Waste Isolation Pilot Plant plans for 30 nuke waste shipments from Los Alamos 

lab in 2022



Adrian Hedden, Carlsbad Current-Argus
Thu, January 20, 2022, 9:54 AM·3 min read

Officials at the U.S. Department of Energy said they hope to dispose of 30 shipments of nuclear waste this year from Los Alamos National Laboratory in northern New Mexico at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant near Carlsbad.

The goal was part of the DOE’s Office of Environmental Management (EM) list of 2022 priorities released Tuesday which included multiple plans to continue work at the WIPP site where transuranic (TRU) waste is disposed of about 2,000 feet underground.

TRU waste consists of clothing items, equipment and other materials irradiated during nuclear activities across the U.S.

More: State of New Mexico demands feds investigate WIPP, federal nuclear programs

It is buried at WIPP in an underground salt deposit where the salt gradually collapses to permanently sequester the waste.

To further this mission of cleaning up the DOE’s TRU waste from New Mexico labs and its sites throughout the nation, EM also planed to complete half of the needed mining for a western access drift, per the released priorities, that would provide access to a utility shaft being constructed at the site.

The new shaft, WIPP’s fifth, would act as an air intake to increase airflow in the underground to allow mining and waste emplacement to occur simultaneously, intended to allow better planning so that disposal panels are mined and ready when needed as others fill up.

More: Waste Isolation Pilot Plant criticized for accepting out-of-state nuclear waste

Airflow in the underground was restricted in 2014 after an accidental radiological release contaminated parts of the facility.

The DOE also planned this year to begin installing equipment at Los Alamos to help process TRU waste being sent to WIPP from the Waste Control Specialists facility in Andrews, Texas near the New Mexico state line.

Other priorities at WIPP included awarding contracts for transportation of the waste to WIPP and for management and operations of the site.

“Our many accomplishments in 2021 positioned EM to achieve an equally challenging slate of priorities in 2022,” said EM Senior Advisor William White.

“Our 2022 priorities underscore our goals to accomplish cleanup that is safe and protective of our workforce, the public and the environment, and in a manner that is transparent to the communities that host and support our sites.”

More: Ready for the future: WIPP projects in 2021 advance nuclear waste disposal mission

WIPP Laboratories achieves certification

As activities continue at the WIPP site, a laboratory known as WIPP Labs provides technical and scientific advising and environmental monitoring.

The lab’s recent sample data was found by the National Institute of Standards and Technology to meet criteria allowing it to operate with accreditation under the DOE’s Laboratory Accreditation Program (DOELAP).

The accreditation is reviewed by the DOE every three years, with the next opportunity to maintain the accreditation in spring 2022.

More: How the federal military spending bill will impact WIPP and nuclear projects in New Mexico

WIPP Labs maintained is accreditation since 2000.

This allowed WIPP Labs to continue analyzing water, air, soil and vegetation samples near the WIPP site for isotopes known to be present in TRU waste sent to WIPP.

The recent study that achieved the lab’s certification identified accurately all the known isotopes: plutonium, americium, uranium, cesium, cobalt and strontium along with their activity levels.

More: Waste Isolation Pilot Plant struggles to control costs, per annual performance evaluation

“One of the requirements for DOELAP is that the WIPP laboratories must demonstrate annually their ability to analyze blind bioassay samples under a rigid set of criteria to maintain NIST compliance,” said Ginny Jones, manager of the WIPP laboratories.

“Having the ability to analyze various isotopes at extremely low levels of activity helps WIPP demonstrate that our radiation protection protocols are working.”

Adrian Hedden can be reached at  achedden@currentargus.com 

This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: WIPP plans for 30 nuclear waste shipments from Los Alamos lab in 2022

1. 

