text stringlengths 13 81.7k |
|---|
"I've never had cramps in my life, and I'd drunk enough, both before and after the match, so it must have been the tension," he said. "I could barely move in the fourth and fifth sets. It's a very bitter defeat." |
CNN's KFile has discovered Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie effusively praised Jefferson Davis, the president of the Confederate States during the Civil War. CNN's Joe Johns has the details. |
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert Wilkie praised Confederate States President Jefferson Davis effusively in a 1995 speech, calling him a "martyr to 'The Lost Cause'" and an "exceptional man in an exceptional age." |
Wilkie, who delivered the speech in front of a statue of Davis at the US Capitol during an event sponsored by the United Daughters of Confederacy, also said that while he was "no apologist for the South," viewing Confederate "history and the ferocity of the Confederate soldier solely through the lens of slavery and by ... |
Wilkie's speech, a transcript of which ran in the United Daughters of the Confederacy Magazine, reveals his belief in the "Lost Cause" theory of the Civil War, which portrays the Southern states who seceded as heroic and denies the central role slavery played as a cause for the conflict. |
A KFile review also found Wilkie attended a pro-Confederate event as recently as 2009, giving a speech on Robert E. Lee to a Maryland division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. |
CNN's KFile found references to Wilkie while researching the neo-Confederate movement, which seeks to promote a more sympathetic view of the Confederate states during the Civil War, and obtained copies of the speeches from Edward Sebesta, a scholar on the neo-Confederate movement. |
Veterans Affairs press secretary Curt Cashour did not address the content of Wilkie's remarks when asked by CNN but said in a statement that the events Wilkie attended "were strictly historical in nature, and as Secretary Wilkie said at his confirmation hearing in June, he stopped participating in them once the issue b... |
"Today marks the 187th anniversary of the birth of Jefferson Davis; planter, soldier, statesman, President of the Confederate States of America, martyr to 'The Lost Cause,' and finally the gray-clad phoenix ---- an exceptional man in an exceptional age," Wilkie, who at the time was a staffer for Republican then-Rep. Da... |
Wilkie later said, "I must add, as the distinguished scholar and historian James I. Robertson of Virginia Tech did here last year, I am no apologist for the South, and I have never bought into what Penn Warren and his colleagues called the 'moonlight and magnolia school,' where the decorative past replaces the useable ... |
"The South has many warts," he continued. "Chattel slavery and its aftermath is a stain on our story as it is a stain on every civilization in history. But slavery was a collective American tragedy. (President Abraham) Lincoln understood that there was enough guilt to be spread from Maine to Key West. To view our histo... |
Professor David Blight, a Civil War historian at Yale, told CNN in an interview that Wilkie's comments were "right from the neo-Confederate playbook." |
"That is standard Lost Cause ideology circa 1890 to 1910," he said. "This man, that language right there, is the standard defense of the Lost Cause built over the period of decades as an ideology explaining confederate defeat, but also as a racial ideology." |
Wilkie was confirmed by the Senate as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in July. Prior to his confirmation hearing, the Washington Post reported that Wilkie was a formerly a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans and attended memorial ceremonies for Confederate veterans. Wilkie told the Post that in a statement tha... |
In his 1995 speech, Wilkie said Davis' life was the reflection of "a proud people" and that not all of "man's noble experiments succeed." |
"In the case of Jefferson Davis, we must tell America the truth about the complicated man who carried with him the dreams of Southern independence," he said. "His life was the reflection of the simplicity and perseverance of a proud people; men and women who endured the horror of defeat and its equally hellish aftermat... |
He also said Davis' "contempt for the radical abolitionists of the Republican Party" was not about slavery, but rather about out of fear "they would violate any law and abridge any freedom to impose their idea of the just society on others." Wilkie said the radical abolitionists in Congress were "as mendacious as the J... |
Wilkie added Davis' "unbroken spirit" after the war served as a reminder to the southern people "that their cause was honorable and that all would be right in the end." |
Wilkie concluded his speech by linking Davis' fight to the fights in the Congress at the time, shortly after Republicans won the majority in the House of Representatives in the 1994 midterm elections. |
"Once again the halls of Congress reverberate with odes to rugged individualism, state sovereignty, and contempt for the centralized super-state," Wilkie said in closing. "These are bloodless battles Davis could never fight but, they are no less vital for the future of American civilization. As our cities decay and our... |
In 2009, Wilkie spoke to a Maryland division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans -- Jefferson Davis Camp 305 -- which meets in the DC-area. |
The group's webpage at the time featured a Confederate proclamation from 1862 calling Union occupation of Maryland "oppression" and "tyranny" and "terrible despotism." The head of that camp at the time, according to reports and archived web pages, was Richard T. Hines, a prominent member of the neo-Confederate movement... |
Wilkie began his career as an aide to Sen. Jesse Helms, the North Carolina Republican known for criticizing Martin Luther King Jr. and opposing a holiday in his honor. Wilkie later worked for Sen. Trent Lott from Mississippi, who resigned as Republican Leader in 2002 after praising Strom Thurmond's 1948 segregationist ... |
