#Youth Conservation Corps
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Mount Rainier National Park Archives Photo courtesy Val Lou of the Longmire Library in 1990s.
Most of the buildings in Longmire are excellent examples of the “National Park Service Rustic” style of architecture, which utilizes local materials like wood and stone to match the buildings to their environment. However, the Longmire Library predates the NPS Rustic style and serves as an example of an early, pre-NPS government building. The Longmire Library, completed in 1910, is the oldest government-built structure in Longmire. It features a steeply-pitched cedar shingle roof to shed snow and rough lapped Douglas-fir siding.
It first served as a community kitchen before becoming a library in the 1920s. From the 1950s to the 1970s, it was a branch of the Pierce County library system. Afterwards, the building served other purposes, such as a clubhouse for the Youth Conservation Corps. After its renovation in 1981, the building resumed its role as the park library where staff research the park's history and resources.
NPS Photos of the Longmire Library in winter in 2012 (left) and in summer in 2022 (right).
The Longmire Library is a contributing structure in the Mount Rainier Historic Landmark District and one of the stops along the Historic Longmire Walking Tour. Stop in the Longmire Museum for a map of the walking tour or use the NPS App to follow the self-guided tour the next time you are in Longmire.
#mount rainier national park#Historic Mount Rainier#Longmire#Longmire Library#National Historic Landmark District
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Already posted this on twitter but tumblr tends to be a better place for this sort of thing. so. just basically gonna copy-paste the qt I did for this.
so, interesting thing that i feel is a prime example of why this "problem" is utterly made up bullshit capitalist propaganda.
back in the 90s, OKC was essentially dying. downtown was one of the worst in the nation. gang infested, falling apart, roads not only in severe disrepair but very poorly planned, and utterly reliant on offices nobody wanted to work in for good reason. it was BAD. (edit: also the 1980s recession hit here especially hard so it was suffering in general from the fallout of that, too.)
enter the MAPS program. a 66 month long temp raise on sales taxes to completely revitalize, restructure, and rebuild our downtown from the ground up. nothing like this had ever been done before in the nation, not on this scale. and keep in mind OK has notoriously been very red.
this was a bipartisan project (and continues to be still) and believe it or not got some of the most support during republican rule. i don't think there's ever been a project proposal before or since that received such outstanding support by voters either. everyone wanted it.
with MAPS our downtown got a convention center, music hall, trolley system, baseball stadium, library, arena, new streets, and like 3 miles of river dammed and moved to create a canal and set the foundation for future projects on the river itself.
by the 2000s, downtown was completely transformed. MAPS was so successful that another one was proposed and passed. And then 2 more.
since the original MAPS, theres been new parks added, river sports, cultural centers, hiking/walking trails, more street upgrades, a senior wellness center, state fair improvements, public transit upgrades, and too many infrastructure improvements to name.
OKC is now a contender to other major attractive downtowns in the nation. it is now a place you WANT to go. we got our own NBA team now that shaped some of the best in the league currently. it's one of the few walkable areas in the whole state too. its honestly beautiful.
point is, we got here by adding enrichment, art, entertainment, and public spaces. not more offices. not more soulless cooperations. not more industry. those were the problem, getting rid of them and replacing them with ways to improve happiness and community was the solution.
and we did it in one of the most socialist ways possible. in one of the reddest states in the nation. if your downtown is dying bc nobody wants to return to offices, then your downtown was dead already to begin with. work should not be the reason a downtown thrives.
so don't believe the capitalist propaganda for a single second. we have 30 years of evidence right here in OKC to prove that shit wrong at every turn. and any politician who spouts that rhetoric is 100% bought and paid for by some major corp.
anyway MAPS is really cool and everyone should read up on it https://okc.gov/government/maps-3/maps-history and advocate for similar projects like it in your own metro. if one of the poorest, most conservative and oft forgotten about places in the nation can do it, any city can.
and PS: all of this was happening at the same time as the Murrah bombing recovery - at the time the largest domestic terrorist attack in the nation. so like. there really is no excuse for a city to allow their downtown to die other than politicians licking the boots of big corps.
PPS: the newest MAPS was just passed a couple of years ago and is the largest one of them yet. we'll be getting more parks, a youth center, another senior center, a mental health and addiction facility, more public transit, more upgrades to streets, a new animal shelter, additions to the state fairgrounds, a civil rights center, lots of beautification, a multipurpose stadium, and three pretty fucking amazing projects that are worth going into more detail about.
A family justice center - a temporary one exists but this one will be permanent. this is a really fucking cool place that helps victims of sexual assault, human trafficking, elder abuse, domestic violence, and children who've been through traumatic situations.
a diversion center - this will essentially be a way to get people out of the prison system and back into society. it's for low-level, non-violent offenders that really shouldn't have landed in prison in the first place. our prisons are fucked around here, and so extremely overcrowded. I'm sure that could be said for most around the nation. this is more like rehabilitation and its really awesome to see.
and lastly, a wholeass chunk dedicated to fighting homelessness - the first time this has really, truly been addressed with logical solutions. i gotta give big fuckin kudos to everyone involved on this one - its something they discussed openly with citizens, something they asked for suggestions about, something they've wanted to solve rather than just hide and needed the public's help to figure that out. the goal is to completely eradicate it by shifting focus to a housing-first program, create truly affordable housing (of which there is an extreme lack of in the heart of OKC), and offer services at every step of the way to make sure once a person is housed, they are able to also support themselves and stay housed. with $50mil from MAPS and $400mil from outside sources, this will be the largest of any of the projects to date and I am SO thrilled about it.
#fuck capitalism#anti capitalism#infrastructure#city planning#urban life#man idk what to tag this as#but anyway disclaimer this is very specifically american
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Conscription and Service Organizations in the Republic
The Republic, a authoritarian state situated in Europe, has established a distinctive societal framework revolving around environmental conservation and service-oriented ideologies.