   Carlsbad Caverns National Park

   www.nps.gov

   727 Carlsbad Cavern Hwy, Carlsbad, NM 88220

   +1 (575) 785-2232

   
   
   

   
   

   • 
     

Germany wants to attract 400,000 skilled workers from abroad each year

Thu, January 20, 2022, 

BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany's new coalition government wants to attract 400,000 qualified workers from abroad each year to tackle both a demographic imbalance and labour shortages in key sectors that risk undermining the recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. 

  "The shortage of skilled workers has become so serious by now that it is dramatically slowing down our economy," Christian Duerr, parliamentary leader of the co-governing Free Democrats (FDP), told business magazine WirtschaftsWoche. 

  "We can only get the problem of an ageing workforce under control with a modern immigration policy... We have to reach the mark of 400,000 skilled workers from abroad as quickly as possible," Duerr added. 

  Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats, Duerr's libertarian FDP and the environmentalist Greens agreed in their coalition deal on measures like a points system for specialists from countries outside the European Union and lifting the national minimum wage to 12 euros ($13.60) per hour to make working in Germany more attractive. 

  The employer-friendly German Economic Institute estimates that the labour force will shrink by more than 300,000 people this year as there are more older workers retiring than younger ones entering the labour market. 

  This gap is expected to widen to more than 650,000 in 2029, leaving an accumulated shortage of people of working age in 2030 of roughly 5 million. The number of Germans in employment grew to nearly 45 million last year despite the coronavirus pandemic. 

  After decades of low birth rates and uneven migration, a shrinking labour force also poses a demographic time bomb for Germany's public pension system, in which fewer employees are burdened with the task of financing the pensions of a growing mass of retirees who are enjoying longer life expectancy. 

SOCIALISM IS ECONOMIC DEMOCRACY

Who is Publix owned by?

Publix Super Markets, Inc., commonly known as Publix, is an employee-owned American supermarket chain headquartered in Lakeland, Florida. Founded in 1930 by George W. Jenkins, Publix is a private corporation that is wholly owned by present and past employees and members of the Jenkins family.

Then Does Kroger own Publix?

Kroger operates their stores as Foods Co in northern and central California, because they do not have the rights to the Food 4 Less name in those areas. Other states, such as Nevada, formerly contained Kroger-owned Food 4 Less stores.

…

Food 4 Less.
Type Subsidiary
Industry Retail
Founded 1977
Headquarters Compton, California

Besides, Why are Publix employees so happy?

 Per Publix, the company offers employee benefits like healthcare, tuition reimbursement programs, retirement savings plans, and employee discounts. But perhaps the most enticing benefit, and the one that inspires such positive performance in its employees, is Publix’s status as an employee-owned company.

1 Is Publix a union company?
2 Why is Publix so successful?
3 Do Publix employees get free food?
4 What is Publix starting pay?
5 How much is Publix Christmas bonus?
6 How much does Publix pay hourly?
7 Do Publix employees get a discount?
8 Is Publix good quality?
9 What percent of Publix is owned by employees?
10 Does Publix have their own brand?
11 How long is a shift at Publix?
12 Does Publix pay more on Sundays?
13 How much do Publix stockers make?
14 What is the highest paying job at Publix?
15 How much does a cashier at Publix make?
16 How much do you get paid at Walmart?
17 How much money do Publix managers make?
18 What happens to your Publix stock when you quit?
19 How much do Publix stockers make?
20 Is working in Publix deli a good job?
Is Publix a union company?

For six years in a row, Publix was named among the top 100 best places in the country to work by Fortune magazine. … But a contentious battle has been brewing for nearly a decade between Publix and the UFCW, the largest union of retail and grocery workers.
Why is Publix so successful?

The Publix Super Market is the largest employee-owned grocery chain in the United States. Today, the business thrives because of the enduring philosophy of treating people with dignity and giving them a stake in the company’s success.

Do Publix employees get free food?

Nope, they never give any kind of discounts to their employees. They have actually reduced the perks and benefits over the last few years because Corporate is giving themselves raises.
What is Publix starting pay?

