Category Archives: Golden Rule

Jason Hoppe, For the Green Bay Press-Gazette Published 7:19 a.m. CT Nov. 24, 2020

My 10-year-old daughter was playing with her friends in our yard as I arrived home from work at the hospital the day I wrote this.It was a beautiful fall day and they were climbing a tree, not social distancing or wearing masks.

Between daily requests that we get a new dog, I try to remind my 10-, 11-, 12- and 15-year-old to social distance and wear masks with varying degrees of success.

I thought about telling them how this pandemic is similar to what polio did to children and young adults in the 1950s, and that social distancing was also necessary at that time until widespread polio vaccination which has nearly eradicated this disease that once closed beaches and pools and kept children from playing with their friends at all.

Jason Hoppe(Photo: Courtesy of Jason Hoppe)

I thought about sharing the coronavirus math: COVID-19 kills roughly 10 times as many people as influenza and we dont have a vaccine for it. Children have to social distance and stay out of school and sports to prevent bringing it home to their families and making them sick. I think they know this, but it doesnt make it easier for them to stay away from their friends.

I thought about telling them of what Ive seen in the hospitals.That Ive never seen or heard of anything like this since I started practicing medicine over 25 years ago.That Ive never heard of transforming a state fairgrounds into a Field Hospital or of a local hospital in Green Bay using industrial plastic dividers to allow a single patient room to fit two patients.That Ive never routinely had to keep patients in the ER after I admit them because there were not beds for them in the hospital.

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I thought of telling them of the elderly couple who wanted to move from their home of countless decades to an assisted living facility how less than a week later my patients husband died of COVID-19 after contracting the illness there an all-too-common mode of transmission.

But I dont have to tell them these things or scare them.My kids listen, at least to this advice.They get it: They wear masks when I remind them, without complaining.They follow social distancing guidelines even though they would rather not.They actually do these things more consistently than picking up their clothes, doing their homework or a multitude of other things my wife and I ask them to do, as Im sure other parents will attest.

My prayer for our city, state and country is that we listen to good advice.That we wear our masks, work or go to school from home whenever possible and get the influenza vaccine now and COVID-19 vaccine when available. I pray that we transcend politics and leave that to the electoral process.Germs do not have political parties.

I know that united together Wisconsinites and Americans will defeat this pandemic.The basic tools we have to prevent this infection by wearing masks and social distancing, looking out for one another and following the Golden Rule are much more powerful than all of the remdesivir, dexamethasone or convalescent plasma I could ever give the very sick patients Im seeing at this time.

Jason Hoppe, MD, is a primary care physician at Prevea Clinic and internal medicine specialist and hospitalist atSt. Vincent, St. Marys and St. Clare's hospitals. He lives in Green Bay.

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Green Bay doctor: My kids don't like COVID-19 limits either, but at least they listen to lifesaving advice - Green Bay Press Gazette

The late World Cup hero was the most Argentine of icons to his adoring fans, as much because of his failings as his unique talents on the pitch

Diego hasn't died, Diego hasn't died, Diego lives with the people and that's just the way it f*cking is.

Buenos Aires' imposing Obelisco, the monument built in 1936 to commemorate the city's 400th anniversary, has long served as the gathering point for Argentines to celebrate.

It was there, on June 29, 1986, that hundreds of thousands of ecstatic fans flocked to mark the nation's World Cup final victory over West Germany, masterminded by one Diego Armando Maradona.

It was fitting, then, that the Obelisco was one of the places chosen to commemorate the life of a man who touched Argentine hearts perhaps more than any other individual in recent memory.

Goal 50 Revealed: The best 50 players in the world

Despite the difficulties that coronavirus and lockdown measures continue to impose on public events, thousands knew instinctively once the news broke that Diego Maradona had passed away aged 60 on Wednesday that they had to make their way to the centre of Buenos Aires.

Others paidtribute at the steps of the Bombonera, Boca Juniors' iconic home where Maradona had once starred and now has become a shrine to 'God',(the club's Libertadores match against Internacional was postponed in respect to the late legend), while others made their way to the place where it all began, Argentinos Juniors' stadium in La Paternal which saw Diego take his first steps in professional football and which, in 2004, took the name of its favourite son.

Many more in the coming days will file past the late legend as he lies in state atthe Casa Rosada, the Argentine seat of government, from where President Alberto Fernandez an Argentinos Juniors fan himself delivered a poignant tribute to his idol shortly after the tragic news broke, and decreed 72 hoursof national mourning.

Wherever these impromptu remembrance ceremonies take place, though, one golden rule seemed to hold: this is a time for sadness, but also for celebration, as a nation comes together to remember its rebellious, wayward yet fiercely proud and patriotic standard-bearer for the great footballer and larger than life figurethat he was.

Ole, ole ole ole, Diego, Diego! rang out among the masses, many of whom were far too young to have seen El Pibe de Oro in his prime but who have grown up imbibing the stories of the diminutive hero as he took on the world.

Not since former president Nestor Kirchner, a close friend of Diego, passed away in 2010 has the country lost such an immense public figure; and as with the late politician, the cry went up that Maradona had not died, but lived on still in the heart of the people.

Maradona's old adversaries England and Brazil were also remembered among the chants, which grew in volume as the evening progressed. At one point, a nearby electronic billboard replayed his iconic 'Goal of the Century' in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final;the crowd jeered every flailing Englishman the little genius left in his wake before coming together as one to cry Goooooool as the ball finally nestled in the back of the net.