Central to the state's dominant ideology is the protection and restoration of the environment, coupled with a strong emphasis on service and duty for its male citizens. This has culminated in the establishment of a comprehensive network of conscript and indentured labor.
Every male citizen is mandated to engage in conscript service, which varies in duration, ranging from one to three years. The Republic has nurtured an intricate network of service education and organizations, aimed at channeling the nation's manpower into various sectors that uphold its core principles.
Within the framework of the Republic's security forces, a range of distinct services operate, each relying on conscripted and indentured labor alongside reservists to uphold their respective mandates. These services not only ensure the nation's security but also perpetuate the overarching ideology.
A Paramedic Cadet, training with drones in the field.
Paramedic Corps Members of the Paramedic Corps, distinguished by their red uniforms, undergo rigorous and extensive conditioning to fulfill their emergency service responsibilities. Their duties encompass what was once known as ambulance services, fire services, disaster response, and civil defense. The Corps prides itself on its rapid response and life-saving measures in the face of various emergencies.
A member of the Nursing Corps in their Parade Uniform. Nurses use their as a non gender pronoun.
Nursing Corps Clad in white uniforms, the Nursing Corps operates with a similar ethos of conditioning, albeit with a focus on nursing, preventive medicine, medical research, and home care. The members of this corps play a pivotal role in maintaining the health and well-being of the population, championing a holistic approach to healthcare.
Lifeguards during maritime Security Operations.
Life Guards Dressed in yellow uniforms, Life Guards are tasked with water rescue, the oversight of public pools, search and rescue operations, maritime law enforcement, and safeguarding aquatic environments. Members of this corps undergo a base level of conditioning, ensuring that they are equipped to respond effectively in water-related emergencies.
Security Forces on patrol on Skateboards
Security Forces Adorning black uniforms, the Security Forces engage primarily in ideological indoctrination. Their tasks encompass law enforcement, prison administration, border control, air traffic management, and the protection of national parks. This service plays a critical role in maintaining order and ensuring the Republic's security.
Environmental Corps Conscripts digging. The EnviroCorps is know for demanding hard physical labor.
Enviro Corps While not uniformed in the conventional sense, the members of the Enviro Corps don distinct working attire as they commit themselves to the preservation of the environment. Unlike the other security forces, they do not undergo intensive ideological conditioning. It is also low on hierarchy and mostly respects the Conscripts Identities. The Enviro Corps is responsible for reforestation, tree planting, wetland conservation, environmental protection, and various cleanup initiatives.
A conscript in the Life Guards training a Group of Cadets
Youth Groups
The diverse array of security organizations within the Republic also manifests in the differing approaches to engaging with the youth. Several of these entities, such as the Paramedic and Life Guard Corps, have established intricate structures of youth groups, fostering a sense of camaraderie, discipline, and dedication to their respective services from an early age. In contrast, the Security and Enviro Corps have adopted varying levels of engagement, with the latter notably emphasizing a grassroots spirit of environmentalism. Additionally, select organizations, including the Paramedic, Life Guard Corps, and Security, operate academies and cadet groups that provide specialized education and training to future members, further ingraining their commitment to service and ideology from a young age.
Two members of the Security Forces kissing.
Fostering a Gay friendly environment.
One recognized consequence of the comprehensive conditioning processes employed within these security organizations is a notable shift in the spectrum of sexual preferences, often leaning towards same-gender attraction.
While not all members identify as LGBTQ+ at the beginning of their service, the Paramedic, Life Guard, and Nursing Corps have been particularly noteworthy for their efforts in this regard and are open to homosexuals desired developed through the conditions process. Nurses are often androgynous, while the presentation of the Paramedics is distinctly male.
The security organizations of the Republic also strive to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for individuals of homosexual orientations, and the conscripts are encouraged to act out their desires.
A Paramedics Dog Tag
ID Codes
Each individual serving is assigned a unique random identification code to distinguish them within the organization. These codes often serve as a replacement for their names, ensuring consistent and standardized identification throughout the organization, but also shaping of the identity.
In most organisations these are accompanied by a system of Ranks, Occupation and Status.
For example a complete designator in the Paramedic Corps would look like this: E5/ITS/4021/D1LL0. Wheres E5 is the rank, ITS the status, 4021 the occupation and D1LL0 the individual ID.
A member of the paramedic corps in an old experimental neuro condition system. Present day Systems are sleeker and require less invasive methods.
Conditioning
The practice of conditioning within the Republic's security forces has sparked controversy, particularly in relation to the extensive and rigorous conditioning endured by members of the Paramedic and Nursing Corps. While proponents argue that this conditioning ensures optimal performance, critics contend that it may infringe upon personal autonomy and individuality.
Summary
In the Republic, the distinct security forces collectively embody the nation's commitment to both its citizens' well-being and the environment. Each service operates within a framework that emphasizes conditioning, service, and the fulfillment of its unique responsibilities. Through their collective efforts, these security forces contribute to the Republic's enduring ethos of service and environmental stewardship.
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By Jake Johnson
Common Dreams
Sept. 20, 2023
"This historic victory," said the youth-led Sunrise Movement, "marks the beginning of a new era in the fight for a Green New Deal."
After years of pressure from environmentalists and progressive lawmakers, the Biden administration on Wednesday announced a new program aimed at training tens of thousands of young people in skills and jobs critical to combating climate breakdown, from land and water conservation to clean energy development.
Inspired by the New Deal's popular Civilian Conservation Corps—a popular decade-long program that employed millions of young men—the Biden administration's American Climate Corps (ACC) will establish a paid training program with the goal of providing "pathways to high-quality, good-paying clean energy and climate resilience jobs in the public and private sectors," according to a White House fact sheet.
The administration estimates that the program, established via executive action, will train more than 20,000 Americans, "putting them to work conserving and restoring our lands and waters, bolstering community resilience, deploying clean energy, implementing energy-efficient technologies, and advancing environmental justice."
Specific pay for the training program has yet to be disclosed.