Publix in Florida Salaries
Job TitleLocationSalary
Deli Clerk salaries – 133 salaries reported Florida
$13/hr

Part Time Cashier salaries – 119 salaries reported Florida $11/hr
Sales Associate/Cashier salaries – 118 salaries reported Florida $12/hr
Publix Customer Service Staff salaries – 117 salaries reported Florida $13/hr

How much is Publix Christmas bonus?

5 answers. Yes, they get $1 per hour worked. Full time get 8 hrs additional pay or can bank the time for additional vacation day. So…if you are a part time emploee at Publix you will not receive time and a half when required to work holidays.
How much does Publix pay hourly?

Publix in Florida Salaries

Job TitleLocationSalary
Customer Service Representative salaries – 107 salaries reported Florida
$12/hr

Customer Service Staff salaries – 105 salaries reported Florida $14/hr
Cashier/Bagger salaries – 105 salaries reported Florida $10/hr
Customer Service salaries – 98 salaries reported Florida $12/hr

Do Publix employees get a discount?

There is no discount at Publix for associates. The average profit margin for grocery stores is only roughly 2.2%. Publix does provide several of the best benefits in the Country, by an employer.
Is Publix good quality?

While Publix is usually great with sales, you might end up spending extra if you’re buying certain pricier brands. Writers at Southern Living agree that Publix brand items are generally just as good as non-generic brands.
What percent of Publix is owned by employees?

Today, Publix Super Markets is the largest employee-owned company operating in America. 4 The family of Publix’s founder collectively own 20% of the company, while the remaining 80% is owned by past and present employees.
Does Publix have their own brand?

Our Publix Brand, Publix Premium, and GreenWise products are comparable to their national brand equivalents, but typically priced lower. Whether it’s spaghetti sauce or paper towels, when you see our Publix brand items on the shelf, you’ll know you’re getting true quality at a great price.
How long is a shift at Publix?

2 answers. Shifts are normally as long as 10 hours. if its over it would be because of call outs or the employee needs more hours and request more with the manager.
Does Publix pay more on Sundays?

NO! Not extra just regular pay.
How much do Publix stockers make?

The typical Publix Stocker salary is $12 per hour. Stocker salaries at Publix can range from $9 – $17 per hour.
What is the highest paying job at Publix?

Highest Paying Jobs At Publix
RankJob TitleAverage Salary
1
Pharmacist Manager
$126,932
2 Team Leader $88,550
3 Assistant Grocery Manager $41,804
4 Warehouse Selector $40,903

How much does a cashier at Publix make?

How much does a Cashier at Publix make? The typical Publix Cashier salary is $12 per hour. Cashier salaries at Publix can range from $8 – $18 per hour.
How much do you get paid at Walmart?

Walmart.com Jobs by Hourly Rate
Job TitleRangeAverage
Job Title:Cashier Range:

$10 – $14

Average:$12

Sales Associate Range:$10 – $15 Average:$12
Stocker Range:$10 – $15 Average:$12
Personal Shopper Range:$11 – $15 Average:$12


•
19 oct. 2021
How much money do Publix managers make?

Average earnings range from more than $55,000 per year for entry-level managers to $137,000 per year for store managers.
What happens to your Publix stock when you quit?

Age 59½ Withdrawal

If you would like to take a cash withdrawal of your account balance invested in the Publix stock component of the Publix Stock Fund, that portion of the withdrawal is processed on the next Publix stock valuation effective date.
How much do Publix stockers make?

Average Publix Stocker hourly pay in the United States is approximately $12.33, which is 9% below the national average.
Is working in Publix deli a good job?

Overall good place

Publix is an overall decent place to work. Working in the deli consisted of coming in around 7, doing prep work, etc. and around 10 am we would get a small rush and at about 12-2 a major lunch rush. Very busy but manager is helpful.

NOT THE ASTEROID

A fireball lit up the sky above Wisconsin on Thursday morning. More than 100 sightings were reported across the Midwest

Jake Prinsen, Appleton Post-Crescent
Thu, January 20, 2022, 

GREEN BAY – If you saw a huge fireball light up the sky early Thursday morning, you’re not alone.

