backstage workers had to pay a price, the plan worked to a T and in the world of political wrestling, winning is far preferable than losing. McGill would be better off trying to find a way to keep PCW Heartland open now that the Red and Blue Brand shows are coming back next week. Her track record isn’t very stellar with that.

Johnny Suave: I’ll go with Dan Crenshaw’s take over yours.

VIDEO: Dan Crenshaw (TX-American Patriots)

Dan Crenshaw: If the Progressive Alliance’s priority is really helping the workers, and that’s a laudable priority for sure, then let’s actually pay them so that they can’t be used as pawns.   If we’re not paying them, then I don’t know what else to say except that Progressive Alliance actually want them as leverage and that’s really not right.

Johnny Suave: Dan Crenshaw has more balls in his bad eye than the leadership of the American Patriots does combined.

UNIVERSAL PCW CHAMPION RAY McAVAY-CODEE PINK HOT TUB CONTROVERSY Suave then brings up the Ray McAvay-Codee Pink Hot Tub controversy again.

VIDEO: McAvay Meet and Greet

PCW Champion ‘Red Solo Plastic Cup’ Ray McAvay signs autographs and poses for pictures along with West Texas Adult Entertainment Legends, his valets Dark and Stormy.

A woman comes up to McAvay to complains about Dark and Stormy taking pictures standing in a hot tub- even though nothing inappropriate took place other than the duo posing for PCW fans.

McAvay’s response? He thanks the woman for coming to the show and acknowledges her opinion.

Johnny Suave: The media was completely irresponsible with the way they tried to frame the debate.

Crowder immediately objects.

Colleen Crowder: How was we to know that the woman was Codee Pink and there was a video that contradicted her account of the story.

Johnny Suave: You wanted it to be true…you BEGGED for it to be true because it fit your narrative.

Colleen Crowder: That’s not true!

Johnny Suave: Oh yes it is.

Then the conversation turns to the ‘smile.’

VIDEO: Codee Pink About the Smile

Codee Pink talks to ‘‘Low Level Reporter at CNN Trying to Make a Name for Herself’ Sharon Johns. Johns asks her about the incident with Ray McAvay and the ‘smile.’

Codee Pink: He was trying to keep calm and not make a scene but I knew when he smiled and didn’t try to escalate the situation that deep down he was being totally confrontational with me.

Colleen Crowder: McAvay shouldn’t have smiled. It clearly triggered her.

Johnny Suave: That’s the biggest bunch of *BLEEP*-ing crap I’ve ever heard! Codee Pink instigated the confrontation to get the reaction she got from you and others and now she’s trying to play the victim when she got caught in a lie.

Colleen Crowder: If McAvay wouldn’t have smiled, this wouldn’t have been an issue.

Johnny Suave: HE WAS JUST TRYING TO BE POLITE!

Colleen Crowder: Don’t yell at-

Johnny Suave: SERIOUSLY! HAVE YOU LOST YOUR *BLEEP*-ING MIND? HAVE WE ALL COLLECTIVELY LOST OUR *BLEEP*-ING MINDS?

Which triggers Ms. Crowder who snaps right back.

Colleen Crowder: Don’t talk to me like that! You will treat me with the respect I’m entitled to.

Johnny Suave: I’ll treat you with the same respect you give people who don’t agree with the narrative the media keeps shoving down their throats.

Colleen Crowder: You need to dial it down-

And Suave cuts her microphone.

Colleen Crowder (off-mic): Hey! What the *BLEEP*! You turn this mic back on right now!

Johnny Suave: Yeah, now you know how half the country feels when the mainstream media force feeds us their political agenda day in and day out.

Crowder bitches up a mighty *BLEEP*storm. Suave ignores her and runs down the rest of the show.

On the card tonight:

-The Island of Misfit Wrestlers: Rah and Halitosis take on the Progressive Alliance’s NPC and ‘New Age Sensitive Guy’ Blaine Thomas-Taylor

-The Battle of Hollywood. ‘The One Man Anti-Hollywood A-List’ Stone Chism tries to settle his long running feud with ‘Mr. Hollywood’ Kevin Daniels.

-Also, Dawn McGill and the SEC will be here tonight.

Johnny Suave: We’ll be right back.

=======================

**COMMERCIAL BREAK**

UPCOMING POLITICAL CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING ROAD SHOWS February 1st – Effingham Performance Center / Effingham, IL February 2nd – Peoria Civic Center / Peoria, IL February 3rd – David S. Palmer Arena / Danville, IL February 9th – D.C. Armory / Washington, D.C. February 15th – Vilaero Event Center / Kearney, NE February 16th – Pershing Center / Lincoln, NE February 17th – Eihusen Arena / Grand Island, NE February 23rd – Chisholm Trail Coliseum / Enid, OK March 1st – Genesis Convention Center / Gary, IN March 2nd – Hulman Center / Terre Haute, IN

=======================

MATCH #1 – “Canadian Bad Boy” Justin Beaver vs. Ken Worth-American Trucker Suave sends it right to the ring and Kimber Marshall.

‘Canadian Bad Boy’ Justin Beaver (Sports Entertainment Corporation) HT: 6′ 0″  WT: 235 / HOME: Hollywood, CA FIN: Pop Star

’Party Wherever We Go (SEC Theme Song)- Robert Randolph and the Family Band

‘Canadian Bad Boy’ Justin Beaver is escorted out by ‘Young Hollywood’ Miley Vyrus and ‘Country…er…Pop Songstress’ Taylor Switt. The ‘Mouthpiece of the SEC’ Phil Finebaum comes out next followed by Red Brand Champion Kirk Walstreit and Universal and Red Brand Tag Team Champions P.M.C. Banks and Charlie Blackwell.

Kimber Marshall: And their opponents…

Tequila Sheila comes out next to her theme music.

‘Tequila Sheila’- Bobby Bare

‘Pour me another…tequila…

Sheila twirls around as the crowd shouts out: ‘SHEILA!”

‘Eastbound and Down’- Jerry Reed

Brad Company and Average Joe appear first. Then Kimber introduces the latest member to join Truckin’ Perfectly Average…

Ken Worth- The American Trucker (Truckin’ Perfectly Average) HT: 6′ 2″ WT: 225 / HOME: Gary, IN FIN: Jake Brake

All three men shake hands and walk down to the ring.

Johnny Suave: It’s the elite of the elite with the SEC versus the Blue Collar faction called Truckin’ Perfectly Average. Definitely clash of styles and culture here.

Crowder, mic back on, declares she’s not saying a word…even though her microphone is back on.

