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Why is formation flying so big in the military? Grumpy had a story to tell, involving six A-10s flying the Atlantic at night in formation, en route to Desert Storm.One of the six nodded off and spiraled away into the darkness, headed for the waves.The pilot of the neighboring A-10 stayed with him all the way and then herded the awake-again slumberer back to the formation.Formation flying is a buddy system that lets pilots look out for each other.It also relies on, and therefore encourages. trust. The leader trusts that his wingman will stick with him and not run into him; the wingman in turn trusts that his leader will not make any sudden moves that might cause them to collide.During basic formation flying training, you learn the basics of joining and holding formation, and crossing under from one side to the other.You also do some breakaways and rejoins; the latter is good exercise for brain and hands since it requires you to constantly monitor the closure rate and adjust it accordingly.Moving in relation to the flight leader calls for tiny corrections with stick or throttle, and they're done in threes.If you find the leader drifting away, first bank slightly to change your heading by enough degrees (and it won't be many) to start him moving back toward you; second, level the wings and hold that heading; third, reestablish the heading that will let you maintain station.Likewise with fore-and-aft lag: you first add enough power to start the gap closing; second, reduce power to stop the closure; third, add power to maintain position.You also do some formation takeoffs, traffic patterns and approaches.Formation flying is not limited to the military, although, in an extremely backward (aeronautically) country like India, if a civil pilot even mentions “formation” in a public place, he is liable to be thrown into jail.▲US Air Force Thunderbirds fly over the Manhattan Bridge to honor first responders and essential workers.A few feet of separation was normal for the duration of a ride I took with the Snowbirds, the Canadian Armed Forces jet aerobatic team, over New York Harbor.The Snowbirds know exactly what they're doing and they do it every day.The ride was exhilarating. To see an airplane in flight, just feet away and responding to all the dynamics of turbulence, maneuvering and control inputs, is to see vividly what ground school tries to describe in books.It was as if each of the nine airplanes—only three of which I could see readily from our position in the formation—was surrounded by a sort of force bubble.Each pilot knew precisely where to place his airplane in relation to the others, and he kept it there with a series of constant corrections.Sometimes the wobbles of this nine-part entity would be quite pronounced—although barely perceptible by spectators on the ground—but, every time, the neighbor's excursions would meet the cushion and cease just before the point at which they would have pierced our "bubble."The force bubble or cushion existed only in the pilots' minds, but it might as well have been a physical barrier.The foundation of formation-flying is in recognizing the perspective of the neighboring airplane when you are positioned correctly and in manipulating the controls to keep it looking that way, regardless of your airplane's attitude in relation to the horizon.Unlike the largely mental skills that are brought to bear on weather or fuel management or any other decision-making task, formation flying is manual work, highly skilled manual labor with no room for error or excuses.It's pure stick-and-rudder flying.Formation flying is demanding, and not to be undertaken lightly. Like any other skill, it requires training and practice. If you haven't had both, don't attempt it.Think about it: anytime an airplane gets close to something else—another airplane, the ground, a tower, a bridge, a building—the flight has the possibility of climaxing in a non-Hollywood ending.Sure, airplanes need to get close to the ground when they land. But let’s counter with the fact that it’s no coincidence that that’s also the segment of flight where a high number of accidents occur.That’s why it’s so important to concentrate and pay strict attention to what you’re doing.The importance of a thorough preflight briefing before attempting any type of formation flying cannot be overemphasized.The dramatic air-to-air photos Flying and some of the aviation magazines and websites publish shouldn’t encourage pilots to try to get similar shots of their own airplanes. We don’t simply go up and take snapshots of other airplanes.Whenever they do a photo shoot, the briefing of exactly which airplane is going to do what and when and how they’re going to signal and communicate between the camera platform airplane and the subject airplane is all worked out in advance.And, at any time during a flight, if things don’t look right, they scrub the whole effort.There have been too many times when even professionals have run into each other.The regulations, unfortunately, seem to imply that formation flying is simple, and in the one place where you’d expect more restraints from the Feds, the FARs (91.111) of the USA, which everyone copies, anyway, say only:“(a) No person may operate an aircraft so close to another aircraft as to create a collision hazard. (b) No person may operate an aircraft in formation flight except by arrangement with the pilot in command of each air-craft in the formation. (c) No person may operate an aircraft, carrying passengers for hire, in formation flight.”That’s rather vague, and a “cover your ass” kind of ruling.A good basic resource, the Formation Flight Manual, has been published by the T-34 Association “to promote safety through standardization in formation flying.”According to the manual, formation flying “demands total concentration and your sense of spatial relation will be tested as never before.”An indication of the seriousness with which you should approach formation flying is obvious from the Association’s six general recommendations:►You should have at least a Private Pilot License.►You should have a qualified instructor.►You should always wear a parachute and be thoroughly briefed on its use. ►You should be psychologically prepared to use the parachute if it becomes necessary.►You should wear appropriate flight gear, to include helmet, flight suit, and gloves.►All formation flights must be briefed prior to takeoff.It’s probably unrealistic to expect pilots in their Cessna 172s to don a parachute—in fact even if you did wear one, it would be pretty difficult to jump out of most general aviation airplanes.But the recommendation—and the one suggesting you be psychologically prepared to use the parachute—is a pretty good indication of how seriously you should approach formation flying.Pilots intending to fly non-aerobatic formations at air-shows in the U.S.—including Oshkosh—have to show proof they’ve completed a training and evaluation program of their formation flying skills.A number of warbird organizations in the U.S. formed an umbrella organization called FAST (Formation and Safety Team) to promote safe formation flying for pilots operating low-wing, bubble-canopy war-birds.Formation and Safety TeamThe organization was established to define and “embrace a formation flying standard that could be trained to but not be so Herculean that it would keep people from formation flying.” FAST adopted as its training standards the Formation Flying Manual (which includes procedural signals and communications) and what the group calls the “FAST Formation Practical Test Standards” that set standards for wingmen, leaders and check pilots.Pilots who complete the training are issued a date-stamped sticker by FAST to signify they’ve met the national standards.The training includes practice in station keeping, power management, formation exercises, cross-unders, formation takeoffs and landings, radio procedures and proper hand signals.The hand signals are used in formation flying in order to avoid the confusion of several people talking on the radio at once, and the vocabulary is extensive.It includes commands to lower the gear, raise the gear, activate the flaps, climb, get in trail and cross under.Hand signals can also be used to declare an emergency and indicate the cause, to inquire as to the fuel state of the other airplanes, and to change the configuration of the formation.A parallel organization to FAST, the Joint Liaisons Formation Committee (JLFC), was formed to promote safe formation flying for aircraft types used for military liaison—typically high-wing air-planes.JLFC’s program is modeled on the FAST program and uses some of the same training materials.The JLFC now holds a formation clinic in conjunction with the annual gathering of the International Liaison Pilots Association, held each year in Keokuk, Iowa, the week before the EAA Fly-in in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.(Some of these organizations may have gone defunct today.)The military has some excellent courses—but you’ll have to make a pretty serious long-term commitment.An air-to-air photograph of a favorite airplane is high on most pilots' wish lists. But getting a good photograph normally means a formation flight, which is neither cheap nor for amateurs. New Perspectives has a less dangerous solution for producing what appears to be a professional air-to-air photo”: Fake it!Its Beyond Reality process takes a photo of an airplane on the ground and "flies" it in front of one of a library of about 55 backgrounds including San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, the Arch in St. Louis, Mount Rush-more, the Statue of Liberty, and other major metropolitan areas and national historic sites. Once you've selected the background, New Perspectives will produce a seamless photo-realistic picture with your airplane in it.

Affordable Housing and Community DesignBOOKSAaron, Henry J. Shelter and subsidies: Who Benefits from Federal Housing Policies?. The BrookingsInstitution. 1997.Ackoff, Russell L. and Sheldon Rovin. Redesigning Society. Stanford University Press. 2003.First sentence: "The thinking we use to redesign society stems from three essential concepts:doing the right thing, focusing on what we want, and thinking systematically"Alexander, Christopher. The Production of Houses. Oxford University Press. 1985.As an innovative thinker about building and planning, Christopher Alexander has attracted a devotedfollowing. His seminal books--The Timeless Way of Building, A Pattern Language, the Oregon Experiment,and The Linz Cafe--defined a radical and fundamentally new process of environmental design. Alexandernow gives us the latest book in his series--a book that puts his theories to the test and shows what sort ofproduction system can create the kind of environment he has envisioned.The Production of Houses centers around a group of buildings which Alexander and his associates built in1976 in northern Mexico. Each house is different and the book explains how each family helped to lay outand construct its own home according to the family's own needs and in the framework of the patternlanguage. Numerous diagrams and tables as well as a variety of anecdotes make the day-today processclear. The Mexican project, however, is only the starting point for a comprehensive theory of housingproduction. The Production of Houses describes seven principles which apply to any system of production inany part of the world for housing of any cost in any climate or culture or at any density. In the last part of thebook, "The Shift of Paradigm," Alexander describes, in detail, the devastating nature of the revolution inworld view which is contained in his proposal for housing construction, and its overall implications for deepseatedculturalchange.　Atlas, John and Ellen Shoshkes. Saving Affordable Housing: What Community Groups Can Do & WhatGovernment Should Do. A National Housing Institute Study Funded by the Ford Foundation. 1997.Bauman, John F. and Roger Biles and Fristin Szylvian. From Tenements to Taylor Homes; In Search of anUrban Housing Policy in Twentieth Century America. Pennsylvania State University Press:University Park, PA. 2000.Bell, Bryan. Good Deeds, Good Design: Community Service Through Architecture. Princeton ArchitecturalPress: New York. 2004.Ben- Joseph, Eran. Regulating Place: Standards and the Shaping of Urban America. Routledge: New York.2005.Blau, Eve. The Architecture of Red Vienna. MIT Press: Massachusetts. 1999.Bosma, Koos and Dorine van Hoogstraten and Martijn Vos. Housing for the Millions: John Habraken and theSAR. Nai Publishers. 2000.Brown, David J. The Home House Project: The Future of Affordable Housing. MIT Press: Massachusetts.2004.Davis, Sam. Designing for The Homeless: Architecture That Works. University of California Press: Berkeley.1995.Ehrenkrantz, Ezra. Design in Affordable Housing: A Guidebook. Funded by the Naional Endowment of theArts.Emery, Frederic E. and Eric L. Trist. Towards a Social Ecology. Springer: 1Edition. 1995.stComplex social systems like the human body rely a great deal on the sharing of parts. Just as the mouth isshared by the sub-systems for breathing, eating, speaking, etc., so individuals and organizations act as partsfor a multiplicity of social systems. Just as there are physiological switching mechanisms to prevent uschoking too often over our food, so there are social mechanisms to prevent us having too many CharlieChaplins dashing out of factories to tighten up buttons on women’s dresses (in Modern Times). I think that itis this sharing of parts that enables social processes to grow for quite long periods without detection. If theycould grow only by subordinating parts entirely to themselves then they would be readily detectable. If,however, their parts continue to play traditional roles in the existing familiar systems, then detection becomesdifficult indeed. The examples that most readily come to mind are the pathological ones of cancer andincipient psychoses. Perhaps this is because we strive so hard to detect them. In any case, healthychanges in physical maturation, personality growth or social growth typically follows the same course. Oncewe are confronted with a new fully-fledged system, we find that we can usually trace its roots well back into apast where it was unrecognized for what it was.Source location for this excerpt: Page on members.shaw.caFeldman, Roberta. The Dignity of Resistance: Women Residents’ Activism in Chicago Public Housing.Cambridge. 2004.This comprehensive case study chronicles the four decade history of Chicago's Wentworth Gardens publichousing residents' grassroots activism. It explores why and how the African-American women residentscreatively and effectively engaged in organizing efforts to resist increasing government disinvestment inpublic housing and the threat of demolition. Through the inspirational voices of the activists, RobertaFeldman and Susan Stall challenge portrayals of public housing residents as passive and alienated victims ofdespair. Review source: The Dignity of ResistanceForrester Sprague, Joan. More Than Housing: Lifeboats for Women and Children. Butterworth Architecture.1991.Franck, Karen A. and Sherry Ahrentzen. New Households and New Housing. Van Nostrand Reinhold. 1991.Greer, Nora R. The Creation of Shelter. American Institute of Architects Press. 1988.Greer, Nora R. The Search for Shelter. American Institute of Architects Press. 1986.Hatch, Richard C. Scope of Social Architecture. Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, 1984.Hayden, Delores, Redesigning the American Dream. W. W. Norton & Company, 1edition, 2002.stAmericans still build millions of dream houses in neighborhoods that sustain Victorian stereotypes of thehome as 'woman's place' and the city as 'man's world.' Urban historian and architect Dolores Hayden talliesthe personal and social costs of an American 'architecture of gender' for the two-earner family, the singleparentfamily,andsinglepeople.Manysocietieshavestruggledwiththearchitecturalandurbanconsequences of women's paid employment: Hayden traces three models of home in historical perspective—the haven strategy in the United States, the industrial strategy in the former USSR, and the neighborhoodstrategy in European social democracies—to document alternative ways to reconstruct neighborhoods.Source location: Page on wwnorton.comJackson, Kenneth T. Crabgrass Frontier: The Suburbanization of the United States. Oxford UniversityPress. 