More than 100 people across the Midwest reported seeing a “fireball event” around 6:45 a.m., according to the International Meteor Organization. The sightings came from as far away as Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri and Nebraska.

Most Wisconsin residents who reported the flaming object were concentrated in the southeast and northeast regions of the state.


Witnesses reported the fireball lit up the sky ranging from one second to longer than seven seconds.

WATCH: Video of the meteoroid from UW-Madison's Space Science and Engineering Center



University of Wisconsin-Madison astronomy professor James Lattis said the southwest direction of the object means it was likely a meteoroid and not a piece of space junk, which generally travels east.

He said it's common to see meteors in the early morning hours in the Midwest because the region is facing forward in the earth's obit around the sun.

"It’s like looking out the windshield of your car," he said. "You get more bugs on your windshield because that’s the direction you’re moving."

This meteor received more attention because it traveled over densely populated areas like Chicago, Milwaukee and the Fox Cities. Because so many people saw the meteor, Lattis said scientists would likely be able to calculate its speed, altitude, direction and ultimately where it came from in the solar system.

"They’re almost always more related to the asteroid belt, these extremely bright ones," he said. "It clearly was bright enough to collect a lot of attention."

Lattis said half of meteors streak across the sky during the day and three quarters fly over the ocean, so anyone who saw Thursday's fireball should consider themselves lucky. And if you missed the light show, just keep looking at the stars.

"It’s just a matter of time. If you watch the sky long enough, you will see plenty of meteors and even some bright ones," Lattis said. "It’s a reminder that we should all keep an eye on the great things happening in the sky."

BP and Shell Replenish Carbon-Trading Desks After Mass Departures


Laura Hurst
Thu, January 20, 2022

(Bloomberg) -- BP Plc and Royal Dutch Shell Plc have hired an array of carbon-emissions traders to replenish their ranks after an exodus of staff to trading houses last year.

Competition for traders of so-called environmental products has ramped up over the past year, with firms such as Trafigura Group Pte and Mercuria Energy Group Ltd expanding their footprint in businesses related to the transition to clean energy. With the cost of emissions rising, commodity-trading houses have looked to BP and Shell to hire experienced hands in the world of carbon credits and offsets.

The two oil majors are active in emissions trading throughout the world. The buying and selling of so-called carbon offsets could be a large part of the firms’ net-zero plans, which include development of renewable energy as well as tree-planting and reforestation to absorb greenhouse gases emitted by the burning of oil and gas.

Among BP’s recent hires are Julia Elmgren, who joins from Gazprom Marketing and Trading Ltd., where she was head of environmental products, according to people familiar with the matter. Former BNP Paribas SA trader Jason Jurado has also joined the London-based company, the people said.

In Houston, BP has hired carbon trader Kellen Locke, who has spent the bulk of his career as an environmental trader for Koch Industries Inc., the people said. Utkarsh Agarwal joined as a carbon offsets originator in Chicago. He has previously worked on voluntary and compliance carbon markets, having recently launched the LEAF Coalition to end tropical deforestation through the use of carbon markets. BP declined to comment.

Last year, BP lost a swathe of environmental-products traders to Glencore Plc, including in the Asia-Pacific region. That included Juan Carlos Parreno, who joined the commodity giant in December as a senior trader on its carbon portfolio, according to his LinkedIn profile. Glencore declined to comment.

Shell Hires

Following departures from Shell’s carbon emissions desk in Singapore last year, the company has relocated senior liquefied natural gas manager Sameer Kotecha to take on the role of team leader for environmental products trading in southeast Asia and Oceania, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

In London, the firm hired Beth Lang as a trader and originator for voluntary carbon markets in January from NEO Energy’s upstream unit. She started in January, according to her LinkedIn profile. Shell declined to comment.