Wilkie's past work with Helms and Lott came under scrutiny at his confirmation hearing in June. Democratic Sen. Mazie Hirono asked Wilkie, citing his past bosses and a Washington Post article, whether he would "welcome the scrutiny that you will probably face based on your past positions to make sure that you are treat... |
Wilkie responded, "Well, Senator, I will say -- and I say it respectfully -- I welcome a scrutiny of my entire record. The Washington Post seemed to stop at my record about 25 years ago. If I had been what the Washington Post implied, I don't believe I would have been able to work for Condoleezza Rice or Bob Gates or J... |
The holiday season is usually filled with happiness and celebration, family and fun, but sadly not everyone has the idea of peace-on-earth and good will towards men. |
Statistics show that criminal activity increases by about 5 percent during the holiday season. Staff Sgt. Calvin Fann became of victim of this but hopes his experience will help other people be more alert during this time of year. |
"I didn't panic when I saw my bag underneath my car, but I knew something wasn't right," said Fann, military intelligence noncommissioned officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Battalion, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard). "When I saw that my door was open and my [stereo console] was damaged, I kne... |
Fann immediately called his wife and then called the police. After completing the police report, Fann found out he wasn't the only one who was targeted. Six more people came to the policeman with similar situations. |
The amount of people affected by criminal activity during the holiday season doesn't come as a surprise to Lt. Stacey Wilson, who has been a Department of Defense police officer for more than 11 years. |
"There is definitely an increased number of identity and material thefts during this time of year because people are going out shopping and traveling, and criminals are always looking for opportunities to take advantage of the situation," said Wilson, shift commander, provost marshal's office, Joint Base Myer - Henders... |
Wilson added that people should take the proper precautions when they are out and about by parking in well-lit areas and being aware of their surroundings at all times. Fann realized this is an important rule to follow as it didn't take much time for his car was to be broken into. |
"I thought I was safe because I parked inside of the parking garage," Fann said. "The funny thing is we weren't even away for more than 45 minutes. I tried to park to protect my car from being dented and it ended up being broken into." |
Wilson also said these precautions shouldn't just be limited to when people are out in the public. People should take these same precautions at home. |
"Always keep your doors and windows locked, and remember, out of sight, out of mind. Keep things secured, especially personal information," said Wilson. "I find that one of the best ways to prevent theft is by possibly asking a neighbor or friend if they can look after your things. The Army calls it the buddy system, a... |
Fann said he has definitely learned from this experience and will make better choices in the future, and hope other can learn from his experience. |
"I didn't care that other people knew about me being robbed, but I do care to try to prevent this from happening to anyone else," said Fann. "Be careful this holiday. Park in areas that could provide some kind of supervision over your property. The fact is that more people are going to try crazy things like this. We ca... |
BILLINGS, Mont. — The Trump administration is considering using West Coast military bases or other federal properties as transit points for shipments of U.S. coal and natural gas to Asia, as officials seek to bolster the domestic energy industry and circumvent environmental opposition to fossil fuel exports. |
The proposal was described to The Associated Press by Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke and two Republican lawmakers. |
It would advance the administration’s agenda of establishing American “energy dominance” on the world stage and underscores a willingness to intervene in markets to make that happen. It’s also tantamount to an end-run around West Coast officials who have rejected private-sector efforts to build new coal ports in their ... |
A Democratic senator from Oregon and environmentalists blasted the proposal as undercutting local communities opposed to fossil fuel exports. |
In an interview with The Associated Press, Zinke cast it as a matter of national security to ensure U.S. allies have access to affordable fuels. The Trump administration also has cited national security as justification for keeping domestic coal-burning power plants online to prevent disruptions of electricity supplies... |
It’s unclear which sites are under consideration other than one in Alaska. Experts said the possibilities are constrained by the need for a deep water port. |
Zinke said the administration is interested in partnering with private entities to ship coal or liquefied natural gas through naval installations or other federal facilities. He added it’s still early in the process. |
Zinke specified only one site that could serve as an export hub, for natural gas: the former Adak Naval Air Facility in Alaska’s Aleutian Islands, which he suggested could receive fuel by barge from the North Slope. The base closed in 1997 and has been largely abandoned. Roughly 300 people live in the town of Adak, the... |
Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden said the Trump administration was “disregarding the realities around climate change” and “trampling on local communities” that have rejected prior port proposals. |
“The federal government should be doing more to invest in clean, renewable energy, not threatening the health and safety of Oregonians by propping up dirty energy investors,” the Democratic lawmaker said. |
Groups including the Sierra Club and Northern Plains Resource Council also voiced opposition. |