The new initiative was unveiled days after dozens of U.S. lawmakers and advocacy groups sent letters imploring President Joe Biden to use his executive authority to launch a Civilian Climate Corps to "prepare a whole generation of workers for good-paying, dignified, union jobs, and build the workforce we need for the robust green economy of tomorrow."
The youth-led Sunrise Movement, which spearheaded the advocacy groups' letter and has been organizing in support of a Civilian Climate Corps for years, celebrated the announcement of the ACC as "a response that begins to meet the moment and show young people how their government can work for them."
"Three years ago, I sat on then-Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders' Unity Climate Task Force and shared one of Sunrise Movement's top priorities for the future administration—a Civilian Climate Corps, a visionary jobs program to put thousands of young people to work in real career pathways fighting for their future," Varshini Prakash, the Sunrise Movement's executive director, said in a statement Wednesday.
"Now, after years of demonstrating and fighting for a Climate Corps, we turned a generational rallying cry into a real jobs program that will put a new generation to work stopping the climate crisis," Prakash added. "With the ACC and the historic climate investments won by our broader movement, the path towards a Green New Deal is beginning to become visible."
"We're often asked how President Biden can win the support and enthusiasm of young people. He's gotten our attention. Keep going."
Biden previously embraced the idea of a climate corps as he crafted what was known as his "Build Back Better" agenda, which included tens of billions of dollars in funding for such a program.
But due to opposition from oil and gas industry ally Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and other right-wing Democrats—as well as the entire Republican congressional caucus—the administration agreed to dramatically pare back its agenda and approve the Inflation Reduction Act, which included a number of giveaways to the fossil fuel industry but not a climate corps.
NPRreported that the ACC is "likely to be smaller in scope than early proposals" and is "much smaller" than the Civilian Conservation Corps. The Biden administration did not say how much it plans to spend on the new program, which "will rely on existing funding sources," according toThe Washington Post.
Nevertheless, climate advocates welcomed the ACC as a critical first step while urging the Biden administration to do more to phase out fossil fuels.
"We need an all-hands-on-deck approach to address the climate crisis, and the Biden-Harris administration establishing an American Climate Corps—with specific opportunities for youth to work in climate resilience careers—is a historic effort to meet this moment," said Sierra Club executive director Ben Jealous. "The Climate Corps will mobilize young people, workers, and federal resources in a way never seen before."
Keanu Arpels-Josiah, a member of Friday's for Future NYC, argued that "a climate corps is important but the executive actions we desperately need are those that will directly and swiftly phase out fossil fuel expansion and production."
"A climate corps that focuses solely on promoting renewables doesn't do the job," said Arpels-Josiah. "It won't undo the Biden administration's damage in approving climate bombs like Willow. It won't end new fossil fuel projects and phase out existing projects in the timeline we need for our generation to survive."
In a memo released Wednesday, the Sunrise Movement called the establishment of the ACC "a show of the strength of young people in the national political arena" and "a hopeful pivot by the Biden Administration towards a 21st century New Deal society."
"Moves like the creation of the American Climate Corps harken back to Franklin Delano Roosevelt's vision of government—meaning American government has a responsibility to invest directly in its people to provide relief, reform, recovery, and good jobs in collaboration with and support of organized labor," the group wrote. "This historic victory for Sunrise and the rest of the climate movement marks the beginning of a new era in the fight for a Green New Deal."
A number of federal agencies will be involved in supporting and implementing the new program, including the Department of Labor, the Department of the Interior, the Department of Energy, and AmeriCorps.
The Biden administration also announced Wednesday that "five new states—Arizona, Utah, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Maryland—are moving forward with state-based climate corps that are funded through public-private partnerships, including AmeriCorps, which will work with the American Climate Corps as implementing collaborators to ensure young people across the country are serving their communities."
Other states, including California, Maine, and Michigan, have already established climate corps programs.
"This past summer we saw record climate disasters, record labor strikes demanding good, meaningful work, and major climate protests led by young people," Prakash said Wednesday. "We're often asked how President Biden can win the support and enthusiasm of young people. He's gotten our attention. Keep going."
#american climate corp#acc#biden administration#green jobs#climate change#climate action#environmental action#climate crisis#joe biden
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Köçek (Turkey)
Köçek was a young effeminate, gender non-confirming person who cross-dressed in feminine attire, and was employed as an entertainer.Köçeks were recruited of several background and ways, such as by captives, slaves or devşirme (recruiting of boys from the Janissary corps) from the fourteenth to early eighteenth century.The culture of the köçek, which flourished from the 18th to the 19th century, had its origin in the customs in Ottoman palaces, & in particular in the harems.
A köçek would begin training around the age of seven or eight after he was circumcised and would be considered accomplished after about six years of study and practice. A dancer's career would last as long as he was clean shaven and retained his youthful appearance.The dances, collectively known as köçek oyunu, blended elements from throughout the empire, most importantly Turkish (like Karsilamas & Kaşık Havası) and oriental elements. They performed to a particular genre of music known as köçekçe, which was performed in the form of suites in a given melody.It too was a mix of Sufi, Balkan and Classical Anatolian influences. The accompaniment included various percussion instruments, such as the davul-köçek, the davul being a large drum, one side covered with goat skin and the other in sheep skin, producing different tones. A köçek's skill would be judged not only on his dancing abilities but also on his proficiency with percussion instruments, especially a type of castagnette known as the çarpare.The dancers were accompanied by an orchestra, featuring four to five each kaba kemençe and laouto as principal instruments, used exclusively for köçek suites.There were also two singers. A köçek dance in the Ottoman seraglio (palace harem) involved one or two dozen köçeks and many musicians.The occasions of their performances were wedding or circumcision celebrations,feasts & festivals, as well as the pleasure of the sultans and the aristocracy.