1987.Book Description: This first full-scale history of the development of the American suburb examines how "thegood life" in America came to be equated with the a home of one's own surrounded by a grassy yard andlocated far from the urban workplace. Integrating social history with economic and architecturalanalysis, and taking into account such factors as the availability of cheap land, inexpensive building methods,and rapid transportation, Kenneth Jackson chronicles the phenomenal growth of the American suburb fromthe middle of the 19th century to the present day. He treats communities in every section of the U.S. andcompares American residential patterns with those of Japan and Europe. In conclusion, Jackson offers acontroversial prediction: that the future of residential deconcentration will be very different from its past inboth the U.S. and Europe.Source location:Amazon.com: Crabgrass Frontier: The Suburbanization of the United States (9780195049831): Kenneth T. Jackson: BooksJones, Tom and William Pettus and Michael Pyatok. Good Neighbors: Affordable Family Housing. McGrawHill.1995.Leeuwen, Jos van and HJP Timmermans. Recent Advances in Design and Decision Support.Kluwer:Dordrecht, Boston. 2004.　McCamant, Kathryn and Charles Durret and Ellen Hertzman. Cohousing: A Contemporary Approach toHousing Ourselves. Ten Speed Press. 1993.From The Woman Source Catalog & Review: Tools for Connecting the Community for Women; review byIlene RosoffDoes the idea of not having to cook meals for yourself or family every night, deal with traffic on your block, orworry when your children are out playing in the neighborhood appeal to you? If the answer is yes, you maywant to consider exploring cohousing, a concept that originated in Denmark in the early 1970s and hasspread throughout Europe. In Cohousing, a number of European cohousing communities are profiled.Although each community is a unique reflection of its members' tastes and desires, there are some commoncomponents, such as parking lots on the perimeters of the community for pedestrian safety, a commonhouse where meals can be shared, and recreational facilities housing various community activities andservices. With all the responsibilities entailed in managing a home and/or a family, cohousing is a solution forfinding sufficient time to relax and spend with the people who are important to us. (The authors have recentlystarted The Cohousing Company, a design and development company formed specifically to assist groupsinterested in planning and implementing cohousing in this country.)Newman, Oscar. Creating Defensible Space. US Dept . of Housing and Urban Development, Office ofPolicy Development and Research: Washington, DC. 1996.Obelensky, Kira. Good House Cheap House: Adventures in Creating an extraordinary Home at an OrdinaryPrice. Taunton. 2005.The 27 homes in Good House Cheap House prove that good design doesn't have to cost a fortune. Whatgoes into making a good, cheap house? As writer Kira Obolensky discovers, there are three mainingredients: adventuresome homeowners who are actively involved; cutting-edge architects and designerswho can solve tough design challenges; and an array of innovative uses of materials. Industrial bridgewashers make for gorgeous mantelpiece rosettes, old concrete subflooring is given new life with rich-huedstain, and glass sliding doors make for windows that are oversized and affordable.From a Texas farmhouse to a loft in St. Paul, to a prefab cabin on the Wisconsin prairie, these houses, inwhich anyone would feel at home, display a wonderful mix of design smarts and budget savvy. "Good HouseCheap House is chock full of great ideas and creative solutions for those of us on a budget-but even the lessfinancially-challenged can learn a thing or two about stylish and innovative design."--Charles Burbridge, designer, HGTV's Design on a Dime "The cookie-cutter house trend has been aroundlong enough. With its outside-the-box ideas and great resources, Good House Cheap House proves you canbuild a unique space without emptying your bank account."--Amber Jones, Editor, do! MagazineSanoff, Henry. Community Participation Methods in Design and Planning. Wiley-Academy. 1999.Book Description (Source: Community Participation Methods in Design and Planning: Henry Sanoff: 9780471355458: Amazon.com: Books)Theonlyhow-toguidetocommunitydesignwrittenfromthedesignprofessional'sperspective.Inthisgroundbreakingguidetotheincreasinglyimportantdisciplineofcommunitydesign,aleadinginternationalexpertdrawsuponhisownexperiencesandthoseofcolleaguesaroundtheworldtoprovideproventoolsandtechniquesforbringingcommunitymembersintothedesignprocesssuccessfullyandproductively.Thefirstandonlyhow-toguideoncommunitydesigndevelopedfordesignprofessionals,Community Participation Methods in Design and Planning features:* Fifteen case studies chronicling community design projects around the world* Coverage of educational facilities, housing, and urban and rural environments* Design Games-a proven, culture-neutral approach to educating participants in their design options and theconsequences of their choices* Proven techniques for fostering community participation in the design process* Checklists, worksheets, questionnaires, and other valuable toolsCommunity Participation Methods in Design and Planning is an indispensable working resource for urbandesigners and planners, architects, and landscape architects. It is also an excellent resource for students ofthose disciplines.Schmitz, Adrienne, Beta Site. Multifamily Housing Handbook. Urban Land Institute: Washington D.C. 2000.Steiber, Nancy. Housing Design and Society in Amsterdam: Reconfiguring Urban Order and Identity 19001920. The University of Chicago Press: Chicago. 1998.Timmermans, Harry. Design and Decision Support Systems in Architecture. Dordrecht: Boston: KluwerAcademic. 1993.Torres, Martha. Affordable Home Design: Innovations and Renovations. Loft Publications by Harper CollinsDesign. 2005.Affordable Home Design showcases a wide array of solutions to this same architectural challenge of gooddesign and structure on a budget. The projects featured include extensions of houses and apartmentsalready in existence, ecological housing design, sustainable and structurally cost-effective homes, and newbuildings in strictly coded conservation zones. Through more than 250 full-color photographs, this essentialbook reveals how today's architects are able to adapt to the necessities of a more affordable budget whenapproaching the always exciting necessity of designing a home.Towers, Graham. At Home in the City: An Introduction to Urban Housing Design. Architectural Press/Elsevier: Oxford. 2005.Trulove, James G. Great Houses on a Budget. Collins Design, 2005.For the typical American homeowner, Great Houses on a Budget presents case studies from across thecountry that achieve high style at an affordable cost. Most homeowners can only fantasize about owning andliving in beautiful dream homes designed by top architects -- houses that are well beyond the reach ofaverage consumers. This splendidly illustrated volume promises to provide a reality check by presentingbeautifully designed houses by the same architects, but with one exception. The houses in this book weredesigned and built for clients with high standards, as well as modest budgets. Fifteen in-depth case studiesdisplay the work of some of today's finest architects in locations ranging from California and Connecticut, toVirginia and Oregon. Each project includes lavish photography accompanied by detailed discussion of theeconomical construction techniques implemented in each house. With an in-depth look at square footagecosts, design techniques, and low-cost building materials, Great Houses on a Budget will provide readerswith everything they need to plan a great home on even the smallest budget.Tucker, William. The Excluded Americans: Homelessness and Housing Policies (Ragnery) and Zoning,Rent Control, and Affordable Housing. Cato Institute.Vale, Lawrence. Reclaiming Public Housing: A Half Century of Struggle in Three Public Neighborhoods.Harvard University Press: Cambridge, Mass. 2002.Vale, Lawrence. From the Puritans to the Projects: Public Housing and Public Neighbors. HarvardUniversity Press. 2000.1. Sam Bass Warner, Jr., author of Streetcar Suburbs (Harvard) : In tracing the story of public housing fromPuritan times to the present, Professor Vale pays special attention to the spatial dimensions of povertymanagement. His is not a mechanical tale of segregation, but a careful presentation of the placement of thepoor in response to the policies of aid and discipline. This book, at once both an excellent history and anunusually thorough Boston case study, illustrates the continuing cultural and political ambivalence that playsitself out in ever-changing environments for the poor.2. Sir Peter Hall, author of Cities in Civilization: Culture, Innovation, and Urban Order : Lawrence Vale'smajor study throws new and important light on the contradictions and dilemmas of American public housingpolicy over the past half-century, as they worked themselves out in one of the nation's great cities. It has vitalmessages both for scholars of public policy, planning, and urban studies, and for urban policy-makers, bothin the United States and the wider world. This is a major contribution to the urban literature. Source location:From the Puritans to the Projects: Public Housing and Public Neighbors: Prof. Lawrence J. Vale: 9780674002869: Amazon.com: BooksVenkatesh, Sudhir, Alladi. American Project: The Rise and fall of a Modern Ghetto. Harvard UniversityPress: Cambridge, Mass. 2000.Vliet, Williem van. The Encyclopedia of Housing. Sage Publications. 1998.This multidisciplinary work, which aims to summarize and synthesize current information on housing, drawson sociology, economics, urban studies, political science, architecture, and law to provide broad coverage ofthe pertinent concepts, organizations, issues, and policies. The 600 or so entries vary in length, with longerentries containing extensive discussion as well as relevant research, critical analysis, policy information, andhistorical background as appropriate. Though the book focuses primarily on the United States, it includessome international material, and various points of view are represented. Cross references, indexes ofsubjects and cited authors, and brief bibliographies on most entries add to the encyclopedia's usefulness.About 240 academics and professionals in housing or closely related fields contributed to this volume underthe leadership of van Vliet, who has written and edited several works on housing. He notes that the languageused is comprehensible across subject specialties and internationally. A welcome addition to the housingliterature, which has lacked a general encyclopedia, this is sure to be the standard reference forprofessionals in housing and related fields as well as policymakers, students, and the educated public. Anexcellent purchase for all academic and public libraries.AMary Jane Brustman, SUNY at Albany Libs.Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.Waldheim, Charles. Chicago Architecture: Histories, Revsions. University of Chicago Press: Chicago. 2005.Woudhuysen, James and Ian Abley, Stephen Muthesius, and Miles Glendinning. Why is Construction soBackward?. Wiley-Academy. 2004.Synopsis Location: Amazon.co.uk: James Woudhuysen, Ian Abley: 9780470852897: BooksWhyarehomessoexpensivetobuyandtomaintain?Constructionhasemergedasamainstreampoliticalissue.Yetthebuildingtradeisoneoftheworld'sweakest:itisfragmented,barelyglobalizedandbehindothersectorsinintroducingdisruptiveinnovationstoitsbasicprocesses.Themodestworldwidescaleofprefabricatedbuildingconfirmshowconstructionremainsa19th-centuryaffair,nota21st-centuryone.Drawingonthelatesttechnologiesthathaveemergedbothinsideandoutsidethesector,Whyisconstructionsobackward?formsadetailed,practicalalternativetotheconventionalwisdominbuildingdesignandurbanplanning.Itisapowerfulcallforreform,andasharpattackagainstarchitectureassocialengineeringandenvironmentalistdogma.'Verycompelling...asignificantpieceofresearchandthoughtleadership.Essential.'ColinBartle-Tubbs,UKOperationsDirector,Deloitte'Welcomeandtimely...takesonanindustrythathasreveledincomplacencyfortoolong.'BernhardBlauel,Principal,BlauelArchitects'Theauthorsarepreparedtobedaring,reframethequestionandpositnewparadigms.Reflectingeffortlesslyacrosstheliteratureofproperty,business,marketresearchandconstruction,thebook'skaleidoscopeofideas, examples and images gives it a refreshing depth of insight and breadth of vision. ' John Worthington,Founder, DEGW 'A tour de force of polemical provocation. This timely work forces one to think aboutconstruction in the broadest terms.ARTICLESAdler, Lynn. "Study warns of affordable US apartment shortage." Wired News. Mar 8. 2006.Allen, Isabel. "Exciting innovation in housing design" (book review). Architect’s Journal. v208, n19. p 68.Nov 1996.A review of "Housing: new alternatives, new systems!", by Manuel Gausa, 1998, described by this revieweras "perhaps the most comprehensive collection of architect-speak in existence..." with, however "an in-depthcompilation of contemporary housing which is breathtaking in its diversity."Anger, David. "Bleak House." Architecture Minnesota. v20, n3. p 44-45, 71-73. May/Jun 1994.Arieff, Allison. "Technology is the New Craft." Dwell. p 100-107. Nov/Dec. 2003.Atlas, John. "The Battle in Brooklyn." Shelterforce: The Journal of Affordable Housing and CommunityBuilding. p 12-15. Nov/Dec. 2005.Barlow, James and Ritsuko Ozaki. "Through innovation in the production system: lessons from Japan."Environment and Planning. v37, n1. p 9-20. Jan 2005.Borden, Lain. "Innovation in social housing in France, 1970-1990." AA Files. n23. p 94-96. Summer 1992.Symposium at the AA, 21 Nov. 1991.Bornstein, Julie. "Designed to Fit." UNITS magazine. Jun. 2005.Published by the National Apartments Association (Article Location:Page on nmhc.org)Bullard, Robert D. "Housing Barriers: Trends in the Nation’s fourth-Largest City." Journal of Black Studies.v21, n1. p 4-14. Sep 1990.Bullard, Robert D. "The Black Family: Housing Alternatives in the 80s." Journal of Black Studies. v14,n3. p 341-351. Mar 1984.Bullivant, Lucy. "Home Front: New Developments in Housing." Architectural Design. v73, n4. p 5-10. Jul/Aug2003.Cardoso, Medina. "Geometria en la vivienda." Obras. v10, n112. p 52, 55-56, 59-60. Apr 1982."Viviendas decorosas," affordable housing prototypes designed by Alfonso Cardoso MedinaColin, Berry. "Artists in residence: Reoccupying Affordable Quarters." Preservation: The Magazine for theNational Trust for Historic Preservation. v55, n4. p 12-13. Jul/Aug 2003.Collins, Timothy L. "Rent Controls on the Edge." City Limits. v23, n4. p 32. Apr 1998.Davis, Braxton C. "Regional planning in the US coastal zone: a comparative analysis of 15 special areaplans." Ocean & Coastal Management. v47. p 79-94. 2004.This article compares the regional planning of 15 very different coastal zones in the United States in attemptto understand their operation and the effectiveness of their planning. The zones evaluated did not use typicalplanning tools, and therefore it is informative to investigate their "goals, environmental and socioeconomicsettings, management approaches, land use planning tools, and keys to success for special area planningunder state and territory coastal programs."34 out of 35 coastal states have adopted the national coastal management program administered by theNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management(NOAA/OCRM).Areas were evaluated based on the areas of concern to participate in the program. The Special AreaManagement Practices were then investigated to determine if comprehensive regional planning was takingplace and to what extent, or if "subject-oriented" plans were taking precedent (wetlands, ports, etc.). (DM)Davis, Howard "Learning from Vellore: low income housing project in India." Arcadia. v23, n2 p 8-10.Mar/Apr 1993.Low income housing project for bicycle rickshaw drivers in Vellore is being developed by an internationalcollaboration of three organizations: Centre for Development Madras; Pacific Architecture; and the Center forHousing Innovation of the Univ. of Oregon.Djebarni, R. and P. Hibberd. "The impact of TQM on innovation in the construction industry: a researchagenda." International Journal for Housing Science and its Applications. v21, n2. p 85-95. 