“The military is not a roving force to do whatever Trump finds politically expedient,” said Jan Hasselman, an attorney for opponents of a stalled coal port in Washington state. |
“Like everything else the Trump administration has tried to do, it’s a long shot whether some of these things will work, and it’s questionable whether they will really help the market,” he said, adding prices and fuel quality are the main drivers of coal markets, not government policies. |
That’s brought a backlash from elected officials in coal-producing states, who have blasted Washington Gov. Jay Inslee in particular. They argue the rejection of the Longview port, sponsored by Utah-based Lighthouse Resources, violated the commerce clause in the Constitution that says only Congress has the power to reg... |
Montana, Wyoming and four other states joined Lighthouse Resources in a lawsuit challenging the rejection of the company’s Millennium Bulk Terminals port, which could handle up to 48.5 million tons (44 million metric tons) of coal a year. |
Rep. Liz Cheney, a Wyoming Republican, said she’s spoken with Zinke and U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry about using federal facilities to circumvent opposition to proposed ports. |
“That might be, for example, retired military facilities or other places where we would be able to use those for exports — frankly, to get around some of the unreasonable obstacles that have been thrown up,” Cheney said. |
Prior to joining Trump’s cabinet, Zinke was a Montana congressman and Perry was governor of Texas. Both states are among the United States’ top coal producers. |
Republican U.S. Sen. Steve Daines of Montana said Zinke was looking at “all possibilities” for export terminals, including West Coast military installations. |
“As a Montanan, he’s looking for ways here to help these Rocky Mountain states like Montana and Wyoming get access to Asian markets,” Daines said. |
Despite those increases, the U.S. holds only a small share of the more than 1 billion tons (907 million metric tons) of coal shipped annually by sea. Clark Williams-Derry with the Sightline Institute, a left-leaning think tank based in Seattle, said there’s little chance of that changing in the long-term. |
“We’re bit players on the global stage,” Williams-Derry said. |
These insider tips can make buying or selling a home easier. |
Whether you’re buying or selling a home, dealing in real estate can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially for a novice or first-timer. Fortunately, getting the right information can help make the process more manageable. Click through to find out how you can buy and sell a house like a pro. |
When buying a home, whether to live in or as an investment property, it’s crucial to understand financing options, how to apply for a mortgage and the various expenses involved. |
It can be easy to get carried away when buying a home, so make sure the property is one that you will be able to afford, maintain and grow with over the years ahead. |
The typical down payment is 20 percent of the sale price of the home. You might be able to get away with putting down less than that, but then your mortgage lender can require you to purchase private mortgage insurance. The insurance protects the lender in case you default on the loan. |
That’s not a horrible thing, but it will increase your monthly payments by 0.5 to 1 percent. So it might make more sense to take some time and save more money for a down payment. |
The better your credit score, the lower your mortgage interest rate will be. A score above 720 is ideal for purchasing a home. |
Multiple factors are considered when calculating your score, such as if you pay your bills on time, the amount of your debt, length of credit history and types of credit; lenders prefer that you have a variety of credit sources. Check your credit quarterly and fix any mistakes that appear on your report. |
Every time you apply for a new form of credit, such as a credit card, a hard inquiry is run on your account, which can cause your credit score to take a slight dip. Therefore, avoid applying for or opening any new credit forms until after you have purchased your home. |
Purchasing a home requires some mortgage-related expenses that might not be obvious at first — this includes closing costs. |
Closing costs can include homeowners insurance, appraisals and home inspections, and cost about 2 to 5 percent of your mortgage. So, closing costs for a $300,000 mortgage, for example, can run anywhere from $6,000 to $15,000. Remember to plan for closing costs when calculating your budget. |
You might think you’re saving money on commission by going at it alone when purchasing a home, but an experienced real estate agent can help you in numerous ways. |
Along with helping you to avoid costly mistakes, a real estate agent can do a lot of the house searching for you, help you negotiate a better price and ensure that contracts and paperwork are correctly filled out. |
A three-story, four-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bath modern home with an infinity pool might be your dream home, but your budget might only allow for something smaller and less extravagant. |
Before compiling your wish list for your dream home, run the numbers and figure out how much home you can actually afford. This can save you tons of time when you’re out house-hunting and allow you to focus on only those properties that you can actually afford. |
You will likely run into additional expenses once you move into your new house, so prepare for these costs when calculating your initial budget. Decorating, for example, can cost more than you initially expect. Furniture, fixtures, lighting, paint, carpeting and the like can quickly add up. |
Location is everything, and for good reason. The neighborhood you buy in will shape your daily living experiences and should match your desired lifestyle. Factors to consider include the school system, crime rate, walkability, public parks, access to shopping, restaurants and other cultural amenities. |
The location of your home will greatly impact your commute time to work, for better or for worse. Before buying, consider your method of transportation — whether it’s by car, bus, train, etc. — and the amount of time it will take you to reach your workplace. |