Portrait of an Ottoman Kocek
Koceks, often wearing heavy make-up, would curl their hair and wear it in long tresses under a small black or red velvet hat decorated with coins, jewels and gold. Their usual garb consisted of a tiny red embroidered velvet jacket with a gold-embroidered silk shirt, shalvar (baggy trousers), a long skirt and a gilt belt, knotted at the back. They were said to be "sensuous, attractive, effeminate", and their dancing "sexually provocative". Dancers minced and gyrated their hips in slow vertical and horizontal figure eights, rhythmically snapping their fingers and making suggestive gestures. Often acrobatics, tumbling and mock wrestling were part of the act.Köçek dance was performed in public spaces such as marketplaces,coffee houses,taverns & wine cellars.
Education was also provided to the köçek at enderȗn mektebi (the school of the palace) and only some were chosen to live in the inner part of the sultan’s palace. Others resided elsewhere and worked in the kol (in the guilds of craftsmen).
Decline
Despite its popularity, the kocek dance was controversial within Ottoman conservative religious and political leaders viewing it as immoral. As of 1805, there were approximately 600 köçek dancers working in the taverns of the Turkish capital.They were outlawed in 1837 due to fighting among audience members over the dancers.With the suppression of harem culture under Sultan Abdulaziz & Sultan Abdul Hamid II, köçek dance and music lost the support of its imperial patrons and gradually disappeared.Some köçeks dispersed to Anatolia and various Arab countries.
In Popular Culture
Today, the kocek dance is largely a historical artifact, although there are some efforts to revive the dance as a form of cultural heritage.The köçek dance exists in some parts of Anatolia, especially in the Kastamonu.Köçek boys are also sometimes referenced in popular culture, & has been featured in films, novels and other works of art that explore the history and culture of the Ottoman Empire.
There is a turkish movie Kocek, directed by Nejat Saydam.The movie follows the life of Caniko, a gender non-confirming gypsy, who struggles with his gender identity.
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22 February 2023
The Cayman Islands Coast Guard (CICG) was honoured to host His Royal Highness (HRH) The Earl of Wessex and Fulfar, at its base in Savannah Newlands.
Due to its size and location, the CICG Base was selected as the venue of choice for HRH to receive a Royal Salute from The Cayman Islands Cadet Corps (CICC), and to inspect equipment that will be used by the Cayman Islands Regiment (CIR) when deploying to assist in Humanitarian Aid & Disaster Recovery operations.
During this visit, HRH toured the facility, and received a walking brief on the CICG’s current capabilities and future initiatives. While on site, HRH also met with, and engaged in discussions with members of Recruit Class 02, who were participating in training exercises that day.
This is the first Member of the Royal Family to visit with the CICG since its inception, and it is was quite an honour, especially as HRH is a staunch supporter of youth development programmes, and maritime conservation initiatives.
Accompanying HRH on his tour of the base and his interactions with the CIR and CICC, was HE The Governor of the Cayman Islands, Mr. Martyn Roper. The Minister Responsible for Home Affairs, Hon. Sabrina Turner, and the acting Chief Officer in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Mr. Julian Lewis.
📸: Adrian Clarke & @picturesbyshankar
— Cayman Islands Coast Guard
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Artifact Road Trip - Tennessee
Franklin Roosevelt was deeply troubled by high unemployment rates among America’s youth during the Great Depression. Shortly after taking office in 1933, he personally devised the idea for the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), a program to put young men aged 17-24 —many from urban areas — to work on conservation projects in healthy rural environments. FDR established the CCC by executive order on April 5, 1933. Within three months of its creation, the Corps had enlisted nearly 250,000 young men. They were assigned to CCC camps around the nation.
This sterling silver and enamel ring was designed for and sold to members of the Civilian Conservation Corps. The rings were advertised for sale in “Happy Days,” the CCC’s national newspaper. This ring was purchased by a member of CCC Company #1475 in Tennessee. Tennessee CCC Company 1475 was created less than 60 days after President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the legislation creating the CCC, and it operated continuously until the CCC program was discontinued in 1942.
Find out more about this #ArtifactRoadTrip ring on our Digital Artifact Collection: https://fdr.artifacts.archives.gov/objects/34030
Follow along each week as we feature a different artifact in our Museum Collection from each of the United States.
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Putin is nostalgic for the dysfunctional USSR of his youth. He also wishes to be known as one of the greats of Russian history. His ego is what this war is really about. Attempts by Elon Musk or other ignorant dupes to placate Putin miss the point.
Putin isn’t interested in compromise or in making a deal. He’s not acting like the normal leader of a country. He’s lost over 60,000 troops and has little to show for it. A normal leader would have made a face-saving excuse and resigned months ago. Putin is willing to continue no matter how much it hurts his own country.
Russia’s war, led by an obsessive dictator, reminds me of a dictator and a conflict in South America in the 19th century. Francisco Solano López, who inherited the dictatorship of Paraguay from his father (Carlos Antonio López) foolishly went to war against his neighbors.
Paraguay was in no sense prepared for a major war, let alone a war of the scope that Solano López had unleashed. In terms of size, Solano López's 30,000-man army was the most powerful in Latin America. But the army's strength was illusory because it lacked trained leadership, a reliable source of weapons and matériel, and adequate reserves. Since the days of El Supremo, the officer corps had been neglected for political reasons. The army suffered from a critical shortage of key personnel, and many of its fighting units were undermanned. Paraguay lacked the industrial base to replace weapons lost in battle, and the Argentine-Brazilian alliance prevented Solano López from receiving arms from abroad.
Doesn’t that sound just a little familiar? 😉
Apart from some Paraguayan victories on the northern front, the war was a disaster for Solano López. The core units of the Paraguayan army reached Corrientes in April 1865. By July more than half of Paraguay's 30,000-man invasion force had been killed or captured along with the army's best small arms and artillery. The war quickly became a desperate struggle for Paraguay's survival.
Russia’s survival is not at stake – at least so far.
