A New York city neighborhood once called “the beginning of the end of civilization” is where Michael Gecan starts. Hired by residents to help them save their community, he and local leaders spend more than a decade wrestling New York politicians in an impassioned effort against all odds that brings in five thousand new homes. From bad behavior by Ed Koch to complicated negotiations with Rudy Giuliani, Gecan tells the inside story of how the city really works, and how any organized group of citizens can wield power in seemingly unmovable bureaucracies. Gecan’s unwavering vision of the value of public action has roots in a rough childhood in Chicago, where he witnessed extortion by the mob and a tragic fire in his Catholic grade school that left ninety-two children and three nuns dead. In his inspiring story of the will to claim the full benefits of citizenship, Gecan offers unforgettable lessons that every American should know: What is the best way to talk to politicians? What resources do all communities need to create change? What kinds of public actions really work?
A longtime community organizer outlines a way to reverse the fifty-year decline in social mobility and economic progress. Michael Gecan, a longtime community organizer, offers in this book a disturbing conclusion: the kinds of problems that began to afflict large cities in the 1970s have now spread to the suburbs and beyond. The institutional cornerstones of American life are on an extended decline. No longer young, no longer without limitations or constraints, the country is facing a midlife crisis. Drawing on personal experiences and the stories of communities in Illinois, New York, and other areas, Gecan draws a vivid picture of civic, political, and religious institutions in trouble, from suburban budget crises to failing public schools. Gecan shows that the loss of social capital has followed closely upon institutional failure. He looks in particular at the two main support systems of social mobility and economic progress for the majority of working poor Americans in the first half of the last century—the Roman Catholic school system and the American public high school. As these institutions that generated social progress have faded, those depending on social regression—prisons, jails, and detention centers—have thrived. Can we reverse the trends? Gecan offers hope and a direction forward. He calls on national and local leadership to shed old ways of thinking and face new realities, which include not only the substantial costs of change but also its considerable benefits. Only then will we enjoy the next rich phase of our local and national life.
This short booklet gives a quick analysis of the tools of organizing that can be taught and mastered by the clergy and lay leaders of religious congregations of all faiths and denominations.
A longtime community organizer outlines a way to reverse the fifty-year decline in social mobility and economic progress. Michael Gecan, a longtime community organizer, offers in this book a disturbing conclusion: the kinds of problems that began to afflict large cities in the 1970s have now spread to the suburbs and beyond. The institutional cornerstones of American life are on an extended decline. No longer young, no longer without limitations or constraints, the country is facing a midlife crisis. Drawing on personal experiences and the stories of communities in Illinois, New York, and other areas, Gecan draws a vivid picture of civic, political, and religious institutions in trouble, from suburban budget crises to failing public schools. Gecan shows that the loss of social capital has followed closely upon institutional failure. He looks in particular at the two main support systems of social mobility and economic progress for the majority of working poor Americans in the first half of the last century—the Roman Catholic school system and the American public high school. As these institutions that generated social progress have faded, those depending on social regression—prisons, jails, and detention centers—have thrived. Can we reverse the trends? Gecan offers hope and a direction forward. He calls on national and local leadership to shed old ways of thinking and face new realities, which include not only the substantial costs of change but also its considerable benefits. Only then will we enjoy the next rich phase of our local and national life.
A New York city neighborhood once called “the beginning of the end of civilization” is where Michael Gecan starts. Hired by residents to help them save their community, he and local leaders spend more than a decade wrestling New York politicians in an impassioned effort against all odds that brings in five thousand new homes. From bad behavior by Ed Koch to complicated negotiations with Rudy Giuliani, Gecan tells the inside story of how the city really works, and how any organized group of citizens can wield power in seemingly unmovable bureaucracies. Gecan’s unwavering vision of the value of public action has roots in a rough childhood in Chicago, where he witnessed extortion by the mob and a tragic fire in his Catholic grade school that left ninety-two children and three nuns dead. In his inspiring story of the will to claim the full benefits of citizenship, Gecan offers unforgettable lessons that every American should know: What is the best way to talk to politicians? What resources do all communities need to create change? What kinds of public actions really work?
Recent advances in combining two drilling techniques, hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling, have allowed access to large deposits of shale resources--that is, crude oil and natural gas trapped in shale and certain other dense rock formations. As a result, the cost of that "tight oil" and "shale gas" has become competitive with the cost of oil and gas extracted from other sources. Virtually nonexistent a decade ago, the development of shale resources has boomed in the United States, producing about 3.5 million barrels of tight oil per day and about 9.5 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of shale gas per year. This book discusses the economic and budgetary effects of producing oil and natural gas from shale. It also examines the production, infrastructure, and market issues in U.S. shale gas development; and potential budgetary effects of immediately opening most federal lands to oil and gas leasing.
