csmonitor--2020-08-10--Why nations rush to save Lebanon

Why nations rush to save Lebanon

Leaders of nearly 30 countries met virtually on Sunday to fill a vacuum of governance in one of the world ’ s most fragile states .
They agreed to provide aid to Lebanon , just days after a giant explosion rocked the capital .
The speed of the humanitarian response was impressive .
So was the amount of pledged donations – nearly $ 300 million .
But what was rare was the decision to ensure the aid directly reaches the Lebanese people with “ utmost efficiency and transparency.
” Such qualities of governance have been missing for a long time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ October .
Two prime ministers have fallen since then , the latest on Aug. 10 .
Rather than allow the aid to flow through a disunited and corrupt bureaucracy , the donors plan to channel it through nongovernmental organizations .
Spain , for example , will deliver wheat to a nonprofit .
Brazil will send rice .
Egypt is providing field hospitals .
“ In these horrendous times , Lebanon is not alone , ” concluded the statement from the Aug. 9 video conference .
The aid bypass reveals the latest chapter in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal with a 21st-century challenge : weak states imploding from a lack of governance .
To head off a potential rise in chaos , violence , famine , or exodus of refugees , the world came together quickly after the Aug. 4 explosion in Beirut in an attempt to fill a vacuum of governance .
The coalition of political parties that holds power in Lebanon has been unable to pay the country ’ s huge debt , feed its people , provide electricity , or prevent the flow of arms to the terrorist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between religious-based parties , Lebanon needs a touchstone for good governance .
The foreign donors will be working with private groups that come with a record of legitimacy and competency .
The world order depends on preventing fragile states from becoming failed ones – places like Somalia , Syria , Yemen , and Zimbabwe .
With so many Lebanese citizens clamoring for democracy based on transparency , accountability , and equality , it was easy for so many nations to respond to the crisis .
The aid itself is almost secondary to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that helps keep the world safe .

Leaders of nearly 30 countries met virtually on Sunday to fill a vacuum of governance in one of the world’s most fragile states. They agreed to provide aid to Lebanon, just days after a giant explosion rocked the capital. The speed of the humanitarian response was impressive. So was the amount of pledged donations – nearly $300 million. But what was rare was the decision to ensure the aid directly reaches the Lebanese people with “utmost efficiency and transparency.”
Such qualities of governance have been missing for a long time in Lebanon, triggering mass protests last October. Two prime ministers have fallen since then, the latest on Aug. 10. Rather than allow the aid to flow through a disunited and corrupt bureaucracy, the donors plan to channel it through nongovernmental organizations. Spain, for example, will deliver wheat to a nonprofit. Brazil will send rice. Egypt is providing field hospitals.
“In these horrendous times, Lebanon is not alone,” concluded the statement from the Aug. 9 video conference.
The aid bypass reveals the latest chapter in the international community’s attempt to deal with a 21st-century challenge: weak states imploding from a lack of governance. To head off a potential rise in chaos, violence, famine, or exodus of refugees, the world came together quickly after the Aug. 4 explosion in Beirut in an attempt to fill a vacuum of governance.
Get stories that
empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
The coalition of political parties that holds power in Lebanon has been unable to pay the country’s huge debt, feed its people, provide electricity, or prevent the flow of arms to the terrorist group Hezbollah. With power divvied up between religious-based parties, Lebanon needs a touchstone for good governance. The foreign donors will be working with private groups that come with a record of legitimacy and competency.
The world order depends on preventing fragile states from becoming failed ones – places like Somalia, Syria, Yemen, and Zimbabwe. With so many Lebanese citizens clamoring for democracy based on transparency, accountability, and equality, it was easy for so many nations to respond to the crisis. The aid itself is almost secondary to the signal sent about finding the common good that helps keep the world safe.


csmonitor--2020-08-10--Why doctors are handing out voter registration kits

An emergency room doctor in Boston is assembling thousands of voter registration kits for distribution at hospitals and doctor 's offices .
Later this month , students at Harvard and Yale ’ s medical schools are planning a contest to see which of the Ivy League rivals can register the most voters .
And a Rhode Island physician has launched an effort to get emergency ballots into the hands of patients who find themselves unexpectedly in the hospital around Election Day .
Amid the dual public health crises of COVID-19 and racism , some in the medical community are prescribing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hospitals , doctors , and health care institutions across the country this month are committing to efforts to engage Americans in the election process as part of Civic Health Month , a nationwide campaign that kicked off Aug. 1 .
Hospital networks in Arizona , Kansas , Missouri , Pennsylvania , North Carolina , Wisconsin , and elsewhere are among more than 60 institutions participating , along with thousands of individual physicians .
Benjamin Ruxin , a Stanford University graduate student who heads the campaign , said the coronavirus pandemic underscores the importance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shape health care policy for the challenging times ahead .
Voter registration rates are down almost 70 % in some states this election cycle because the traditional ways of registering voters have been curtailed by the pandemic , including DMVs and in-person registration drives , he said .
Alister Martin , an emergency room doctor at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston , said he founded VotER to provide medical professionals voter registration resources after years of seeing patients struggling from the health consequences of poverty , drug addiction , homelessness , and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been trained to solve these really complex health problems , but not everything we see can be treated with a prescription , ” he said .
“ The health care system does not work for vulnerable people – full stop .
We have to help them get involved in the political process if we hope to change any of this.
” The sheer number of organizations and the range of efforts being proposed during the monthlong campaign shows that the medical community is increasingly shedding its reticence at civic engagement , said Kelly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brown University in Providence , Rhode Island .
Where prior generations may have seen the voter registration and other nonpartisan election work as outside their purview or too overtly political , newer medical professionals see civic engagement as a crucial part of “ treating the whole patient , ” she said .
Ms. Wong founded Patient Voting to get doctors and other hospital staff to commit to helping patients request , cast , and submit emergency ballots when the time comes .
The nearly three-year-old organization ’ s website is also a repository @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s emergency ballot process .
Another effort , called Med Out the Vote , is focused on getting medical students registered to vote and encouraging them to organize voter registration efforts on campus where possible .
Jonathan Kusner , a Harvard Medical School student who co-chairs the effort , said students at dozens of institutions have expressed interest , with a number looking to host head-to-head voter registration competitions against rival schools .
Medical students at the University of North Carolina recently bested their counterparts at Duke in a three-day contest that resulted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ registrations and requests for mail ballots , he said .
Harvard and Yale students are planning a similar competition , as are those at Penn State and Ohio State .
Mr. Martin , meanwhile , said VotER is struggling to keep up with more than 15,000 orders for its “ Healthy Democracy Kits , ” which include a badge and lanyard that doctors and other hospital staff can wear while on the job .
The badges have a QR code that , when scanned by a person ’ s smartphone , will take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that can guide them through the voter registration process and send them reminders about election deadlines .
A helpline is also available to field any questions , he said .
“ We ’ re underwater and trying to get out these kits as fast as we can , ” Mr. Martin said .
“ It ’ s a good problem to have , but at the same time , I wish this wasn ’ t something that had to be done .
Being able to vote should be automatic for all citizens.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Press .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage .
It ’ s free .

An emergency room doctor in Boston is assembling thousands of voter registration kits for distribution at hospitals and doctor's offices.
Later this month, students at Harvard and Yale’s medical schools are planning a contest to see which of the Ivy League rivals can register the most voters.
And a Rhode Island physician has launched an effort to get emergency ballots into the hands of patients who find themselves unexpectedly in the hospital around Election Day.
Amid the dual public health crises of COVID-19 and racism, some in the medical community are prescribing a somewhat nontraditional remedy: voting.
Hospitals, doctors, and health care institutions across the country this month are committing to efforts to engage Americans in the election process as part of Civic Health Month, a nationwide campaign that kicked off Aug. 1.
Hospital networks in Arizona, Kansas, Missouri, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Wisconsin, and elsewhere are among more than 60 institutions participating, along with thousands of individual physicians.
Benjamin Ruxin, a Stanford University graduate student who heads the campaign, said the coronavirus pandemic underscores the importance of ensuring everyone can vote and help shape health care policy for the challenging times ahead.
Voter registration rates are down almost 70% in some states this election cycle because the traditional ways of registering voters have been curtailed by the pandemic, including DMVs and in-person registration drives, he said.
Alister Martin, an emergency room doctor at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, said he founded VotER to provide medical professionals voter registration resources after years of seeing patients struggling from the health consequences of poverty, drug addiction, homelessness, and other social ills.
“We’ve been trained to solve these really complex health problems, but not everything we see can be treated with a prescription,” he said. “The health care system does not work for vulnerable people – full stop. We have to help them get involved in the political process if we hope to change any of this.”
The sheer number of organizations and the range of efforts being proposed during the monthlong campaign shows that the medical community is increasingly shedding its reticence at civic engagement, said Kelly Wong, an emergency medicine resident at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.
Where prior generations may have seen the voter registration and other nonpartisan election work as outside their purview or too overtly political, newer medical professionals see civic engagement as a crucial part of “treating the whole patient,” she said.
Ms. Wong founded Patient Voting to get doctors and other hospital staff to commit to helping patients request, cast, and submit emergency ballots when the time comes. The nearly three-year-old organization’s website is also a repository of verified information about every state’s emergency ballot process.
Another effort, called Med Out the Vote, is focused on getting medical students registered to vote and encouraging them to organize voter registration efforts on campus where possible.
Jonathan Kusner, a Harvard Medical School student who co-chairs the effort, said students at dozens of institutions have expressed interest, with a number looking to host head-to-head voter registration competitions against rival schools.
Medical students at the University of North Carolina recently bested their counterparts at Duke in a three-day contest that resulted in more than 500 total new voter registrations and requests for mail ballots, he said. Harvard and Yale students are planning a similar competition, as are those at Penn State and Ohio State.
Mr. Martin, meanwhile, said VotER is struggling to keep up with more than 15,000 orders for its “Healthy Democracy Kits,” which include a badge and lanyard that doctors and other hospital staff can wear while on the job.
The badges have a QR code that, when scanned by a person’s smartphone, will take them to TurboVote, an online tool that can guide them through the voter registration process and send them reminders about election deadlines. A helpline is also available to field any questions, he said.
“We’re underwater and trying to get out these kits as fast as we can,” Mr. Martin said. “It’s a good problem to have, but at the same time, I wish this wasn’t something that had to be done. Being able to vote should be automatic for all citizens.”
Get stories that
empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
This story was reported by The Associated Press.
Editor’s note: As a public service, the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.


csmonitor--2020-08-10--What does Jimmy Lai's arrest mean for Hong Kong press?