Paraguay's soldiers exhibited suicidal bravery, especially considering that Solano López shot or tortured so many of them for the most trivial offenses. Cavalry units operated on foot for lack of horses. Naval infantry battalions armed only with machetes attacked Brazilian ironclads. The suicide attacks resulted in fields of corpses. Cholera was rampant. By 1867 Paraguay had lost 60,000 men to casualties, disease, or capture, and another 60,000 soldiers were called to duty. Solano López conscripted slaves, and infantry units formed entirely of children appeared.
Like Solano López, Putin is short of troops. But conspiracy theories and paranoia are plentiful in Russia.
Imagining himself surrounded by a vast conspiracy, he ordered thousands of executions in the military. In addition, he executed 2 brothers and 2 brothers-in-law, scores of top government and military officials, and about 500 foreigners, including many diplomats. He frequently had his victims killed by lance thrusts to save ammunition.
The war ended very badly for Solano López and Paraguay.
Allied troops entered Asunción in January 1869, but Solano López held out in the northern jungles for another fourteen months until he finally died in battle. The year 1870 marked the lowest point in Paraguayan history. Hundreds of thousands of Paraguayans had died. Destitute and practically destroyed, Paraguay had to endure a lengthy occupation by foreign troops and cede large patches of territory to Brazil and Argentina.
Those excerpts come from Paraguay: A Country Study, Dannin M. Hanratty and Sandra W. Meditz, editors.
The most conservative estimate points to a loss of 8.7% of Paraguay’s population in that war. The Economist in 2012 reported a much higher loss.
The war, known in Paraguay as the “War of ’70” or the “Great War”, was among the worst military defeats ever inflicted on a modern nation state. According to Thomas Whigham of the University of Georgia, as much as 60% of the population and 90% of Paraguayan men died from combat or, more often, from disease and starvation. Other researchers put the figure considerably lower—but still atrociously high.
Putin, one way or another, is leading his country into doom – or at least decrepitude. In addition to the combat death toll, an estimated 800,000 people have fled the country since the war started. Those are mostly younger, more tech-savvy, and better educated people. The country is being depopulated of its future.
The Soviet Union should be left in the dustbin of history. To prosper in the 21st century, Russia needs to act like a normal country and choose normal leaders.
#soviet union#ussr#dustbin of history#vladimir putin#invasion of ukraine#russia#paraguay#war of the triple alliance#francisco solano lópez#disaster#россия#владимир путин#ссср#советский союз#союз постсоветских клептократических ватников#україна переможе
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New Releases
Four new books this week and one that looks perfect for the spooky season. Which book will you add to your pile? I'm currently reading Rust in the Root so look out for my review in a few weeks.
Rust in the Root by Justina Ireland
Balzer + Bray
It is 1937, and Laura Ann Langston lives in an America divided—between those who work the mystical arts and those who do not. Ever since the Great Rust, a catastrophic event that blighted the arcane force called the Dynamism and threw America into disarray, the country has been rebuilding for a better future. And everyone knows the future is industry and technology—otherwise known as Mechomancy—not the traditional mystical arts.
Laura disagrees. A talented young mage from Pennsylvania, Laura hopped a portal to New York City on her seventeenth birthday with hopes of earning her mage’s license and becoming something more than a rootworker
But six months later, she’s got little to show for it other than an empty pocket and broken dreams. With nowhere else to turn, Laura applies for a job with the Bureau of the Arcane’s Conservation Corps, a branch of the US government dedicated to repairing the Dynamism so that Mechomancy can thrive. There she meets the Skylark, a powerful mage with a mysterious past, who reluctantly takes Laura on as an apprentice.
As they’re sent off on their first mission together into the heart of the country’s oldest and most mysterious Blight, they discover the work of mages not encountered since the darkest period in America’s past, when Black mages were killed for their power—work that could threaten Laura’s and the Skylark’s lives, and everything they’ve worked for.
Direwood by Catherine Yu
Page Street Kids
In this velvet-clad 1990s gothic horror, Aja encounters a charming vampire who wants to lure her into the woods—just like her missing sister.
No one ever pays attention to sixteen-year-old Aja until her perfect older sister Fiona goes missing. In the days leading up to Fiona’s disappearance, Aja notices some extraordinary things: a strange fog rolling through their idyllic suburban town, a brief moment when the sky seems to rain blood, and a host of parasitic caterpillars burrowing their way through the trees. Aja’s father, the neighbors, and even her ex-friend Mary all play down this strange string of occurrences, claiming there must be some natural explanation. It seems everyone is willing to keep living in denial until other teens start to go missing too.
Aja is horrified when she meets Padraic, the vampire responsible for all the strange occurrences. His hypnotic voice lures her to the window and tells her everything she’s longed to hear—she’s beautiful and special, and he wants nothing more than for Aja to come with him. Aja knows she shouldn’t trust him, but she’s barely able to resist his enthrallment. And following him into the woods may be the only way to find Fiona, so she agrees on one condition: He must let her leave alive if she is not wooed after one week. Though Aja plans to kill him before the week is out, Padraic has his own secrets as well.
In the misty woods, Aja finds that Padraic has made his nest with another vampire in a dilapidated church infested by blood-sucking butterflies. Within its walls, the vampires are waited on and entertained by other children they’ve enthralled, but there is no sign of Fiona. Before her bargain is up, Aja must find a way to turn her classmates against their captors, find her sister, and save them all—or be forced to join the very monsters she wants to destroy.
Until We Break by Matthew Dawkins
Wattpad Books
As the only Black student at her ballet academy, Naomi Morgan knows her feelings of isolation and artistic sacrifice are the price she has to pay in order to win the Youth American Grand Prix, the country’s most prestigious dance competition. Winning means access to a spot in a top ballet school and, ultimately, a place with The New York City Ballet. Nothing else matters.
But when Naomi’s dance instructor assigns her Odette’s variation from Swan Lake, Naomi’s world begins to fall apart. She doesn’t think she can dance the part—and her doubts become the loudest voice in her head. Her best friend, Jessica, used to be her sounding board, her support, her co-star—and even though Jessica died in a freak car accident, Naomi still sees and hears her everywhere.