This is a selection of writings on themes of trauma and transformation, hope and anguish, in a time of reckoning. The first section offers biographical fragments about life after the "bulldozer" runs you over. How do you get up? How do you live with others who don't understand? How do you keep walking? They draw upon life experiences in Boston, Iona, and New Jersey. Faith is not so much about agreeing with doctrine, but a dynamic, active, seeking, questioning, trust in God. It includes both audacity and humility. The second section draws upon fragments of historical reflection, "On Violent Innocence, Mourning, and Metanoia in New Jersey." This is an exploration of the principality of white racism, state-based violence, and exploitation of the poor. It asks the question: How did the Confederate flag get in the front window of the Presbyterian church on Lincoln's birthday? Some of the white terrorism that happened at the Capitol is prefigured here. Yet there is grace hidden in judgment. We cannot heal from what we do not name. The third section contains fragments of prophetic wisdom from Lorna Goodison, Richard Fenn, Mike Gecan, Karen Hernandez-Granzen, and Archange Antoine. Along with Traci West and Chris Hedges, their voices are strong and true.
Since the 1980s, strategies for improving public education in America have focused on either competition through voucher programs and charter schools or standardization as enacted into federal law through No Child Left Behind. These reforms, however, have failed to narrow the performance gap between poor urban students and other children. In response, parents have begun to organize local campaigns to strengthen the public schools in their communities. One of the most original, successful, and influential of these parent-led campaigns has been the Community Collaborative to Improve District 9 (CC9), a consortium of six neighborhood-based groups in the Bronx. In Organizing for Educational Justice, Michael B. Fabricant tells the story of CC9 from its origins in 1995 as a small group of concerned parents to the citywide application of its reform agenda--concentrating on targeted investment in the development of teacher capacity--ten years later. Drawing on in-depth interviews with participants, analysis of qualitative data, and access to meetings and archives, Fabricant evaluates CC9's innovative approach to organizing and collaboration with other stakeholders, including the United Federation of Teachers, the NYC Department of Education, neighborhood nonprofits, and city colleges and universities. Situating this case within a wider exploration of parent participation in educational reform, Fabricant explains why CC9 succeeded and other parent-led movements did not. He also examines the ways in which the movement effectively empowered parents by rigorously ensuring a democratic process in making decisions and, more broadly, an inclusive organizational culture. As urban parents across America search for ways to hold public schools accountable for their failures, this book shows how the success of the CC9 experience can be replicated elsewhere around the country.
This book is author opinion about misunderstanding in mass media in USA and the world about reason for climate change and what we must do to fight climate change if it will happen. Author respectfully disagree with scientists, who advice Al Gore and Governments in the world that carbon dioxide and others greenhouse gases (GHG) are mostly responsible for climate change. Properties of water are playing bigger role in Nature than GHG and actually cool the atmosphere. They also could help reduce amount of GHG with huge profit for countries, which will fight climate change with right tools.
When the levees broke in August 2005 as a result of Hurricane Katrina, 80 percent of the city of New Orleans was flooded, with a loss of 134,000 homes and 986 lives. In particular, the devastation hit the vulnerable communities the hardest: the old, the poor and the African American. The disaster exposed the hideous inequality of the city. In response to the disaster numerous plans, designs and projects were proposed. This bold, challenging and informed book gathers together the variety of responses from politicians, writers, architects and planners and searches for the answers of one of the most important issues of our age: How can we plan for the future, creating a more robust and equal place?