Hong Kong authorities broadened their enforcement of a new national security law on Monday , arresting media tycoon Jimmy Lai , searching the headquarters of his Next Digital group , and carting away boxes of what they said was evidence .
Two days after Chinese and Hong Kong officials shrugged off sanctions imposed on them by the United States , the moves showed China ’ s determination to enforce the new law and curb dissent in the semi-autonomous city after months of massive pro-democracy demonstrations last year .
The police action marked the first time the law was used against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are suppressing press freedom .
Next Digital operates Apple Daily , a feisty pro-democracy tabloid that often condemns China ’ s Communist Party government .
Last year , the newspaper frequently urged readers to take part in the anti-government protests .
In Beijing , China announced sanctions on 11 Americans , including six members of Congress , in an escalating battle between the two nations over technology , security , trade , and human rights .
And in Chinese-claimed Taiwan , U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar became the highest-ranking American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ straining U.S.-China relations .
Hong Kong police arrested Mr. Lai on Monday morning , an aide to the businessman said , in the highest-profile detention under the new law since it took effect in late June .
Mr. Lai is an outspoken pro-democracy figure who regularly criticizes China ’ s authoritarian rule and Hong Kong ’ s government .
Mark Simon , a Next Digital executive and Mr. Lai ’ s aide , said Mr. Lai was charged with collusion with foreign powers .
He said police searched the homes of Mr. Lai @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members of the media company .
Hong Kong police said they arrested at least nine people on suspicion of violating the new security law , with offenses including collusion with a foreign country and conspiracy to defraud .
They did not release the names of those arrested or provide further details of the charges .
Following Mr. Lai ’ s arrest , about 200 police raided Next Digital ’ s headquarters , cordoning off the area , searching desks , and at times getting into heated exchanges with staff .
What police were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t clear , although they later said they took away 25 boxes of evidence for processing .
Mr. Lai , who was arrested at his mansion in Kowloon in the morning , was also brought to the headquarters of Next Digital , where he remained for about two and a half hours before police took him away in a car .
“ We are completely shocked by what ’ s happening now , with the arrest and followed by the ongoing raid inside the headquarters of Next Digital , ” said Chris Yeung @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Association .
“ With the passage of the national security law and the really tough powers given to the police in their operations , we have seen now what we call ‘ white terror ’ become a reality , which will affect media organizations and journalists ’ reporting.
” Police unblocked Next Digital ’ s headquarters at mid-afternoon , with senior superintendent of police Steve Li saying that staff were free to resume their work .
Bruce Lui , a senior lecturer in Hong Kong Baptist University ’ s journalism department , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make an example of media outlets like Apple Daily and this may harm press freedom in Hong Kong .
“ They ’ re used as an example to terrify others ... of what can happen if you don ’ t obey or if you go too far , ” Mr. Lui said .
“ I think other media may make a judgment to censor themselves.
” The share price of Next Digital soared over 200 % in the afternoon , following posts on a popular online forum encouraging investors to support the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reason for the charge against Mr. Lai wasn ’ t clear .
In May , shortly after Beijing announced its intention to pass the national security law for Hong Kong , Mr. Lai condemned the legislation in a series of tweets .
The state-owned newspaper Global Times called the tweets “ evidence of subversion.
” Mr. Lai also wrote an op-ed in the New York Times in May stating that China was repressing Hong Kong with the legislation .
“ I have always thought I might one day be sent to jail for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ democracy in Hong Kong , ” Mr. Lai wrote .
“ But for a few tweets , and because they are said to threaten the national security of mighty China ?
That ’ s a new one , even for me.
” Mr. Lai was earlier arrested in February and April for allegedly participating in unauthorized protests last year .
He also faces charges of joining an unauthorized vigil on June 4 marking the anniversary of Beijing ’ s crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Tiananmen Square in 1989 .
Last year , Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at the White House to discuss a controversial bill – since withdrawn – that would have allowed criminal suspects in Hong Kong to be sent to mainland China for trial .
But Hong Kong officials have said the security law , which took effect June 30 , would not be applied retroactively .
The law is widely seen as a means to curb dissent after anti-government protests rocked the semi-autonomous city for months last year .
The legislation outlaws secessionist , subversive , and terrorist acts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the city ’ s internal affairs .
The maximum punishment for serious offenders is life imprisonment .
Taiwan ’ s Mainland Affairs Council condemned the arrests in a statement , saying they were a tool for the Chinese Communist Party ’ s “ political cleansing and hegemonic expansion.
” It said the law is being abused to suppress freedom of speech , press freedom , and the civil rights of Hong Kong people .
Last month , Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said pro-democracy activist Nathan Law and five others were wanted under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fled overseas .
Mr. Law relocated to Britain in July to continue international advocacy work for Hong Kong .
This story was reported by The Associated Press .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage .
It ’ s free .

Hong Kong authorities broadened their enforcement of a new national security law on Monday, arresting media tycoon Jimmy Lai, searching the headquarters of his Next Digital group, and carting away boxes of what they said was evidence.
Two days after Chinese and Hong Kong officials shrugged off sanctions imposed on them by the United States, the moves showed China’s determination to enforce the new law and curb dissent in the semi-autonomous city after months of massive pro-democracy demonstrations last year.
The police action marked the first time the law was used against news media, stoking fears that authorities are suppressing press freedom. Next Digital operates Apple Daily, a feisty pro-democracy tabloid that often condemns China’s Communist Party government. Last year, the newspaper frequently urged readers to take part in the anti-government protests.
In Beijing, China announced sanctions on 11 Americans, including six members of Congress, in an escalating battle between the two nations over technology, security, trade, and human rights. And in Chinese-claimed Taiwan, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar became the highest-ranking American official to visit since 1979, further straining U.S.-China relations.
Hong Kong police arrested Mr. Lai on Monday morning, an aide to the businessman said, in the highest-profile detention under the new law since it took effect in late June. Mr. Lai is an outspoken pro-democracy figure who regularly criticizes China’s authoritarian rule and Hong Kong’s government.
Mark Simon, a Next Digital executive and Mr. Lai’s aide, said Mr. Lai was charged with collusion with foreign powers. He said police searched the homes of Mr. Lai and his son and detained several other members of the media company.
Hong Kong police said they arrested at least nine people on suspicion of violating the new security law, with offenses including collusion with a foreign country and conspiracy to defraud. They did not release the names of those arrested or provide further details of the charges.
Following Mr. Lai’s arrest, about 200 police raided Next Digital’s headquarters, cordoning off the area, searching desks, and at times getting into heated exchanges with staff. What police were looking for in the building wasn’t clear, although they later said they took away 25 boxes of evidence for processing.
Mr. Lai, who was arrested at his mansion in Kowloon in the morning, was also brought to the headquarters of Next Digital, where he remained for about two and a half hours before police took him away in a car.
“We are completely shocked by what’s happening now, with the arrest and followed by the ongoing raid inside the headquarters of Next Digital,” said Chris Yeung, chairman of the Hong Kong Journalists Association.
“With the passage of the national security law and the really tough powers given to the police in their operations, we have seen now what we call ‘white terror’ become a reality, which will affect media organizations and journalists’ reporting.”
Police unblocked Next Digital’s headquarters at mid-afternoon, with senior superintendent of police Steve Li saying that staff were free to resume their work.
Bruce Lui, a senior lecturer in Hong Kong Baptist University’s journalism department, said authorities are using the national security law to make an example of media outlets like Apple Daily and this may harm press freedom in Hong Kong.
“They’re used as an example to terrify others ... of what can happen if you don’t obey or if you go too far,” Mr. Lui said. “I think other media may make a judgment to censor themselves.”
The share price of Next Digital soared over 200% in the afternoon, following posts on a popular online forum encouraging investors to support the company by buying its stock.
The reason for the charge against Mr. Lai wasn’t clear.
In May, shortly after Beijing announced its intention to pass the national security law for Hong Kong, Mr. Lai condemned the legislation in a series of tweets. The state-owned newspaper Global Times called the tweets “evidence of subversion.”
Mr. Lai also wrote an op-ed in the New York Times in May stating that China was repressing Hong Kong with the legislation.
“I have always thought I might one day be sent to jail for my publications or for my calls for democracy in Hong Kong,” Mr. Lai wrote. “But for a few tweets, and because they are said to threaten the national security of mighty China? That’s a new one, even for me.”
Mr. Lai was earlier arrested in February and April for allegedly participating in unauthorized protests last year. He also faces charges of joining an unauthorized vigil on June 4 marking the anniversary of Beijing’s crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Tiananmen Square in 1989.
Last year, Mr. Lai met U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at the White House to discuss a controversial bill – since withdrawn – that would have allowed criminal suspects in Hong Kong to be sent to mainland China for trial.
But Hong Kong officials have said the security law, which took effect June 30, would not be applied retroactively. The law is widely seen as a means to curb dissent after anti-government protests rocked the semi-autonomous city for months last year.
The legislation outlaws secessionist, subversive, and terrorist acts, as well as collusion with foreign forces in the city’s internal affairs. The maximum punishment for serious offenders is life imprisonment.
Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council condemned the arrests in a statement, saying they were a tool for the Chinese Communist Party’s “political cleansing and hegemonic expansion.” It said the law is being abused to suppress freedom of speech, press freedom, and the civil rights of Hong Kong people.
Last month, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said pro-democracy activist Nathan Law and five others were wanted under the law, although all six had fled overseas. Mr. Law relocated to Britain in July to continue international advocacy work for Hong Kong.
Get stories that
empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
This story was reported by The Associated Press.
Editor’s note: As a public service, the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.