**DING-DING**

Johnny Suave: And here we go…

MATCH SUMMARY The SEC watch Beaver expectantly from the outside. But it’s Ken Worth who carries the action early on. In the third minute, Worth decks Beaver with belly to belly suplex coming off the ropes and climbs up to the top turnbuckle. The PCW fans fire up as they anticipate what’s coming, but Miley Vyrus pulls Worth’s leg out and he crotches himself on the top rope.

Beaver rallies briefly but he never quite gets into the flow of the match. He gets hung up in the ropes, allow Worth to throw jabs and a couple kicks. Finally, Average Joe tosses in a chair and Worth waffles Beaver with it.

Worth pulls Beaver off the ropes and sets him up for his finisher- The Jake Brake. McMann orders the SEC in the ring. Blackwell and Walstreit rush in first and attack Worth. That brings in Company and Average Joe…which brings in the rest of the SEC. Taylor Switt and her loaded guitar (overfilled with white powder that leaves a trail wherever she goes) wade in and she potatoes Worth with the musical instrument that explodes upon impact in a brilliant white powderly flash.

Beaver’s disqualified and Worth gets the win.

WINNER VIA DQ: Ken Worth- American Trucker @ 5:43

Post match, Walstreit and Banks are pissed off about something and exchange words with McMann and Finebaum. Eventually, both men leave the ringside area without the rest of the SEC.

Johnny Suave: Walstreit and Banks are upset…I’m not sure why and maybe we’ll find out more later.  Kenny Worth- the American Trucker is your winner here on PCW Extreme Political TV. Any thoughts on the match, Colleen?

…

Suave sends it backstage.

DAWN McGILL PROMO The owner of PCW Heartland Dawn McGill is backstage with some of the workers on the show.

McGill says she’s happy that the shutdown is over and both the Red Brand and Blue Brand shows will get back to regular business next week. She calls the backstage crew the backbone of what they are able to do week-in and week-out.

Dawn McGill: Without these men and women working backstage, the show doesn’t go on. The fact that these men were used as pawns in a political battle disgusts me to no end.

McGill concludes that she wanted to give these people a moment in the spotlight given the hardships they’ve had to face in the past few weeks.

Dawn McGill: Let’s give them a hand!

And that’s what the PCW fans do.

BACKSTAGE WITH ‘MR. HOLLYWOOD PCW backstage reporter Blair Moise introduces a brief clip showing the attack by ‘Mr. Hollywood’ Kevin Daniels on Heartland Champion ‘The One Man Anti-Hollywood A-List’ Stone Chism last week.

VIDEO: PCW House Show- Rapid City, South Dakota

‘Mr. Hollywood’ Kevin Daniels jumps out of the crowd and attacks Stone Chism after his match. Daniels lays waste to Chism and tosses him out of the ring. After running him repeatedly into the ringpost, Daniels leaves him a bloody mess on the floor.

Blair asks Daniels what he hopes to do tonight. Daniels says Stone Chism must be taught a lesson.

Kevin Daniels: Big Hollywood does so much for us. They entertain us. They make us laugh. They make us cry. They make us think. For Stone Chism to turn his back on them…on Hollywood’s values…make me sick to my stomach. I’m not wrestling for myself tonight. I’m wrestling for them. I’m wrestling for the George Clooneys…the Brad Pitts…the Matt Damons…the Scarlett Johanssons…that’s who I’m wrestling for. We should celebrate them. We should love them. When they take time out of their busy schedules to tell us what they think about an issue, we should listen to them. Not only is what they say important, we should also think like they do.

Daniels finishes by saying tonight is the end for Stone Chism in Hollywood.

Blair Moise: I think Stone has already signaled that he’s done with Hollywood.

Kevin Daniels: No one says they’re done with Hollywood; Hollywood says when they’re done with Hollywood.

Blair looks at him strange. Daniels leaves.

Blair Moise: Well, at least he didn’t say ‘no one makes me bleed my own blood.’

Back to Suave who sends it to the break.

=======================

**COMMERCIAL BREAK**

CURRENT CHAMPIONS: Universal PCW Champion: ‘Red Solo Plastic Cup’ Ray McAvay (Independent/Les Miserables) Universal PCW Tag Team Champions: Sports Entertainment Corporation: P.M.C. Banks and Charlie Blackwell Universal PCW Women’s Champion: ‘Extreme Pizza Delivery Girl’ Chism Martin (Independent)

PCW HEARTLAND RANKINGS

Heartland Title Champion: The One Man Anti-Hollywood A-List’ Stone Chism #1 Contender: Jack Fraiser #2 Contender: SNAFU #3 Contender: Justin Beaver (SEC) #4 Contender: 'American Citizen' Kevin Scott

Heartland Tag Team Title Champion: Weapons of Mass Destruction: A. Tom Bomb and Hy Drogen Bomb #1 Contender: The Dork Dynasty: Leonard and Sheldon Robertson #2 Contender: Island of Misfit Wrestlers: Rah and Halitosis #3 Contender: The Beer Bellied Softball Playing Ninja: Hank and Tiny #4 Contender: The Green World Order: ‘Extreme Vegan’ Brock Cole Lee and GreenPete

=======================

BITCHING UP A STORM Colleen Crowder is livid with Johnny Suave for cutting her microphone off during the show and unloading it all at Dawn McGill in her office.

Colleen Crowder: …do you know who I work for? The New York Times. The New York *BLEEP*-ing Times. The most prestigious newspaper in the world! I will not be treated like this by a man who calls matches in bingo halls all over the hick towns in this country! This is completely unacceptable…

Close up on McGill.   Her arms are folded. She’s not impressed.

The thought pops into Colleen’s mind that McGill has thrown two people out of her office- not just thrown them out but thrown them physically through the door out of her office- in the past few weeks.

Colleen Crowder: …even though I suddenly realize that you might not be overly sympathetic to my plight.

Close up on McGill.   She shakes her head no.

Colleen Crowder: Um…you’re not going to throw me out of the office through the door, are you?

Close up on McGill.   She shakes her head no.

Colleen Crowder: Good.

Dawn McGill: No, you can throw yourself out…through the door.

Colleen Crowder: Oh.

Cut to outside Dawn’s office…looking at her door.

We hear the sound of someone running inside the office…

*CLUNK* The door vibrates but does not give way.

*CRASH*

Colleen Crowder (on the other side of the door): OWWWW! That hurts…that really hurts!

THE SEC MOMENT Corporate Sports-entertainment Programming Nation (aka CSPN) anchors Reese Anderson and Rebecca Morris talk with the ‘Mouthpiece of the SEC’ Phil Finebaum.