Boca fan Hernan, 38, was in the middle of a regular Wednesday when, through Twitter, he learned of the rumours that were shortly confirmed.

I dropped what I was doing and came straight down here to the Obelisco, he explained to Goal.

I saw him play in 1995, in Boca, I saw him too when he retired in River's stadium, I also went to his farewell match and the last time I saw him in a stadium was at Boca, on March 10 (when Diego's Gimnasia visited the Xeneize).

It's sad news, really, I didn't expect it, I thought he was getting better, you know. Diego could always dribble past everyone, we thought this would pass and, it's very sad. Awful.

It's a shame but, well, he's going to live forever. Diego is always going to be with us.

Argentine football is famed for its tribal instincts. On Wednesday, though, a mournful ceasefire reigned.

Shirts and banners belonging to Maradona's beloved Xeneize and the Argentina national team were out on force; but so too were those of River, Racing Club, Huracan, current club Gimnasia, Talleres and a kaleidoscope of other clashing colours, including the yellow and black of Uruguayan giants Penarol.

I had no hesitation, I put on my shirt, 40-year-old River fan Fernando told Goal, decked in the colours of the team Maradona had so often delighted in tormenting over the years.

I cried for two hours at home when I heard around midday and I came here, I had no choice. I thought about [the shirt] but I thought, today we are here to pay our respects to football, no matter the shirt. I am here to support God. It's really a moment of immense sadness.

I see shirts from many places, banners too, and this is what Maradona was, I think that if you go anywhere in the world and say, Maradona, that's it, it's Argentina. Maradona is football and he is Argentina.

Fellow River supporter Julio, who was working nearby in Buenos Aires' downtown area when he heard the news, expressed similar sentiments.

I was 20 when the 1986 World Cup was held, with all my family, and I cannot forget that moment he gave us, that moment of happiness, the 54-year-old said to Goal.

We had come out of a war in 1982 [the Falklands/Malvinas conflict with the United Kingdom], we needed some joy. Diego, like a hero with his team gave us that happiness, and on top of it all playing against the English, it really was unforgettable.

Diego is our identity, today we are known in the world, you would say Diego Maradona and everybody knew you were Argentine... it is a tough moment because the soul, the soul is broken, it's our soul, the Argentine soul, and it's a shame that he had to go like this.

In the wake of Wednesday's passing many media outlets, particularly in the English-speaking world, opted to focus on what they dubbed the flawed genius of Maradona, suggesting that his wizardly ability on the ball was somehow tarnished by his chequered personal life and, even more inexplicably, his struggles with addiction, a disease that dogged him throughout his adult years.

Such an interpretation of Diego's legacy would find short shrift around Buenos Aires. He was not perfect, not even to his most avid followers, and caused himself and those closest to him great pain with many of the decisions he made, particularly after leaving the sport in the 1990s.

It is Diego's 'flaws', however, that made him appear human in a way many elite sportsman, particularly in the image-obsessed modern world, do not; and in turn his humanity that, paradoxically, elevated him to deity status.

His beginnings; his joys; his setbacks and demons: all can be understood intimately in a nation accustomed to crisis and recovery, the hope that tomorrow will be a better day.

Diego is Argentine, he is ours, and that is what's missing from Messi, Argentine blood, Julio continued. He was born below, he took in all of the essence from the Argentine potrero (informal street football).

"You can't compare Maradona with Messi, you cannot, but he is the best we have today and we have to take care of him like they didn't with Maradona. Please!

"A very sad day for all Argentines and for football. He's left us but he hasn't gone, because Diego is eternal," Messi himself wrote in tribute to his former Argentina coach. Julio, however, is convinced that, once the tears dry, the Barcelona wizard has another, more fitting homage in mind.

This World Cup we have left with Messi, he is going to give it to Maradona, who wanted to see him as a champion, he added. Let him do it for Maradona, and for all Argentines, because Maradona is Argentina.

Raucous, poignant and yet full of celebration for a life well-lived, Buenos Aires paid host to a celebration worthy of the great and one, you feel, that would have met with his whole-hearted approval.

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'Diego is Argentina, he's going to live forever' - Maradona leaves a nation in mourning - Goal.com

The City of San Antonio has created a new advertising campaign driven by the question Whatll it take to stop the spread of COVID-19?

And the way they answered it is through music. Original songs were written and composed by Alyson Alonzo, Shelly Lares, Santiago Jimnez Jr., Azul Barrientos, Michael Carrillo and Andrea Vocab Sanderson, the citys poet laureate.

I can't believe I'm among them. And I'm really, really honored to say, Hey, I'm promoting the same message as these powerful artists, Sanderson said.

The city has tasked the artists to underscore mask-wearing and other precautions to help make them front-of-mind to San Antonians.

"We hope this campaign reminds the public how critical it is to work together to contain the spread of COVID-19, said City Manager Erik Walsh in a press release.

Sanderson said she hoped to get inside listeners heads.

I was hoping it would be something that would make you smile and motivate you to want to put on your mask when you don't feel like it or remind you, Hey, I need to go wash my hands, she said.

Sanderson thinks disinformation has been very damaging to Americans trust.

There are facts, there are things (that) are true about COVID-19. And we need to look at those facts, look at those statistics and get back to the basics of knowing what is real and what's not real, so that we can always have a clear understanding of how we can move forward and get better, Sanderson said.