..".[This is] the kind of book that inspires and invites change... the 'tipping point' that students need to become more aware, involved, and engaged in their schools, communities and societies." -Jennifer Klein, DePaul UniversityThis Second Edition of The Engaged Sociologist: Connecting the Classroom to the Community brings the public sociology movement into the classroom by showing students how to use the tools of sociology to become effective participants in our democratic society. Through exercises and projects, authors Kathleen Korgen and Jonathan M. White encourage students to apply these tools to get hands-on training in sociology and to develop their sociological imaginations as they work for a more just and civil society. *10% of the proceeds from this book will be donated to Free the Children*New and Retained Features *new* Updated and additional exercises and projects, including more global activities, allow students to connect the sociological knowledge they are learning to their campus and the larger community. Each chapter contains both hands-on data collection exercises (surveys, interviews, observations) and library-based research. *new* Increased connection to theory helps students see how their practical efforts are grounded in sociological research and theory. *new* Enhanced "Sociologist in Action" sections include powerful examples of how sociology students and professional sociologists use sociology in efforts to improve society. More examples of student "Sociologists in Action" have been added to this edition. *new* More material on the environment, including expanded discussions of Hurricane Katrina and its outcomes as well as of global warming, provides more coverage of a hot-button topic of concern to many students, engaging their interest and encouraging them to act to improve environmental issues. Discussion questions challenge students to ponder and converse about what they've learned and to use their sociological imagination to relate the issues covered in each chapter to their individual lives. Ancillaries - *new* Instructors' Resources on CD-Rom, featuring a test bank, are available to qualified instructors by contacting Customer Care at 1-800-818-SAGE (7243) between 6 am - 5 pm, PST. - *new* A new student study site at www.pineforge.com/korgen2study features Web addresses that link to helpful organizations; additional exercises for several chapters; a survey, a scoring sheet, and interview guidelines for the last chapter; and resources for job and volunteer opportunities. Intended Audience: This is an ideal supplement or affordable, brief stand-alone, core text for courses in which the instructor wishes to include a public sociology component, particularly Introduction to Sociology, Principles of Sociology, Social Problems, or Applied Sociology. "The Engaged Sociologist will help students connect their own lives to the larger society, as they learn about the 'sociological imagination' and the power it has to positively affect the community."-SirReadaLot.org
Advanced Reactor Concepts and Fuel Cycle Technologies, 2005 Energy Policy Act (P.L. 109-58), Light Water Reactors, Small Modular Reactors, Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems, Nuclear Power 2010, Nuclear Power Plant Security, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Radioactive Waste Storage and Disposal, Yucca Mountain
Advanced Reactor Concepts and Fuel Cycle Technologies, 2005 Energy Policy Act (P.L. 109-58), Light Water Reactors, Small Modular Reactors, Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems, Nuclear Power 2010, Nuclear Power Plant Security, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Radioactive Waste Storage and Disposal, Yucca Mountain
Part of the government series on energy, from TheCapitol.Net, this text discusses the nuclear energy issues facing Congress including federal incentives for new commercial reactors, radioactive waste management policy, research and development priorities, power plant safety and regulation, nuclear weapons proliferation, and security against terrorist attacks.
Citizen Soldier Handbook: 101 Ways for Every American to Fight Terrorism" is a How-To Guide for Americans to fight the greatest threat to Western Civilization - Radical Islam. Terrorists declared every man, woman and child to be a target. We have no choice but to become Citizen Soldiers. The Handbook's Five sections - Morale, Intelligence, Physical Training, Mental Training and Action - encourage Americans of all backgrounds, ages, and skills to do their part against Radical Islam. The Citizen Soldier Handbook is a Call to Arms in the spirit of Citizen Soldiers - at Lexington and Concord firing the 'Shot Heard Round the World' - brighten the glow of Freedom from the Torch of Liberty. --- ..". Citizen Soldier Handbook puts this power into the citizen's hands with knowledge about the threat of Radical Islam, how to empower yourself and how to use media to stop the threat of Radical Islam in the age of Information Warfare. This book will inspire you...." -John Ziegler Radio Show Host & Author "The Death of Free Speech" "We are engaged in a great war of Ideas - Freedom versus Tryanny, Democracy versus Islamic Totalitarianism. The weapon of ... is Information. As a writer, I understand the power of Ideas, Information and Humor. The Citizen-Soldier Handbook will help and inspire you, your friends, family, coworkers, fellow Americans to get the word out in dozens of ways." -Burt Prelutsky Former WGA President & Author "Conservatives Are from Mars, Liberals Are from San Francisco: 101 Reasons I'm Happy I Left the Left" "The Citizen-Soldier Handbook is an invaluable resource... at once an exhaustively researched compendium of strategies and a stirring reaffirmation of the meaning of citizenship, it is a clarion call to action in a time when too many have been lulled into a false sense of complacency." -Harry Stein - Author of "How I Accidentally Joined the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy (and Found Inner Peace)' and is a Contributing Editor to "City Journal" ..".this is more than a handbook. It is a call to action. In this age of information and internet warfare, everyone can be a Citizen Soldier and everyone can join the fight. The Citizen Soldier Handbook will show you the way." -Brandon L. Millett Chairman and Co-Founder, "The GI Film Festival," Washington D.C. The Citizen Soldier Handbook's Five Sections has 101 Actions (even more if you include subheadings ) urging Americans to take action in their Lives, Communities and the World to fight Radical Islam. Morale - Believe in the Greatness of America and Fight For Her Intelligence - Learn about Radical Islam, its Roots, Adherents, Beliefs and Dangers Physical Training - As Physical Beings, We Must Be in Shape to Take Action Mental Training - Steel Yourself for the Mission Ahead. Take Action - Take Action With Suggestions, Ideas, Techniques, Methods and Resources, Organizations and More.... This Book is a Match to Light The Torch of Freedom that You - America's Citizen Soldier - Must Hold High to Stop the Encroaching Darkness. The Fight Is Yours.