Anderson begins to ask about the discontent after the Justin Beaver match earlier but doesn’t get the question completely out.

Phil Finebaum (interrupting): Everything is fine. We are the SEC.  We’re not Jim Harbaugh. Jim Harbaugh is no longer an elite college football coach. We are still the elite faction in PCW. People care more about the SEC than they do politics. The SEC is the best faction of the Power Three Factions in PCW. Period. End of story.

With that Finebaum leaves before Morris can ask her question.

BACKSTAGE Blair Moise speaks with the new darling of the Progressive Alliance- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-Progressive Alliance).

Ocasio-Cortez talks about Donald Trump serving burgers to the fans last week.

VIDEO: Last Week’s Show

Trump thanks everyone for coming to the show on a very, chilly evening.

Donald Trump: …to reward all of you for coming out on a really bad night and being a great audience…

Trump points up to the aisles. Several members of the College Football national champion Clemson Tigers walk down the aisle carrying trays overflowing with hamburgers from Wendy’s.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: If Donald Trump can provide burgers for every person at last week’s show, why can’t PCW do one simple thing…buy everyone groceries. PCW is a business. You need money to be in business. Therefore, PCW should have enough money to buy everyone groceries.

Blair goes to ask another question but PCW Heartland owner Dawn McGill walks in.

Dawn McGill: You know, you’re great at spending other people’s money. I’m glad you think you can write checks from other people’s checking accounts. Do you know the difference between me, a small business owner struggling to make ends meet every single week, and Donald Trump?

McGill pauses and waits.

Dawn McGill: Apparently not. Donald Trump is a *BLEEP*-ing BILLIONAIRE! If you want someone else’s money to go buy everyone at this show groceries, go beg and grovel to your big money special groups for the money just like you beg and grovel and pander to them to bankroll your faction. They’ve certainly spent enough money in the past year to promote the Progressive Alliance, haven’t they.  Go talk to Bernie Sanders…Mr. Socialist. He has *BLEEP*-ing four houses doesn’t he? He might have a spare dollar or two. Go ask Al Gore…Mr. Global-*BLEEP*-ing Warming who lives in a twenty-two room mansion that uses the amount of electricity it takes to run fifteen ordinary houses. Go ask Nancy Pelosi. She has enough money to build a wall…that is build a wall around her house to protect herself from undesirables. Go bug them and leave me the hell alone.

McGill walks off.

Ocasio-Cortez turns to Blair.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: She is not a nice person.

PROFESSOR McCARTHY TALKS In a classroom in the back of the arena, Professor McCarthy rallies his troops. Codee Pink stands next to him.

Professor McCarthy reassures his flock – The Green World Order (‘Extreme Vegan’ Brock Cole Lee, Peta from PETA, GreenPete, PeaceNick), The Young Jerks (Zenk Cryger, James Idahola, and their foul mouthed valet Anna), Emily S. List, ‘New Age Sensitive Guy’ Blaine Thomas-Taylor, and NPC – that now that the Blue Brand show will start back up soon, the Flock will return to more enlightened locations to spread the word.

McCarthy then turns to the controversy at hand…

Professor McCarthy: Shame on those who are criticizing Codee Pink. Ray McAvay isn’t the victim here. Codee Pink is the victim. By smiling and trying to be polite, McAvay made her feel uncomfortable and this is not acceptable.

McCarthy raises the ‘good book’ of things that are politically correct and not correct to do.

Professor McCarthy: Tonight, we will take care of McAvay’s friends Rah and Halitosis. Soon…very soon, Ray McAvay, we will be coming for you and the Universal PCW Title.

MATCH #2 – The Island of Misfit Wrestlers: Rah and Halitosis vs. NPC and ‘New Age Sensitive Guy’ Blaine Thomas-Taylor (Progressive Alliance) Suave again sends it to ring announcer Kimber Marshall.

The Progressive Alliance ‘New Age Sensitive Guy’ Blaine Thomas-Taylor HT: 5′ 10″ WT: 165 / HOME: Arlington, VA NPC HT: 5’9” WT: 230 / HOME: Washington, D.C. MGR: Soccer Mom

The crowd boos which hurts Thomas-Taylor’s feelings. Soccer Mom shouts out ‘IT’S FOR THE CHILDREN!’ every few seconds.

Regina McGill, manager of the Island of Misfit Wrestlers, comes out first. Nothing fancy. Regina has a t-shirt that says ‘Island of Misfit Wrestlers’ on the front and simply walks out to the stage.

The Island of Misfit Wrestlers MGR: Regina McGill ‘The Luchador with Insanely Poor Oral Hygiene’ Halitosis HT: 5’8, WT: 170 / HOME: Cabo Wabo, Mexico FIN: Breath of Death Rah!: The Sunshine God – motivational speaker by day. Pseudo deity complete with eclectic entourage by night. HT: 6’-8” WT: 295 / HOME: San Diego, CA FIN: Eye of RAHHHHHHH! (Jackknife Powerbomb)

Next, a lucha wrestler walks out on the ramp.  He is dressed in all black with a giant ‘H’ on the front of his shirt.  He also has a strange greenish haze emitting from his mouth.

Halitosis pumps his first in the air and then starts down the ramp towards the ring.  He slap people’s hands along the way and then says hello to a young fan in the front row- the fan promptly collapses when he get a whiff of his breath.

Halitosis then moves on to the next one.  He says hello.  The fan gets a blast of his breath and falls to the ground.

He continues on to greet the fans along the way- oblivious to the carnage he’s leaving behind.

Halitosis reaches the ring area and continues to greet people around the front row.  Again, they all pass out once they get downwind of his breath and soon, the scene looks like a set of dominos falling over as she goes around the perimeter.  He climbs up on the ring apron and leaps over the top rope into the ring.

He goes to shake Kimber’s hand but the ring announcer bolts for the other side of the ring and tries to keep a safe distance away.  Shrugging his shoulders, Halitosis looks out over the ropes and raises his arms in the air.

And then…Kimber is interrupted by a man dressed in an expensive suit and bow-tie who’s just climbed into the ring.  He elbows her out of the way and gestures for Kimber to take a temporary powder because he’s the one who’s been given the honor and privilege of introducing a living deity.

Announcer Guy: Hit it!

[Over the loudspeaker, a buzzing synth sound blares and the announcer guy raises the microphone to his mouth.]