She’s been burying her grief by focusing on her dancing. But when an injury steals that refuge, Naomi’s mental health deteriorates and she starts to seek answers outside of her carefully constructed reality. Then one night, she meets Saint, a street artist, and he opens up an entirely new world for her. A world that’s not connected to dance.
Saint spends his nights creating brilliant and beautiful messages of social change that the world needs to hear. In their sleepy California town, he wants to mix it up—to force the world to see him as he is—he’s got a voice and isn’t afraid to use it. Even if his family life is tough. Even if the same avenues that are open to Naomi are not open to him.
Together they both learn that there’s no one right way to be in the world. For Naomi, this means that maybe dance isn’t the only choice for her. Maybe her voice can be louder off stage, and she can shine in a different kind of spotlight. Maybe she and Saint will shine together and everything will be different in the best possible way.
What the Fact?: Debunking Disinformation to Detangle the Truth by Seema Yasmin
Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers
What is a fact? What are reliable sources? What is news? What is fake news? How can anyone make sense of it anymore? Well, we have to. As conspiracy theories and online hoaxes increasingly become a part of our national discourse and “truth” itself is being questioned, it has never been more vital to build the discernment necessary to tell fact from fiction, and media literacy has never been more vital.
In this accessibly-written guide, Dr. Seema Yasmin, an award-winning journalist, scientist, medical professional, and professor, traces the spread of misinformation and disinformation through our fast-moving media landscape and teaches young readers the skills that will help them identify and counter poorly-sourced clickbait and misleading headlines.
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History
March 31
March 31, 1933 - The Civilian Conservation Corps, the CCC, was founded. Unemployed men and youths were organized into quasi-military formations and worked outdoors in national parks and forests.
March 31, 1968 - President Lyndon Johnson made a surprise announcement that he would not seek re-election as a result of the Vietnam conflict.
March 31, 1991 - The Soviet Republic of Georgia, birthplace of Josef Stalin, voted to declare its independence from Soviet Russia, after similar votes by Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia. Following the vote in Georgia, Russian troops were dispatched from Moscow under a state of emergency.
Birthday - Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) was born in Rohrau, Austria. Considered the father of the symphony and the string quartet, his works include 107 symphonies, 50 divertimenti, 84 string quartets, 58 piano sonatas, and 13 masses. Based in Vienna, Mozart was his friend and Beethoven was a pupil.
Birthday - Boxing champion Jack Johnson (1878-1946) was born in Galveston, Texas. He was the first African American to win the heavyweight boxing title.
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Mayor James Everett Chase (March 29, 1914 – May 19, 1987) businessman and politician, was born the youngest of seven children in Wharton, Texas. During the Great Depression, Chase became an enrollee at a Civilian Conservation Corps camp in El Paso. He migrated to Spokane with fellow Texans, Elmo Dalbert and Harry Blackwell. He found a job shining shoes at a white barbershop.
He married Eleanor Barrow (1942). They had a child. During WWII, his employment situation improved. He repaired military vehicles at Spokane’s Geiger Air Field and in 1945 partnered with Elmo Dalbert to open Chase and Dalbert Body and Fender.
He served at different times as president and vice president of the Spokane Branch of the NAACP. He brought Rosa Parks in as a guest speaker in 1956 and through the media he addressed local civil rights abuses in employment and housing.
His political career began in 1969 when he lost his first bid for a seat on the City Council. He tried again in 1975 and was successful, becoming the city’s second Black City Council member. He advocated transparency in city government, increased recreational facilities for children, and more social services for the elderly.
In 1980 he entered the Spokane mayoral race. On November 3, 1981, he garnered 60.52 percent of the vote to become the first African American mayor of Spokane. His remarkable victory occurred in a city with a Black population of 1.5 percent of the total population.
He supported the “1% for Art” program which sponsored the display of artwork in city buildings. He managed the city through tough economic times. His advocacy of children contributed to the creation of a youth commission and the passage of a swimming pool bond. He announced that he would seek re-election.
For his life’s work in Spokane, City officials named the main art gallery in City Hall after him, and Spokane School District 81 named a middle school in his honor. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence
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The ABC Has Lost Its Independent Voice
There have been a number of disturbing incidents recently, which highlight the demise of our national broadcaster’s once fearless presence. The ABC has lost its independent voice. These include ABC presenters parroting editorial positions from the Murdoch press. In several of these cases the facts at the heart of the matter were not only borrowed but wrong. In what universe do we want the ABC quoting the editorial right wing bias of The Australian when questioning interviewees. Michael Rowland was guilty of this when putting questions to the PM Anthony Albanese about health funds. https://x.com/DazzaWhitmey/status/1762650015196180868?s=20
ABC Sans Drum Loses Its Way In News & Current Affairs
The decision to kill The Drum, the only progressive, youth orientated current affairs program seen in Australia, was a worrying sign. Where is the replacement program for this audience? The ABC has become a light weight, entertainment/weather channel for middle of the road audiences. No more challenging material and little courageous content, apart from the odd episode of Four Corners. 20 years of relentless attacks and budgetary pruning by the Coalition have rendered the broadcaster pissweak, in the Australian vernacular. Reactionary conservatives have had their way with the once fearless news and current affairs department at the ABC.
ABC Political Anchors Very Vanilla
Greg Jennet, David Speers, and Matthew Doran are the vanguard of political reporting at the ABC right now. Lite, white, and to the right, in my estimation. Anchoring shows with this vanilla all the time speaks to the retrograde happenings at the national broadcaster under the current management. These chaps follow the News Corp line, as if they are working for Rupert in actual fact. There seems to be an editorial policy which reminds on air presenters that their audience is conservative and centre right. Politics over policy is the company line.