1997.Total Quality Management (TQM) as an innovation in the British construction industry is studied to evaluateits effectiveness.Fairbanks, Robert B. "Reform and the Community Development Strategy in Cincinatti, 1890-1960." TheJournal of American History. v77, n2. p 689-690. Sep 1990.Ferrera, Peter J. "Federal Housing and Poverty (in letters)." Science. v248, n4955. p 538-539. May, 1990.Fletcher, Jane. "Affordable." Builder. v12, n9. p 83-92. Sep 1989.Friedman, Avi. "Ten Years Old and Growing (Grow Home, Montreal)." Canadian Architect. v46, n5, p 18-19,May 2001.The Grow Home, a demonstrative project started on the McGill campus in 1990, tapped a market withinaffordable housing. The project initially sold for $76,000, and units spread like wildfire. The attractive rowhousebuildingshaveflexiblelayouts,lowconstructioncost,lowoperatingcosts,andtheirownyards.ThearticlecomparesfinancingandconstructioncostsoftheGrowHomewithstandardconstruction.Italsotalksaboutthehistoryofitssuccess,andthebenefitsofcreating"theHondaCivic"ofhousing.　Thearticleincludesimagesofthreeplanlayouts,andphotosofgrowhomesinfillingneighborhoodsintwodifferentcitiesinCanada.(DM)　Friedman, Avi. "The Home of the 90’s-2: An Urban Starter." Canadian Architect. v35, n4. p 32-33. Apr 1990.Considers household income, level of education, and receptivity to innovation in a study of consumerpreferences.Friedrichs, Jurgen. "Affordable Housing and the Homeless." Contemporary Sociology. v19, n1. p 86-87. Jan1990.The twin issues of affordable housing and homelessness are discussed in this collection from a comparativeinternational persepctive. The central theme in the essays is that advanced industyrial societies, includingsocialist countries, are undergoing significant changes in their ability and willingness to provide affordablehousing to their citizens. Friedrichs points out that affordable housing and homelessness are interrelatedproblems in that the "new" homelessness is primarily the result of structural economic changes and ashortage of affordable housing. - By Howard A. SavageGann, David. "Housing innovation: how we live and what we might live in." Scroope: CambridgeArchitectural Journal. n11. p 55-62. 1999-2000.Ideas about the direction and pace of the changes in the way housing is designed and built in the UnitedKingdom.Gates, Gary J. "Gay America: to understand the real housing choices of the gay community, developersmust move beyond stereotypes." Urban Land. v64, n2. p 78-82. Feb 2005.Today, the gay and lesbian community signals the presence of a diverse and creative population that notonly is important to high-tech innovation but also has taken the initiative of moving to distressed urbanneighborhoods and in doing so has helped bring economic vitality to these neighborhoods.Gilderbloom, John I. and Richard P. Appelbaum. "Rethinking Rental Housing." Contemporary Sociology.v17, n5. p 644-645. Sep 1988.Affordable housing becomes a receding goal when the percentage of U.S. households paying over a quarterof their income for rent is increasing. John Gilderbloom and Richard Appelbaum show that sociologists couldmake a major contribution to debate about a housing policy designed to reverse such trends - if such adebate existed. Combining a critical review of a diverse literature with original analyses, the authors developtwo lines of argument. First, institutions and organizations affect characteristics of rental housing thateconomists attribute to market forces. Second, affordable, habitable housing is a "universal nationalentitlement," and it requires a federal housing program that creates a non-market sector. By Judith J.FriedmanGirling, Cynthia, and Ronald Kellett. "Comparing stormwater impacts and costs on three neighborhood plantypes." Landscape Journal. v21, n1. p 100-109. 2002."This paper summarizes a comparison of three alternative plans for a demonstration development site forenvironmental impacts, particularly stormwater quantity and quality, and costs of development. Two of thethree alternatives are representative of neighborhood plan types in many areas of the United States - aconventional low density pattern typical of many subdivision developments, and a more dense, mixed usenew urbanist-influenced pattern. A third less common but lower environmental impact plan represents similardensity and land use mixes to the mixed use plan with greater open space, urban forest and stormwaterfeatures." Paper presented at the joint ASLA-CELA conference in Boston, Sept. 1999.Goodno, James B. and Elisabeth Hamin. "Good Luck, Arnold." Planning. v70, n1. p 4-9. Jan.2004.Hall, Carlyle. "Carlyle Hall Joins CRA." L.A. Architect. p 7. Mar 1990.His thoughts on the goals and policies of the Community Redevelopment Agency, which focuses onaffordable housingHerszenhorn, David M. "New York Offers Housing Subsidy as Teacher Lure." New York Times. Apr 19.2006.Hoch, Charles J. and William Peterman and William C. Baer. "Homelessness and Housing." Journal of theAmerican Planning Association. v66, n3. p 328-331. Summer 2000.Illia, Tony. "Quigley SROs show affordable housing is possible in Las Vegas." Architectural Record.v189, n4. p 40. Apr 2001.Two SRO apartment developments, Kirby Lofts and L'Octaine, combine apartments with retail and restaurantspace. Architect: Rob Wellington QuigleyLadd, Helen F. and Jens Ludwig. "Educational Opportunities: Evidence from Baltimore." The AmericanEconomic Review. v87, n2. p 272-277. May 1997.Lakshmanan, T.R. and Lata Chatterjee and P. Roy. "Housing Requirements and National Resources."Science. v192, n4243. p 943-949. Jun 1976.Lang, Michael H. "Homelessness amid Affluence: Structure and Paradox in the American PoliticalEconomy." Contemporary Sociology. v20, n1. p 76-77. Jan 1991.LeFevre, Camille. "Joseph Selvaggio: Taking Pride in Housing the Poor." Architecture Minnesota. v18, n3.p 17, 74-75. May/Jun 1992.Linn, Charles. "Auburn Court, Cambridge, Massachusetts." Architectural Record. v185, n 7. p 112-113. Jul1997.Massimo, Alvisi and Kirimoto Junko. "Riken Yamamoto: dalle origini alla luce dell’innovazione: from theorigins to the light of innovation." Architectura. v 42, n17(494). p 674-680. 1995.Matheou, Demetrios. "Council opts for innovation in housing commission." Architects’ Journal. v200, n3.p 17-19. Jul 1994.Potter's Fields housing site, Southwark, London. Architects: Alsop & Sto!rmer.Miles, Henry. "Norse Code: Flats, Nesodden, Norway." Architectural Review. v214, n1281. p 95. Nov 2003.Affordable Housing built of Larch. Architects: Code ArkitekturNoero, Jo. "Red Location Innovation: PELIP Project/ Port Elizabeth." South African Architect. p 28-32.Nov/Dec 1999.Pheng, Low Sui, and Chua Hok Beng. "Promoting innovation in prefabrication for public housing: case studyof Singapore." International Journal for Housing Science and its Applications. v26, n3. p 217-226.2002.Russell, James S. "New Housing at Almere." Architectural Record." v190, n10. p 234-237. Oct 2002.It may not be as "wild" as advertised, but new Housing at Almere, by UN Studios, makes a strong case forresidential innovation.Salversen, David. "HUD announces awards for building innovation." Urban Land. v55, n7. p 22-23. Jul 1996."The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has announced a nationwide competition - theBuilding Innovation for Homeownership program - to accelerate the adoption of innovative building anddevelopment techniques that will make houses more affordable."Sapolin, Donna. "Now, the Possible Dream." Metropolitan Home. v21, n10. p 111-112, 114. Oct 1989.Schill, Michael H. "Housing and Community Development in New York City." Political Science Quarterly.v114, n4. p 708-709. Winter 1999-2000.Scott, Ralph. "Advocates for Healthy Housing." Shelterforce: The Journal of Affordable Housing andCommunity Building. p 20-23. Mar/Apr 2005.Taylor, David. "Lessons to learn from Dutch housing innovation." Architects’ Journal. v208, n1. p 24. Jul1998.Almere as a model for British housing construction.Taylor, David. "Affordable housing in Harlem." Architecture California. v8, n6. p 9-10. Nov/Dec 1986.Taylor, David. "A New Affordable House." Inform: Architecture, Design, the Arts. v11, n4. p 8-9, 11. 2000.Williams, Austin. "Movement for innovation: rethinking construction." Architects’ Journal v211, n18. p 34-43.May 2000.On the M4I, the Movement for Innovation, established to bring about a radical improvement in the way inwhich the construction industry and its clients work together.Wortman, Arthur. "Convertibility in building practice: DKV on innovation." Archis. n3. p 86-88. 2002.　　　　　　PAPERSBarrios-Paoli, Lilliam and Peter Madonia and William C. Rudin. Uniting for Solutions Beyond Shelter. TheCity of New York. Jun 2004."Uniting for Solutions Beyond Shelter is a 10-year action plan that brings together the business, nonprofit,and public sector communities to address the challenging issue of homelessness at its core, rather thanmanage it at the margins. It reflects my strong belief that every individual and family deserves safe,affordable housing –a goal we can achieve through proactive, coordinated action and investments in costeffectiveinitiativesthatsolvehomelessness."-MayorMichaelR.Bloomberg　Feldman, Ron. The Affordable Housing Shortage: Considering the Problem, Causes and Solutions. FederalReserve Bank of Minneapolis. Aug 2002.Abstract: Many observers claim that we are in the midst of an "affordable housing shortage" or, even worse,an "affordable housing crisis." The primary concern is that too many households live in "unaffordable" rentalunits. We hope to clarify the current debate by first measuring the size of the problem, then diagnosing itsunderlying causes and, finally, discussing treatments that policymakers should consider. While our review ishardly exhaustive, we conclude that a shortage of income is largely behind the housing affordability problemdespite the current focus on housing. Policymakers should recognize that government financing of newhousing units is unlikely to be a cost-effective response to low household income.Hu, Yucum and Qiping Shen. Systems Thinking in the Study of Housing Development in Hong Kong NewTowns. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Department of Building and Real Estate. 2000."In this paper, we have applied system dynamics to analyze housing development in Hong Kong new towns.Because housing development is concerned with many factors such as population growth, employment,personal income, gross domestic product and government policies, it is a complex social-economic systemthat demands system thinking for its solution. We have constructed a system dynamics model that attemptsto describe housing development in new towns. In this model, the interactions of various factors in urbanhousing development are taken into consideration. The model has been implemented in a computersimulation package named "I think". The simulation provides a trend of future housing development in HongKong new towns. These results can assist decision makers produce more appropriate plans for futurehousing development. We found that the application of system dynamics into housing development is a newand fruitful attempt."Katz, Bruce and Margery Turner, Karen Brown, Mary Cunningham and Noah Sawyer. Rethinking localaffordable housing strategies: lessons from 70 years of policy and practice. The BrookingsInstitution Center in Urban and Metropolitan Policy and The Urban Institute. Dec 2003.Efforts to provide affordable housing are occurring at a time of great change. The responsibilities forimplementing affordable housing are increasingly shifting to state and local actors. The market anddemographic changes in the country are complicating the picture, as sprawling jobs-housing patterns anddowntown revivals in some places are creating demand for affordable housing for working families andimmigrants in both cities and suburbs. To help state and local leaders design fresh solutions to today’saffordable housing challenges, The Brookings Institution Center on Urban and Metropolitan Policy and theUrban Institute joined forces to examine the lessons of seven decades of major policy approaches and whatthese lessons mean for local reforms. This executive summary of the full report, funded by the John S. andJames L. Knight Foundation, finds that past and current efforts to expand rental housing assistance, promotehomeownership, and increase affordable housing through land use regulations have been uneven in theireffectiveness in promoting stable families and healthy communities. The findings suggest guiding principlesfor local action, with important cautions to avoid pitfalls.Pascale, Connie. The Critical Shortage of Affordable Housing in New Jersey: A Brief Overview. The LegalServices of New Jersey Poverty Research Institute. Jun 2003.For at least three decades, study after study has documented New Jersey’s severe affordable housingshortage. This report from Legal Services of New Jersey’s Poverty Research Institute compiles such studiesand data to present a current portrait of just how bad the housing shortfall has become. It is intended as aresource for policy makers and the public, to help energize and guide the urgent question of what should beNew Jersey’s governmental response to this crisis.The report was prepared primarily by Connie Pascale, Vice President and Assistant General Counsel atLegal Services of New Jersey, with assistance from colleagues Kristin Mateo and Anjali Srivastava. Ourhope is that armed with information, at long last New Jersey’s leaders will guide the state toward acomprehensive and effective government-wide housing policy.Pickard, Deena, et. Al. A Systematic Approach to Service Improvement: Evaluating Systems Thinking inHousing." The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister: London. Sep 2005."This report provides a review of work undertaken to explore the use of systems thinking in a social housingsetting. In particular, the research considered the effects on the delivery of housing management servicesand assessed efficiency gains arising."Pickard, Deena, et. Al. Defining a National Housing Research Agenda Construction Management andProduction. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister: London. Sep 2004.Soffin, Jeremy. Housing Crises Threatens Regional Economy. The Regional Plan Association and CitizensHousing and Planning Council. May 2004.High housing costs, poor housing quality and long commutes are putting the NY-NJ-CT metropolitan regionat a competitive disadvantage in attracting and retaining a talented workforce, according to a regionalhousing study released today. The report, "Out of Balance: The Housing Crisis from a Regional Perspective,"is a collaborative effort of Regional Plan Association (RPA) and Citizens Housing and Planning Council(CHPC) to survey regional housing trends and identify housing problems that pose obstacles to regionaldevelopment or diminish the quality of life.Tucker, William. How Rent Control Drives Out Affordable Housing. Cato Institute. May 1997.Cato Policy Analysis No. 274 Location: How Rent Control Drives Out Affordable HousingWhite, Lawrence J. Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and Housing Finance: Why True Privatization is Good PublicPolicy. Cato Foundation. Aug 2004.WEBSITES/ ADDITIONAL RESOURCESAmhearst H. Wilder Foundation Redirecting to new location...Archvoices ArchVoicesAssociation of Community Design Resources Page on communitydesign.orgThe Brookings Institute HomeThe Cato Foundation Cato InstituteCommunity Development Society Community Development SocietyCommunity Resources Directory of Nonprofit Organizations and Other Community ResourcesDevelopment Training Institute The Center for Leadership InnovationDesign Advisor Design AdvisorDesign Matters: Best Practices in Affordable Housing Landing Page | cada.uic.edu |Doors of Perception Doors of PerceptionThe Enterprise Foundation Enterprise Community PartnersHabitat for Humanity Habitat for Humanity Int'lHousing Again Page on housingagain.web.caHousing First brooklyn apartments rent‎ Resources and Information.Housing Prototypes Housing Prototypes.Inhabitat Design For a Better World!Planning a Housing development Enterprise Community PartnersProject proformas Enterprise Community PartnersThe Housing and Community Development KnowledgePlex The affordable housing and community development resource for professionalsNational Community Building Network Nuovi Bonus Casino Nazionali - bonus senza depositoNational Multi Housing Council National Multifamily Housing CouncilNational Community Housing Forum Page on nchf.org.auNew Village Building Sustainable CulturesNovogradac & Company LLP Affordable Housing Resource CenterPlanners Network Planners NetworkRose Fellowship Page on rose-network.comRudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence Page on buffalo.eduRural Studio Welcome - Rural StudioShimberg Center for Affordable Housing The Shimberg Center at the University of FloridaSocketsite Page on socketsite.comStardust Organization Redirecting your pageStrategy Survival Guide Page on strategy.gov.uk　　　　　　Affordable Housing and Community Design: SustainabilityARTICLESArchitype. "Green Credentials: Housing in Brighton." RIBA Journal.Bone, Eugena. "The House That Max Built." Metropolis. v16, n5, p 37-42, Dec 1996.The Center for Maximum Potential Building Systems (Max’s Pot) built the Advanced Green Builderdemonstration house on the outskirts of Austin with only local materials. It is the place where founderPliny Fisk III and his wife "concoct environmentally sound and sustainable building technologies." BothCalcrete and Solar-Tube were conceived there. The house uses Green Forms, an "open-ended" post andbeam system as structure. The central concept is that the Green Forms provide the frame for site-specific(and therefore more sustainable) elements and finishes. This approach also leaves plenty of potential forpersonalization. Local climates are studied as well as attainable materials for cladding, insulation, andother surfaces from the area. Options may include rammed earth, adobe, straw wall, industrial by-products,and Styrofoam. The project also helps to sustain local businesses, distributors, and craftsmen byutilizing their services within their communities.The article also mentions innovative composite materials that can be used in cladding, including mixingleftover wood fiber with plastic from recycled bottles to make hardy wood-like panels. Water sustainability isaddressed with composting toilets and wetland integration.For further energy consumption reduction photovoltaic panels can be added to roofs, radiant heat can bedistributed from floor slabs, and a gas-fired water heater can double as the heat source for the floor slabs.While the house (at time of article publishing) costs about $250,000, the goal is to build for $10 to $12 persquare foot. The article includes photos of the house in Austin and images of examples of various sitespecificcladdingmaterials.(DM)　Cameron, Kristi."Rebirth: BOASE, Denmark’s Model for Sustainable Mass-Produced Housing, On Stilts."Metropolis. v23, n5. p 66-69. Jan 2004.BOASE is an innovative national competition winning concept proposed by a team of students inDenmark. The primary themes of the project are affordable housing, mass production of units, and soilremediation that occurs through phytoremediation while the housing units sit above the petrochemicallypolluted site in a network of "tree dwellings."The units stand on stilts, and therefore allow rainwater and sunlight to filter down and nourish the soilcleaningplantecology.Theprovocativenotionofdevelopingpollutedsitesisrootedinthecheapnessoflandthatnoonewantstouse-pollutedland.Theplantsareexpectedtocleanthetopsixfeetofcontaminatedsoilinaperiodoftenyears,which,bysome,maybeworthwhile"ratherthanspendingmillionshaulingthecontaminateddirttoalandfilloftreatmentfacility."Iftheclean-upprocessdoesnotoccurasexpectedthroughphytoremediation,notallislost;"evenifthetreesdon’tmanagetocleanupthesoil,theyaresuckingupwaterandevaporatingitthroughtheirleaves…(it)won’tleachintogroundwatersupplies,takingpollutantswithit."Unitsaremanufacturedfromlightweightfiberglass-reinforcedplastic,givingthemtheadvantagesoflastingstructuralstrengthwithminimalweight.Inthisproject,the"home"becomesindustrialized,aunitofmassproduction.Thethreetechnologiesusedinthisprojectare:GratzelSolarCells,FiberlinePlasticComposites,andPhytoremediation.(DM)　Couling, Nancy and Klaus Overmeyer (of cet-0). "New From Suburbia: Agro City." Architectural Design, v74,n4, p 66-71. Jul/Aug 2004.Couling and Overmeyer have produced a model for areas outlying urban centers to becomeneighborhoods surrounding farming-land green spaces, rather than arbitrary parks and green spaces,commonly ordained by local zoning codes. The theory proposes that the residents maintain and work the"farm-land" and it gives back to them, monetarily, as well as enriching a closer-knit community than atypical suburb. The article includes a model for investment and return based in its proposed operations in anarea outlying Hamburg- the location of cet-0’s Fischbek-Mississippi project. The underlying concept is a"symbiosis of land for farming and land for building…Green areas are a combination of agricultural fields anddomesticated plots, leased to an ecofarmer, or to the Mississippi Club, of which the new residents wouldideally be members"(Couling p. 69). (DM)Diamond, Richard C. "Affordable Housing Through Energy Efficiency." GSD News/ Harvard University..p 14. Winter/Spring. 1993.Ehrenzweig, Dina. "Consumer acceptance of straw-bale housing." International Journal for Housing Scienceand its Applications. v23, n1. p 69-77. 1993.Evans, Barrie. "Making housing sustainable." Architect’s Journal. v205, n2. p 48. Jan 1998.On the potential provision of housing for the 4.4 million new English households predicted for the period from1991 to 2016. Taken from presentations at the BRE 75th anniversary international conference, "SustainableConstruction: an Agenda for Innovation".Gifford, H. "Third Street: Can architects and builders work together to produce highly energy-efficient andaffordable multifamily housing without any grant support? Two New Yorkers prove that it can bedone." Home Energy. v22, n5, p 24-29 Energy federation Incorporated. 2005.Third Street considers the assemblies and methods utilized to create more energy-efficient apartmentbuildings in New York City. The buildings are located at 299 E. 3rdSt. (38-family building) and 228 E. 3St.(22-family building) in Manhattan. The project was developed by Mary Spink and the architect is ChrisBenedict.The article denotes specific building assemblies that improve thermal and acoustical insulation. Specificwall sections are shown, as well as efficiency comparisons based on energy consumption and cost.The article also implies concerns about the negative effect of funding sustainable projects through grants,relating this approach to the concept that one can only do good if funded. Another interesting issueexemplified by these projects is that buildings that may be extremely energy efficient and "green" to a greatextent will never satisfy current LEED criteria because of certain detailing that, in a sense, make them evenmore sustainable. (DM)Gregory, Rob. "Wake Up Call." The Architectural Review. p 44, Nov 2003.BedZED is a prototype for sustainable high affordable housing complexes by Bill Dunster Architects. It is anexample of high density suburban-urbanization in Sutton, England. Highlights of the project include liveworkunits,acommunityhall,southfacingspacesandterraces.Theonebedroomloftapartmentshavetheirownentrancesandopenontoaskygarden.Thearticleincludesphotographs,asiteplan,anelevation,sections,andasunstudy.(DM)Koebel, Theodore "Sustaining sustainability: innovation in housing and the built environment." Journal ofUrban Technology. v6, n3. p 75-94. Dec 1999.Sustaining Sustainability discusses a wide spectrum of issues related to spreading the desire for, andacceptance of, sustainable housing. The article theorizes the necessity for technological developments topush the viability of sustainability into mainstream construction. Koebel also articulates various circuits withinthe development and construction industries through which sustainable practices must spread if they areto effectively diffuse within our culture. Included issues are mass production, adaptability, change agents,codes, and policies (and their makers). The general message is that everyone needs the tools and the knowhow,ascollectivelyacceptedacrosstheindustry,toprogressinsupportingandencouragingsustainablehousing.　rdAn interesting theory on the method of diffusion and its characteristics is delineated and discussed.Koebel’s research designates certain "characteristics of innovations that influence adoption," (Koebel p.79)including relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability and observability.Koebel goes further into the issue of diffusion by discussing various initiatives in sustainable housing andtheir overall performance. (DM)Makovsky, Paul. "Green Space: In the country's first green residential tower, a temporary showcase interioroffers lasting ideas." Metropolis. vol. 23, no. 3, pp. 118-120, Nov 2003Makovsky outlines various sustainable furniture and finishes used at the Solaire in Battery Park City, NewYork. The Solaire is significant in that it is the country’s first high-rise sustainable apartment building. Theinterior design of the apartments was created by Stedila Design.The article describes the innovative finishes and furniture and interesting descriptions of their origins andhow they are designated as sustainable for this project. Perhaps most helpful are the actual names,manufacturers, and distributors of many pieces.Sustainable finishes and furniture mentioned include:Uba Tuba granite from BrazilUrea-free formaldehyde fiberboard cabinetsNon-Urea formaldehyde parquet floorsReclaimed-recycled lines of carpet and furnitureAbaca fiber instead of plasticsA "less than 500 miles" philosophy, aiding in cutting embodied energy expenditure (DM)Martin, Glen and Frank Escher and Andrew Wagner. "Shades of Green: Dwell Home II."Dwell. v5, n6, p 114, 116. June 2005.Dwell Home II was constructed in Topanga Canyon, California as a test home for green design. It’sconstruction in such an isolated area prompted many questions about the true sustainability of remotenessin this modern world, since a car must be used for traveling into town for commodities. Andrew Wagnerfacilitated a discussion/ interview with the homeowner Glen Martin and architect Frank Escher, prompted byquestions written to Dwell magazine regarding the project.In the project’s defense, the convenience and viability of bus lines and telecommuting are available for usein the remote setting. Aside from those conveniences, Escher maintained that the building, when seen assiteless, is extremely efficient, performing well, and addresses "environmental questions that need to beaddressed on any site."Dwell Home II cools itself, generates its own electrical power, uses a quarter of the water ofconventional houses, and treats its own wastewater.The article brings up the interesting notion that "in the 70’s, central Europe was going through what we aregoing through in California now. There were some people who were really interested in more intelligent useof resources and sustainable design…" (Escher p.116). (DM)Shore, William B. "Land-use, transportation and sustainability." Technology in Society. v28. p.27-42. 2006.This article proposes three strategies for recentralizing the dispersed population epidemic in the UnitedStates on the grounds that regional planning is a substantial element in reaching a more sustainablelifestyle, and culture. The strategies are: "pricing goods and services to reflect sustainable needs,improving the magnetism of cities, and legislating enforceable regional plans."The article articulates the history of population dispersal away from cities and the ramifications of this trend. Itthen discusses the sustainability of a "spread city" in comparison to "traditional centers andcommunity." (DM)Solomon, Nancy B. "The Pick of the Sustainable Crop." Architectural Record. v193, n7, p 153-156, 158,160, Jul 2005.The Pick of the Sustainable Crop reviews three of the top 10 Green Projects awarded by the AIACommittee on the Environment. The article gives background on the COTE selection process and categoriesthat qualify their concept of sustainable design.With narrative, photos, diagrams and sections, the innovative design aspects of the three built projectsare elaborated.The Pittsburgh Glass Center, in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, has an innovative and effective heat recoverysystem and effective insulation and ventilation systems. It is an industrial building that houses hotshops,offices and exhibition space, designed by DGGP and Bruce Lindsey AIA.Rinker Hall in Gainesville, Florida is the home of the M.E. Rinker School of Building Construction in thedepartment of the University of Florida’s College of Design and Construction. Designed by CroxtonCollaborative Architects + Gould Evans Associates, the building utilizes enthalpy wheel technology, passivesolar design, and high-performance glazing.A connection is made between daylighting and occupants’ circadian rhythms "connecting… to nature’s owncircadian rhythm- allows occupants to experience what Croxton describes as `the most primitive, deepseatedaspectsofcomfort’."TheAustinResourceCenterfortheHomeless(ARCH)isa26,800sfbuildingthathouseshomelesstemporarilyandforthelongterm,whileprovidingsupportprogramsinAustinTexas.ThebuildingwasdevelopedconcurrentlywithAustin’sadoptionofanewpolicythatthedesignofanynewmunicipalbuildingmust follow the guidelines put forth by the U.S. Green Building Council for its LEED rating system. Theproject utilized the method of stack-cast tilt-frame construction, cutting down on the cost of formwork forconcrete. Fly-ash was substituted for 45% of the portland cement in the concrete mix. A rain-watercollection system was also developed to mediate Austin’s serious flooding problems (due to poor topsoilconditions). (DM)Zhang, Zhihui and Xing Wu, Xiaomin Yang, and Yimin Zhu. "BEPAS- a life cycle building environmentalperformance assessment model." Building and Environment. v41. p 669-675. 2006.In this journal article, BEPAS (building environmental performance analysis system) is explained and testedin a case study. It has been proposed that the system’s methodologies can be utilized on both new andexisting buildings, evaluating their facilities (operation phase consumption and pollution), location,and materials. This article seems to have been inspired by the "rapid process of industrialization andurbanization" currently underway in China. It is also in response to the relative subjectiveness ofsustainability evaluation checklist-type methods such as LEED. The BEPAS researchers responded tothese issues by creating a more objective analytical approach to evaluating building performance,building upon the in-depth model of LCA (life cycle analysis). Results of the article’s case study show the testbuilding’s environmental impact was 96.6% from the facility operation, and only 5.6% from the buildingmaterials.BEPAS attempts to include more variables than other existing analysis models of a similar genre.(DM)Affordable Housing and Community Design: Gulf Coast RegionARTICLESAllais, Lucia. "Building Dwelling, Not Thinking" Thresholds. v20. p 50-55. 2000.Allais theorizes that housing typologies can have underlying social implications that must be recognized,especially when addressing affordable housing for poor predominantly African American populations incertain areas of the country. She specifically addresses the symbolism embodied in the shotgun-stylehousing that is commonly constructed as affordable infill housing.The discussion of the possible sociological ramifications of typology arose through a competition for DelrayBeach Florida’s Redevelopment Agency to design "affordable infill housing" in the predominantly blackMount Olive community.Allais sites the works of Marylis Nepomechie and Heidegger as current and historical thinkers on the samesubject; the architects’ argument about the pride of ownership.The theories, as presented in this article, are very subjective, and tend to make difficult assumptions thatsometimes waiver on the verge of being credible. However, the concepts put forth are extremely provoking,and are frequently neglected in design of affordable housing. The relationship between form and meaningcan have great impact, and the architect needs to be held responsible for intervening in the best interest ofmediating this phenomenon, downplaying the tones of social segregation in affordable housing. (DM)Burby, R. J."Reconstruction/Disaster Planning: United States." International Encyclopedia of the Social &Behavioral Sciences. p 12841-12844. 2004.This encyclopedic entry is a good introduction to the basic elements of procedures and plans typically setup for post-disaster reconstruction in the United States.The organization of the short article is in five sections: the problem, evolution of planning for resilience, postdisasterandrecoveryplans,hazardmitigationplans,andconclusion.　Onecanimaginethattheseproceduresareeffectedbythemagnitudeofkeydisastersinthecountry’shistory,andthusdonotincludethedevastationofHurricanesKatrinaandRita,northeresultantpoliciesthatmayhavebeendeveloped.　Thearticleelaboratestheprimaryelementsofplansthataddressnaturalhazards,fallingintwocategories:post-disasterreconstructionandhazardmitigation.