Announcer Guy (in a voice not unlike Michael Buffer): Ladies and gentlemen. I present to you the almost universally-worshipped king of the sun gods of all creation. He commands the chariot that rode across the sky during the day. He is the great, fiery globe in the sky, a welcome, nurturing presence to honor the season. He is the inspiration for those who would throw virgins into the gaping maw of a volcano – perhaps an Icelandic volcano – even though such shenanigans haven’t been acceptable since the 1950s. And just for your reference, he is, for 33 years in a row, proven to be one of UC San Diego‘s most enduring traditions in the Sun God festival- an all-day music festival celebrated by more than 20,000 students, alumni and friends. But that’s not important.

[He pauses and looks out at the crowd as the lights turn off.  A small spotlight illuminates the ramp where the BeachBronze Suntan Bikini Girls are standing.]

[The bikini girls pose on the ramp.  Then two large, hulking men carry out a golden sedan chair holding a six foot eight inch, two hundred and eighty pound man dressed in long flowing robes inside.]

Announcer Guy: Either way, you should thank your lucky stars and kiss his royal ass for gracing you with his presence here tonight. I give to you…the reason the Earth doesn‘t float away in the vastness of space…the reason it’s eighty degrees outside and not minus four hundred and fifty-nine point six seven…and the reason Brian Wilson wrote all those great songs…ladies and gentlemen…bow down before the Sunshine God…

Rah’s friend and middle-aged folk singer Happy Mango follows strumming a guitar along with the omnipresent Bob Nye- Foot Fetish Guy.

Announcer Guy: …RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

The procession stops at the ring steps. Rah climbs out of his golden sedan chair and prepares to climb into the ring.

Kimber rips the microphone back from Rah’s announcer guy. She starts to head for the ropes but her right leg doesn’t move. Looking down, Kimber is dismayed to see Bob Nye-Foot Fetish Guy hanging on to her leg.

Kimber Marshall (out of the side of her mouth): …Bob, let go of my leg.

She tries to shake her leg to get Bob off of her.

Colleen Crowder: LET’S GO NPC! LET’S GO BLAINE!

Johnny Suave: Now she talks!

MATCH SUMMARY Halitosis and NPC to start. Halitosis goes to breathe on him at the start and NPC runs for his life. Halitosis chases NPC around the ring. This lasts for about a minute before NPC rolls back in and tags Thomas-Taylor in. Thomas-Taylor connects with a right hand and immediately apologizes. Halitosis finally gets his hands on someone and immediately goes for the breath of death. But Thomas-Taylor rolls out and skips away.

Rah tags and stomps then kicks Thomas-Taylor down in the corner. Right hand to the face by Rah. Whip by Rah reversed but Thomas-Taylor then runs right into a clothesline. Snapmare and an elbow to the shoulder by Rah. Again Rah whips Thomas-Taylor into the ropes and Thomas-Taylor gets a face full of Halitosis’s lethal bad breath. Staggering back across the ring, Rah takes him down with a drop toehold. Now he gets the Eye of Rahhhhhhh (jackknife powerbomb) and Rah makes the cover for the win.

WINNER: Island of Misfit Wrestlers @ 2:21

Johnny Suave: When the entrance lasts longer than the match itself, that pretty much says it all. Easy win for the Island of- HOLD ON!

The Deep State, Antifa, the Green World Order, The Young Jerks, Codee Pink, and Emily S. List hit the ring simultaneously and attack both Rah and Halitosis. Professor McCarthy saunters down again to direct the attack.

Johnny Suave: Professor McCarthy’s Flock have attacked Rah and Halitosis and it’s a fourteen on two beatdown!

Deep State #1 wields the infamous baseball used two weeks ago in the attack on Ray McAvay. He whacks Halitosis in the back with it and takes out the Luchador with Insane Bad Breath.

Colleen Crowder: It doesn’t help that Dawn McGill seems to have it in for Professor McCarthy and his group-

Johnny Suave: AND HERE SHE COMES!

McGill, Universal PCW Champion Ray McAvay, The Les Miserables (General DeBauchery, Al Cahall, Nic Koteen), Truckin’ Perfectly Average (Ken Worth-American Trucker, Average Joe, Brad Company) and Beer Bellied Softball Playing Ninja (Hank, Tiny, and Stan) crash the ring and it’s on.

McAvay has the Big Bertha driver and wields it like a crazed samurai. He pole axes his way through the crowd taking out everything in sight. The Beer Bellied Softball Playing Ninja chase the Young Jerks to the back.   McGill chokes out Codee Pink (Codee Pink Glitter Bombed McGill two weeks ago).

The Deep State and Antifa try to get away. But Heartland Tag Team Champions Weapons of Mass Destruction (A. Tom Bomb and Hy Drogen Bomb) Jack Fraiser, and SNAFU cut off the escape. A-Bomb Atomic Powerbombs Deep State #1. H-Bomb destroys Deep State #2 with a Hydrogen Powerbomb.

Professor McCarthy tries to sneak away. He’s stopped by ‘American Citizen’ Kevin Scott. Scott takes him to the floor and slaps on the American Bars and Fujiawa Arm Bar on the Berkeley, California professor and tries to tear his arm off.

PCW Security arrives and tries to separate everyone. Suave throws it to a commercial break as PCW officials try to sort this out.

=======================

**COMMERCIAL BREAK**

UPCOMING POLITICAL CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING ROAD SHOWS February 1st – Effingham Performance Center / Effingham, IL February 2nd – Peoria Civic Center / Peoria, IL February 3rd – David S. Palmer Arena / Danville, IL February 9th – D.C. Armory / Washington, D.C. February 15th – Vilaero Event Center / Kearney, NE February 16th – Pershing Center / Lincoln, NE February 17th – Eihusen Arena / Grand Island, NE February 23rd – Chisholm Trail Coliseum / Enid, OK March 1st – Genesis Convention Center / Gary, IN March 2nd – Hulman Center / Terre Haute, IN

=======================

BLAIR MOISE BACKSTAGE Blair talks about the upcoming show at the D.C. Armory in Washington D.C.

Blair Moise: Now that the shutdown is officially over, PCW Heartland in cooperation with the PCW Red Brand and PCW Blue Brand are announcing that the February 9th show will feature matches from all three brands.

The Blue Brand will crown a new champion- participants to be determined.

‘Wall Street Market Analyst with the Man Crush on ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit’ Kirk Walstreit of the SEC puts his Red Brand title on the line against an opponent to be determined.

And Universal PCW Champion ‘Red Solo Plastic Cup’ Ray McAvay will make his first title defense against Charlie Blackwell of the SEC.

Blair then brings in the Heartland Champion ‘The One Man Anti-Hollywood A-List’ Stone Chism to talk about his match in just a few minutes against arch-rival ‘Mr. Hollywood’ Kevin Daniels. But first, Chism talks about the return of ‘American Citizen’ Kevin Scott and his title aspirations.