csmonitor--2020-08-10--No ballots? Why some Puerto Ricans couldn't cast a primary vote.

Puerto Rico on Sunday was forced to partially suspend voting for primaries marred by a lack of ballots as officials called on the president of the United States territory ’ s elections commission to resign .
The primaries for voting centers that had not received ballots by early afternoon are expected to be rescheduled , while voting would continue elsewhere , the commission said .
“ I have never seen on American soil something like what has just been done here in Puerto Rico .
It ’ s an embarrassment to our government and our people , ” said Pedro @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Wanda Vázquez , to become the nominee for the pro-statehood New Progressive Party .
Meanwhile , Ms. Vázquez called the situation “ a disaster ” and demanded the resignation of the president of the elections commission .
“ They made the people of Puerto Rico , not the candidates , believe that they were prepared , ” she said .
“ Today the opposite was evident .
They lied.
” A federal control board that oversees Puerto Rico ’ s finances issued a statement saying the “ dysfunctional ” voting process was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said was inefficiency by the elections commission .
The unprecedented situation comes as voters ventured out amid a spike in COVID-19 cases across Puerto Rico , an island of 3.2 million people that has reported more than 12,800 probable cases , more than 8,500 confirmed cases , and at least 274 deaths .
Gireliz Zambrana , a federal employee , worried about the number of people gathered at a voting center in Río Grande as they huddled together while waiting for it to open .
“ They were trying to get away from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adding that he never got to cast his vote .
The president of the governor ’ s party , Thomas Rivera Schatz , along with the president of the main opposition Popular Democratic Party , held an unusual joint press conference and said they agreed the remaining primaries should be held on Aug. 16 , a move that Ms. Vázquez said she supported .
The two parties are both holding their primary elections with the winning nominees among six gubernatorial candidates in November ’ s general election .
Other politicians argued that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another date .
An incredulous Mr. Schatz noted that there were still trucks with ballots inside parked at the commission ’ s headquarters as they spoke there on Sunday afternoon .
“ The question is , why haven ’ t they left ?
” he said .
It was not immediately clear how many voters were turned away or how many centers received delayed ballots .
A commission spokeswoman said the president was not granting interviews .
To further complicate things , Edgardo Román , president of the Bar Association of Puerto Rico @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s unclear what alternatives are legally viable because the island ’ s electoral law is not clear .
“ It doesn ’ t contemplate this scenario , ” he said .
At least one voter filed a lawsuit against the commission and the electoral officials of the two main parties late Sunday via the American Civil Liberties Union .
The situation infuriated voters and politicians of all stripes as they blamed Puerto Rico ’ s elections commission and demanded an explanation for ballots reaching only a handful of voting centers by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abusive , and an attempt against the democracy of our country , ” said Marcos Cruz , mayor of the northern town of Vega Baja that was still awaiting ballots .
Meanwhile , officials from the island ’ s two main parties scrambled to find solutions as they urged voters to still show up at centers that remained open late into the night .
Yadira Pizarro , a teacher , ran out of patience at a shuttered voting center in Carolina where she had waited more than four hours under a blistering sun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This is some serious negligence , ” she said .
One of the most closely watched races on Sunday is that of the pro-statehood Progressive New Party , which pits two candidates who served as replacement governors following last year ’ s political turmoil .
Ms. Vázquez faces Mr. Pierluisi , who represented Puerto Rico in Congress from 2009 to 2017 .
Mr. Pierluisi briefly served as governor after Gov .
Ricardo Rosselló resigned in August 2019 following widespread street protests over a profanity-laced chat that was leaked and government corruption .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ruled that Ms. Vázquez , then the justice secretary , was constitutionally next in line because there was no secretary of state .
Meanwhile , the main opposition Popular Democratic Party , which supports Puerto Rico ’ s current political status as a U.S. territory , is holding a primary for the first time in its 82-year history .
Three people are vying to become governor – San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz , known for her public spats with U.S. President Donald Trump following the devastation of Hurricane Maria ; Puerto Rico @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , mayor of the northwest coastal town of Isabela .
This story was reported by The Associated Press .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage .
It ’ s free .

Puerto Rico on Sunday was forced to partially suspend voting for primaries marred by a lack of ballots as officials called on the president of the United States territory’s elections commission to resign.
The primaries for voting centers that had not received ballots by early afternoon are expected to be rescheduled, while voting would continue elsewhere, the commission said.
“I have never seen on American soil something like what has just been done here in Puerto Rico. It’s an embarrassment to our government and our people,” said Pedro Pierluisi, who is running against Gov. Wanda Vázquez, to become the nominee for the pro-statehood New Progressive Party.
Meanwhile, Ms. Vázquez called the situation “a disaster” and demanded the resignation of the president of the elections commission.
“They made the people of Puerto Rico, not the candidates, believe that they were prepared,” she said. “Today the opposite was evident. They lied.”
A federal control board that oversees Puerto Rico’s finances issued a statement saying the “dysfunctional” voting process was unacceptable and blamed it on what it said was inefficiency by the elections commission.
The unprecedented situation comes as voters ventured out amid a spike in COVID-19 cases across Puerto Rico, an island of 3.2 million people that has reported more than 12,800 probable cases, more than 8,500 confirmed cases, and at least 274 deaths.
Gireliz Zambrana, a federal employee, worried about the number of people gathered at a voting center in Río Grande as they huddled together while waiting for it to open.
“They were trying to get away from the sun,” he said, adding that he never got to cast his vote.
The president of the governor’s party, Thomas Rivera Schatz, along with the president of the main opposition Popular Democratic Party, held an unusual joint press conference and said they agreed the remaining primaries should be held on Aug. 16, a move that Ms. Vázquez said she supported. The two parties are both holding their primary elections with the winning nominees among six gubernatorial candidates in November’s general election.
Other politicians argued that the entire primary be scrapped and held at another date.
An incredulous Mr. Schatz noted that there were still trucks with ballots inside parked at the commission’s headquarters as they spoke there on Sunday afternoon.
“The question is, why haven’t they left?” he said.
It was not immediately clear how many voters were turned away or how many centers received delayed ballots. A commission spokeswoman said the president was not granting interviews.
To further complicate things, Edgardo Román, president of the Bar Association of Puerto Rico, told The Associated Press that it’s unclear what alternatives are legally viable because the island’s electoral law is not clear.
“It doesn’t contemplate this scenario,” he said.
At least one voter filed a lawsuit against the commission and the electoral officials of the two main parties late Sunday via the American Civil Liberties Union.
The situation infuriated voters and politicians of all stripes as they blamed Puerto Rico’s elections commission and demanded an explanation for ballots reaching only a handful of voting centers by the afternoon.
“This is indignant, abusive, and an attempt against the democracy of our country,” said Marcos Cruz, mayor of the northern town of Vega Baja that was still awaiting ballots.
Meanwhile, officials from the island’s two main parties scrambled to find solutions as they urged voters to still show up at centers that remained open late into the night.
Yadira Pizarro, a teacher, ran out of patience at a shuttered voting center in Carolina where she had waited more than four hours under a blistering sun.
“I cannot believe this. This is some serious negligence,” she said.
One of the most closely watched races on Sunday is that of the pro-statehood Progressive New Party, which pits two candidates who served as replacement governors following last year’s political turmoil. Ms. Vázquez faces Mr. Pierluisi, who represented Puerto Rico in Congress from 2009 to 2017.
Mr. Pierluisi briefly served as governor after Gov. Ricardo Rosselló resigned in August 2019 following widespread street protests over a profanity-laced chat that was leaked and government corruption. But Puerto Rico’s Supreme Court ruled that Ms. Vázquez, then the justice secretary, was constitutionally next in line because there was no secretary of state.
Meanwhile, the main opposition Popular Democratic Party, which supports Puerto Rico’s current political status as a U.S. territory, is holding a primary for the first time in its 82-year history. Three people are vying to become governor – San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz, known for her public spats with U.S. President Donald Trump following the devastation of Hurricane Maria; Puerto Rico Sen. Eduardo Bhatia; and Carlos Delgado, mayor of the northwest coastal town of Isabela.
Get stories that
empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
This story was reported by The Associated Press.
Editor’s note: As a public service, the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.