Since wearing masks is largely a precaution to keep you from spreading the virus, she thinks there is an even broader issue here than just COVID-19.

Whatever happened to the Golden Rule, like treating others the way you want to be treated and being mindful of your neighbor? she asked. If we can love our neighbor as ourselves and keep that in focus and start teaching our kids that again, you know, we would be better as a society for it.

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San Antonio Tries A Creative Tack On Getting Residents To Wear Masks - Texas Public Radio

Never Trump

As a Never Trumper, I am not surprised the President has nailed down his WOAT President status and will be written about for generations by historians and business schools. He will be known as the only President of the United States who was not up to the task of leadership in an American emergency by leading them in a deadly, economy busting country tearing ditch. The term of employment for the Presidency is four years and most of the supporters talk of all his accomplishments before he had a chance to show how good he could manage a major problem. Historians in the future will not be able to understand why such an underperformer had such a large following. I am not concerned that the President will not help in the transition. Many of the programs have been hollowed out because the President could not get people to sign loyalty pledges and fill the positions or could not get his picks through a Republican Senate for confirmation. I do not imagine the President will have too much to pass on to the new President of any use. Most of the people who left this administration and wrote books were not exceedingly kind about his management style or ability. They all cannot be wrong. I wonder where all the great election lawyers are to help with the election problems. Rudy? Jury nullification? That is the best the President has? On a positive note for the President, he was able to outdo his mentor Senator Joe McCarthy.

Richard Schauer, Boise

A request of Governor Little, please do not become ill. The last thing in the world Idaho needs is for McGeachin to become acting governor, even for five minutes.

Steve Broden, Boise

We have resided in Idaho for 44 years, refugees from rapidly deteriorating California. At first the Statesman was a good and informative read! However, as lifelong registered Democrat supporters, it became apparent that the editor moved in the DNC office 20003 Washington DC! The Statesman was all about the saintly Democrats and sinful Republicans! We studied Political Science, American History, American and Worldwide governments systems AND our Constitution! It could be said that we are more the centralist, constitutional open minded voters

We gave up on the Statesman years ago, but missing the morning daily paper we elected to try the Press and we came away sort of half fed! True there were some attempts at old fashion Journalism early on but at times it appears the Press is out to nail Trump! There was fairness being displayed in the editorial sections with, again what appears to be token letters from the right to almost balance the lefts abundant hate, but the pure acidic vitriolic, one sided witches brew spewing forth from the honorable Jim Jones and Judy Ferro (who?) makes us wonder how come the paper is not dissolving before our very eyes or at least smoking?

We are going to keep the Press until at least 1/21/21 to see who gets sworn in.

But you can be darn sure that either man will be OUR president!

We are not the losers but America might be.

Robert & Monica Taylor, Boise

Editors note: The Idaho Press does not reject letters based on the political opinions expressed, nor do we choose news stories based on political leanings. We are focused on providing coverage of the Treasure Valley community.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

I write today to ask your audience how wearing a mask will make their bodies healthier?

I am confused why the CDC (and other agencies) is/are spending all the CARES Act money meant for education on masks and social distancing when those suggestions wont make any persons immune system better in any way. We still have heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, Alzheimers, cancer, depression, and other illnesses killing millions of people each year. If the CDC would remind the public of what they need to do to be truly healthy then it would protect the public from the coronavirus AND all these other illnesses.

True health is: eating healthy, exercising, drinking water, getting sleep, getting sun, breathing properly, socializing/reducing stress, reducing toxins and soooooo much more. I pray my fellow Americans will wake up and choose each and every day to make their health a priority.

Gideon Ot, Nampa

Im thankful this year because all my family and friends whom I care about and who care about me are still in my life; I didnt get COVID and only three of my friends did and survived (I did quarantine once); my brother sent me two N95 masks so I feel safer when shopping even if I may not be; Im thankful that I never gave COVID to anyone else if Id had it.

Im thankful I still have my home, can pay my mortgage and utilities each month (not everyone could), that I dont have to be anxious about where I will sleep tonight or any other night; that Ive been able to contribute food and money to the food bank instead of having to ask for food; I hope that those whove been in need have been able to receive it.

Im thankful that Ive been able to communicate with friends and family, attend meetings, take educational courses, and attend church services online. I dont feel Ive missed much except some hugs even if these could not be done in person.

Im very thankful for the companionship of my two loving dogs!

What are you thankful for?

Dena Duncan, Boise

ExpectationsTo Our Idaho delegation in Washington, D.C.: When you stand silent beside the Russians in refusing to acknowledge the results of the Presidential election you are supporting the attempted coup by Donald Trump to remain in office and undermining the heart of our democracy. You were elected to defend the Constitution, not tear it apart. The Cult of Trump has created a huge gulf between the people of the United States and the time to heal and move forward slips away day by day as you all refuse to condemn this unfit, unstable and unelected President. The stench of your lack of support for a peaceful transfer of power will not be easily washed away. I expected more of you.

Patricia Kelley, Boise

My son, single father of a 10 year old, took her to The Village in Meridian on Saturday night to enjoy the lights, the music, the fountain, and holiday spirit. They always observe the Ada County mask mandate. He is an essential worker and she was just finishing quarantine after being exposed to covid.