(DM)Kroloff, Reed and Kevin Pratt. "A Newer Orleans: Six Proposals." Artforum. v44, n7, p 266-283, Mar 2006.An overview of the current search for inspiration for hope and design for a "newer Orleans" sets theprecedent for the summary of 6 design proposals, or "six visions" to invoke a "spirit of possibility." Theintroduction mentions that the Congress for the New Urbanism (led by Andres Duany) had an extensivedesign charette to provide design guidance for Mississippi’s devastated regions, and it has now "seduced"Louisiana’s government as well. Artforum suggests that a fresh, inventive dialogue needs to commence.These proposals do not situate themselves in the realistic realm of feasibility any time in the near future, butthey are refreshing and drastically different takes on how a new city might reshape itself after a disaster ofsuch enormous destruction.The six teams were proposed by Artforum for proposals to be published, two each (one Dutch and oneAmerican team) for three segments: community (MVRDV, Huff + Gooden), urban icon (UN Studio,Morphosis), and landscape (West 8, Hargreaves Associates). The proposals did not address affordablehousing within their broad assigned categories.Recurring themes within the variety of proposals were: public space, connections (both communicationand physical), pride and dignity, high density revitalized areas, reinvigoration and symbolism. (DM)Shepard, Richard . "Refilling a Neighborhood: West Coconut Grove, Miami." Places. v14, n3, p 44-45,Spring 2002.Shepard (as director of the Center for Urban and Community Design at the University of Miami School ofArchitecture) describes a studio project that integrated students and university with a strugglingneighborhood whose population, property, and quality of life has drastically declined. The project was forstudents to design an affordable house after surveying the conditions, lifestyles and policies of itsneighborhood and jurisdiction. The project set a precedent of trust between the University and theneighborhood that could potentially lead to similar future collaborations benefiting both parties, the academyand the struggling neighborhood.The underlying concept driving the development of the project is Shepard’s assertion that "If vacant lots andabandoned buildings could be developed for low-and moderate- income families, the proportion ofstakeholders could increase and the community pride of ownership could return" (Shepard p. 44).The studio culminated in the actual approval and eventual building of a two-story shotgun housedesigned by students who saw it take shape before graduating from architecture school. A local developerhad become an enthusiast of the studio and funded the projectShepard’s concept and its follow-through becomes an exemplar for students, teachers and developerswondering how they can do more in their "own back yard." (DM)Sorkin, Michael."Will new plans for the Gulf drown it again, this time in nostaligia?" Architectural Record.New York, v194, n2, p.47. Feb 2006.This article critically expresses concerns related to the Congress for the New Urbanism’s (CNU) recentcharette and resultant design recommendations for post-hurricane redevelopment of 11 towns examinedalong the Mississippi Gulf coast. While the report calls for ample transportation (along with a virtual "concretekimono"), it is also overtly concerned with regulating every facet of architecture in a someone’s aestheticutopian ideal, it pays little attention to disaster mitigation and future damage precautions, nor sustainablestrategies and environmental conscientiousness. (DM)Voss Matthews, Sherrie. "Orlando Planners Build Energy-Efficient House." Planning. Chicago. v69, n5. p 40.May 2005.The house at 2516 East Church St. in Orlando, Florida is not, by most means "affordable at an appraisalvalue of $300,000. However, it is an example of the availability of systems, materials and labor available inFlorida to conduct sustainable construction. The house includes 9-foot tall ceilings and a floorplan thatsupports good ventilation through airflow. Since termites are often a problem in Florida, no wood was usedin construction. The house is clad, instead with wood fiber cement plank siding over steel frame. Flooringfinishes include bamboo (impregnated with borates) and ceramic tile. Energy Star criteria were met forappliances throughout the house, reducing greenhouse emissions. In terms of water conservation, low flowfixtures and toilets were installed. Water is heated with solar heat, and the house has an integratedinsulation system. The house, at 2,000 square feet, is "affordable to operate, and runs on $60 per month,for everything." (DM)PAPERSFEMA/ US Department of Homeland Security. Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal ConstructionTechnical Sheet Series. FEMA 499, Aug 2005.In August of 2005, FEMA produced guidelines for coastal construction in a technical fact sheet series. Theseries of 31 fact sheets gives guidance and recommendations for coastal residential buildings. This guidewas produced to improve building performance in high winds and flood conditions. The document includesinformation that incorporates national Flood Insurance Program regulatory requirements. Topics emphasizedand illustrated are siting, structural connections, the building envelope, utilities and additional resources onvarious subjects. (DM)

I’m answering this question just a day after Joe Biden has been elected to become the 46th President of the United States of America (I am not American, but deeply interested in global politics). I’m going to answer in terms of how he wasn’t only a bad president, but bad human being.Now that it’s all over, well nearly over, we’ve clearly seen what President Trump has done in four years of hell — I mean presidency. Let’s take a look back, so America doesn’t make the same mistakes again.There are many reasons why I personally dislike Trump. Most stem from instances of what he’s done or said, before, during and after the elections. I’ll evaluate Trump’s character and his impact on America and the world.It starts with his perversion and peculiarity, which was a big red flag for me:In a 1996 interview, Trump creepily talked about his daughter’s legs and even referred to her breasts when Tiffany was just a 1-year-old. Here’s the clip:In the 1997, Miss Teen USA contest, Vermont, Trump was reported to have walked in on contestants while they were changing. At another interview he joked about his obligation to sleep with them.In 2004, Trump was recorded saying “grab her by the pussy, they let you do that”. Sorry to say, but a presidential candidate who’s bragged about sexual assault and still thinks what he said was okay, is just unfit. The people who defend those comments are just as sick!Some may argue that he isn’t bragging about sexual assault, because he says “and when you’re a star, they let you do it - You can do anything.”, though he still admits to his celebrity privilege of being able to prey on younger women without any repercussions.He also infamously said, “If Ivanka weren’t my daughter, I’d be dating her”. Nice, so you’ve got an incestuous candidate too. But let’s look at other possibilities. Maybe he’s just trying to win the Alabama vote? (No offense to any Alabamans here)Putting the humour aside, we must remind remind ourselves that older men abusing their power to prey on younger women is nothing new in America, and in fact much of the modern-world today. Sad indeed.His immaturity, lies and offensive remarks or gestures:Constant interruptions at the 2020 Debate, where his opponent, Biden also resorted to slander. Watching Reagan debate with Carter was such a refreshment.He lied on Twitter saying Ginsburg’s death wish was fabricated by Democrats. How distasteful must one be to have that sort of indecency to a woman who just died. And he put a former-evangelical cult member in the place of a women’s rights champion. Just great!In 2015, he mocked a disabled New York Times reporter. Clip:In a conversation with senior staff members on the morning of the scheduled visit, Trump said, “Why should I go to that cemetery? It’s filled with losers.” In a separate conversation on the same trip, Trump referred to the more than 1,800 marines who lost their lives at Belleau Wood as “suckers”, for getting killed.Today, Trump has refused defeat, saying “this is far from over”. I hate to break it to him. The election is over. Someone please tell the Donald that that’s how democracy works.His COVID-19 policy:He lied about COVID-19 and said it would “go away”. Fact check: It didn’t and America is breaking records nearly every few days. Just yesterday, over 125,000 cases were reported, yet another record.He called COVID-19 “God’s blessing”. Over 300,000 Americans would disagree with him, don’t ya think?He constantly downplayed the pandemic. He followed only half of the pandemic playbook. What do I mean by that you may ask?As a populous, superpower country, there are two main steps America should have taken to keep infection rates (and hence deaths) low:1. Ban foreign travel in and out of the country. Why? Because no one wants more infected people importing the virus into the country. That only complicates it and makes it harder for health officials to track its origins.2. Bring an internal lockdown and shut down all businesses and public places? Why? Because it was obvious from the start that being a country of 330 million people, at least one person had COVID-19 in America. China gave the WHO a three weeks heads up before the first case appeared in America. Three weeks! But during those three weeks, infected Americans transmitted COVID-19 from state to state to state, and the numbers kept multiplying, all because politicians were afraid an internal lockdown would disrupt the economy. It turns out, delaying the internal lockdown lead to more infections and more deaths, and longer lockdowns, so the economy is doing much more poorly than it would have been if the Trump Administration put a nationwide lockdown earlier!In other words Trump banned foreign travel, but intentionally failed to bring a national lockdown because it would disrupt the US economy. If he put a lockdown earlier there would be an x number of deaths and x number of economic losses. Due to the lack of action and fatal delay in the US pandemic response, it was too late and that x became an x+y.All America needed was a patient leader, but how could you expect that from someone so selfish and immature? He was just as impatient as his entertainment magnates, real estate tycoon and fossil fuel friends were and are!In comparison, the rival superpower, China, had a look at the numbers and they used their brains. They wanted to save their economy this year, so instead of refusing lockdown which would only temporarily disrupt businesses, they brought one of the most strict lockdown policies and tested entire cities within days. It was worth it at the end, because China is the only economy that saw growth in the third quarter of 2020 with +5%, and the only major economy that has experienced economic growth this entire year.His racism, Islamophobia and ignorance to ICE’s human rights abuses (linked to his anti-immigration and refugee policy):He said Mexico was bringing in their “bad guys, not their good guys”, and referred to Mexican migrants as “rapists” and “drug dealers”. The reality is, the overwhelming majority of Mexicans who come into America have never dealt with drugs, ever, even those who entered illegally. Trump is generalizing Mexican immigrants into such a narrow, subjective and horrible stereotype. Don’t worry, Mexico is bringing their “good” more than they are bringing their “bad”.Trump has refused hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing from violence in Central and South America. He justified it to his supporters by lying saying “they’re criminals” or “aliens” at many of his rallies. They’re not criminals. Those are innocent human beings.Deportations decreased under the Trump Admin, because fewer people are crossing the US border, majority of whom are again, refugees.But it’s not just Central America. Trump banned Muslim refugees from 7 Muslim countries, most of them war-torn, and suggested Muslims have a special register as US citizens and he also wanted to introduce the surveillance of mosques, the Islamic place of worship.He insulted the squad telling them to go back to the “shithole countries they came from”. Imagine if a US president said this two decades ago. It’s really sad what America has come too. A xenophobic cyberbully is president.In 2017, Trump protected and defended ICE from being subject to criminal investigations after new reports of human rights violations emerged. US: New Report Shines Spotlight on Abuses and Growth in Immigrant Detention Under Trump | Human Rights Watch (hrw.org)Later in 2018, the US government separated 1,030 children from the border when Trump ordered a crackdown on illegal migrants crossing the US border under the “zero-tolerance” policy. As of 2020, 545 of the children have still not found their parents. Parents of 545 children still not found three years after Trump separation policy | US news | The Guardian That same year, at the South Texas border, dozens of children were put in cages; one cage held 20 children Separation at the border: children wait in cages at south Texas warehouse | US news | The GuardianIn 2020, a whistle-blower nurse alleged ICE had been performing forced hysterectomies on detainees. After speaking out about the inhumane practices at a Georgia detention centre, Nurse Dawn Wooten says she was demoted and reprimanded. Ice detainees faced medical neglect and hysterectomies, whistleblower alleges | US news | The GuardianTrump ordered ICE to deport specifically asylum seekers from Africa, 4 days after Biden won the election, attracting widespread condemnation from human rights advocates.His stupid choices which led to many states flipping:Why did Wisconsin flip? 🔵The trade war with China caused many farmers in the state to lose their livelihoods and hence their jobs. China fought back with even more tariffs, until America ultimately withdrew and surrendered, losing the trade war.On a different, yet similar note, not only Trump, but Americans and in fact the entire world, needs to understand that the CCP is like one big business. They’re aggressive and ruthless with the aim of increasing their gross domestic product and overall wealth as a nation. They will devour anything that stands in their path. They only want money, and will get that no matter what they have to do, ranging from populating faster to monopolizing resource-rich lower income countries across Africa, South Asia and South America, or forcing nearly half a million Uighur detainees to pick cotton (Xinjiang: more than half a million forced to pick cotton, report suggests | World news | The Guardian). The US, Europe and China are all responsible for leaving these poorer countries drowning in debt and forcing their economies to stay based on resource extraction, while they manufacture them into goods and charge much higher prices. The West has been doing this for hundreds of years. Back then, it was called mercantilism. China has only recently joined and is crushing the competition. They’re unstoppable at this pointYou’re not winning a trade war with Winnie the Pooh any time soon!Cha-Ching dynasty!Biden was able to flip Arizona 🔵 mainly because of Trump’s failures, the violence of the far-right and the increased turnout of young and POC voters.Many more young voters showed up at the polls this year and young people, particularly millennials in Arizona are not happy with the fact that they’re financially oppressed since income gaps are widening at fast rates under Trump, which I’ll get onto in more detail later.Additionally, the state has received newcomers from California, Washington and Colorado, which are liberal safe havens.More Latino voters also showed up at the polls, and Pew Research surveys showed that around 60% of Latinos in the country dislike Trump.It was also due to Trump’s feud with John McCain who served in the US Navy (fought in Vietnam), and served as the US Senator for Arizona from 1987 until his death in 2018. Mr Trump sparked anger by attacking the military record of Senator McCain, a former prisoner of war, saying: "I like people who weren't captured."The senatorial candidate for Arizona was Mark Kelly, the husband of Gabrielle Giffords, a Democrat Rep. who was wounded in a mass shooting in Tucson 2011, where a far-right terrorist killed 6 and injured 14 others including a federal district judge and 9-year-old child in the name of “killing Democrats”.But tragedies no longer bring Americans together. They only drag them apart. Where did it all go wrong?Biden also flipped Michigan 🔵, again due to Trump and the GOP’s lack of action:Detroit is over 75% black, and Pew Research public opinion surveys suggested that nearly 90% of African Americans had a negative view of Donald Trump, so Biden was bound to get tons of support from Detroit, its suburbs and Grand Rapids, because African-Americans are simply the most likely to vote against Donald Trump out of any other racial group.Voter turnout reached a record of 5 million state-wide. Clinton won the Democratic-leaning region 55.8%-39.9% for Trump four years ago. Biden won it 58.6%-40.1%.Here's how Joe Biden beat Trump in Michigan — and it wasn't corruption (freep.com)It was also due to Trump’s failure to condemn the plot to kidnap and assassinate the governor of Michigan which the FBI foiled, and instead Trump seemed to victim-blame while his supporters praised the would-be domestic terrorists widely online. He’s literally empowering the radicals. Sigh.Biden flipped Pennsylvania 🔵 mainly due to:His success in Philadelphia and the suburbs nears Philly. Again, the urban-rural divide.Trump called the city of Philadelphia, which is the largest city in the state by the way, “one of the most corrupt places on earth”, losing popularity amongst many voters. At least now we know that what not to do as a presidential candidate in an election: Don’t insult one of America’s biggest cities.