csmonitor--2020-08-10--COVID-19 success story: New Zealand hits 100 days with no cases

New Zealand on Sunday marked 100 days since it stamped out the spread of the coronavirus , a rare bright spot in a world that continues to be ravaged by the disease .
Life has returned to normal for many people in the South Pacific nation of 5 million , as they attend rugby games at packed stadiums and sit down in bars and restaurants without the fear of getting infected .
But some worry the country may be getting complacent .
New Zealand got rid of the virus by imposing a strict lockdown in late March when only about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease .
That stopped its spread .
For the past three months , the only new cases have been a handful of returning travelers who have been quarantined upon arrival .
`` It was good science and great political leadership that made the difference , '' said professor Michael Baker , an epidemiologist at the University of Otago in New Zealand .
`` If you look around the globe at countries that have done well , it 's usually that combination . ''
From early on , New Zealand pursued a bold strategy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suppressing its spread .
Despite not imposing masks , New Zealand managed to have the coronavirus under control , CNN reported : New Zealand 's lockdown was relatively strict – no takeaways , no beaches , and no driving outside of your neighborhood .
The strictest rules were in place for around five weeks , but the country remained under effective lockdown for a further two weeks .
That was all part of the country 's broader strategy : elimination .
`` Elimination does not mean eradicating the virus permanently from New Zealand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have eliminated chains of transmission in our community for at least 28 days and can effectively contain any future imported cases from overseas , '' according to the Ministry of Health 's website .
New Zealand waited until it had brought its curve right down before it lifted restrictions .
On June 8 , when [ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern ] announced that all restrictions would be lifted , almost 40,000 tests in the previous 17 days had n't yielded a single positive result .
Since June , the country has been almost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't been a need to return to lockdown .
Mr. Baker said other countries are increasingly looking to New Zealand for answers .
`` The whole Western World has terribly mismanaged this threat , and they 're realizing this now , '' Mr. Baker said .
He said many leaders saw a false dichotomy between saving lives or saving their economies , when in fact businesses thrive best when they have certainty about things like diseases .
Indeed , New Zealand 's economy has fared better than many predicted .
The country has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just 4 % , although many economists say the number does n't account for recent job losses and will likely get significantly worse after a government-funded wage subsidy expires next month .
Ms. Ardern 's leadership has been widely praised .
She reassured people during the lockdown with daily briefings and a message that resonated : `` Go hard and go early . ''
Total infections were limited to just over 1,500 and the country has had just 22 deaths .
Opinion polls indicate support for Ms. Ardern 's liberal Labour Party has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month .
Still , New Zealand 's international tourism industry has collapsed and the country remains more isolated from the outside world than before .
Ms. Ardern 's government has been reluctant to reopen the border to any other countries , even as other nations cautiously do so .
And the experience of some other countries , including Vietnam and Australia , shows how the virus can flare up again even when it looks like it 's been brought under control .
Mr. Baker said New Zealand remains in a reactionary mode and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus out .
He said the country needs to create a national public health agency and better fund scientists studying the spread of the disease .
But Sunday , at least , marked a milestone that many in New Zealand noted with a sense of thankfulness and relief .
This story was reported by The Associated Press .
Material from CNN was used in this report .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage .
It ’ s @ @

New Zealand on Sunday marked 100 days since it stamped out the spread of the coronavirus, a rare bright spot in a world that continues to be ravaged by the disease.
Life has returned to normal for many people in the South Pacific nation of 5 million, as they attend rugby games at packed stadiums and sit down in bars and restaurants without the fear of getting infected. But some worry the country may be getting complacent.
New Zealand got rid of the virus by imposing a strict lockdown in late March when only about 100 people had tested positive for the disease. That stopped its spread. For the past three months, the only new cases have been a handful of returning travelers who have been quarantined upon arrival.
"It was good science and great political leadership that made the difference," said professor Michael Baker, an epidemiologist at the University of Otago in New Zealand. "If you look around the globe at countries that have done well, it's usually that combination."
From early on, New Zealand pursued a bold strategy of eliminating the virus rather than just suppressing its spread.
Despite not imposing masks, New Zealand managed to have the coronavirus under control, CNN reported:
New Zealand's lockdown was relatively strict – no takeaways, no beaches, and no driving outside of your neighborhood. The strictest rules were in place for around five weeks, but the country remained under effective lockdown for a further two weeks. That was all part of the country's broader strategy: elimination. "Elimination does not mean eradicating the virus permanently from New Zealand; rather it is being confident we have eliminated chains of transmission in our community for at least 28 days and can effectively contain any future imported cases from overseas," according to the Ministry of Health's website. New Zealand waited until it had brought its curve right down before it lifted restrictions. On June 8, when [Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern] announced that all restrictions would be lifted, almost 40,000 tests in the previous 17 days hadn't yielded a single positive result. Since June, the country has been almost back to normal – and there hasn't been a need to return to lockdown.
Mr. Baker said other countries are increasingly looking to New Zealand for answers.
"The whole Western World has terribly mismanaged this threat, and they're realizing this now," Mr. Baker said.
He said many leaders saw a false dichotomy between saving lives or saving their economies, when in fact businesses thrive best when they have certainty about things like diseases.
Indeed, New Zealand's economy has fared better than many predicted. The country has managed to keep its unemployment rate at just 4%, although many economists say the number doesn't account for recent job losses and will likely get significantly worse after a government-funded wage subsidy expires next month.
Ms. Ardern's leadership has been widely praised. She reassured people during the lockdown with daily briefings and a message that resonated: "Go hard and go early."
Total infections were limited to just over 1,500 and the country has had just 22 deaths. Opinion polls indicate support for Ms. Ardern's liberal Labour Party has surged ahead of a general election next month.
Still, New Zealand's international tourism industry has collapsed and the country remains more isolated from the outside world than before. Ms. Ardern's government has been reluctant to reopen the border to any other countries, even as other nations cautiously do so.
And the experience of some other countries, including Vietnam and Australia, shows how the virus can flare up again even when it looks like it's been brought under control.
Mr. Baker said New Zealand remains in a reactionary mode and is not doing enough planning to keep the virus out. He said the country needs to create a national public health agency and better fund scientists studying the spread of the disease.
But Sunday, at least, marked a milestone that many in New Zealand noted with a sense of thankfulness and relief.
Get stories that
empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
This story was reported by The Associated Press. Material from CNN was used in this report.
Editor’s note: As a public service, the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.


csmonitor--2020-08-10--How two Nigerian women are breaking into comedy’s boys club

“ It is amazing ” to see women becoming popular comedians , says Maraji .
“ A lot of young women are on it right now .
It ’ s their creativity and if I have been of help in any way , then I am honored.
” Both women would like to someday take their comedy to the silver screen in Nollywood – Nigeria ’ s booming film industry – which capitalizes on the country ’ s desire for locally told stories .
In the meantime , they hope their rise can provide a template for others .
Twenty-something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 1 million Instagram followers who enjoy their skits about Nigerian culture and family dynamics .
While women are often the butt of male comedians ’ jokes , these social media sensations say they are flipping the script and showing women can dish out humor too .
The world of professional comedy has long been a boys club , in Nigeria and elsewhere .
But the internet is helping to democratize who gets to make Nigerians laugh .
In a brightly colored sitting room somewhere in Nigeria , a couple and their teenage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the television , watching a foreign film .
Suddenly , the two characters on the screen kiss , and everyone freezes .
“ Go inside !
” shrieks the mother in panic , as her daughter scurries out of the room .
For the next two minutes , the same scene plays out several more times , each with a different awkward parental reaction .
In one iteration , the mother deflects the room ’ s attention by chattering away about grocery shopping .
In another , the father flails frantically for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was first posted last year , this 2-minute skit by the rising Nigerian comedy star Gloria Oloruntobi ( known as Maraji ) – who plays mother , father , and daughter in the scene – has been watched more than 800,000 times on YouTube .
The video captures what has made the 20-something comedian such a viral sensation – her knack for using relatable social interactions to elicit laughs .
But her social media stardom also points to how the internet is helping democratize who gets to make Nigerians laugh .
Like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here has historically been a boys club , where success meant making your way up through the male-dominated world of standup gigs , headline shows , and television appearances .
On the internet , there are no such gatekeepers .
And for Nigerian women , that means they are finally beginning to see their own experiences reflected back on their smartphone screens .
Instead of being the butt of male comedians ’ jokes , female comedians like Maraji say they are flipping the script , showing that women can dish out humor too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how it would have been possible for me to reach the audience that I have , both within and outside Nigeria , without the internet , ” says Maryam Apaokagi ( known as Taaooma ) , another young female comic , who has endeared herself to her 1.3 million Instagram followers with her skits lampooning traditional family dynamics .
Nigeria – home to the world ’ s second-largest film industry – has long been a country that put a premium on locally told stories .
And just as a far-flung Nigerian diaspora and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give Nollywood a worldwide reach , the internet has given the country ’ s comedy a wider fan base .
Earlier this year , for instance , Nigerian comedian Josh Alfred ( known as Josh2funny ) touched off a global hashtag , # dontleaveme , with an Instagram video featuring a series of puns on the word leaf .
By early August , the hashtag had close to 5 billion views on TikTok .
Like social media influencers the world over , Nigeria ’ s online comedians tend to be Generation Zers fluent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ variety of digital platforms .
But they ’ ve struck a particular chord here for their skill at poking fun at Nigerian culture from the inside .
And for Taaooma and Maraji in particular , their ability to crack jokes about Nigerian cultural sensitivities and domestic life without being dismissive or exploitative has won them legions of fans , says Fareeda Abdulkareem , a culture writer and development worker in Kaduna , who credits their high level of “ imagination and empathy ” for their success .
That distinguishes them , observers say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have often leaned on sexism and homophobia for laughs .
Taaooma ’ s skits , for instance , often explore family relationships , humorously probing the tensions between traditionally minded parents and their irreverent offspring .
The videos themselves are often clunky , with amateurish camerawork and editing .
But that , their creators say , is part of the charm .
“ The videos I create most times are not always set out to make people laugh but for people to relate to , ” says Maraji , who has more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I just live life and I don ’ t stress it really.
” But if the clips have an amateur ’ s charm , they are also the work of savvy businesswomen .
Maraji and Taaooma live completely off the income they make from their comedy , often collaborating with local brands including banks and skin care lines – though both fell into comedy accidentally , pursuing their passion without an end goal in sight .
And both are clear that they would like to someday take their comedy to the silver screen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the meantime , they hope their rise can provide a template to other female comedians .
“ It is amazing ” to see other women becoming popular comedians on social media , says Maraji .
“ A lot of young women are on it right now .
It ’ s their creativity and if I have been of help in any way , then I am honored .
”