Stone Chism: Blair, my comment about Kevin Scott is…what took him so damn long to get here. I welcome the competition. Kevin Scott has been…and still is…a great wrestler. And I look forward to meeting him soon.

Blair then turns the subject to Daniels.

Stone Chism: Kevin Daniels has his nose up the ass of big Hollywood. He’s wanted status for over four years and now he’s got it. Quite frankly, he can have it. But tonight, I’m sending Daniels back to the Blue Brand with his tail in between his legs. This is personal. He’s wrestling for Clooney and Damon and big Hollywood. I’ve seen the errors of my ways of putting them on a bigger pedestal than they deserve and I’m wrestling against them.

Blair throws it back to Suave.

MAIN EVENT/NON-TITLE MATCH: PCW Heartland Champion Stone Chism vs. Kevin Daniels Suave thanks Blair as it is main event time.

Johnny Suave: Her name is Kimber Marshall and she is ready to bring out the wrestlers for tonight’s main event. Kimber?

‘Mr. Hollywood’ Kevin Daniels HT: 6′ 0″ WT: 200 / HOME: Hollywood, CA FIN: The True Hollywood Blockbuster VALETS: The Original Skanky Rich Bimbos (Paris and Nicole)

The crowd boos Daniels as he walks down the aisle with the SRB.

Johnny Suave: He’s even brought back Chism’s original valets…the SRB…the Skanky Rich Bimbos! I’m good with that.

Colleen Crowder: I’m sure that statement is sexist in some shape or form.

Kimber Marshall: And his opponent…

‘No Smoke Without a Fire’- Bad Company

‘The One Man Anti-Hollywood A-List’ Stone Chism –former PCW Champion and 2 time PCW Television Champion HT: 6′ 2″ WT: 225 / HOME: Hollywood, CA FIN:  Anti-Hollywood Blockbuster

Chism gets a good ovation from the PCW faithful.

Colleen Crowder: Traitor!

Johnny Suave: Chism is a former PCW Champion and two time PCW Television champion. Daniels will certainly be one of the Progressive Alliance wrestlers in the mix for the Blue Brand title.

Colleen Crowder: Kevin Daniels also understands the meaning of respect…respect for our Hollywood friends who do so much for us.

Johnny Suave: And get paid so ‘little’ for doing so. It’s also interesting to note that even though these two have had a pretty intense rivalry for the past four plus years, this will be the first time they’ll actually meet inside the ring.

*DING-DING*

Johnny Suave: And here we go!

1st MINUTE Except Daniels isn’t ready quite yet. He’s playing around with both Paris and Nicole in the corner with his back turned to Chism. Finally Chism has enough. He rushes forward and grabs Daniels around the waist and knocks both Paris and Nicole off the ring apron. Chism rolls Daniels up.

Johnny Suave: EARLY PINFALL!

Colleen Crowder: WAIT! HE’S NOT READY YET!

One…

Two…

Th-Daniels just kicks out!

Johnny Suave: Just in the nick of time!

Colleen Crowder: Chism’s cheated right there. He attacked Daniels while he had his back turned!

Chism russian leg sweeps Daniels. Daniels back up and pokes Chism in the eyes. Running bulldog by Kevin Daniels. He stands up and hits a body slam followed by a split leg drop into a pin.

One…

Two…

Kick out by Chism. Daniels tosses Chism out of the ring. Daniels leans up against the ropes and shouts down at Chism.

Johnny Suave: Daniels in early control after the near catastrophic beginning of the match.

Colleen Crowder: Of which Chism cheated.

Johnny Suave: Or Daniels wasn’t paying attention…well, he was paying attention but he was staring at the Skanky Rich Bimbos instead of Chism.

2nd Minute: The action slows down as the Chism takes his time coming back into the ring.

Johnny Suave: Chism re-gathers himself outside the ring to stem Daniels’s momentum.

Colleen Crowder: It’s not going to matter Johnny. Daniels has Hollywood on his-

Chism snaps off a superkick to Daniels.

Colleen Crowder: …dammit!

Chism drives the point of his elbow into the back of Daniels and keeps on the offensive. Daniels backs up, still reeling from the onslaught. This allows Chism to hit a low clothesline, leg drop, and a cover…

One…

Two…

Kickout by Daniels.

3rd Minute: Chism whips Daniels, it’s reversed, Chism slides and lands on the apron. Kick to Daniels. Daniels returns the favor. Daniels boots Chism off the apron to the floor.

Johnny Suave: After a shaky start, Daniels has really taken control of the match. He’s bringing Chism right back in.

Colleen Crowder: Go for it!

He goes to the outside and pulls Chism right back in. Cover…

One…

Two…

Shoulder up. Dropkick to Chism. Second dropkick. Top rope plancha by Daniels. Armdrag takedown to Chism followed by a roll up.

One…

Two…

Kick out. Daniels drives a double ax handle to the back.

Johnny Suave: I’ll give Kevin Daniels credit. He’s got Chism on his heels.

4th Minute: Daniels throws Chism down face first to the mat. Running bulldog by Daniels. Russian leg sweep. Daniels goes top rope and takes out Chism. Cover…

Colleen Crowder: COME ON KEVIN!

One…

Two…

Shoulder up.

Colleen Crowder: OH! COUNT FASTER REF!

Johnny Suave: It’s all Kevin Daniels at the moment. Chism’s got to find some offense to stem this onslaught.

Daniels sits down on Chism and takes an armbar. He wrenches on the arm and Chism is in a lot of pain. Then he takes the One Man Anti-Hollywood A-List’s face and slams it twice to the mat.

5th Minute: Daniels up top…hits a top rope senton. He hooks Chism’s leg.

One…

Two…

Again, Chism gets the shoulder up.

Johnny Suave: Another close pinfall.

Colleen Crowder: I still say the referee needs to count faster.

Daniels on the warpath. He decks Chism with a right hand. Another right hand. Lariat to Chism. A second lariat and then Chism gets tossed over the top rope. Daniels with two right hands and then he slams Chism back into the steel barricade.

6th Minute: Chism plays possum on the outside for as long as possible before he gets back into the ring. Chism plays matador to Daniels’s bull and the more he eludes the Big Hollywood advocate, the more angrier he becomes. Daniels finally corners Chism. Chism grabs the rope necessitating a break- which was called by the referee. Chism points to something- the referee looks- and he pops Daniels with a right hand. Daniels staggers and falls. Cover…

One…

Two…

Daniels kicks out.

7th Minute: Colleen Crowder: HE’S CHEATING AGAIN. HE DISTRACTED THE REFEREE AND SNUCK IN A PUNCH!