(Edit) Georgia 🔵, the home of civil rights titans, also turned blue:Biden seemed to win major cities in the state with 72.6% of the vote in Atlanta (where nearly half the population are blacks) and 67.9% in Augusta, as well as emerging victorious in the suburbs around these cities.Like in much of the country, the voter turnout of African Americans increased significantly compared to 2016, contributing to the flip.Stacey Abrams. You either know her or you don’t. Abrams nearly became the first black female governor in the US. She lost by just 55,000 votes two years ago and has never conceded the election, arguing an “erosion of our democracy” deprived supporters of their right to vote.Unlike, Trump, she actually had evidence to back up her allegations on what she says was a rigged election 2 years ago: her opponent, Brian Kemp, used his position as Georgia’s secretary of state to remove more than 300,000 people from the voters roll, excluding eligible citizens who had not voted in 3 years, most of whom were African Americans and those living in urban areas. This is voter suppression at it’s finest and has become a hallmark of some Republican-run states.Georgia’s Republican senators are ravenous, selfish and yeah, you guessed it, corrupt: Georgia's millionaire senators won't drain the swamp. They are the swamp | Moira Donegan | Opinion | The GuardianThe pure negligence, incompetence and utter discrimination by Trump and the Republican Party gave Biden an upper-hand in five swing states, causing him to lose big time!⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️Statistically, more educated cities and counties voted for Joe Biden:Why? Biden is a moderate who leans towards the left, but in reality is called a centrist or some would say he even leans right, anywhere outside of America, whereas Trump would be a far-rightist outside of America.Younger counties were also more likely to vote blue, exposing the generation gap.Why? Younger people tend to be more progressive and liberal. Not to mention the increasing student debt problem (disaster!) and how Trump appointed a clueless, corrupt, yacht-owning imbecile, lobbyist, Betsy DeVos, as the US Secretary of Education. Betsy DeVos is also the sister of Erik Prince (friend of Trump), who founded Blackwater.Biden also seemed to be more popular in urban areas, with over 93% of voters in Washington DC going blue, whereas Trump appealed to rural, less densely populated regions in America.It’s most likely because the populations in cities tend to be more diverse and filled with immigrants, making them less likely to vote for Trump who is making it harder for immigrants to come to the country. He knows this very well. He’s from New York City, which overwhelmingly voted for Biden.His foreign policy:Before I start on this topic, let me just say that Donald Trump is often idolized as one of the most peaceful president in modern-US history, because “he didn’t intervene in the Middle East”, a baseless lie, often spread by conservative critics of Obama’s intervention in Libya in 2011. This view is prevalent among the Muslim community and has led many of the people in my community to support Trump over Biden. I find it completely ignorant. Do your research people. Every American president since 9/11 has some sort of human rights violations record in the Middle East, capisce?Trump put illegal sanctions on Iran. The sanctions target innocent civilians more than the Iranian government. Medicine, food and even birth rates have been negatively affected with depopulation, economic decline and inflation. A truly inhumane decision made by Pompeo and Trump. With or without war, America, Democrat or Republicans will always find ways to disrupt peace in the Middle East, because they want the GCC to buy their weapons, with the US being the largest manufacturer of arms. Make it stop, and maybe then you’ll earn the respect of the world. Luckily, Biden has already criticized Saudi Arabia many times in the past. Hopefully he speaks up against the oppressive Saudi monarchy, which many Muslims despise, and that number is growing.In Trump’s first “counterterrorism” operation was the Raid on Yakla, he had killed 14 civilians, 9 of whom were children, in a US commando raid in Yemen in 2017. It was alleged that Al-Qaeda was operating in the targeted location, but no evidence was provided by any federal intelligence agency. An 8 year-old US citizen of Yemeni descent was also killed.He also betrayed the Kurds in Syria. Although they never formed a formal alliance with a treaty, the US and Kurdish rebels had a sense of friendship and that trust was broken. The Kurds lost US funding (thanks to Trump) so they had to abandon IS prisons. The earliest instance of ISIS prisoners escaping was in late 2019 with hundreds estimated to have escaped. The latest was just three weeks ago with over 240 ISIS prisoners let loose. As a result, ISIS still operates and carried out two deadly attacks in Kabul and Vienna last week, killing over 39 people in total.Trump sold over $110bn in arms to Saudi Arabia as part of a 10 year contract worth over $300bn, the largest arms deal in human history with the UK and Canada also involved. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has used the arms in the war in Yemen where reports of airstrikes on civilians and prison torture have emerged. They have bombed school buses, funerals and UNESCO heritage sites, all with US-made weapons.His lack of economic transparencyTrump reportedly bankrupted his casino in Atlanta City, NJ leaving it a ‘ghost town’. Managers and employees were unpaid for months, until eventually hundreds were made jobless. The 1992 U.S. Senate Subcommittee 218-page report entitled "Asian Organized Crime: the New International Criminal", linked Trump's businesses to Asian organized crime. Specifically the Senate subcommittee named Danny Sau Keung Leung, who had been Trump Taj Mahal's VP Foreign Marketing since 2000, as an associate of the Hong Kong-based organized crime group 14K Triad linked to "murders, extortions and heroin smuggling". Leung worked at Trump Taj Mahal from 1990 to 1995. He was "known by law enforcement to be linked to organized crime syndicates".(Above stands the colossal Taj Mahal Casino in front of abandoned cottages)A bombshell report embedded with evidence and documents obtained over the course of over a decade revealed that Pres. Trump has paid just $750 in taxes in the last few years in the US, but paid nearly $200,000 ($188,561) in local taxes to the Chinese government.A lawyer for the Trump Organization told the Times that the account was opened to pay taxes after opening an office in China to “explore the potential for hotel deals in Asia.”“Tax records reviewed by the New York Times showed a previously unreported bank account in China controlled by Trump International Hotels Management. The account paid $188,561 in taxes in China between 2013 and 2015 in connection to potential licensing deals…”Tax returns of Donald Trump - WikipediaTrump still has a bank account in China. This was confirmed by a spokesperson for the Trump Admin, who said that although Trump has a company account, his they had ultimately “failed to pursue their interests in China”. Phew! Even the Chinese knew that allowing a foreign president to do business in their country just didn’t align with the interests of the US Department of Homeland Security, so thank goodness the Chinese refused, but still, the POTUS having a bank account in the rival, genocidal, totalitarian, superpower country is not a good sign at all, even if it is legal. And imagine that this hypocrite has the audacity to call Biden communist and pro-China. Trump’s been kissing China’s ass longer than any Democrat has.Link: Trump Records Shed New Light on Chinese Business Pursuits - The New York Times (nytimes.com)Takeaways:The recent tax records also showed Trump invested at least $192,000 in five companies charged with pursuing business deals in China. Those companies claimed $97,400 in business expenses, including payments as recently as 2018, the Times reported.”As part of a pandemic aid package the government sent $600bn in aid to businesses, but Trump nor his Administration nor the GOP, didn’t specify which businesses it would go to. Trump is the first president to have failed to disclose the information on the stimulus which is required by US constitution to be made public. It’s safe to assume some of his billionaire friends got the money that was meant for small businesses for the working-class folk in both, red and blue states. Orange is sus. Thank you for voting him out.His downplaying of domestic terrorism by the right wing:1 American has been killed in leftist attacks in 2020. Antifa was the culprit.Trump constantly focuses on condemning leftist/Antifa/BLM “terrorists”.One could try (but not necessarily succeed in) arguing that the George Floyd riots/protests were motivated by the left:But most casualties were protestors themselves.93% of Black Lives Matter protests were peaceful. Of the 7% that escalated, the brutal response by the police was the reason.And looters and gangsters can’t be classified as terrorists, because they have a financial agenda, but may take advantage of political situations, but they couldn’t care less about politics. An example was the shooting at a Walmart in Philadelphia last month which was caused by a dispute over sneakers. 1 was killed and 13 injured.Whereas a terrorist, obviously has a political agenda.Over 33 have died in rightist attacks this year.In the last 25 years, 549 Americans have been killed in rightist attacks:Oklahoma (1995) where an evangelical cultist thought killing over 160 innocent people would be retaliation against the FBI’s raid against his Dravidian Christian cult’s stronghold in Utah.Centennial Park (1996) where a strict anti-abortionist bombed the Olympic Games, killing 2 and injuring over 111.Tucson (2011) where a mass shooting was carried out by a far-right, anti-Democrat who ended up killing 5 and injuring 14 in an attempt to assassinate Gabrielle Gibsons as I stated earlier.Wisconsin (2012): a white supremacist killed 7 Sikhs and injured 3, falsely associating them with Taliban members for their turbans. For the record, turbans are worn all across North Africa, the Middle East and parts of South Asia.Pittsburgh (2017): another white supremacist killed 11 at a synagogue. These people are acting like Nazis at this point.El Paso (2019): 23 killed, 23 injured when a radical white supremacist tied to far-right groups on Facebook carried out a massacre at a Walmart location, in the name of quote “killing Mexicans”.The problem of white supremacy and far-right terrorism is not unique to just America, e.g. Oslo Attacks, Quebec Mosque Shootings, Christchurch Mosque shootings. The domestic threat shared by Muslim countries are Islamist extremists, while the West’s domestic threat are white supremacists and political (left/right) radicals. Both seem to stem from a lack of education.But we’re talking about America. In the last 25 years, there hasn’t been any major leftist terrorist attack in America. Most left-wing terrorist groups that had operated in the 1970s and 1980s disappeared by the mid-1990s. I tried digging deep while ignoring any anti-right bias, but failed to find any notable leftist attacks. Most domestic terrorist attacks seem to be motivated by the far far right.Trump was or is openly supported by white supremacist groups as well as hate-groups and terrorist organizations like the Boogaloo Boys, the Proud Boys and former Ku Klux Klan wizards, most notably, David Duke.Trump had said there were “very fine people” on both sides, referring to scuffles between far-right, white supremacist rioters and anti-racism protestors in Charlottesville in 2017, sparking outrage and condemnation. Why?Many Trumpists dispute the context of Trump’s phrase, “You also had people that were very fine people, on both sides." Here is the context of what he said at the press conference: PolitiFact | In Context: Donald Trump’s ‘very fine people on both sides’ remarks (transcript)According to Trump, you had good anti-racism protestors and bad anti-racism protestors. But according to Trump you also had good Neo-Nazis and bad Neo-Nazis. But there were no “fine people” on the white supremacist side. They shouted anti-Semitic slogans like “Jews will not replace us”, held up posters with conspiracy theories like “The Great Replacement”, “White Genocide”, etc. and turned outright violent. A far-right terrorist had ploughed through a crowd of anti-racism protestors, killing 1 and injuring 27. There were not fine people on both sides. One side are made up of, racists, rioters and terrorists. The others counter-protested the racism and became victims that day.Here’s the link to another video of the attack. The comments section showed exactly what’s wrong with many Americans.Many right-wingers and imbeciles took to social media to support the terrorist, glorify violence, and victim-blame protestors for “blocking traffic”.It comes to show how desensitized and even supportive some Americans can be towards radical violence. This is the face of radicalism. No condolences nor empathy nor admittance to any wrongdoing, but instead victim-blaming, sick mentalities and pure hatred.A wise president would condemn all extremists, the far-left and far-right, and put an end to it once and for all.His failure to distribute wealth and stop income gaps from widening:It wouldn’t be fair to judge Trump for the current employment and economic situation in America, because every country’s economy has been negatively affected, so we can’t blame him on the pandemic. Instead, let’s analyse and see what economic improvements Trump made in the first three years of his presidency.Here’s a graph of GDP growth in America from 2012–2019:The graph covers Obama from 2012–2016, and Trump from 2016–2019.Did Trump really reduce unemployment and create jobs in his first three years? Yup. And so did Obama according to this graph on unemployment rates.Under Trump, middle class continued to disappear, meaning the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. Income gaps widened by over 6% under Trump. Most GDP growth under Trump accounted for middle-upper class, upper-class and top class, same with the previous four years under Obama. It’s not a left-caused problem, nor it is right-caused. It’s not just an American problem either. Income gaps are a global problem.So why am I attacking Trump for this when the other Presidents also let income gaps widen? Because he falsely presented himself as some sort of hero or saviour to the American working class, but did absolutely nothing praise-worthy for the working-class people of America. He’s an utter liar, as are many other politicians. He only lowered taxes for the rich.Trump’s tax cuts helped billionaires pay less than the working class for first time6 Ways the Trump Administration Is Rigging an Already Unfair Tax Code - Center for American ProgressEconomists calculate richest 400 families in US paid an average tax rate of 23% while the