Half a century after the launch of the War on Poverty, its complex origins remain obscure. Battle for Bed-Stuy reinterprets President Lyndon Johnson’s much-debated crusade from the perspective of its foot soldiers in New York City, showing how 1960s antipoverty programs were rooted in a rich local tradition of grassroots activism and policy experiments. Bedford-Stuyvesant, a Brooklyn neighborhood housing 400,000 mostly black, mostly poor residents, was often labeled “America’s largest ghetto.” But in its elegant brownstones lived a coterie of home-owning professionals who campaigned to stem disorder and unify the community. Acting as brokers between politicians and the street, Bed-Stuy’s black middle class worked with city officials in the 1950s and 1960s to craft innovative responses to youth crime, physical decay, and capital flight. These partnerships laid the groundwork for the federal Community Action Program, the controversial centerpiece of the War on Poverty. Later, Bed-Stuy activists teamed with Senator Robert Kennedy to create America’s first Community Development Corporation, which pursued housing renewal and business investment. Bed-Stuy’s antipoverty initiatives brought hope amid dark days, reinforced the social safety net, and democratized urban politics by fostering citizen participation in government. They also empowered women like Elsie Richardson and Shirley Chisholm, who translated their experience as community organizers into leadership positions. Yet, as Michael Woodsworth reveals, these new forms of black political power, though exercised in the name of poor people, often did more to benefit middle-class homeowners. Bed-Stuy today, shaped by gentrification and displacement, reflects the paradoxical legacies of midcentury reform.
Understanding cooperation as a distinctly human combination of innate and learned behavior. Drop something in front of a two-year-old, and she's likely to pick it up for you. This is not a learned behavior, psychologist Michael Tomasello argues. Through observations of young children in experiments he himself has designed, Tomasello shows that children are naturally—and uniquely—cooperative. Put through similar experiments, for example, apes demonstrate the ability to work together and share, but choose not to. As children grow, their almost reflexive desire to help—without expectation of reward—becomes shaped by culture. They become more aware of being a member of a group. Groups convey mutual expectations, and thus may either encourage or discourage altruism and collaboration. Either way, cooperation emerges as a distinctly human combination of innate and learned behavior. In Why We Cooperate, Tomasello's studies of young children and great apes help identify the underlying psychological processes that very likely supported humans' earliest forms of complex collaboration and, ultimately, our unique forms of cultural organization, from the evolution of tolerance and trust to the creation of such group-level structures as cultural norms and institutions. Scholars Carol Dweck, Joan Silk, Brian Skyrms, and Elizabeth Spelke respond to Tomasello's findings and explore the implications.
Speeches and columns Michael Clayton wrote for the mayor of New Orleans, scripts for television shows, interviews and profiles of celebrities, book and film reviews, news stories written for newspapers in Las Vegas, New Orleans and Los Angeles, as well as material Clayton wrote for stand-up comedians, and social commentary Clayton published throughout the United States...THE WORKS!!!
What Americans think—and need to know—about today's most critical issues Where America Stands probes current opinion on today's hottest social and political topics, and delivers all the facts you need to understand them. Backed by handsome, state-of-the-art graphics, this new, authoritative annual brings the nation's most pressing issues into quick, clear focus. Each chapter covers: What Americans think according to the latest Gallup Polls Comprehensive, easy-to-understand background information Expert analysis, insight, and a look toward trends in the making Here's where to turn when you want to know where America stands on: Congressional reform The presidency Balancing the budget Taxes Crime and punishment—including the Simpson trial Welfare and the poor This special 1996 edition contains a wealth of information vital to election-year decision making. As the campaigns heat up, you'll have the facts and figures at your fingertips to keep abreast of rising political trends and to demystify the rhetoric.
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