The ABC has lost its edge when it comes to reporting in the news and current affairs sphere. Its presenters are having to quote reports in the Murdoch press. Many of its own journalists are very young and wet behind the ears – so that they can pay them the minimum rate, I suspect. What was once a great institution and had a fearless news and current affairs team is now second rate. It is time to oust the current management and revitalise things at Auntie. It is never too late to begin again. What about a replacement show for The Drum? Where can the many progressive viewers now go to find something for them? All these voices and perspectives from Indigenous Australia, women, disability, the alternative scene, LGBTQI+ and more have lost their place where they could be heard and seen on the national stage. It is a crying shame. Shame on you ABC management.
©WordsForWeb
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[Image Description: Promotional image with text that reads - The Buckeye Flame amplifies the voices of LGBTQ+ Ohioans to support community and civic empowerment through the creation of engaging content that chronicles our triumphs, struggles, and lived experiences. /End description.]
Issue #187 | 25 January 2024
~ 'Cowardly, self-serving vote': Ohio Senate overrides DeWine's veto; bans healthcare for trans youth
HB 68 also bans trans female athletes from competing in kindergarten through college. It will become law in 90 days.
🔥 Ignite Action
To apply for assistance and/or funds please visit TransOhio's Emergency Funds Application Page.
To contribute to the Emergency Fund and support trans youth in Ohio, please visit TransOhio’s Donation Page or contact [email protected].
(The article also includes hotline information for those struggling. Due to the Trevor Project being one of many hotlines that will involve police, I would suggest the Trans Lifeline - this link provides the numbers for US and Canada, and instructions in Spanish.)
~ Every Ohio Lawmaker: How they've voted and what they've posted on anti-LGBTQ+ legislation
Find your elected representative – and check their voting record on major anti-LGBTQ+ legislation! [Note: This is specific to HB 8 and HB 68.]
🔥 Ignite Action
To register to vote or to check your voter eligibility status in the state of Ohio, click here.
To find contact information for your Ohio state representative, click here.
To find contact information for your Ohio senator, click here.
~ Announcing: Rural Ohio LGBTQ+ Artist Series – Your story ideas needed!
Readers are encouraged to submit a story idea about a rural Ohio LGBTQ+ artist or an arts-based organization's LGBTQ+ initiative or event.
🔥 Ignite Action
Submit a story idea about a rural Ohio LGBTQ+ artist or an arts-based organization's LGBTQ+ initiative or event by going here. (The series will extend throughout 2024 and the submission link will stay open until the end of the year.)
~ How one community is embracing diversity and building a drag scene in rural Ohio
In an area of Ohio covered in farmland and conservative yard signs, drag culture fights to flourish.
🔥 Ignite Action
Keep an eye out on future events from First Capital Pride Coalition (FCPC) and, if possible, attend a drag event.
Financially support drag events coordinated by FCPC via sponsorships and donations (including Kroger Community Rewards).
Contact members of the House Criminal Justice committee about HB 245 [seeks to ban drag performances].
~ We're hiring! – Report for America Corps Member (2-year reporter contract with optional third year)
This reporter will focus on amplifying the triumphs and struggles of rural LGBTQ+ Ohioans.
🔥
This post contains time sensitive content that may mean it is outdated when reading after 25 January 2024. Please see The Buckeye Flame for current coverage.
#The Buckeye Flame#The Spark#january 2024#families#genderqueer/nonbinary#politics#policy/legislation#transgender#youth#health/wellness#community#rural#arts/entertainment#pride
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Top 20 New Deals Projects of FDRoosevelt:
1. **Social Security Act (1935):** Established a system of old-age benefits, unemployment insurance, and aid to dependent children.
2. **Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC):** Created jobs for unemployed young men in conservation projects, focusing on forestry and environmental initiatives.
3. **Works Progress Administration (WPA):** Provided employment through public works projects, including the construction of infrastructure, roads, and buildings.
4. **Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA):** Developed the Tennessee Valley region, providing electricity, flood control, and economic development.
5. **National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA):** Sought to regulate industry and labor relations, establishing the National Recovery Administration (NRA) to set industry codes.
6. **Civil Works Administration (CWA):** A short-term program under the New Deal, providing jobs during the harsh winter of 1933-34.
7. **Public Works Administration (PWA):** Funded large-scale public works projects, including the construction of dams, bridges, and government buildings.
8. **Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA):** Provided direct relief to the unemployed and those in need.
9. **National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) or Wagner Act (1935):** Encouraged collective bargaining and protected workers' rights to join labor unions.
10. **Securities Act of 1933:** Aimed to restore investor confidence by providing more transparency in financial markets.
11. **Banking Act of 1933 (Glass-Steagall Act):** Established the FDIC to insure bank deposits and separated commercial and investment banking activities.
12. **Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of 1938:** Set minimum wage, overtime pay eligibility, recordkeeping, and child labor standards.
13. **Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA):** Aimed to raise crop prices and reduce surpluses by paying farmers to reduce production.
14. **Home Owners' Loan Corporation (HOLC):** Refinanced home mortgages to prevent foreclosures.
15. **National Youth Administration (NYA):** Provided work and education for young people.
16. **Emergency Banking Act (1933):** Addressed the banking crisis, allowed the government to regulate and reopen banks.
17. **Rural Electrification Administration (REA):** Brought electricity to rural areas by providing low-cost loans to electric cooperatives.
18. **Indian Reorganization Act (Wheeler-Howard Act):** Reversed the Dawes Act policies, promoting tribal self-government and preserving tribal land.
19. **Housing Act of 1937:** Aimed at improving housing standards and conditions, particularly for low-income families.
20. **Social Security Amendments of 1939:** Expanded Social Security benefits and coverage.
Providing specific budget details for each New Deal program, along with their funding sources, is challenging due to the historical context and the variety of programs involved. During the Great Depression, budgeting processes were different from contemporary practices, and funding often came from a combination of sources. However, I can give you a general overview:
1. **Social Security Act (1935):** Social Security funding initially came from payroll taxes on workers and employers.
2. **Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC):** The CCC was funded through emergency appropriations, with the majority of funds going directly to the enrollees as wages.
3. **Works Progress Administration (WPA):** The WPA was funded through appropriations from Congress, and it employed millions of people on various projects.