As his daughter was playing, he stood near one of the heaters. A group of 6, none masked, were near him. One of the women kept giving him the stink-eye and then started to cough in his direction. Deliberately. He observes the mandate to protect her and others but she coughs deliberately at him? Whatever happened to the golden rule? To treating others as you wish to be treated? To think of others above yourself?

If she is sick and coughing, she should be at home. If she is not sick and coughing deliberately toward my son, she is just a horrible person. Its not funny. At all. Its just meant to be provocative and is extremely rude and stupid.

Sue Fillman, Meridian

Here we go again, Democrats still have not accepted the 2016 election, now Republicans wont accept 2020 election. So, let us call for a complete, transparent & available audit of all 50 states.

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Thanks! You'll start receiving the headlines tomorrow!

It cant cost any more time or money than the Russian investigation & the impeachment.

For the future of our country, we should have all state legislatures & governors meet, vote & agree on any future elections as to process, rules, time limits, requirements of ID, signatures & citizenship.

All voter polls must be cleared of any deaths or address changes.

We proclaim to be the United States, so let us unite on how elections are held.

Any demonstrators be they Republican, Democratic, white supremacist, young, old, black, white, caught destroying, looting, stealing or burning should receive a minimum 5 years in prison.

UNITED WE STAND. DIVIDED WE FALL.

Pat Cone, Eagle

Now we take Georgia, and then we change America! That idiotic statement from the Democrat Senator of New York, Chuck Schumer, should scare the be-geeies out of every American and more so with Georgia voters because on Jan. 5, 2021, there will be a run-off election between two Republican and two Democrat that will determine the control of the Senate and the future democracy of America.

What are the WE CHANGE of Mr. Schumer? Attack on the foundations of the Constitution. Pack the Courts with their own Hate America individuals where the Christians need not apply. All open borders. No border walls. Joe gets to stay in the WH basement. Subservient to Europe, China and Russia as a globalist. Fund the World Health Organization as controlled by China which Joe has first-hand working knowledge of. Apology tour. Taxpayer funded abortions. Abolish coal. America is not great. Reset back to the DC swamp. Joe, Hillary, Obama and the media hacks telling 75 million Americans that they are: Chubs, Deplorables, Sexists, Racists and demanding them to now bow down for unity while attacking them. Raise taxes. Authorized and supported the destruction of Democrat cities/states for months and months. Defund Israel. Joe, the Regent administrator controlled by Mr. Obama and his corrupt cronies will be dumped for his rapid mental decline. Joe is listed as felon-criminal suspect in Ukraine. Defund the police/military. Financial bailout of the corrupt democrat-run cities and States that supports tyranny, pillaging and murder. John Durhams Spygate report on the absolute corruption and treason activities of Obama and his corrupt cronies will not be allowed to see the light of day. John Durham, be like Edmund G. Ross as he did in 1868.

Galen Kidd, Boise

Jim Jones is obviously free to express whatever opinions he chooses as an opinion columnist, but it is alarming to think that someone so quick to state conclusions without examining or even acknowledging evidence served as an appellate judge or attorney general. (Could Trump Win in the Electoral College or House 11/22/20, p C9)

I wont presume to debate him on the fine points of the law, though such distinguished legal scholars as Alan Dershowitz and Jonathan Turley disagree with some of his points; and while his categorical no conceivable path to reelection seems overstated, everyone agrees the presidents path to reversing the apparent result is difficult at best. It is also true that few have found it productive, over the years, to bet against Sidney Powell.

But Jones statement that there is no evidence of notable fraud is beyond preposterous. Even what we know already is overwhelming and shocking circumstantial evidence of widespread, systemic, coordinated fraud, and we await Trumps legal teams promised court filings. If they are able to present the evidence they claim to have, we will have proof that Bidens win was as fraudulent, and orchestrated by some of the same people, as Nicolas Maduros 80% landslide in Venezuela. If that is true, we have been the victims of the greatest political crime in our nations history.

Stephen Leonard, Boise

Editors note: There is no evidence of widespread fraud in the 2020 election. Voting officials from both political parties have stated publicly that the election went well and international observers confirmed there were no serious irregularities, the Associated Press reports. On Friday, a federal appeals court in Philadelphia rejected the Trump campaigns latest effort to challenge the states election results.

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Letters to the editor, Nov. 29, 2020 - Idaho Press-Tribune

On the same alliterative boat rides the perils of a pandemic and pathetic path of partisan politics. It's enough to give us all pervasive paralysis. As in: Does what we say or do even count anymore? Sure feels as though this new abnormal defies a fundamental principle that our framers, in their best Ron Burgundy, thought was kind of a big deal: That all our voices count.

And then along comes Tim King to show us all over again that the power of the people ain't dead yet.

It turns out that King, who is so much more than a football coach ... is so much more than a football coach. His recent travails and the subsequent outpouring of outrage, support and inspiration in his defense underscores the power of unity. Amazing what happens when we're willing to toss our egos into the pond and work together for what's right, isn't it?

What's right, in this case, was to ensure that King remain the coach of the Valley Regional/Old Lyme co-op program, which he's run quite successfully and popularly for 22 years.

King's kerfuffle began last week when the Region 4 Board of Education informed him that he could either resign or be fired over his alleged involvement with an independent club team featuring players from his program. Parents and players called King's involvement tangential at best, belying the severity of the punishment. Kids, parents, colleagues, friends and many others in two communities and beyond rallied to support the most popular guy in town.