“It is amazing” to see women becoming popular comedians, says Maraji. “A lot of young women are on it right now. It’s their creativity and if I have been of help in any way, then I am honored.”
Both women would like to someday take their comedy to the silver screen in Nollywood – Nigeria’s booming film industry – which capitalizes on the country’s desire for locally told stories. In the meantime, they hope their rise can provide a template for others.
Comedy is difficult turf. And plenty of comedians lean too much on laughing at, rather than with, other people – especially when those people are women. Two female social media stars are trying to pave a new path.
Twenty-something comedians Maraji and Taaooma each have more than 1 million Instagram followers who enjoy their skits about Nigerian culture and family dynamics. While women are often the butt of male comedians’ jokes, these social media sensations say they are flipping the script and showing women can dish out humor too.
The world of professional comedy has long been a boys club, in Nigeria and elsewhere. But the internet is helping to democratize who gets to make Nigerians laugh.
In a brightly colored sitting room somewhere in Nigeria, a couple and their teenage daughter are gathered comfortably in front of the television, watching a foreign film. Suddenly, the two characters on the screen kiss, and everyone freezes.
“Go inside!” shrieks the mother in panic, as her daughter scurries out of the room. For the next two minutes, the same scene plays out several more times, each with a different awkward parental reaction. In one iteration, the mother deflects the room’s attention by chattering away about grocery shopping. In another, the father flails frantically for the remote to change the channel.
Since it was first posted last year, this 2-minute skit by the rising Nigerian comedy star Gloria Oloruntobi (known as Maraji) – who plays mother, father, and daughter in the scene – has been watched more than 800,000 times on YouTube.
Why We Wrote This Comedy is difficult turf. And plenty of comedians lean too much on laughing at, rather than with, other people – especially when those people are women. Two female social media stars are trying to pave a new path.
The video captures what has made the 20-something comedian such a viral sensation – her knack for using relatable social interactions to elicit laughs.
But her social media stardom also points to how the internet is helping democratize who gets to make Nigerians laugh. Like in many countries, the comedy scene here has historically been a boys club, where success meant making your way up through the male-dominated world of standup gigs, headline shows, and television appearances.
On the internet, there are no such gatekeepers. And for Nigerian women, that means they are finally beginning to see their own experiences reflected back on their smartphone screens. Instead of being the butt of male comedians’ jokes, female comedians like Maraji say they are flipping the script, showing that women can dish out humor too.
“I don’t know how it would have been possible for me to reach the audience that I have, both within and outside Nigeria, without the internet,” says Maryam Apaokagi (known as Taaooma), another young female comic, who has endeared herself to her 1.3 million Instagram followers with her skits lampooning traditional family dynamics.
Nigeria – home to the world’s second-largest film industry – has long been a country that put a premium on locally told stories. And just as a far-flung Nigerian diaspora and international streaming platforms like Netflix have helped give Nollywood a worldwide reach, the internet has given the country’s comedy a wider fan base.
Earlier this year, for instance, Nigerian comedian Josh Alfred (known as Josh2funny) touched off a global hashtag, #dontleaveme, with an Instagram video featuring a series of puns on the word leaf. By early August, the hashtag had close to 5 billion views on TikTok.
Like social media influencers the world over, Nigeria’s online comedians tend to be Generation Zers fluent in sharing their lives across a wide variety of digital platforms. But they’ve struck a particular chord here for their skill at poking fun at Nigerian culture from the inside.
And for Taaooma and Maraji in particular, their ability to crack jokes about Nigerian cultural sensitivities and domestic life without being dismissive or exploitative has won them legions of fans, says Fareeda Abdulkareem, a culture writer and development worker in Kaduna, who credits their high level of “imagination and empathy” for their success.
Courtesy of Poshclick View caption Hide caption “I don’t know how it would have been possible for me to reach the audience that I have ... without the internet,” says Maryam Apaokagi (known as Taaooma), a comedian in Nigeria.
That distinguishes them, observers say, from a crop of comedians who have often leaned on sexism and homophobia for laughs. Taaooma’s skits, for instance, often explore family relationships, humorously probing the tensions between traditionally minded parents and their irreverent offspring.
The videos themselves are often clunky, with amateurish camerawork and editing. But that, their creators say, is part of the charm.
“The videos I create most times are not always set out to make people laugh but for people to relate to,” says Maraji, who has more than 1.2 million followers on Instagram. “I just live life and I don’t stress it really.”
But if the clips have an amateur’s charm, they are also the work of savvy businesswomen. Maraji and Taaooma live completely off the income they make from their comedy, often collaborating with local brands including banks and skin care lines – though both fell into comedy accidentally, pursuing their passion without an end goal in sight.
Get stories that
empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
And both are clear that they would like to someday take their comedy to the silver screen as Nollywood actors and producers. In the meantime, they hope their rise can provide a template to other female comedians.
“It is amazing” to see other women becoming popular comedians on social media, says Maraji. “A lot of young women are on it right now. It’s their creativity and if I have been of help in any way, then I am honored.”


csmonitor--2020-08-11--‘A Registry of My Passage upon the Earth’ is compassionate, wise

In his first book of short stories , novelist and physician Daniel Mason delivers a collection of nine stories that capture extraordinary life experiences .
With a range of characters and locales , each tale describes an achievement , an insight , or simply the ability to endure beyond what might have been thought possible .
A master of descriptive prose , Mason structures many of the stories to complement the content .
In an epistolary story , Celeste , an aéronaute ( hot air balloonist ) describes the mysterious phenomena she has observed in the upper atmosphere , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very fabric of the heavens.
” But Celeste also chronicles the ridicule she receives from the men of the Académie when she attempts to share her observations .
They do not deign to consider the scientific work of a woman .
She pens the letter as she takes flight and , rising higher into the skies , she drops it over the edge of the basket , allowing the wind to handle the delivery like a message in a bottle tossed into the sea .
Perhaps she trusts her scientific knowledge of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delivered – or perhaps it ’ s her last act before choosing to leave solid ground forever .
Such choices , she admits , are beyond the scope of human consideration , suggesting the purview of the divine .
“ Alas , the one who knows the answer has kept it hidden.
” In “ Death of the Pugilist , or The Famous Battle of Jacob Burke & Blindman McGraw , ” Mason writes of a bare-knuckle boxing match between two fighters at pivotal points in their careers .
He divides the story @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rounds of the match .
McGraw , the champion , is a Goliath of a man , though some speculate he is nearing the twilight of his career .
Burke , the challenger , is a scrappy 21-year-old who has made a name for himself among the dockworkers of Bristol .
Promotional posters plastered around town depict the event as a faceoff between two men , but in the imaginations of the townsfolk , the match has taken on gladiatorial proportions .
As Burke enters the ring , he realizes he ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Even his trainer is in on the charade .
With searing familiarity , he experiences the pain of the world once again telling him his life is inconsequential .
Mason uses the ring as a metaphor for life , cycling through Burke ’ s thoughts about freedom and joy , sin and humiliation , each emotion landing with the speed and the blow of a well-placed punch .
During one round , Burke recalls the philosophy of a former priest , who once asked him “ How are you going to win ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to win or you want to hurt him ?
Those are different things .
... [ A ] nger only takes a man so far.
” Many of the stories are set in the 19th century , and Mason includes a few real-life historical figures .
But many of the tales are imagined accounts of the anonymous figures who occupied the backgrounds of famous historical events .
A thread that runs through most of the stories is Mason ’ s fascination with science – not surprising , given his day job as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ training clearly informs his writing , it ’ s apparent that Mason has also never relinquished his sense of wonder .
Mason demonstrates tremendous respect for his characters , even though his stories are set in times when the world often did not leave room for such considerations .
“ The Ecstasy of Alfred Russel Wallace ” explores the inner life of a real naturalist who corresponded with Charles Darwin .
Wallace independently arrived at the theory of evolution , but was eventually overshadowed by Darwin .
“ There were hours when he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ writes Mason .
“ And there were other hours , chiefly at night , waking from dreams he didn ’ t remember , when a different thought came : that idea , that beautiful burning idea , that recasting and refiguring and resculpting of the world , that idea burst forth from me , and me alone .
”

