Latest news with #Leviticus
New European
27-05-2025
- Politics
- New European
Germansplaining: Does Gerhard Schröder really have burnout?
The 81-year-old former chancellor was due to appear before a parliamentary inquiry in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern over his role in the Nord Stream 2 saga. But it doesn't look as if he will be grilled – respectfully – any time soon. Respect the elders, the saying goes – as old age usually brings wisdom and moral guidance. The bible even commands it: 'Honour the presence of an old man' (Leviticus 19:32). But what if the old man in question is Gerhard Schröder? Schröder has already cancelled his testimony twice, citing burnout. Let's rewind a bit. Nord Stream 2 – the twin pipeline to Nordstream 1, between Germany's Baltic Sea coast and Russia – was the £8.5bn project heavily criticised by Poland, the Baltics, Ukraine and the US (to name only a few). German, Austrian, French and Dutch-British companies cooperated to build it, but ownership was 100% Russky, via Gazprom. Due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine it never went into operation, and several mysterious explosions have since blown up one of the lines. It lies shattered at the bottom of the sea, a fancy playground for cod. There's more to it, though, which makes you think of a Banana- rather than a Bundesrepublik. Before 2022, the US had already slapped sanctions on companies involved, warning that Nordstream 2 would give the Kremlin dangerous leverage. Berlin didn't listen. And in the north-east, the SPD-CDU government of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern – a beautiful but perennially broke bit of the country – was keen on a slice of the action. So, in a stroke of genius, a philanthropic climate foundation was set up. Yes, really. The 'Stiftung Klima- und Umweltschutz' was established in early 2021, when the pipeline was nearly complete, to help finish it. The trick was this: companies could work with the (commercial arm of the) foundation, conveniently outside the reach of US sanctions, not with Nord Stream 2 AG, aka Gazprom. The Klimastiftung was bankrolled almost entirely by Nord Stream, with the state chucking in just a few coins of the roughly £17m capital to make it look official. Now, the state parliament is trying to find out who came up with this clever little workaround and whether Russia influenced political decisions. Enter Schröder. Or rather – not. The ex-chancellor is still chair of Nord Stream 2's board, despite the pipeline being as useful as a chocolate teapot. He was invited to testify before the committee twice. Both times he bailed for mental health reasons. In a recent letter to the committee, he said it was by no means certain recovery could 'be achieved this year'. Until then, he should avoid stressful situations, 'especially those that last for more than an hour and during which not everyone involved can take my health situation into consideration'. Coincidentally, he seemed perfectly cheerful just last week when attending a parliamentary session in Hanover to watch the election of the new Ministerpräsident of Lower Saxony. While further north, in Schwerin, MPs are waiting in vain for the former chancellor's appearance. Well, Schröder has long been known for his subtle middle-finger attitude, which is why his letter also states that he, Schröder, was right all along. To be competitive, he wrote, Germany's industry needs cheap energy, and as renewables are still not reliably available 24/7 and nuclear is off the table, 'I am in favour of natural gas and a pipeline is more environmentally friendly than a tanker powered by heavy fuel oil that brings us LNG gas,' he writes. Mecklenburg's Green Party MPs are now demanding a medical certificate from a public health officer. As if someone who has no scruples and calls Vladimir Putin a friend would have trouble coming up with any attestation needed… But that isn't saying Schröder has no burnout. According to Bild, his bank – the Sparkasse Hannover – has blocked transfers suspected of being Russian, fearing US sanctions. Since mid-2024, he has allegedly missed out on around half a million euros. Nord Stream 2 had been paying him €200,000 every six months – for what, exactly, is anyone's guess – but now the money is sent back to Gazprombank in Luxembourg. Interestingly, last June, Hanover's Green Party mayor joined the Sparkasse board. He had wanted to strip Schröder of his honorary citizenship, but Gerhard beat him to it and handed it back himself. So here he is: snubbed at home, his Berlin office taken from him, unpaid by Moscow, with even the local savings bank giving him the cold shoulder. If that doesn't cause burnout, what does?
Chicago Tribune
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Waukegan workshop builds up children's self-esteem; ‘They will be less troubled … (in) their teenage years'
Zendaya Skinner, a sixth grader from Zion, plans to own a farm one day for her and the family she intends to raise there. Responding to a prompt from Evelyn Chenier during a self-esteem workshop, Zendaya and the other seven children in the group between the ages of 6 and 12 were asked to share two truths about themselves, as well as what they want to become as adults. 'I'm an artist,' Zendaya said. 'I like animals. I'm going to adopt a few kids and own a farm.' Zendaya was one of several children participating in the Waukegan Park District's Be You, Be Bold Self Esteem Workshop, which finished its three sessions Tuesday at the Belvidere Recreation Center in Waukegan. Chenier said she wants the participants to learn at a young age who they are and become aware of their strengths, weaknesses and how to deal with them. By talking freely about themselves, they will be able to affirm who they are to themselves and others. 'We want them to think for themselves and not be followers,' Chenier said. 'They will be less troubled when they reach their teenage years. We want them to be resistant to joining gangs, doing drugs and peer pressure.' Living with her two younger brothers — they are also part of the workshop — and in the process of being adopted together, Zendaya is already strongly influenced by the happenings in her young life. Her goal of adopting 'a few kids' comes naturally. 'All people should be in a family and have a home. I'm with a family now that's going to adopt us,' she said. 'I love animals,' she added, referring to her wish to own a farm. Started in 2004 in response to two North Chicago High School senior athletes who were killed, and at the behest of then-U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk, R-Highland Park, Chenier said the Family First Center of Lake County nurtures and empowers families. During the three hour-long sessions, Chenier said that some of the time the participants sit in a circle as they did Tuesday, talking about themselves and their aspirations. They also do art projects designed to help them learn about themselves. Cutting pictures out of magazines, the youngsters were pasting the images on construction paper. They added their own words to embellish the message. Chenier said it helps bring out feelings so they can learn about themselves through doing a craft. As the youngsters sat in a circle, one said he was on the football team at school and he wants to star in the National Football League one day. Another said he was good at technology because it was fun. Someone else said he liked running and wanted to get better at that in the future. 'I'm pretty fast,' he said. Julia Sanchez, a recreation supervisor with the Park District, said the initial self-esteem offering was done with teens. It was decided it would be a good idea to do one with younger children. They reached out to the Family First Center to oversee the effort. 'We're looking at similar offerings and topics,' Sanchez said. Getting a lot of attention was Leviticus. Chenier said the three-week-old puppy is her granddaughter's comfort dog. As the children arrived, they crowded around the dog, petting and playing with the pup. 'It's calming for all the kids,' Chenier said. Khalianie Amaro, a fourth grader from Waukegan, said Leviticus was a highlight of the workshop. 'He's so cute and tiny,' Khalianie said.