bottom half of households paid a rate of 24.2%Don’t listen to what they say. Look at what they do.His stance on the gun problem in the US also bothered me:102 Americans are shot everyday, half are suicides, the rest mostly homicides. America has failed to regulate arms distribution and the mentally ill, political radicals, religious extremists and former-convicts have easily obtained these arms. Weapons in America are in such abundance it’s insane. America’s homicide rate is higher than Nigeria’s! It’s so much worse than people think, especially the gun violence.Australia had the Port Arthur shooting in 1996. They brought stricter gun laws in response. No mass shootings since then!Switzerland had a mass shooting in 2002. They brought better regulations on firearm ownership. No mass shootings since then!New Zealand had its worst mass shooting in 2019 in Christchurch. They banned semi-automatic firearms and magazines that could be used to assemble illegal weapons. No mass shootings since then!Canada had its worst mass shooting in 2020 in Enfield, N.S. The sale, transportation, importation, or use of assault-style firearms in Canada was banned effective immediately. No mass shootings since then!Trump took zero steps to better gun control. What would it take for America to follow in the steps of their Western allies? Why aren’t they taking notes? What’s stopping them from solving this gun problem? The GOP, the Constitution and the Arms Industry.Unlike Trump, Obama had announced a plan for reducing gun violence in four parts: closing background check loopholes; banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines; making schools safer; and increasing access to mental health services. The plan, for the most part, has been ignored and instead reversed by the GOP which is clearly allied with the NRA.Though, Trump seemed concerned about what was happening externally, outside of America. He was worried about the export of US arms in general: in early September 2020, Trump attacked America’s military contractors and defence contractors for “profiting from global wars”. Some of these are private intelligence agencies (CSIS, Ravo Int.), private defence agencies (AEGIS), and also include the largest arms manufacturers in the world (Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin), many of which have ties to both, Democrats and Republicans, and consist of gun running organizations, war-criminals and mercenary leaders.Wait, so maybe Trump’s not so bad now that you hear he’s against America’s militaristic monopoly?Oh wait, he’s accusing them of exactly what he did: Trump ordered the assassination of Qasem Soleimani, which lead to an influx in US weapons sales to the GCC, (who are Iran’s enemies in the Gulf region), because the heightened regional tensions pressured the panicked Arab leaders to buy more US weapons in case Iran retaliates.And remember how he signed that arms deal with Saudi Arabia, which is the largest in human history?Yeah, no one’s buying it Trump. He’s presenting a false version of himself. Understand that pacifism is non-existent in him. Don’t fall for a hypocrite.On a similar note. You’ll notice that the arms industry seems to control both sides of American politics. They are corrupt to the core, unethical in every standard and operate similarly to a bipartisan cult. They lobby and bribe, extort and assassinate. They are responsible for the deaths of millions globally and profit from wars all over the world, whether the Drug War in Mexico, the War on Terror in Afghanistan and Pakistan, the Invasion of Iraq, the Intervention in Libya, the Intervention in Syria, and now they are supporting and providing (selling) arms to the GCC’s military efforts in Yemen.There are >2 million registered guns in America. Over 393,000,000 firearms are estimated to be unregistered (honestly, what the hell is that!?) if we were to take a look at national sales broken down state by state, county by county over the last few decades.After Sandy Hooks, America uttered two words: Never Again. The victims of Sandy Hooks would be in 9th grade if they were alive today, which is exactly the same grade as me right now. All that had to happen for me to get slaughtered by an armed maniac was happen to live just a few hundred kilometres southeast of Toronto, in the town of Newton, Connecticut and attend Sandy Hooks Elementary. Think of all the places that have never seemed the same since mass shootings. Parkland. Newton. Columbine. When Americans hear the names of those places, “mass shootings” are the first thing that come to mind.America woke up in 2012, but nothing changed and over two thousand more mass shootings have occurred nationwide whether at malls, concerts or schools. These atrocities can’t be normalized. They need to be dealt with intelligently. Restrict gun ownership. It will save lives as we’ve seen in the latter countries I provided as case study examples.His climate-change policy and stance towards the environmentHe didn’t really have one. Trump is a climate-sceptic for starters.He withdrew from the Paris Agreement which aimed to reduce the CO2 emissions of countries worldwide, making the US the only country to withdraw from the global agreement. Shame on the Trump Administration.He lied to Utahns saying he would “protect their natural monuments”. By February 2020, he had finalized plans to open Utah’s natural monuments for mining(Above: Bears Ears Monument in Utah. Photograph: AP)He’s also advocated for Texas to increase oil production and intensify fracking (a method used to force natural gas out of the ground) operations. Both, natural gas and oil, are fossil fuels that release greenhouse gases in the atmosphere causing the greenhouse effect, leading to global warming which causes climate change. Corporate America is divided: Republicans are backed by the Fossil Fuel Giants, while Democrats tend to be backed by the Tech Giants.Here in Canada, it just takes one scandal to shake a Head of Government and get their approval ratings halved (i.e. Justin Trudeau). But in America, Trump gets accused of sexual misconduct, not paying taxes, having an illegal bank account, paedophilia, racism and sexism, yet people still vote for him and find excuses to support him and his hypocritic, Islamophobic, racist, anti-refugee and white nationalist rhetoric? Americans are really at another level of stupid.Is this what a democratic leader looks like?Americans mustn’t let that man bask in any position of power anymore. That sad excuse for a president was not a leader and will never be a leader.This is a leader:I have every right to call Trump voters failures just as they have every right to vote for Trump as their president. I’d say my suspicion and hatred towards Trump is well justified considering all that I’ve provided. What do you think?Trump is an embarrassment to to the Republican Party and America. A minority of conservatives have already disassociated with him, but it stands clear that most of the right-wing in America are still backing Trump.The only people that scare me more than Donald Trump are the people who support him after knowing everything he’s done. It puzzles me that >70,000,000 people still voted for him. They’re just like him. They’re closed minded and refuse to think outside their bubbles. These are the same people that think public healthcare is “socialist” and believe in conspiracy theories like ‘Qanon’ and ‘The Great Replacement’, which have been debunked. And to think that they call themselves “free thinkers”. Oh the irony!I don’t discriminate between left and right. I just distinguish between what’s wrong and what’s right, so I’ll agree and disagree with both Republicans and Democrats on their ideas. I had an “anyone but Trump” approach to this election, to be quite frankly honest.Please remember, America is not just red and blue. It’s complex and unique. It’s a fragile yet diverse place. Overall, the nation is a melting pot of hundreds of different cultures who unify under the common identity of American citizens.Biden’s win felt more like a relief than a celebration. For now, let’s see whether or not Biden will show, deliver and be a great leader, but this will be a tad more difficult; Biden will be handed over a split America in January. The Republicans are fuming while the Democrats need to prove themselves worthy of the power they’ve been handed over in these times of hardship worldwide. The world is seeking peace and prosperity.The question remains:Will America heal? Can it even heal at this point? What damage can Trump do between his election loss and Biden’s inauguration?(EDIT) Damages by Trump after his election loss (list being updated frequently):(EDIT 2) Gosh, the fact that this list is getting so long… dang you Trump!From Nov. 7, 2020 - ongoing today, Trump and his administration have filed lawsuits and sued multiple states, particularly swing states, accusing them of having carried out “voter fraud”. Over 17 of the cases have been thrown out by judges, so far, mainly due to a lack of evidence.On Nov. 10, 2020, Trump fired his defence secretary, Mark Esper, from his role as Pentagon Chief, for contradicting him on the election.On Nov. 17, 2020, four US officials revealed that Trump considered an attack on Iran’s nuclear sites in what appears to be a temper tantrum, a fit of rage often experienced by sore losers.In Nov. 17, 2020, the Trump Administration has rushed plans to drill in Alaska’s Arctic refuge, the country’s last untouched wilderness. By Dec. 3, 2020, oil-drilling licenses were being sold and millions of acres of land are at risk of exploitation, countless arctic habitats are at the risk of being destroyed and endangered species may be pushed to the brink of extinction.(Above: Caribou on the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Photograph: AP)On Nov. 18, 2020, Trump fired the director of a US cybersecurity agency and election security official, Christopher Krebs, because Krebs had concluded that the election was fair and refuted Trump’s baseless claims of voter fraud.On Nov. 21, 2020, the US sent squadrons of B-52 bombers to the Persian Gulf, under the orders of Trump. B-52’s are known for being capable of carrying nuclear weapons. A clear warning to Iran: don’t build nuclear weapons. It was most presumably a back-up for what was to happen next.On Nov. 27, 2020, top Iranian nuclear scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was assassinated. Previously in 2018, the PM of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, a staunch ally of Trump, highlighted the threat that Fakhrizadeh posed to Israel and explained how the scientist was the mastermind behind Iran’s nuclear programme. One could infer that, considering the advancement of the remote-device technology used to kill the scientist, Mossad may have perpetrated the assassination, though we mustn’t jump to conclusions without any evidence. The Israeli intelligence agency is considered one of the most well-equipped, prepared and professional in the world; it is known to cooperate with the Five Eyes alliance and has contributed intel to the C.I.A. many times before. So far, nearly every US politician has remained silent on the topic of the assassination, including Trump and Biden, with Israel denying responsibility, so it remains mostly unclear, though it is highly unlikely that the PMOI (People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran), an exiled opposition party, paid mercenaries to kill their country’s own nuclear scientist, unless they were paid by foreign powers/third parties whose interests would be aligned with the assassination of Mohsen Fakhrizaden, i.e. the US, Israel, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. So what do you think? A coincidence or a US-Israel-Arab cooperative plot against the Iranian theocratic regime? Will it escalate into war or will tensions cool down? Update: It appears Iran is showing incredible restraint. Imagine how severe the backlash and retaliation would have been if Iran had murdered a foreign scientist from America or Israel!As of Dec. 6, 2020, a survey carried out by The Washington Post revealed that only 27 out of 249 Republicans were willing to admit Trump had lost. It appears the majority of the party is rotten; it’s reaching an all time low, deliberately.Dec. 10, 2020, Texas has filed a lawsuit backed by Trump and 17 other states against Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, claiming election fraud. The Supreme Court rejected it: "Texas has not demonstrated a judicially cognizable interest in the manner in which another State conducts its elections," the court wrote in an unsigned ruling Friday evening. “Texas lacked standing to bring it.”.As of Dec. 10, 2020, Trump is rushing federal executions. Five Americans awaited execution. Brandon Bernard, an African American, 40 was the first to be executed at 9:27PM, the youngest offender to be executed by the government in 70 years, and the first time it has happened amid a presidential transition in 130 years. Brandon was 18 when he was convicted of his crime. He was one of five teenagers accused of robbing and killing a couple in June 1999, though he did not shoot the couple dead. One of the accomplices was responsible for shooting the couple while Brandon had burnt the car after their bodies were put in the vehicle, but the four others were juveniles meaning they couldn’t be executed, that is except for Brandon since he was above the legal when the crime occurred. In 2000, an all-white jury found Brandon guilty and he was handed over a death sentence. Now don’t get me wrong, decimating dead bodies is a grave crime, but punishable by a death sentence? Really?Not a fan of her or anything, but a particular celebrity was not at all pleased:Though the other four pretty much deserve the executions, and you’ll understand that after understanding their crimes (Alfred Bourgeois: Second death row inmate executed in two days - BBC News)Four of the five are African American and all five have committed heinous crimes, (though Brandon was probably least deserving since there is no evidence he actually killed them, because independent researchers concluded the couple had already been dead before the car was set alight), so if Lisa Montgomery’s (the only white person on the list, who strangled a pregnant woman to death and slashed her stomach only to kidnap her baby) execution is not rushed, then it will be clear that there is some sort of racial bias.On Dec. 10, 2020, over 3,100 Americans died from COVID-19, marking the highest daily death toll. That same day, Trump was busy celebrating Hanukah with 200 guests at a party where there was a clear lack of social distancing.As of Dec. 11, 2020, Trump has continued to allow Mitch McConnel to delay another stimulus package, this time worth $908 billion. The delay has been going on for six months and it appears Mitch is withholding the money that is supposed to go to millions of suffering Americans.On Dec. 13, 2020, pro-Trump supporters rioted in Washington DC. Far-rightists clashed with far-leftists, leaving 4 injured in stabbings and 23 arrested. Trump has backed his supporters who have continued rallies against what they call “election-fraud”.On Dec. 17 2020, the US records another COVID-19 death record at 3,500. The US government suffers its worst-ever cyber-attack with at least 6 US departments and some US corporations targeted. Key federal agencies, from the Department of Homeland Security to the agency that oversees America’s nuclear weapons arsenal, were reportedly targeted, as were powerful tech and security companies including Microsoft. While most affected by the attack were in the US, Microsoft said it had identified victims in Canada, Mexico, Belgium, Spain, the United Kingdom, Israel and the United Arab Emirates. Trump has stayed silent, and Mike Pompeo accused Russia of being the perpetrators, while also downplaying it.On Dec. 23, 2020, Donald Trump pardoned 15 people (mostly ex-campaign aides, Russia cronies and corrupt lawmakers) + 4 Blackwater contractors:The Blackwater contractors were imprisoned for war crimes in Iraq. For those who don’t know, Blackwater is a notorious mercenary group or “private army” that operated in Iraq after the second war broke out when Al-Qaeda rose as a result of the US invasion in 2003. The founder of Blackwater, Erik Prince, has ties to the Donald Trump through the election campaign. Erik Prince also hired ex-spies to infiltrate liberal parties and organizations in the US months before the election. Erik Prince was not one of the pardoned, because he was never convicted of his war crimes in