Johnny Suave: Well, Stone Chism certainly is well versed in heel tactics for when he was with the Hollywood crowd. CHISM HAS HIM IN COBRA CLUTCH!

Chism pulls Daniels to the middle of the ring and locks on the Cobra Clutch. He tries to wear Daniels down.

Colleen Crowder: THAT’S DEFINITELY CHEATING!

Johnny Suave: NO! THAT’S DEFINITELY A SUBMISSION HOLD!

8th Minute: Action slows way down. Daniels tries to power his way to the ropes. Chism whaps his in the back of the head and pulls him back to the middle. Daniels begins to fade.   But somewhere, he gets a second wind and puts everything he has into getting to the ropes. Finally, he succeeds and the referee makes Chism break the hold.

9th Minute: Chism grabs Daniels’s arm and goes walking on the top rope. He leaps and hits a headscissors takedown. Armdrag takedown by Chism. Cover…

One…

Two…

Daniels again kicks out. Enraged, Daniels grabs Chism by the throat and tosses him across the ring. Cover.

One…

Two…

Chism grabs the bottom rope.

Armdrag takedown by Daniels surprises Chism . Slingshot Springboard Crossbody by Daniels. Cover…

One…

Two…

Kick out by Chism. Chism fires back with a surprise Belly to Back Suplex. He covers.

One…

Two- Daniels kicks out. Chism goes up top and comes off the top rope with a missile dropkick. Cover.

No count. Why? The Skanky Rich Bimbo have distracted the referee by pulling their shirts up.

Johnny Suave: WARDROBE MALFUNCTION! WARDROBE MALFUNCTION!

Colleen Crowder: Johnny, I’d find that action totally distasteful and offensive…(voice trails off)…except for the fact that it just saved Daniels.

Chism mock claps for the actions of his former valets.

10th Minute: Daniels rolls out of the ring to the floor. Chism rests against the ropes.   Daniels on the top rope. He flies. Chism ducks and Daniels lands hard on the mat. Chism drives a double ax handle to the head. Daniels tumbles to the mat. Chism grabs Daniels and sends him face-first into the corner hard. Cover.

One…

Two…

Th-NO!

Johnny Suave: He just got the shoulder up.

Daniels pokes Chism in the eyes. Daniels for a True Hollywood Blockbuster.

Colleen Crowder: That’s it! END IT!

Chism kicks through and flips out.

Johnny Suave: NO! HE REVERSED IT!

Colleen Crowder: NOOOO!

Backslide. Cover.

One…

Two…

THREE!

*DING-DING-DING*

Johnny Suave: AND THAT’S IT! STONE CHISM HAS DEFEATED KEVIN DANIELS!

WINNER: ‘The One Man Anti-Hollywood’ Stone Chism @ 9:36

Chism jumps on the corner turnbuckle as the crowd roars. Daniels is consoled by the original Skanky Rich Bimbos…with shirts back on.

Watching from the stage and clapping, one ‘American Citizen’ Kevin Scott.

Cut back to Suave and Crowder at the broadcast table. Suave is wearing a red ‘Make PCW Great Again’ baseball cap on. Crowder is wearing a hat with a vagina on top of it worn at a Women’s March.

Johnny Suave: Well, the shutdown is done and both the Red Brand and Blue Brand shows should be getting back on the road next weekend. I don’t think we’re out of the woods yet. McAvay and McGill get a little payback for the incident at Oshkosh two weeks ago. We are headed towards a huge supershow at the D.C. Armory on December 9th.

Colleen Crowder: Johnny, I am totally offended by your hat. I find it completely offensive.

Johnny Suave: Colleen, I think your hat looks ridiculous and you would be the first one to pitch a fit if I showed up here in a hat with daddy parts sticking out from it. But at the end of the day, I believe in free speech and free expression of thoughts and opinions so…okay…whatever floats your boat. That’s going to do it for this week’s Extreme Political TV. I’m Johnny Suave. She’s Colleen Crowder. We’ll see you next week.

[jobsearchtips02]

Google states it will pay some news publishers to license material, bowing to regulative pressure

The Google logo design is seen January 8, 2020 at the 2020 Customer Electronics Program (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada.

ROBYN BECK/ AFP

Google will now pay news publishers directly to license their content, in a change of tack for the web giant.

The business said Thursday that it would introduce a licensing program that pays publishers for “premium content” to be published on a brand-new service anticipated to launch later on this year. The service will release on Google’s News and Discover platforms.

It will at first include regional and national news publications, such as Germany’s Der Spiegel, Australia’s InQueensland and InDaily, and Brazil’s Diarios Associados. Google stated that, where offered, it would likewise offer to pay for open door to paywalled articles on news sites.

” We are presently participated in conversations with many more partners and plan to sign more in the coming months,” Brad Bender, Google News’ vice president of product management, stated in a article Thursday.

The relocation follows calls from antitrust regulators in France and Australia for Google to spend for news material. It marks a change of direction from Google, which has for years warded off needs from news outlets to spend for dispersing their work.

France’s Autorite de la Concurrence ruled in April that Google should pay publishing companies and news agencies for recycling their material. The Australian Competition and Customer Commission has actually been tasked by Canberra with forming a compulsory code that sees digital platforms share profits produced from news.

Such regulative pressure has heightened during a time when news publishers are coming to grips with a steep decrease in advertising expense due to the coronavirus crisis.

It likewise forms part of a larger battle in between tech business and media companies over copyright.

The EU last year passed reforms to its copyright laws that would provide news organizations more defenses to guarantee they’re paid fairly for the distribution of their stories online.

The guideline modification put significant pressure on news aggregation services like Google News, as they would need to pay publishers for headings and bits of stories. Tech groups had actually lobbied heavily against the reforms.

” Along with other companies, federal governments and civic society companies, we’re dedicated to playing our part to support news services,” said Bender. “Today’s endeavor exhibits that, and we look forward to what we can all achieve together.”

Read More

from Job Search Tips https://jobsearchtips.net/google-states-it-will-pay-some-news-publishers-to-license-material-bowing-to-regulative-pressure/

[ncmagroup]

by Brad Adgate

In recent weeks, there has been some talk about an economic recession. When it comes is still anybody’s guess, but another business slowdown is inevitable. It would be the first since the “great recession” ended more than ten years ago. Often times when a recession happens, businesses, fearful of declining revenue, begin to cut back in various areas, including their ad spending.

In the aftermath of the last recession in 2008, ad spending in the U.S. dropped by 13%. Broken out by medium, newspaper ad spending dropped the most at 27%, radio spending dropped by 22%, followed by magazines with a decline of 18%, out-of-home by 11%, television by 5% and online by 2%.