In his first book of short stories, novelist and physician Daniel Mason delivers a collection of nine stories that capture extraordinary life experiences. With a range of characters and locales, each tale describes an achievement, an insight, or simply the ability to endure beyond what might have been thought possible.
A master of descriptive prose, Mason structures many of the stories to complement the content. In an epistolary story, Celeste, an aéronaute (hot air balloonist) describes the mysterious phenomena she has observed in the upper atmosphere, which she calls “a tear in the very fabric of the heavens.” But Celeste also chronicles the ridicule she receives from the men of the Académie when she attempts to share her observations. They do not deign to consider the scientific work of a woman.
She pens the letter as she takes flight and, rising higher into the skies, she drops it over the edge of the basket, allowing the wind to handle the delivery like a message in a bottle tossed into the sea. Perhaps she trusts her scientific knowledge of the elements and is sure it will be delivered – or perhaps it’s her last act before choosing to leave solid ground forever. Such choices, she admits, are beyond the scope of human consideration, suggesting the purview of the divine. “Alas, the one who knows the answer has kept it hidden.”
In “Death of the Pugilist, or The Famous Battle of Jacob Burke & Blindman McGraw,” Mason writes of a bare-knuckle boxing match between two fighters at pivotal points in their careers. He divides the story into brief chapters that evoke the quick rounds of the match. McGraw, the champion, is a Goliath of a man, though some speculate he is nearing the twilight of his career. Burke, the challenger, is a scrappy 21-year-old who has made a name for himself among the dockworkers of Bristol.
Promotional posters plastered around town depict the event as a faceoff between two men, but in the imaginations of the townsfolk, the match has taken on gladiatorial proportions. As Burke enters the ring, he realizes he’s been offered up as a sacrifice. Even his trainer is in on the charade. With searing familiarity, he experiences the pain of the world once again telling him his life is inconsequential. Mason uses the ring as a metaphor for life, cycling through Burke’s thoughts about freedom and joy, sin and humiliation, each emotion landing with the speed and the blow of a well-placed punch.
During one round, Burke recalls the philosophy of a former priest, who once asked him “How are you going to win? Think, my boy. You want to win or you want to hurt him? Those are different things. ... [A]nger only takes a man so far.”
Many of the stories are set in the 19th century, and Mason includes a few real-life historical figures. But many of the tales are imagined accounts of the anonymous figures who occupied the backgrounds of famous historical events.
Get stories that
empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
A thread that runs through most of the stories is Mason’s fascination with science – not surprising, given his day job as a practicing doctor. But while his scientific training clearly informs his writing, it’s apparent that Mason has also never relinquished his sense of wonder. Mason demonstrates tremendous respect for his characters, even though his stories are set in times when the world often did not leave room for such considerations.
“The Ecstasy of Alfred Russel Wallace” explores the inner life of a real naturalist who corresponded with Charles Darwin. Wallace independently arrived at the theory of evolution, but was eventually overshadowed by Darwin. “There were hours when he thought: I know nothing,” writes Mason. “And there were other hours, chiefly at night, waking from dreams he didn’t remember, when a different thought came: that idea, that beautiful burning idea, that recasting and refiguring and resculpting of the world, that idea burst forth from me, and me alone.”


csmonitor--2020-08-11--‘A fearless fighter’: Biden taps Kamala Harris for VP

The question is whether this quality is what Mr. Biden needs at this pivotal moment of deep national divide and economic and health crisis .
“ Kamala was , in some ways , bred in a lab for these tough confrontations – whether in a hearing or on a vice presidential debate stage .
There is nobody better than her , ” says another former staffer .
But when asked to name her core attribute , friends and advisers invariably describe her as “ tough ” – “ like a burning nuclear reactor , ” as one former staffer put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a long history of legislative coalition building , across the aisle or even within her own party .
And to some observers , the senator ’ s intense ambition could be a possible threat to a President Biden , if her own political interests diverge from his .
Those who know the former prosecutor describe her as a smart , disciplined politician who relates well to voters , cares deeply about people , and is a prodigious fundraiser .
On Twitter , Mr. Biden called her “ a fearless fighter for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has made history as America ’ s first Black female presidential running mate , joining former Vice President Joe Biden in the Democrats ’ bid for the White House .
California Sen. Kamala Harris has spent a career shattering glass ceilings .
On Tuesday , she made history as America ’ s first Black female presidential running mate on a major party ticket , joining former Vice President Joe Biden in the Democrats ’ bid for the White House .
Those who know the former prosecutor describe her as a smart , disciplined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cares deeply about people , and is a prodigious fundraiser .
On Twitter , Mr. Biden called her “ a fearless fighter for the little guy.
” When asked to name her core attribute , friends and advisers invariably describe her as “ tough ” – “ like a burning nuclear reactor , ” as one former staffer put it .
The question is whether this quality is what Mr. Biden needs at this pivotal moment of deep national divide and economic and health crisis .
Many friends and supporters think so , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ms. Harris since they were students decades ago at Howard University .
Back then , Ms. Rosario noticed how Kamala ( pronounced comma-la ) stuck to her guns in political discussions in the campus yard , wielding argument and logic like a rhetorical sword .
Ms. Rosario recruited her to the college debate team .
“ I don ’ t think Mike Pence has a chance , ” she says of the expected vice presidential debate .
Many Americans may remember Senator Harris ’ prosecutorial questioning of then-U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2017 .
She grilled him on his dealings with Russia on behalf of the Trump campaign .
“ I am not able to be rushed this fast .
It makes me nervous , ” he told the senator .
“ Kamala was , in some ways , bred in a lab for these tough confrontations – whether in a hearing or on a vice presidential debate stage .
There is nobody better than her , ” says another former staffer , who faults Democrats for often being too “ civil ” when democracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senator does not have a long history of legislative coalition building , across the aisle or even within her own party .
And to some observers , the senator ’ s intense ambition could be a possible threat to a President Biden , if her own political interests ever diverge from his .
Former Sen. Christopher Dodd of Connecticut , who led Mr. Biden ’ s vice presidential search committee , reportedly had grave misgivings about Ms. Harris ’ lack of remorse over her surprise attack on Mr. Biden during a Democratic debate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ favor Rep. Karen Bass of Los Angeles as a more loyal No .
2 .
Robert Shrum , a former adviser to Mr. Biden who ’ s no longer in the consulting business , refutes the argument that there ’ s something wrong with being “ smart and ambitious , ” calling the criticism “ sexist.
” Lyndon Johnson was ambitious , he reminds .
In his view , Ms. Harris ’ biggest problem during her own presidential campaign was that she couldn ’ t get her message straight .
Now , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I don ’ t think she will go off and freelance , ” he says .
“ That ’ s just not her style.
” The senator is a savvy politician who knows how to play to television cameras , can help redress 2016 ’ s decline in Black turnout in Pennsylvania , Michigan , and Wisconsin , and would bring experience leading a large , statewide justice department to bear in a Biden administration , says Mr. Shrum , who leads the Center for the Political Future at the University of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four years in the Senate , Ms. Harris “ knows how the levers of power are exercised , ” says Nathan Barankin , who served as her chief of staff when she came to the Senate and , before that , as her chief deputy attorney general .
Most of her career – as district attorney for San Francisco and as state attorney general – has been in executive positions , he points out .
She ’ ll be a particularly good governing partner for Mr. Biden , Mr. Barankin maintains , adding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is deep and sincere , ” the debate ambush notwithstanding .
Except for her Senate swearing-in ceremony , where then-Vice President Biden pointed out that he ’ d lobbied ( successfully ) to get her on key committees like Homeland Security and Intelligence , their tenures in Washington did not overlap .
But she got to know the former vice president through her friendship with his late son , Beau , when they were both attorneys general , fighting it out with the big banks in the mortgage crisis .
Senator Harris has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as the most important influence in her life – a strong and courageous woman who left her native India to pursue graduate medical studies at the University of California at Berkeley .
There , she met and fell in love with Donald Harris , who had immigrated from Jamaica to study economics .
They married and were both active in the civil rights movement , taking Kamala , born in Oakland in 1964 , in her stroller to marches .
After her parents divorced , it was her mother who raised her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who last year ran the senator ’ s presidential campaign .
In her memoir , the senator describes her mother cooking dinner to the music of Aretha Franklin , while Kamala danced in the living room .
They listened to Ms. Franklin ’ s version of “ To Be Young , Gifted and Black ” all the time .
“ My mother understood very well that she was raising two black daughters ... and she was determined to make sure we would grow into confident , proud black women , ” writes Ms. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mother ’ s family .
In India , the senator ’ s grandmother never attended high school , but was a community organizer who sheltered women who were abused by their husbands – and called the husbands and read them the riot act .
Her grandfather was part of the movement for Indian independence and became a senior diplomat .
Ms. Harris ’ mother pushed her and her sister “ hard , ” but also nurtured them and was a lot of fun , the senator writes .
That , too , influenced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s tough , but has “ that sense of caring , that kind of motherly instinct , ” says Ms. Rosario , who is now an entertainment attorney .
While no longer in close contact with her college friend , the lawyer says the senator offered her comfort and encouragement after the loss of her mother in 2018 .
“ She said that she had gone through the same thing , and that those feelings of pain I had been feeling ... would eventually turn to good things , ” Ms. Rosario recalls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poignant and true.
” The former Harris staffer who likened her to a nuclear reactor says that intensity burns in all aspects of her life , whether it ’ s work or relationships – or even cooking , another passion .
She ’ ll express disappointment in work that doesn ’ t live up to her standards , but typically softens the criticism with a hug .
She ’ ll call her friends on their birthdays and sing to them .
She has been known to call into radio cooking shows with advice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On the night that musician Prince died – she was a huge fan – she and her husband , Douglas Emhoff , danced for hours to his music in their backyard .
In her work , “ she drills down into the human experience , ” wanting to know what impact policies will have on individuals , says Mr. Barankin .
That trait was evidenced in her effort to reduce recidivism in San Francisco , creating the Back on Track program for first-time , nonviolent drug offenders .
It put them through job @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jail – a radical concept at the time .
Other aspects of her law enforcement record have come under heavy criticism , with many progressives accusing her of inaction on matters of police misconduct and police killings .
How that might influence Black voters in this time of heightened awareness over policing is hard to say , though the senator is also a co-sponsor of police reform legislation that would bar chokeholds , racial profiling , and no-knock warrants .
California political analyst Phil Trounstine recently described Senator Harris as having “ positions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ successful climber who has almost always done only what is best for herself at virtually every turn.
” And yet , he says of all the candidates who were in the running to be Joe Biden ’ s Joe Biden , she is clearly the best choice .
“ With the right seasoning – acting as No .
2 , taking direction from the president and handling tasks given her – Harris could develop into someone who is a believable president .
She ’ s the right age , demographic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ following and reputation ; she ’ s experienced and deft on the campaign trail , and she just might help boost the Black vote in Milwaukee , Detroit , Pittsburgh and Philadelphia .
”