Nearly 3,000 signatures adorned a petition in support of King. There was a protest Sunday in Deep River outside the Board of Education offices. Several newspaper articles were written on the subject. Social media sizzled. And every voice counted.

Region 4 issued a press release Monday night announcing it had rescinded its request to dethrone King.

"Through discussion, we have come to an understanding about the extent of the coach's involvement in an independent team of Region 4 football players," the release said. "Coach King does understand as a role model, the concerns about community perception regarding his involvement with this team.

"We both understand and accept that as educators and professionals we have a special responsibility to our students, staff and community during a pandemic and that we must place safety above all else. It is in this spirit, that the request for Coach King to resign from the position of head football coach has been rescinded."

Loosely translated, that's 102 words that mean "we screwed up, but we have to word this so we can at least in our minds save face."

Whatever. The point isn't merely that this charade ended happily, but the noteworthy manner in which it happened. It's testimony to how the Golden Rule got golden. Tim King has treated everybody in his path with decency, earnestness and humor for more than 20 years. When he needed the troops, they came to him via multitudes. Roosevelt charged up San Juan Hill 122 years before King's Cavalry charged up Kelsey Hill.

With every little voice contributing to the community bullhorn.

Bet not all of the 2,884 people who signed the petition in King's favor share the same opinions political and otherwise about life in general. But they found something bigger to believe in and spoke in one declarative voice. Hmmm.

Might we glean a more universal lesson from this, or should be just go back to yelling at each other?

King's voice was heard Tuesday with equal parts gratitude and relief.

"I'm humbled by the outpouring," he said. "I'm glad we can put this behind us and move forward."

He didn't want to say much else. But then, he didn't need to. Two communities said it for him.

This is the opinion of Day sports columnist Mike DiMauro

More:

King's coaching again: Power of the people ain't dead yet - theday.com

The most notable aspect of the first anniversary of the Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition government is just the fact that it has completed a year.

Ordinarily, this would hardly be news, since governments are supposed to last for five years, but here it is of great significance. Given that observers had predicted that the coalition, with Uddhav Thackeray, would collapse because of infighting among partners, his lack of experience and an aggressive BJP on the warpath to woo away disgruntled legislators from the ruling set up, he has stayed the course.

More surprisingly, he has won over admirers not just for astute handling of the coalition, but also for his sober demeanour in the face of multiple crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and most of all, in standing up to the Modi government and the BJPs campaign to undermine and dislodge him. Thackeray remains unflappable, and is not steeped in the belligerence of the Sena culture he is determined to slowly change the Shiv Sena to prepare for the future while not appearing to give up its core values and agenda of looking after the interests of the Marathi manoos.

Also read: One Year of the Maha Vikas Aghadi: Hits, Misses and Vendetta Politics

Thus, his party has eschewed its natural tendency to get violent on the streets a hitherto normal way of behaviour and this is something that Mumbai residents are pleasantly surprised with. Thackeray Jr is a big change from his father Bal Thackeray, under whom the Sena, with its nativist and later Hindutva agenda, was a force of disruption, going after linguistic and religious minorities and running the rich city like a fiefdom.

Uddhav Thackeray standing in front of a poster of Bal and Aditya Thackeray in 2015. Photo: PTI

Thackeray also had a golden rule he would never stand for an election, nor would he occupy a political post. He was content to place his own nominees there and be the remote control a behind the scenes puppet master whose very word was law.

Uddhav Thackeray, therefore, was an outlier, not just accepting but craving the post. It was over a power-sharing arrangement Devendra Fadnavis and Uddhav Thackeray would be chief minister for two and a half years that the partners of 25 years, Shiv Sena and BJP fell out after they had won the elections in 2019. Thackeray felt that the BJP was backing out of their deal; the BJP pretended that no such deal had been made. The BJPs calculation had been that the Sena had nowhere to go and would, in the end, lump it and stay put.

But the strategists of the BJP, Amit Shah in particular, had underestimated not just Thackeray, who was smarting, but also Maharashtras politicians, especially the wily Sharad Pawar. He worked assiduously behind the scenes, convinced a reluctant Congress an old rival of Shiv Sena and helped cobble together a most unlikely partnership. The BJP was shell shocked.

Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray and other leaders. Photo: PTI

The BJP did not give up. In a clandestine operation at the crack of dawn of November 23, it got Devendra Fadnavis sworn in as the chief minister, with Sharad Pawars nephew Ajit Pawar as deputy. The ambitious nephew had been wanting to break away from under his uncles shadow and this was his chance. His part of the deal was to bring an adequate number of MLAs with him, enough to form a state government.

Also read | The Nephew Revolts: The Story Behind Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawars Oath Taking

This unholy arrangement collapsed in 80 or so hours and the nephew, unable to deliver on the MLAs, returned home to his own party, the NCP. Fadnavis was left licking his wounds.

Since then, the BJP has left no stone unturned to bring the government down with all the weapons in its armoury, including using friendly television anchors such as Arnab Goswami to run a campaign against Thackeray and his government, holding back funds to Maharashtra, taking away cases from local police and deploying investigating agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate against Sena men. A few months ago, as the frenzy around the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput was whipped up, social media messages full of innuendo against young Aaditya Thackeray did the rounds. Thackeray has stood up to these onslaughts.

There have been governance challenges too the pandemic in the state and especially Mumbai and other cities, rural distress, job losses among the urban poor, among them. Not all have been tackled.