Nonetheless, there have been a number of studies going back nearly one century that point out the advantages of maintaining or even increasing ad budgets during a weaker economy. Those advertisers that maintained or grew their ad spending increased sales and market share during the recession and afterward.

As a popular adage says, “When times are good you should advertise. When times are bad you must advertise.”

There are several reasons to advertise during a slowdown.

The “noise level” in a brand’s product category can drop when competitors cut back on their ad spend. It also allows for advertisers to re-position a brand or introduce a new product.

Brands can project to consumers the image of corporate stability during challenging times.

The cost of advertising drops during recessions. The lower rates create a “buyer’s market” for brands. Studies have shown that direct mail advertising, which can provide greater short-term sales growth, increases during a recession.

When marketers cut back on their ad spending, the brand loses its “share of mind” with consumers, with the potential of losing current – and possibly future – sales. An increase in “share of voice” typically leads to an increase in “share of the market.” An increase in market share results, with an increase in profits.

There are a number of examples of brands that benefitted by maintaining their ad budgets during economic downturns.

Dry Cereal: In the 1920s, Post was the category leader in the ready-to-eat cereal category. During the Great Depression, Post cut back significantly its advertising budget and rival Kellogg’s doubled its advertising spend, investing heavily in radio and introducing a new cereal called Rice Krispies, featuring “Snap,” “Crackle” and “Pop.” Kellogg’s profits grew by 30% and the company became the category leader, a position it has maintained for decades.

Imported Automobiles: The 17-month recession of 1973-75 was triggered by the energy crisis. In late 1973, the U.S. government issued its first miles-per-gallon report in which Toyota Corolla was second to Honda Civic in fuel efficiency. Since Toyota was experiencing strong sales, when the economic downturn hit, the temptation was to drop their ad budget, which they resisted. By adhering to its long-term strategy, Toyota surpassed Volkswagen as the top imported carmaker in the U.S. by 1976.

Quick Service Restaurants: In the 1990-91 recession, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell took advantage of McDonald’s decision to drop its advertising and promotion budget. As a result, Pizza Hut increased sales by 61%, Taco Bell sales grew by 40% and McDonald’s sales declined by 28%.

Technology: Amazon sales grew by 28% in 2009 during the “great recession.” The tech company continued to innovate with new products during the slumping economy, most notably with new Kindle products which helped to grow market share. In a first, on Christmas Day 2009, Amazon customers bought more e-books than printed books. As a result, in the minds of consumers, Amazon became an innovative company by introducing a lower-cost alternative to cash-strapped consumers.

Another strategy used by marketers is changing the ad message and using short-term price incentives to match the economic climate with consumers who are seeking a good deal. Some advertisers will offer interest-free loans, coupons or special promotions to boost sales and market share. When the economy bounces back, regular pricing can return. For some advertisers that don’t give cost incentives, they can change the ad message to being expensive but worth it. Another creative strategy is pointing out the value the brand provides.

Although the natural inclination for advertisers is to cut back on advertising during a recession, those brands that maintain their ad budget and/or change their messaging can get a long-lasting boost in sales and market share.

Perhaps the best quote about advertising in a recession came from Sam Walton, the founder of Wal-Mart. When asked, “What do you think about a recession?” he responded, “I thought about it and decided not to participate.”

  Go to our website:   www.ncmalliance.com

When A Recession Comes, Don’t Stop Advertising by Brad Adgate In recent weeks, there has been some talk about an economic recession. When it comes is still anybody’s guess, but another business slowdown is inevitable.

[brajeshupadhyay]

Twitter Refutes Inaccuracies in Trump’s Tweets for First Time

OAKLAND, Calif. — Twitter added information to refute the inaccuracies in President Trump’s tweets for the first time on Tuesday, after years of pressure over its inaction on his false and threatening posts.

The social media company added links late Tuesday to two of Mr. Trump’s recent tweets in which he had posted about mail-in ballots and falsely claimed that they would cause the November presidential election to be “rigged.” The links — which were in blue lettering at the bottom of the posts and punctuated by an exclamation mark — urged people to “get the facts” about voting by mail. Clicking on the links led to a CNN story that said Mr. Trump’s claims were unsubstantiated and to a list of bullet points that Twitter had compiled rebutting the inaccuracies.

The warning labels were a minor addition to Mr. Trump’s tweets, but they represented a big shift in how Twitter deals with the president.

For years, the San Francisco company has faced criticism over Mr. Trump’s posts on his most favored social media platform, which he has used to bully, cajole and spread falsehoods. But Twitter has repeatedly said the president’s messages did not violate its terms of service and that while Mr. Trump may have skirted the line of what was accepted under its rules, he never crossed it.

That changed Tuesday after a fierce backlash over tweets that Mr. Trump had posted about Lori Klausutis, a young woman who died in 2001 from complications of an undiagnosed heart condition while working for Joe Scarborough, a Florida congressman at the time. Mr. Trump had posted false conspiracy theories about Ms. Klausutis’s death in recent days, suggesting that Mr. Scarborough was involved, as part of his long-running feud with the MSNBC host.

Early Tuesday, a letter from the widower of Ms. Klausutis addressed to Jack Dorsey, Twitter’s chief executive, became public. In it, Timothy Klausutis asked Twitter to delete Mr. Trump’s tweets about his late wife, calling them “horrifying lies.”

Mr. Scarborough also called the tweets “unspeakably cruel.” Others, including Katie Couric and the CNN anchor Jake Tapper, expressed sympathy for the Klausutis family, with Mr. Tapper calling Mr. Trump’s tweets “malicious lies.”

Twitter said it was “deeply sorry about the pain these statements” were causing the Klausutis family, but said that it would not remove Mr. Trump’s tweets because they did not violate its policies. While those posts remain untouched by Twitter, the company instead added warning labels to other messages by the president on mail-in ballots.

The changes immediately set off accusations by the Trump campaign that Twitter was biased against the president.

“We always knew that Silicon Valley would pull out all the stops to obstruct and interfere with President Trump getting his message through to voters,” said Brad Parscale, a manager of the Trump 2020 campaign. “Partnering with the biased fake news media ‘fact checkers’ is only a smoke screen Twitter is using to try to lend their obvious political tactics some false credibility.”

A Twitter spokesman said the tweets “contain potentially misleading information about voting processes and have been labeled to provide additional context.”

Disinformation experts said Twitter’s move indicated how social media platforms that had once declared themselves neutral were increasingly having to abandon that stance.