The question is whether this quality is what Mr. Biden needs at this pivotal moment of deep national divide and economic and health crisis.
“Kamala was, in some ways, bred in a lab for these tough confrontations – whether in a hearing or on a vice presidential debate stage. There is nobody better than her,” says another former staffer.
But when asked to name her core attribute, friends and advisers invariably describe her as “tough” – “like a burning nuclear reactor,” as one former staffer put it.
The freshman senator does not have a long history of legislative coalition building, across the aisle or even within her own party. And to some observers, the senator’s intense ambition could be a possible threat to a President Biden, if her own political interests diverge from his.
Kamala Harris is making headlines as the first Black woman to be nominated as a vice presidential candidate. But the California senator has been making waves for her entire career.
Those who know the former prosecutor describe her as a smart, disciplined politician who relates well to voters, cares deeply about people, and is a prodigious fundraiser. On Twitter, Mr. Biden called her “a fearless fighter for the little guy.”
California Sen. Kamala Harris has made history as America’s first Black female presidential running mate, joining former Vice President Joe Biden in the Democrats’ bid for the White House.
California Sen. Kamala Harris has spent a career shattering glass ceilings. On Tuesday, she made history as America’s first Black female presidential running mate on a major party ticket, joining former Vice President Joe Biden in the Democrats’ bid for the White House. Those who know the former prosecutor describe her as a smart, disciplined politician who relates well to voters, cares deeply about people, and is a prodigious fundraiser. On Twitter, Mr. Biden called her “a fearless fighter for the little guy.”
When asked to name her core attribute, friends and advisers invariably describe her as “tough” – “like a burning nuclear reactor,” as one former staffer put it.
The question is whether this quality is what Mr. Biden needs at this pivotal moment of deep national divide and economic and health crisis.
Why We Wrote This Kamala Harris is making headlines as the first Black woman to be nominated as a vice presidential candidate. But the California senator has been making waves for her entire career.
Many friends and supporters think so, including Lita Rosario, who has known Ms. Harris since they were students decades ago at Howard University. Back then, Ms. Rosario noticed how Kamala (pronounced comma-la) stuck to her guns in political discussions in the campus yard, wielding argument and logic like a rhetorical sword. Ms. Rosario recruited her to the college debate team.
“I don’t think Mike Pence has a chance,” she says of the expected vice presidential debate. Many Americans may remember Senator Harris’ prosecutorial questioning of then-U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing in 2017. She grilled him on his dealings with Russia on behalf of the Trump campaign. “I am not able to be rushed this fast. It makes me nervous,” he told the senator.
“Kamala was, in some ways, bred in a lab for these tough confrontations – whether in a hearing or on a vice presidential debate stage. There is nobody better than her,” says another former staffer, who faults Democrats for often being too “civil” when democracy is at stake.
But the freshman senator does not have a long history of legislative coalition building, across the aisle or even within her own party. And to some observers, the senator’s intense ambition could be a possible threat to a President Biden, if her own political interests ever diverge from his.
Former Sen. Christopher Dodd of Connecticut, who led Mr. Biden’s vice presidential search committee, reportedly had grave misgivings about Ms. Harris’ lack of remorse over her surprise attack on Mr. Biden during a Democratic debate last June. He was said to favor Rep. Karen Bass of Los Angeles as a more loyal No. 2.
Robert Shrum, a former adviser to Mr. Biden who’s no longer in the consulting business, refutes the argument that there’s something wrong with being “smart and ambitious,” calling the criticism “sexist.” Lyndon Johnson was ambitious, he reminds.
In his view, Ms. Harris’ biggest problem during her own presidential campaign was that she couldn’t get her message straight. Now, the Biden camp will determine the message. “I don’t think she will go off and freelance,” he says. “That’s just not her style.”
The senator is a savvy politician who knows how to play to television cameras, can help redress 2016’s decline in Black turnout in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, and would bring experience leading a large, statewide justice department to bear in a Biden administration, says Mr. Shrum, who leads the Center for the Political Future at the University of Southern California.
Despite having spent only four years in the Senate, Ms. Harris “knows how the levers of power are exercised,” says Nathan Barankin, who served as her chief of staff when she came to the Senate and, before that, as her chief deputy attorney general. Most of her career – as district attorney for San Francisco and as state attorney general – has been in executive positions, he points out.
She’ll be a particularly good governing partner for Mr. Biden, Mr. Barankin maintains, adding that her “affection for Joe Biden is deep and sincere,” the debate ambush notwithstanding. Except for her Senate swearing-in ceremony, where then-Vice President Biden pointed out that he’d lobbied (successfully) to get her on key committees like Homeland Security and Intelligence, their tenures in Washington did not overlap. But she got to know the former vice president through her friendship with his late son, Beau, when they were both attorneys general, fighting it out with the big banks in the mortgage crisis.
Senator Harris has repeatedly cited her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, as the most important influence in her life – a strong and courageous woman who left her native India to pursue graduate medical studies at the University of California at Berkeley. There, she met and fell in love with Donald Harris, who had immigrated from Jamaica to study economics. They married and were both active in the civil rights movement, taking Kamala, born in Oakland in 1964, in her stroller to marches.
After her parents divorced, it was her mother who raised her and her younger, sister Maya, who last year ran the senator’s presidential campaign. In her memoir, the senator describes her mother cooking dinner to the music of Aretha Franklin, while Kamala danced in the living room. They listened to Ms. Franklin’s version of “To Be Young, Gifted and Black” all the time.
“My mother understood very well that she was raising two black daughters ... and she was determined to make sure we would grow into confident, proud black women,” writes Ms. Harris.
Political activism ran in her mother’s family. In India, the senator’s grandmother never attended high school, but was a community organizer who sheltered women who were abused by their husbands – and called the husbands and read them the riot act. Her grandfather was part of the movement for Indian independence and became a senior diplomat.
Ms. Harris’ mother pushed her and her sister “hard,” but also nurtured them and was a lot of fun, the senator writes. That, too, influenced her, friends say. She’s tough, but has “that sense of caring, that kind of motherly instinct,” says Ms. Rosario, who is now an entertainment attorney. While no longer in close contact with her college friend, the lawyer says the senator offered her comfort and encouragement after the loss of her mother in 2018.
“She said that she had gone through the same thing, and that those feelings of pain I had been feeling ... would eventually turn to good things,” Ms. Rosario recalls. “I thought that was very poignant and true.”
The former Harris staffer who likened her to a nuclear reactor says that intensity burns in all aspects of her life, whether it’s work or relationships – or even cooking, another passion. She’ll express disappointment in work that doesn’t live up to her standards, but typically softens the criticism with a hug. She’ll call her friends on their birthdays and sing to them. She has been known to call into radio cooking shows with advice on how to brine a chicken. On the night that musician Prince died – she was a huge fan – she and her husband, Douglas Emhoff, danced for hours to his music in their backyard.
In her work, “she drills down into the human experience,” wanting to know what impact policies will have on individuals, says Mr. Barankin. That trait was evidenced in her effort to reduce recidivism in San Francisco, creating the Back on Track program for first-time, nonviolent drug offenders. It put them through job training and community service instead of in jail – a radical concept at the time.
Other aspects of her law enforcement record have come under heavy criticism, with many progressives accusing her of inaction on matters of police misconduct and police killings. How that might influence Black voters in this time of heightened awareness over policing is hard to say, though the senator is also a co-sponsor of police reform legislation that would bar chokeholds, racial profiling, and no-knock warrants.
California political analyst Phil Trounstine recently described Senator Harris as having “positions, not convictions,” calling her a “successful climber who has almost always done only what is best for herself at virtually every turn.” And yet, he says of all the candidates who were in the running to be Joe Biden’s Joe Biden, she is clearly the best choice.
Get stories that
empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
“With the right seasoning – acting as No. 2, taking direction from the president and handling tasks given her – Harris could develop into someone who is a believable president. She’s the right age, demographic, and gender; she has a national following and reputation; she’s experienced and deft on the campaign trail, and she just might help boost the Black vote in Milwaukee, Detroit, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.”
Mr. Biden certainly hopes so.