A year ago, there was optimism that the MVA would take a more humane view of the activists who had been jailed for over two years then on unproven charges of conspiracy in the violence in Bhima Koregaon. The MVA was slow to move on it and the BJP government at the centre swooped in and took over the case. But even where it could, such as in the case of octogenarian poet Varavara Rao, who is also in jail, the government was found wanting in providing him with medical facilities.

Also read: Arnab Goswami Arrest: The Maharashtra Police Is Getting Dangerously Politicised and Partisan

Thackeray can take some solace from the fact that he has held up well so far, not the least because of his mentor and adviser Sharad Pawar, and that he has bested the BJP. But he cannot remain sanguine politically.

Coalition partners are silent, but privately, politicians from other parties and especially the Congress, express their dissatisfaction of not getting what they think is their due, by way of political and other appointments. The Senas own legislators and rank and file is not fully happy with this arrangement. For them, their natural ally is the BJP.

But the BJP in the state is in a mess there is dissatisfaction with Fadnavis and there is a clear sense of drift, with no clear strategy against the government except criticising everything. Besides, senior BJP leaders like Eknath Khadse have left the party to join the NCP.

Yet, Thackeray still has four years to go and he will need all his resources and political skills to run his ship till the next elections.

The rest is here:

For Uddhav Thackeray, One Year Down But Four More to Go - The Wire

A Cheshire mum said her Instagram and blog about five-minute activities to occupy children became an instant success during lockdown.

Daisy Upton, from Altrincham, set up her blog 'Five Minute Mum' in 2018 when she became a stay-at-home parent, which gathered a huge following when it first launched.

The 36-year-old is known for posting ideas for games to keep children occupied, often with an educational element to it.

But back in March this year, when the first lockdown hit and schools were forced to shut, the former teaching assistant's five minute posts gained even more attention.

Daisy said overnight she saw the number of followers grow on her social media pages.

She said her blog posts before lockdown would get around 3,000 to 5,000 readers, but 'overnight' she said around 40,000 to 50,000 people were looking to her for ideas.

On Instagram the mum-of-two to Ewan, six and Florence, four, now has 192,000 followers.

Speaking to CheshireLive, she said: "I used to be a teaching assistant in Greater Manchester, but became a stay-at-home mum.

"I was looking at ways to do activities with my son Ewan and I started positing my ideas on Facebook for family and friends.

"But people started approaching me asking about the activities, so I decided to start a blog in April 2018 called 'Five Minute Mum' and it just went crazy.

"It was activities which incorporated things like learning numbers and literacy.

"I started Instagram and also have my loyal blog readers, but during lockdown it was overnight people started to look and follow me.

"My blog posts before lockdown would get around 3,000 to 5,000 readers at a time, but then it jumped to around 40,000 to 50,000."

Daisy said she has one golden rule to engage her children and that is to allow the kids to come to parents when you have set up the activity.

She said because the activity only takes five minutes to set up, it does not matter if the children want to play the game or not and no time is wasted.

The 36-year-old added that "little and often" is more than enough when teaching children new things and often parents put too much pressure on themselves to do "big, great things."

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She said: "The activities I do take no more than five minutes to set up and my golden rule is to never call them over to come and play, they need to come to you.

"If they want to learn than that's great, but if they don't want to it doesn't matter because it didn't take a long time to set up.

"Little and often is always best for learning, us parents think we have to do these big, great things when we don't.

"I think parents also feel a lot of pressure when on social media they see other families and they think they are doing these activities and learning all day because the person is uploading online all day.

"But that is just a few minutes and one photo at a time.

"These activities take the pressure off parents and reassures them that little and often is enough."

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The mum-of-two also has a book out called 'Five Minute Mum: Give Me Five' and is due to release two more in 2021 called 'Five Minute Mum: Time For School' and 'Five Minute Mum: On The Go.'

In her most recent activity uploaded on Instagram, Daisy has made a game called 'Return Rudolf's Nose' where the children have to get a red pom pom perfectly placed on the reindeer's face.

The game uses just a pom pom, a straw and a piece of cardboard with a hand drawn picture of Rudolf.

More here:

Cheshire mother becomes Instagram star with amazing 'Five Minute Mum' tips - Cheshire Live

Protests address local issues

The Black Lives Matter protest in Monmouth began in response to the George Floyd murder in Minnesota but continues every Sunday from 3 to 4 p.m. on 99W and Main Street because we have problems with racism locally.

Our neighbors, people of color and Black and indigenous people, encounter racism every day because of their skin color. They hear racial slurs, get treated poorly in restaurants and stores, and are made to feel unwelcome and unsafe because of attitudes they encounter.

These attitudes that cause our neighbors experiences are from the unexamined racial prejudices developed over our countrys 400-year history of racial injustice.

The Monmouth for Justice group formed out of the Black Lives Matter protests because we recognized the need to educate people about this racism and injustice. We created a public Facebook page as a repository of anti-racism articles so people can learn where racism comes from and how to stop the racial injustice that our neighbors, people of color and Black and indigenous people, experience every day. To stop racial injustice, we need to bring it out in the open. Its the ultimate community response to the Golden Rule, treat others as you would like to be treated.