Iraq, nor his illegal espionage campaigns. He’s walking freely, as a warlord, on American soil. Should we be surprised? No. Erik Prince is also the brother of Betsy DeVos, the corrupt Secretary of Education I mentioned earlier. She only got appointed thanks to Trump, so I guess they’re bringing back nepotism to American politics. So who exactly were pardoned?Nicholas SlattenPaul SloughEvan LibertyDustin HeardIn 2007, 4 Blackwater guards (mercenaries) fired upon a crowd of Iraqi civilians, killing 14 and injuring 20 prompting widespread condemnation of the privatization of wars. A U.S. judge's decision to dismiss all charges against Blackwater on January 1, 2010, sparked outrage in the Arab world, but then they were ultimately sentenced to 30 years, except for Slatten, who received a life sentence.Trump said the sentences were “too harsh”, so he apparently pardoned the four war criminals.The pardoning also included:George Papadopoulos, a former campaign aide who pleaded guilty to lying to federal officials as part of the investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential electionAlex van der Zwaan, who was sentenced to 30 days in prison and fined $20,000 for lying to investigators in Robert Mueller’s investigation into ties between the Trump campaign and Russia about his conversations with the former Trump aide Rick Gates; he is also the son-in-law of the Russian billionaire German Khan.Chris Collins (NY): Collins, 70, had been the first sitting member of Congress to endorse Trump’s candidacy in 2016 and was a strong defender of the president. He pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit securities fraud and making false statements to the FBI and received a full pardon.Duncan Hunter (CA): Hunter, 44, pleaded guilty in 2019 to conspiring to convert campaign funds for personal use and received a full pardon.Steve Stockman (TX): Stockman, 64, was convicted in 2018 of misuse of charitable funds and had his sentence commuted after serving two of 10 years.Additional pardons and commutations include:Alfonso Costa, a former dentist from Pittsburgh who pleaded guilty in 2007 to healthcare fraud, was also pardoned.Crystal Munoz, who was convicted of conspiracy to distribute marijuana. Trump commuted her remaining sentence.Tynice Nichole Hall, who served nearly 15 years in prison on drug related charges. Trump commuted her remaining sentence.Judith Negron, who was convicted in a major Medicare fraud case. Trump commuted her remaining sentence.Alfred Lee Crum, 89, who had pleaded guilty in 1952 to helping a relative illegally distill moonshine in Oklahoma. Trump granted a full pardon.Philip Esformes, who was imprisoned on charges in a Medicare fraud scheme, described by the justice department as the largest ever charged. Trump commuted his remaining prison sentence.Otis Gordon, who had been convicted of possession with intent to distribute. Trump granted him a full pardon.Philip Lyman, who was a county commissioner in Utah when he was prosecuted for protesting the Bureau of Land Management’s closure of a canyon to ATV riders. Trump granted a full pardon.Weldon Angelos, who had been sentenced in 2002 to 55 years’ imprisonment for selling marijuana and carrying a handgun and was released by judicial order after serving 13 years in prison. Trump granted a full pardon.Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean, former border patrol agents who were convicted of assault after Ramos in 2005 shot a suspect trafficking marijuana who subsequently fled across the border. Their prison sentences were commuted by the former president George W Bush. Trump granted a full pardon.On Dec. 24, 2020, Trump carried out a second round of pardoning, this time pardoning 26 people and commuting the sentences of 3. I’ll go over the four main figures:Paul Manafort, 71, was sentenced for convictions including unregistered lobbying, tax fraud, bank fraud and money laundering. Stone, 68, was convicted of lying to Congress and obstructing a congressional investigation into whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia to win the 2016 election. “Mr President, my family & I humbly thank you for the Presidential Pardon you bestowed on me. Words cannot fully convey how grateful we are,” Manafort tweeted on Wednesday night.Roger Stone, 68 a lobbyist and political consultant who was convicted in federal court last year for making false statements, witness tampering and trying to impede a congressional investigation into Russian election interference, and was sentenced to 40 months in prison.Charles Kushner, 66, the father of Jared Kushner (Ivanka Trump’s husband), his son-in-law. He pleaded guilty to tax evasion and lying to the Federal Election Commission. He also pleaded guilty to witness tampering, after he retaliated against his brother-in-law William Schulder, who was cooperating with federal investigators. Kushner was accused of hiring a sex worker to seduce Schulder, videotaping the encounter and sending the tape to Schulder’s wife – Kushner’s sister.Margaret Hunter, the wife of Duncan Hunter, the former Republican representative of California, who was pardoned yesterday.At this point, the real question shouldn’t be whether or not Biden should revoke this mass pardoning once he assumes office, but whether he’d even be powerful enough.—————————————————————————————————(2021)On January 4, 2021, after the Trump Administration reopened the case of Julian Assange earlier in 2019, a UK judge has finally ruled that Assange will not be extradited to the US, citing mental health reasons. Assange is the founder of Wikileaks who exposed US war crimes in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, both of which were led by George Bush. Thank you for defending free speech.On January 6., 2021, Democrats had won two Senate seats in Georgia that tipped control of the Senate their way.On January 6, 2020 (EST), radical pro-Trump mobsters stormed through the Capitol Building and laid siege in what many are calling “an assault on democracy”. The last time the Capitol Building was stormed was during the War of 1812.Earlier, Trump told his supporters to “walk up to Capitol”, while repeating baseless voter-fraud claims.Rioters trespassed onto Senate grounds, offices and other areas restricted to the public, while swarming the building.Congress members and Senators took cover and barricaded themselvesGuns were drawn by guards and police. One woman was shot dead and three others died of “medical emergencies”. At least 50 policemen were injured, and a total of 52 arrests were made; two bombs were also found. Update: Another policeman died of injuries after rioters bashed his head with a fire extinguisher. Update 2: Over 250 arrests made, and two policemen committed suicide after the incident.Events such as these are actually not unique. Far-rightists have tried storming into government buildings in the past, in Germany and the Netherlands, except they were less numerous and weren’t armed rioters.A few days earlier, the mayor of DC warned Trump supporters and told them not to show up armed in the capital, and 500 National Guards were to be deployed; they weren’t. It took security 4 hours to secure the building. There should have been a quicker response, and they should have been prepared for this. Many knew this would happen. Why didn’t the police and NG treat it as seriously as they treated BLM? Maga v BLM: how police handled the Capitol mob and George Floyd activists – in pictures | US news | The GuardianGlobal media and press were quick to cover the incident as world leaders condemned the attempted coup.Trump released a video on Twitter, ordering his supporters to “go home”, and telling them “I love you”.Twitter banned Trump for 12 hours, and Facebook banned him for 24 hours. Update: Trump’s account has been suspended from Twitter and Facebook is looking into banning him.Ivanka Trump posted a tweet calling the rioters, “patriots”, but later deleted it.Mike Pence has accepted Biden’s electoral victory and called an end to the violence, along with other prominent US Republicans like Lindsey Graham and Mitch McConnel.Congress has certified Biden’s victory, and now, US lawmakers are rushing to impeach Trump.According to a survey conducted by YouGov, 45% of Republicans supported the Capitol Siege, revealing the deep divide along party lines.It seems that during this bumpy presidential transition, China has been thriving. The US dollar has hit a three-year low, while:China continues to construct factories in Xinjiang, where over half a million Uighur detainees are being forced to pick cotton and work in textile factories. The province produces a fifth of the world’s cotton.They’ve also started a multi-billion project in the EU after their investment campaigns across Africa, Southeast Asia, Central America and South Asia. America is losing popularity among its allies. China is spreading its influence faster and faster.The CCP cracked down on pro-democracy lawmakers and figures in Hong Kong, rushing the annexation.Wait a minute, isn’t this hypocrisy? Nope.Beijing accused the US of “double standards”. At a daily press briefing in Beijing on Thursday afternoon, China’s foreign affairs spokeswoman Hua Chunying claimed the deaths in Washington showed that US police were more brutal than their Hong Kong counterparts. “While the degree of violence and destruction in Washington is not as serious as what happened in Hong Kong, four people have died,” she said.Hua, the Global Times and China’s Communist Youth League (hmm… doesn’t this sound… familiar from another chapter in our history?) referenced comments by Nancy Pelosi that the Hong Kong protests were “a beautiful sight to behold”, but erroneously linked them to protesters storming the legislative council, when in fact Pelosi had said it a few days after a non-violent march of 2 million people on 16 June 2019 on the streets of Hong Kong.Let me tell you one thing. The Hong Kong protests are nothing like the pro-Trump riots. In Hong Kong, protesters did damage their legislative building, spray graffiti and deface the Hong Kong emblem, resulting in HK$39 million ($5m; £3m) worth of damage, however, the chamber was empty before the protesters broke into the building – and no one was armed. The storming of the Legislative Council also won public sympathy. One widely-quoted piece of graffiti from that night had the slogan: “It was you who taught me that peaceful marches are useless”, referring to the government’s disregard of the two earlier peaceful marches that were attended by up to two million people. Protesters also set up a sign telling others not to destroy the library, and left money for drinks they took. But the most important difference is that Hong Kong is not a democracy – its Legislative Council is designed in a way that makes it almost impossible for the pro-democracy camp to win a majority, and those protesters were demanding democratic reform, rather than the overturning of an election result. Now, any organised attempt by the pro-democracy camp to win a majority may be an offence under the National Security Law recently imposed by Beijing – as shown on Wednesday, when more than 50 activists who organised and participated in pro-democracy primaries were arrested!The pro-democracy protests that have happened in Hong Kong, Iran and Russia are completely justifiable as the latter are authoritarian and fascist. The moronic MAGA riots in America cannot be justified; they were violent and pro-totalitarian; they carried pro-slavery flags and weapons like bats, pipe-bombs and rifles. Don’t try to equate the MAGA riots with legit democratic movements around the world. If any thing, the Siege of Capitol Hill was undemocratic.Personally, I think the US needs to get itself back together, before fighting for “democracy” in other nations and launching bloody coups (e.g. Egypt, Libya, Iraq, etc.). Americans may want to take a look at the swamp they have at home. This isn’t the America I recognized: you have a lot to clean up: the war crimes, domestic terrorism, the gun problem, the opioid epidemic, public transport issues, IPS corruption, prison privatization, corporate lobbying, abuse of philanthropy, rising far-right nationalism, the gang problem, the pandemic, unemployment, police brutality, arms industry lobbying, obesity epidemic, reliance on fossil fuels , tech giant corruption, etc., the list goes on and on and on, and you’re not alone, obviously, other countries have their struggles.What we’re witnessing is a transition of superpowers. Time will tell.On February 5, Trump was acquitted on both counts by the Senate, as neither count received 67 votes to convict. On Article I, abuse of power, the vote was 48 for conviction, 52 for acquittal. It’s worrying how an ex-president can get away with an attempted coup for the record.But one thing remains clear. This is a major turning point in American history where things will either get much better or much worse. Stay tuned!SOURCES (for those in doubt):Interviews at talk shows (videos already provided above):1994 episode of "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous"March 6, 2006 episode of “The View”Video evidence of his other scandals (also provided above)Donald Trump Access Hollywood Tape from 2004Donald Trump Mocks Disabled Reporter at rallySexual assault and rape allegations:The 26 women who have accused Trump of sexual misconduct - Business InsiderLies and half-truths:PolitiFact | Donald Trump (includes hundreds of statements and claims made by the Pres. which were fact-checked)Fact check: Trump baselessly claims Democratic politicians wrote Ruth Bader Ginsburg's dying wish - CNNPoliticsCOVID-19 policy:Timeline of Trump’s Coronavirus Responses | Congressman Lloyd Doggett (house.gov)Racism and discrimination:Trump’s long history of racism, from the 1970s to 2020 - VoxTimeline of the Muslim Ban | ACLU of Washington (aclu-wa.org)President Trump: Persecuted Christian refugees to get priority - BBC NewsForeign policy:United States sanctions against Iran - WikipediaRaid on Yakla - Wikipedia2017 United States–Saudi Arabia arms deal - Wikipedia2019 Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria - WikipediaThe killing of Qassem Soleimani: Analysis from MEI experts | Middle East InstituteTax returns and business scandals:How Donald Trump Bankrupted His Atlantic City Casinos, but Still Earned Millions - The New York Times (nytimes.com)Tax returns of Donald Trump - WikipediaTrump Records Shed New Light on Chinese Business Pursuits - The New York Times (nytimes.com)Trump's taxes: What you need to know - BBC NewsAtlantic City to auction off demolition of former Trump casino - BBC NewsUndisputed events (mostly used for death toll, time of event, and motive):Nisour Square massacre - WikipediaKilling of George Floyd - WikipediaKilling of Ahmaud Arbery - Wikipedia2020 United States racial unrest - WikipediaCharleston church shooting - WikipediaVirginia Tech shooting - WikipediaOklahoma City bombing - WikipediaCentennial Olympic Park bombing - Wikipedia2011 Tucson shooting - WikipediaWisconsin Sikh temple shooting - WikipediaPittsburgh synagogue shooting - WikipediaCharlottesville car attack - Wikipedia2019 El Paso shooting - WikipediaEconomy:Gross Domestic Product | U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)Civilian unemployment rate (bls.gov)Guns:Mass shootings since Sandy Hook, in one map (vox.com)Gun ownership - Wikipedia8 facts about gun control in the US | What you need to know | DW | 20.01.2020Climate Change and the Environment:United States withdrawal from the Paris Agreement - WikipediaTrump finalizes plans to open Utah monuments for mining and drilling | Environment | The GuardianTrump seeks out loyal donors in West Texas fracking fields, Energy News, ET EnergyWorld (indiatimes.com)Donald Trump and Joe Biden debate Texas energy industry, global warming | The Texas TribunePost-election:List of Trump administration dismissals and resignations - WikipediaMohsen Fakhrizadeh - WikipediaUpcoming Executions | Death Penalty Information CenterTrump Sets Up Sale Of Oil Drilling Rights In Arctic Wildlife Refuge : NPRTrump pardons Blackwater contractors jailed for massacre of Iraq civilians | World news | The GuardianPardons Granted by President Donald Trump (justice.gov)A look at the 29 people Trump pardoned or gave commutations - WHYYCapitol under siege: The images that will haunt the United States | Evening StandardElection updates (includes live coverage and recent major events in US politics):U.S. Election 2020 | ReutersElection 2020 (apnews.com)We kept warning you. He’s Donald Trump. Too much and never enough.