“This is the first time that Twitter has done something that has in some small way attempted to rein in the president,” said Tiffany C. Li, a visiting professor at Boston University School of Law. “There’s been a gradual shift in the way that Twitter has treated content moderation. You see them taking on more of their duty and responsibility to create a healthy online speech environment.”

Twitter faces singular pressure because it is Mr. Trump’s most frequently used method of communicating with the public. Early in his presidency, he tweeted about nine times a day. He has since accelerated his pace, averaging 29 tweets a day last year and posting up to 108 times on May 10, according to a tally by The New York Times.

That high level of activity by Mr. Trump has brought attention and growth to Twitter. If the company deleted his tweets or altered them, it would escalate accusations from conservative politicians that it censors their political views or was biased against them.

But by doing nothing, Twitter was also being “misguided,” said Joan Donovan, research director at Harvard Kennedy School’s Shorenstein Center, who studies disinformation. “If world leaders are not kept to the same standard as everyone else, they wield more power to harass, defame and silence others.”

The dilemma with Mr. Trump has put Mr. Dorsey under scrutiny. In a series of tweets last October, Mr. Dorsey said the company would ban all political ads from the service because they presented challenges to civic discourse, “all at increasing velocity, sophistication, and overwhelming scale.” He worried such ads had “significant ramifications that today’s democratic infrastructure may not be prepared to handle.”

Yet Mr. Dorsey has appeared unwilling to tackle Mr. Trump’s tweets even though disinformation experts said political tweets from world leaders often reach a wider audience than political ads and have a greater power to misinform.

Still, election misinformation is a sore spot for Twitter and Mr. Dorsey. The company faced heavy criticism, along with Facebook, for allowing Russian disinformation to run rampant on the platform during the 2016 presidential election.

In 2018, Mr. Dorsey testified before Congress that he would put a stop to social media campaigns that sought to dissuade voters from participating in democracy.

“We have learned from situations where people have taken advantage of our service and our past inability to address it fast enough,” he said.

Twitter is not the only tech company struggling with moderating Mr. Trump’s threats and falsehoods online. Over the past few days, Mr. Trump posted identical comments about Ms. Klausutis’s death on Facebook. One of his posts there gained about 4,000 comments and 2,000 shares and was not mentioned by Mr. Klausutis. On Twitter, that same post, which questioned whether Mr. Scarborough had gotten away with murder, was shared 31,000 times and received 23,000 replies.

For years, Twitter took a hands-off approach to moderating the posts on its platform. That brought it acclaim when it enabled dissidents to tweet about political protests, like the Egyptian revolution in 2011. But it also allowed trolls, bots and malicious operatives onto the site, making Twitter an epicenter for harassment, misinformation and abuse.

In 2018, after all the criticism about the platform following the 2016 election, Mr. Dorsey said he would focus on molding Twitter to support “healthy” conversations.

“We have witnessed abuse, harassment, troll armies, manipulation through bots and human-coordination, misinformation campaigns, and increasingly divisive echo chambers,” he tweeted at the time. “We aren’t proud of how people have taken advantage of our service, or our inability to address it fast enough.”

But Mr. Trump himself largely escaped enforcement. Although he sometimes deleted his own tweets when they contained misspellings, Twitter mostly left his posts alone.

That hands-off treatment was controversial inside Twitter. In 2017, a rogue Twitter worker deactivated Mr. Trump’s account. The account was reinstated in about 10 minutes.

Critics have piled on over time. Last year, Senator Kamala Harris, Democrat of California, asked Mr. Dorsey to suspend Mr. Trump’s Twitter account. In a letter to Ms. Harris, Twitter reiterated its public stance on tweets by world leaders and said it would err on the side of leaving the posts up if there was a public interest in doing so.

Other world leaders have not enjoyed similar freedom on Twitter. Tweets from the Brazilian president, Jair Bolsonaro, and the Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro, that promoted unproven cures for the coronavirus were recently removed.

Until this week, Twitter had maintained that Mr. Trump did not violate its policies and that the company would take action if he crossed the line.

“We believe it’s important that the world sees how global leaders think and how they act. And we think the conversation that ensues around that is critical,” Mr. Dorsey said in an interview with HuffPost last year. If Mr. Trump posted something that violated Twitter’s policies, Mr. Dorsey added, “we’d certainly talk about it.”

On Tuesday, the company turned that talk into action.

Kate Conger reported from Oakland, Calif., and Davey Alba from New York. Ben Decker contributed reporting.

The post Twitter Refutes Inaccuracies in Trump’s Tweets for First Time appeared first on Sansaar Times.

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[full-imagination]

James Edwin Zimmerman Sr.

James Edwin “Ed” Zimmerman Sr., 92, of Spartanburg and formerly of Greer, SC, left his earthly home on Tuesday, February 25, 2020, at Summit Hills Retirement Community. Born May 28, 1927, in Spartanburg, he was the son of the late David D. Zimmerman Sr. and Belle Fleming Zimmerman. He was predeceased by the love of his life, his wife of 63 years, Betty Jernigan Zimmerman. A graduate of Spartanburg High School and Wofford College, Ed also served in the U. S. Army during World War II. After 33 years with Citizens and Southern National Bank, Ed retired as Vice President and Senior Trust Officer. He loved his vocation, his clientele and the people he worked with. He was a charter member of Morningside Baptist Church where he was a member of The Royal Sunday School Class and served in a variety of capacities including Deacon, Deacon Chairman, Finance Chairman, and Sunday School teacher. He was active in civic and volunteer organizations such as the Downtown Sertoma Club, Total Ministries and Meals on Wheels. Ed is lovingly remembered by his children, Mitzi Bessent (Brad), Jim Zimmerman (Theresa), and Cindy Stabell (Bob); grandchildren, Meghan Kreitzer, Joseph Hill, David Hill, Emory Zimmerman, Sarah Bradley-Bessent, Jennifer Bagnal, Jessica Major, Julianna King, Jennifer Perry, and Allison Stabell. In addition to his parents and wife, he was predeceased by his brother, David and sister, Kathleen Thompson. A memorial service will be conducted 2:00 PM Friday, February 28, 2020, at Morningside Baptist Church, by The Rev. Dr. Steven R. Owensby and The Rev. Dr. Kirk H. Neely. The family will greet friends following the service in the Welcome Center. Honorary escort is members of The Royal Sunday School Class. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Morningside Baptist Church, 897 South Pine Street, Spartanburg, SC 29301. An online guest register is available at http://bit.ly/2lcbDXM Floyd’s North Church Street Chapel from The JF Floyd Mortuary via Spartanburg Funeral