csmonitor--2020-08-11--Home theater: Movies from women who showed Hollywood who’s boss

When I heard the news last month that Olivia de Havilland had died at 104 , I remembered back to 2006 when I attended her 90th birthday celebration at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Beverly Hills , California .
She was the most radiant nonagenarian I had ever seen .
I felt strangely proud to be in her company , not only because of her iconic career but also for something about which few outside the film business had been aware : The demure Melanie of “ Gone With the Wind ” had instigated a lawsuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were controlled by the studio system .
Known as the de Havilland decision , it freed Hollywood contract players from the indentured status many of them had endured .
It greatly expanded their creative opportunities .
In terms of artistic freedom , the actors ’ lot in Hollywood has much improved since de Havilland ’ s time , but not overwhelmingly so for Black women , who still experience marginalization , or for all those women who routinely receive less money than their male counterparts .
When I read de Havilland ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What a fighter .
May she inspire others .
My second response was a desire to give a shoutout to her , and a few other barrier breakers , past and present , in this column .
The court case certainly had a salutary effect on de Havilland ’ s own career .
Not long after , she racked up two best actress Oscars .
In “ To Each His Own ” ( 1946 ) she played an unwed mother who , riven with regret , has given up her son for adoption @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Heiress ” ( 1949 ) , drawn from a Henry James novel , she ’ s Catherine , a shy spinster denigrated by her uncaring father ( Ralph Richardson ) and wooed by an unscrupulous fortune hunter ( Montgomery Clift ) .
In writing about great Hollywood literary adaptations recently for the Monitor , I singled out the Wyler film as a prime example , but it ’ s worth returning to in this context because I think it ’ s de Havilland ’ s best and in many ways most characteristic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emotional range .
De Havilland was capable as few other actors have ever been of expressing a kind of supernal grace and guilelessness .
She could also convey the forbidding core of a woman wronged and scorned .
Both of these fierce dualities come into play in “ The Heiress.
” I hesitate to extrapolate the real-life woman from the role , but the righteous persistence responsible for the de Havilland decision should not come as a shock to anyone who witnesses this film ’ s final moments .
Catherine turns the tables @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from her life .
When asked by her aunt , just prior to this , how she can be so cruel , Catherine , with a look of pure steel , answers , “ Yes , I can be very cruel .
I have been taught by masters.
” ( Unrated ) For much of Hollywood ’ s history , the experience of being a Black actor – especially for women – was a litany of loss .
Denied for so long the serious dramatic opportunities afforded white actors , major talents such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lena Horne , Ethel Waters , Dorothy Dandridge , and so many others had compromised careers .
And yet often these actors are what we remember best about the movies they appeared in .
This unequal opportunity situation is still much in need of remedy , but one can take heart in the career of , for shining example , Viola Davis , the only Black woman to win the Oscar , Emmy , and Tony acting triple crown .
Her presence in a movie is almost invariably a certification of quality .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ adaptation of August Wilson ’ s “ Fences ” ( 2016 ) where , repeating the role of a beset wife and mother that won her a Tony on Broadway , she confronts her philandering husband ( Denzel Washington ) with the resounding , unforgettable wail , “ What about my life ?
What about me ?
” ( Rated PG-13 ) Barbra Streisand is the only woman who has ever directed and starred in a Hollywood film – “ Yentl ” ( 1983 ) – that she also co-wrote and co-produced and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a turn-of-the-20th-century Eastern European young woman with such a relentless desire to study the Talmud that she dresses up as a boy in order to train in a yeshiva .
Superficially “ Yentl ” resembles a cross between “ Fiddler on the Roof ” and “ Tootsie , ” but it has a look , a tone , and a feeling for people trying to understand themselves that ’ s completely its own .
( Rated PG ) “ The Heiress , ” “ Fences , ” and “ Yentl ” are available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Amazon Prime Video , YouTube , Google Play , and iTunes .

When I heard the news last month that Olivia de Havilland had died at 104, I remembered back to 2006 when I attended her 90th birthday celebration at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Beverly Hills, California. She was the most radiant nonagenarian I had ever seen. I felt strangely proud to be in her company, not only because of her iconic career but also for something about which few outside the film business had been aware: The demure Melanie of “Gone With the Wind” had instigated a lawsuit in 1943 forever changing the way actors were controlled by the studio system.
Known as the de Havilland decision, it freed Hollywood contract players from the indentured status many of them had endured. It greatly expanded their creative opportunities. In terms of artistic freedom, the actors’ lot in Hollywood has much improved since de Havilland’s time, but not overwhelmingly so for Black women, who still experience marginalization, or for all those women who routinely receive less money than their male counterparts. When I read de Havilland’s obituaries, my first reaction was: What a fighter. May she inspire others. My second response was a desire to give a shoutout to her, and a few other barrier breakers, past and present, in this column.
Olivia de Havilland in “The Heiress”
Why We Wrote This The glass ceiling often has been the least breakable in Hollywood. But film critic Peter Rainer highlights movies from a trio of women whose firsts have shown what’s possible.
The court case certainly had a salutary effect on de Havilland’s own career. Not long after, she racked up two best actress Oscars. In “To Each His Own” (1946) she played an unwed mother who, riven with regret, has given up her son for adoption. In William Wyler’s “The Heiress” (1949), drawn from a Henry James novel, she’s Catherine, a shy spinster denigrated by her uncaring father (Ralph Richardson) and wooed by an unscrupulous fortune hunter (Montgomery Clift).
In writing about great Hollywood literary adaptations recently for the Monitor, I singled out the Wyler film as a prime example, but it’s worth returning to in this context because I think it’s de Havilland’s best and in many ways most characteristic performance. It shows off her astonishing emotional range.
De Havilland was capable as few other actors have ever been of expressing a kind of supernal grace and guilelessness. She could also convey the forbidding core of a woman wronged and scorned. Both of these fierce dualities come into play in “The Heiress.” I hesitate to extrapolate the real-life woman from the role, but the righteous persistence responsible for the de Havilland decision should not come as a shock to anyone who witnesses this film’s final moments. Catherine turns the tables on her caddish suitor and bars him from her life. When asked by her aunt, just prior to this, how she can be so cruel, Catherine, with a look of pure steel, answers, “Yes, I can be very cruel. I have been taught by masters.” (Unrated)
Viola Davis in “Fences”
For much of Hollywood’s history, the experience of being a Black actor – especially for women – was a litany of loss. Denied for so long the serious dramatic opportunities afforded white actors, major talents such as Ruby Dee, Diana Sands, Lena Horne, Ethel Waters, Dorothy Dandridge, and so many others had compromised careers. And yet often these actors are what we remember best about the movies they appeared in.
This unequal opportunity situation is still much in need of remedy, but one can take heart in the career of, for shining example, Viola Davis, the only Black woman to win the Oscar, Emmy, and Tony acting triple crown. Her presence in a movie is almost invariably a certification of quality.
Her finest screen work is in the adaptation of August Wilson’s “Fences” (2016) where, repeating the role of a beset wife and mother that won her a Tony on Broadway, she confronts her philandering husband (Denzel Washington) with the resounding, unforgettable wail, “What about my life? What about me?” (Rated PG-13)
MGM/United Artists/Newscom View caption Hide caption Besides being the star of "Yentl" (1983), Barbra Streisand also directed, co-wrote, co-produced, and sang in the film.
Barbra Streisand in “Yentl”
Barbra Streisand is the only woman who has ever directed and starred in a Hollywood film – “Yentl” (1983) – that she also co-wrote and co-produced and sang in. She transforms herself into a turn-of-the-20th-century Eastern European young woman with such a relentless desire to study the Talmud that she dresses up as a boy in order to train in a yeshiva. Superficially “Yentl” resembles a cross between “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Tootsie,” but it has a look, a tone, and a feeling for people trying to understand themselves that’s completely its own. (Rated PG)
Get stories that
empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
Peter Rainer is the Monitor’s film critic.
“The Heiress,” “Fences,” and “Yentl” are available on at least one of these platforms: Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Google Play, and iTunes.