Know what type of home you want before setting out on a search for properties. This can save you a lot of time when looking for the ideal place. |
For example, a condo might be less expensive than a single-family home, but you will forgo a private yard, which can impact family and entertaining time. On the other hand, a condo requires a lot less maintenance than a large house. Weigh the pros and cons of each type of home, and choose one that will best fit your li... |
Evaluate both a 15-year and 30-year mortgage to determine which one will be most advantageous. The 30-year fixed mortgage is used for the majority of home loans. However, depending on your circumstance, you might benefit from paying your house off in half the amount of time. |
The monthly costs will be higher for a 15-year loan, but the interest rates are usually lower than the longer loans. So, in the end, you will end up paying less overall. |
A mortgage preapproval tells sellers that you are able to get a loan from the bank and that you are a serious shopper. During the preapproval process, the lender evaluates your credit score and history, debt, income and employment history to determine if you qualify for a home loan and at what interest rate. |
The lender will give you a letter documenting your preapproval status; the letter should be shown to sellers when an offer is being made. |
The amount you can afford to spend on a house and what the bank agrees to lend to you can often be two different numbers. Your mortgage lender might offer more money than you actually need. This can be dangerous because it means that your monthly payments will be larger than anticipated. Stay on the safe road, and stic... |
Paying for repairs, maintenance and renovations can be a constant expense when buying a home. In fact, the average monthly cost to maintain a home is $1,204, according to a GOBankingRates study. |
If you’re moving from an apartment or condo, you might be surprised at the cost it takes to maintain the landscaping, keep the gutters clear and fix things up around the house. Budget accordingly to avoid being surprised by the monthly expenditure. |
Depending on how much stuff you have and how far you are going, moving can cost around $1,000 to $5,000. Prepare for this in advance by not only budgeting the expense, but also by using your move as an excuse to clean out and get rid of old furniture and items you no longer need. By reducing the amount of stuff you hav... |
Don’t skimp on the home inspection. You might be so inundated with costs that by the time it comes around to having your new home inspected, you might think you can do without. Not true. |
Along with the condition of things like the foundation and roof, a home inspection can reveal things you might not have known about otherwise, like mold or pests. |
Selling a home can be complicated, too. Knowing how to stage it just right, attract buyers and price it to market value can help bring in serious offers. Marketing and social media skills, and working with the right real estate agent, are also crucial to help you get the most money for your house. |
Before even setting foot in the house, potential buyers see the exterior of your home and immediately start to form an opinion. Going the extra mile on curb appeal, such as maintaining the front yard, paving the driveway, investing in landscaping, cleaning the porch and painting the front door, can help sell your home. |
Pictures are nice, but to give prospective buyers a more realistic experience of your home, post a video tour online. Keep the video to just a few minutes in length, and focus on the outstanding features of your house, such as a newly renovated kitchen or bathroom. Sharing a personal experience or two that you had whil... |
Real estate agents get buyers in the door, which is exactly what you want when trying to sell your home. They are also experts at marketing, staging, negotiating, filling out contracts and making sure everything goes right during the selling process. The effort on your part is greatly reduced, and you will probably sel... |
Getting the word out is essential when selling your house — and who better to decide who moves into the neighborhood than the neighbors. Post the listing on the neighborhood Facebook page, or send a quick note and a few pictures to your community email list. You or your real estate agent can also host an open-house blo... |
Create a Facebook page and Instagram account for the house and post information, photos, videos and your real estate agent’s contact information. Write posts linking back to the pages once a day on your personal Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts to reach friends, family and colleagues who might be looking to pur... |
If you’re really in a hurry to sell your house, buy advertisements for the house on social media, such as Facebook and Twitter. You can set the demographics for the ads, so you’ll advertise to a wider audience than just your family and friends and reach serious buyers. |
The house must get shown in order to be sold. Make it easy for real estate agents to bring potential buyers around and give them a tour of the home. If you’re still living in the house and don’t want your privacy interrupted, decide on certain times of the day or week when the agent is free to bring people around. |
That one burner on the stove that won’t light, the basement door that doesn’t close properly or the shingle hanging off of the roof — these can all be turnoffs to potential buyers. Take the time to fix all of the small, and not so small, broken things around the house. |
It’s easy to get a little too ambitious in a seller’s market, but over-pricing your home can work against you. Most buyers will have done their research and know what the typical house sells for in your neighborhood. |
Stay competitive by finding out what your house is really worth and pricing it accordingly to the other houses that have recently sold in your area. |
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.