To truly follow this rule, it isnt disunifying to show that our neighbors are treated poorly because of their skin color, but instead were called to be our brothers keeper. The Black Lives Matter protesters suggest how we can change to be inclusive and treat people fairly. Protesters provide vision: We Can Be Better and Make America Kind Again. The signs ask people to reflect on the racial reality of our community: White Denial Maintains Racism, and protesters offer hope of what we can be when Love Wins. Monmouth for Justice is working to bring meaningful unity to our communities.

Carol McKiel

Monmouth

Thank you for taking pandemic seriously

The purpose of this letter is to give a big thank you to everyone that is practicing social distancing and wearing a mask when inside a public place (and outside if social distancing is iffy).

You, collectively, are saving lives and reducing suffering. And a special big thank you to the medical professionals dealing with the virus. You for sure are saving lives and reducing suffering.

And to Kate Brown and her crew of advisors a thumbs up for guidance that has helped motivate most of us to do the right thing (even many of the complainers).

Did you know that of the 53 metro areas in the United States with populations over one million, the Portland Metro area has the lowest number of virus deaths per person -- 21 deaths per 100,000 population.

The San Jose Metro Area is second best at 24 per 100,000 and San Francisco-Oakland Metro Area is third at 26 per 100,000.

Other metro area numbers: Los Angeles 68, Chicago 100, New York 231. These numbers are as of Nov. 21, and can be found at c19graphs.net. They are increasing rapidly almost everywhere. Take care.

Don Ellingson

Dallas

Do your own research about voting

Voters who are quick to condemn President Trump, might want to turn off their televisions, stop listening to main stream media and research for themselves the truth about voter fraud which has been rampant in our world for decades, whether they want to believe it or not.

These alphabet media outlets owned by the elite, have a hidden agenda and want to keep us in the dark. Their agenda is NOT for our benefit. The SWAMP is DEEP.

I dont know anyone who would not agree that 2020 has been a year from hell. Its wake up time!

The internet is filled with information that can show you; NewsMax, Epoch Times, Project Veritas, on Twitter and more, another reality, uncensored, that will shock, empower, and give us hope during these dark times.

We need to dig deep, trust our intuition and ask GOD for guidance and TRUTH.

I know some will think Im nuts. Well, dont believe me. Research for yourself and then decide if what I share just might be the biggest AHA you have ever experienced.

When you truly realize what great things President Trump has done and continues to do for America and the world, you will be amazed!

He can appear abrasive. Hes a wealthy businessman, not a career politician, takes no salary, cant be bought and is not afraid to speak up.

Divine intervention and prayer brought him to us and he will continue to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.

Dorothy Woxell

Dallas

GOP has abandoned Constitution

Consider events of the last few years. For the first time in America a political party, the Republican Party has abandoned its obligation and allegiance to the United States Constitution, the citizens, the laws and common decency.

Peoples right to vote is a duty. Yet the GOP works hard to disenfranchise millions of Americans who dont meet their ideal image. Trump sets the example for this abandoning of allegiance with his evidence-free claim of massive voter fraud which his toadies faithfully parrot. Sen. Lindsey Graham called the Secretary of State for Georgia to inquire whether said Secretary could lose large numbers of ballots. The honorable Republican Secretary refused this illegal request.

Right wing toadies in some states attempted to enter the ballot counting areas chanting Stop the count. The Governor of Texas, just a day prior to voting, ruled that each county would have only one ballot drop box. A hindrance to the counties with big cities which tend to be liberal.

Lastly the Constitution indicates that a duty of government is to provide for the common welfare. Americans would think elderly protections such as Social Security, Medicare etc., all self-paid programs, would be a reasonable thing for America. Not so says the GOP and the Right Wing. As attendees to a Rand Paul rally shouted Let them die. That is where the GOP and Right Wing are now. Better yet, they are perfectly willing to lollygag around with weapons drawn to coerce their dogma onto others.

Fred Brown

Dallas

Fuller has many achievements

I read the article concerning the no confidence vote in President Rex Fuller by the staff of Western Oregon University in the Nov. 18, 2020 issue of the I-O. I am sure that President Fuller isnt the only university CEO who has been blind-sided by COVID-19. I believe that I read (in the I-O) that when COVID-19 hit, he took a voluntary reduction in salary. His first four years were ones of unprecedented fundraising and innovative implementations to counteract both declining enrollment, which started long before he came to WOU, and the state funding which has been dropping each year for many years.

In his yearly presentation to the WOU Emeritus Society, September 2020, he noted that enrollment is down 7.6% this fall with no anticipation of increasing that figure during the winter and spring terms. Next year has all the hallmarks of looking even worse. Over the last four years, President Fuller and his team have initiated transfer pathways which helps community college students transfer without having to retake classes. He also established a Salem campus where adult students can work towards a degree while continuing their full-time employment.

These are not insignificant achievements. I understand faculty dont want to be unemployed anymore than anyone else. But if the students arent there to teach, what is the alternative? President Fuller is set to retire next fall, and I think it is sad that his legacy of achievements will be buried under losses due to COVID-19.

M. Leighton

Monmouth

Staff vote ignores COVID-19 problems

The people who initiated the article in last weeks I-O criticizing Dr. Fuller have disgraced themselves.

Historically, labor unions have been great help to the working class. In this case, they are ignoring the serious problems the university faces because of the COVID-19 epidemic. The union leadership has chosen to attack Dr. Fuller rather than cooperate or offer a different solution if there is one. Shame on them.

Dr. Fuller has worked hard for Western Oregon University and has served it well. Has, is and will.