4. **Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA):** Initially funded by appropriations, the TVA later became financially self-sufficient through electricity sales.
5. **National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA):** The NIRA included funding for the Public Works Administration (PWA) and the National Recovery Administration (NRA), which received appropriations from Congress.
6. **Civil Works Administration (CWA):** CWA funding also came from appropriations by Congress, addressing immediate employment needs during a harsh winter.
7. **Public Works Administration (PWA):** Funded through appropriations, the PWA invested in large-scale public works projects.
8. **Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA):** FERA received appropriations from Congress to provide direct relief to those in need.
9. **National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) or Wagner Act (1935):** The NLRA was enacted through legislative action and did not have a specific budget; it focused on establishing labor relations principles.
10. **Securities Act of 1933:** The Securities Act did not have a direct budget, as it aimed to regulate financial markets rather than allocate funds.
11. **Banking Act of 1933 (Glass-Steagall Act):** The Glass-Steagall Act did not have a separate budget but involved regulatory measures and changes in the banking system.
12. **Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of 1938:** The FLSA established labor standards without a specific budget, focusing on minimum wage, overtime pay, and child labor regulations.
13. **Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA):** The AAA was funded through appropriations, providing payments to farmers to reduce production.
14. **Home Owners' Loan Corporation (HOLC):** HOLC was capitalized with government funds to refinance home mortgages.
15. **National Youth Administration (NYA):** The NYA received appropriations to fund educational and work programs for young people.
16. **Emergency Banking Act (1933):** This act facilitated the reopening of banks but didn't have a specific budget. It involved regulatory measures and financial stabilization.
17. **Rural Electrification Administration (REA):** Initially funded through appropriations, the REA later became self-sustaining through loan repayments from electric cooperatives.
18. **Indian Reorganization Act (Wheeler-Howard Act):** The act did not have a specific budget but involved policy changes and support for tribal self-government.
19. **Housing Act of 1937:** Appropriations funded housing programs to improve conditions for low-income families.
20. **Social Security Amendments of 1939:** The amendments expanded Social Security benefits, and funding continued to come from payroll taxes.
It's important to note that the New Deal programs were funded through a combination of congressional appropriations, loans, and in some cases, self-sustaining mechanisms. The budgetary landscape during the Great Depression was complex and different from contemporary practices.
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AmeriCorps Forest Corps: Youth-Powered Climate Action
Empowering the Next Generation in Climate Resilience
In a momentous event today, AmeriCorps and the US Department of Agriculture's Forest Service came together for the ceremonial signing of a groundbreaking agreement. This marked the establishment of the AmeriCorps NCCC Forest Corps program, a significant milestone under President Biden's ambitious American Climate Corps initiative. The program aims to train a diverse cadre of conservation and climate resilience workers, setting the stage for a new era of environmental action.
Applications Open for AmeriCorps NCCC Forest Corps
For those passionate about making a tangible impact on the environment, the call to action is clear. Applications to join the AmeriCorps NCCC Forest Corps, affectionately known as "Forest Corps," are now open at AmeriCorps.gov/ForestCorps. This unique opportunity invites individuals from all walks of life to contribute to the nation's highest environmental priorities, ranging from reforestation to wildfire mitigation.
Unveiling the $15 Million, Five-Year Forest Corps Initiative
The Forest Corps initiative, backed by a five-year, $15 million interagency agreement, sets the stage for the first cohort of 80 members to commence their service in the summer of 2024. '
Their mission? To crisscross the country, actively engaging in conserving national forests and grasslands, mitigating wildfire risks in high-threat regions, and providing vital support in reforestation efforts and wildfire crisis response.
A Win-Win Partnership for Conservation and Workforce Development
Randy Moore, Chief of the Forest Service, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating,
"This collaboration with AmeriCorps offers a unique opportunity for individuals from diverse backgrounds to learn about conservation and forestry, becoming an integral part of our future workforce. It's a win-win that aligns seamlessly with our Wildfire Crisis Strategy and our commitment to creating climate-resilient forests."
A Generous Compensation Package for AmeriCorps Forest Corps Members
Breaking barriers to entry, the Forest Corps program ensures financial inclusivity by offering AmeriCorps members a compensation package equivalent to $15 per hour. This comprehensive package encompasses lodging, transportation, clothing, a living allowance, health benefits, and more. Notably, no prior education or experience is required, emphasizing the program's commitment to inclusivity and diversity.
Charting a Course for Youth-Powered Climate Action
Ken Goodson, AmeriCorps NCCC Director, highlighted the imminent deployment of the first Forest Corps cohort in just six months.
"This program is not just about environmental conservation; it's a catalyst for job creation, strengthening the climate resilience economy. We are grateful to the Forest Service for their pivotal partnership, ushering in a new era of youth-powered climate action."
AmeriCorps: A Force for National Service and Volunteerism
Integral to this groundbreaking initiative is AmeriCorps, the federal agency dedicated to national service and volunteerism. AmeriCorps provides opportunities for Americans to serve their country domestically, addressing the nation's most pressing challenges, improving lives, and communities, and strengthening civic engagement.
Each year, the agency places more than 200,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in intensive service roles. Additionally, AmeriCorps empowers millions more to serve as long-term, short-term, or one-time volunteers, fostering a culture of active citizenship and collective impact.
In a society increasingly driven by environmental consciousness, the AmeriCorps NCCC Forest Corps stands as a beacon, offering individuals a chance to be at the forefront of impactful climate action while securing a promising future for themselves and the planet. Apply today and be a part of the change we desperately need.
Sources: THX News & AmeriCorps.
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#AmeriCorpsCompensationPackage#AmeriCorpsNationalServiceVolunteerism#AmeriCorpsNCCCForestCorps#AmeriCorpsNCCCForestCorpsApplications#ClimateResilienceWorkers#EnvironmentalPrioritiesAmeriCorps#ForestServicePartnership#RandyMooreForestService#ReforestationandWildfireMitigation#Youth-PoweredClimateAction
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