John Schoon

Rickreall

Letters Policy

Letters to the editor are limited to 300 words. Longer letters will be edited. Election-related letters of all types are limited to 100 words. Writers are limited to one election-related letter per election season. Election letters from writers outside of Polk County are not accepted. Each writer is restricted to one letter per 30-day period. Letters that are libelous, obscene or in bad taste will not be printed. Attacks by name on businesses or individuals will not be printed. Letters to the editor that are obvious promotions for a business, products or services will not be printed. Itemizer-Observer does not guarantee the accuracy of facts presented by letter writers; dissenters are welcome to respond. Letter writers who disagree with other published letter writers should maintain a civil discourse and address the subject, not the author. Letters that quote facts or use quotes from third-party sources must include the original source in the letter. These original sources might not be printed, so might not count against the overall word count (100 for election related letters, 300 for other letters), but will be required so the news room may double check claims made in letters. Letters, like all editorial material submitted to the newspaper, are edited for length, grammar and content. Letters must include the authors name, address and telephone number. This includes letters submitted via the I-Os website. Names and cities of residence are published; street addresses and telephone numbers are used for verification purposes only. Letters must be submitted from individuals, not organizations, and must be original submissions to the I-O, not copies of letters sent to other media. Letters of thanks to businesses, individuals and organizations are limited to 10 names. The deadline for letters to the editor is 10 a.m. Monday. Letters submitted may not be retractable after this deadline. Reach us at: Mail: Editor, Polk County Itemizer-Observer, P.O. Box 108, Dallas, OR 97338. Fax: 503-623-2395. Email: ionews@polkio.com. Office: 147 SE Court St., Dallas.

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Letters to the editor for Nov. 25 | Opinion | polkio.com - Polkio.com

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In opinion: "For several presidential elections now, American citizens are put into a dilemma by always having to cast a vote for the lesser of two evils. Thats not how it should be!"

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OPINION

Letter to the editor Published 5:01 a.m. ET Nov. 25, 2020 | Updated 5:55 a.m. ET Nov. 25, 2020

President-elect Joe Biden is denouncing President Donald Trump as the "most irresponsible president in American history." Biden warned that "incredibly damaging messages are being sent to the rest of the world about how democracy functions." (Nov. 19) AP Domestic

In a nation of 300-plus million, one would think that American voters would have better choices for the selection of a president.

For several presidential elections now, American citizens are put into a dilemma by always having to cast a vote for the lesser of two evils. Thats not how it should be!But the two- party-system just keeps on grooming individuals that rather go along to get along; with rare exception, party members follow instructions from the top. And the two parties spew rhetoric with no actions to really change policies. Its called institutional status quo! Why? The oligarchy the very wealthy and the corporate structure controls the economic system and ensures a system that favors them at the expense of the vast majority of Americans (poor and middle class). The capitalism at the turn of the century is much different than the emergent capitalist system today which can be accurately termed "monopoly capitalism."

Opinion:Trump's scorched earth strategy| Barkin

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This is why income growth has seen such a wide disparity over many decades between the very wealthy and the rest of American citizens including the poor and middle class. Throwing breadcrumbs to Americans in a federal Stimulus Act for those who qualify ($1,200 per individual) while big corporations receive hundreds of millions and even billions of dollars just illustrates the inequality of an economic structure thats gone awry.

The most important trait for any president is character, possessing morality and ethics; that stems from respect for human life at every stage from cradle to death. Waging wars and foreign interventionist policies since 9/11 has only drained America of trillions and trillions of dollars while our national debt explodes at more than $22 trillion. And, these wars have caused a high volume of civilian deaths and other casualties, destruction of other countries, displacement of foreign citizens to other lands, human suffering and toll, high military suicides, etc.

To make America Great Again, our country needs only to revert to basics as expressed in the universal principle of the Golden Rule:Treat every human being as you would want to be treated.

Deborah Smarth

Manalapan

Read or Share this story: https://www.app.com/story/opinion/readers/2020/11/25/presidential-election-no-one-won/6391691002/

Nov. 26, 2020, 9:26 a.m.

Nov. 27, 2020, 7:16 a.m.

Nov. 25, 2020, 5:55 a.m.

Nov. 24, 2020, 6:30 a.m.

Nov. 24, 2020, 6:35 a.m.

Nov. 22, 2020, 5 a.m.

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LETTER: In this election, no one won - Asbury Park Press

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. The pandemic has made efforts to get out the vote difficult for both parties, but Democrats and Republicans are still hitting the street when they can. And using tech to get people registered and educated.

The standard, golden rule in politics is theres no substitute for door-to-door canvassing, for talking to voters face-to-face, said Gary Stark, chair of the Kent County Democrats, and we always think we can do that. But were all facing the same kinds of constraints.

Both the Democratic party and GOP have their own registration websites. Theyve been around for a while, but their importance is renewed this year with the pandemic hampering efforts to door-to-door canvass.

Were getting out how we can, obviously you have to do it very carefullyyou have to do it with masks and distance and being respectful of people who want to keep their distance, said Joel Freeman, chair of the Kent GOP. So its kind of an all-of-the-above approach this year but yes, certainly going digital and going by mail is a much bigger factor this year.

We have been reluctant to [canvass] because of the governors guidelines and the dangers of that and the uncertainty of how that would be received, said Stark. Many people dont want people strangers knocking on their door.

See more here:

Dems, GOP relying on tech to register voters this fall - Fox17