Among the carbon traders the Anglo-Dutch firm lost last year were Sonia Battikh, who went to Citigroup Inc., and Kee-Nic Lee, who joined Trafigura’s carbon trading team in Singapore. Citigroup and Trafigura declined to comment.

Honduras new leader sees 'betrayal' before taking office

LIBRE! Free Party presidential candidate Xiomara Castro speaks to supporters after general elections in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Nov. 28, 2021. The prospects of Castro governing with support of a solid congressional majority has taken a hit before she's even been inaugurated. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo, File)

MARLON GONZÁLEZ
Fri, January 21, 2022

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) — Honduran President-elect Xiomara Castro saw her prospects of a successful administration take a hit on Friday even before she has been sworn in: A battle for leadership of the newly elected Congress devolved into shouting and shoving among her own allies.

The dispute threatens to split her own Liberty and Refoundation Party, as well as its alliance with the party of Vice President Salvador Nasralla — and raised suspicions that the outgoing government is trying to scuttle her administration before it can start.

Castro had promised to give leadership of the new Congress to an allied party she will depend upon to pass legislation after she takes office on Thursday.

Instead, 20 members of her own party broke ranks and chose one of their own members as leader — getting votes from anti-Castro parties to defeat the president-elect's candidate

It infuriated Castro, who tweeted, “The betrayal is complete."

Castro's party, known as Libre, won 50 seats in the 128-seat Congress in November elections and to pass legislation, it will need votes from allies such as Nasralla's Honduras Salvation Party.

Nasralla ended his own presidential campaign and endorsed Castro in October, creating a united front to remove the ruling National Party from power. As part of the deal, Nasralla got the vice presidency and his party was to lead the new Congress.

That leader was supposed to be Luis Redondo. But on Friday, 20 Libre lawmakers instead threw their support to one of their own, Jorge Cálix, and and other parties opposed to Castro backed him as well.

That set off shoving and shouting between loyalist and breakaway members of Libre inside the chamber. Outside, meanwhile, angry Libre supporters chained the doors of Congress so the lawmakers could not exit. Riot police moved in and eventually regained control.

Political analyst and former presidential candidate Olban Valladares said the dispute could be the result of interference from the outgoing administration of President Juan Orlando Hernández, whose National Party had controlled the previous Congress with its allies.

Valladares said the developments made it doubtful that Castro would be able to count on the full support of her party to resolve Honduras’ problems.

Former President Manuel Zelaya, Castro’s husband, said via Twitter that the selection of Cálix would not be recognized and traitors would be expelled.

Serbian government blasts green groups for scuttling Rio's lithium project

A sign adorns the building where mining company Rio Tinto

 has their office in Perth, Western Australia

Thu, January 20, 2022, 
By Aleksandar Vasovic

BELGRADE (Reuters) - Serbian politicians on Friday blasted environmentalists for forcing them to scuttle Rio Tinto Plc's proposed $2.4 billion lithium project, warning the move could hurt efforts to grow and diversify the Balkan country's economy.

Environmentalists, though, having scored a victory after the government bowed to pressure and revoked Rio's lithium exploration licences on Thursday, are now demanding a moratorium on lithium mining before expected elections in April to ensure the decision is not reversed afterwards.


Zorana Mihajlovic, Serbia's mining and energy minister, said late on Friday that Belgrade acted to fulfil the requests by various green groups to halt the Jadar lithium project, but accused them of injecting politics into environmental issues.

"The government showed it wanted the dialogue ... (and) attempts to use ecology for political purposes demonstrate they (green groups) care nothing about the lives of the people, nor the industrial development," Mihajlovic told reporters.

The country's populist ruling coalition, led by the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), has come under fire for backing lithium and copper mining, eroding the comfortable majority won in a 2020 vote.

The decision is a major setback for Rio, which was hoping the project would help make it one of the world's 10 biggest producers of lithium. China is the world's largest consumer and processor of the metal, and various European countries have been working to boost their own output.

Rio last month said it would buy a second lithium asset for $825 million in Argentina, as it looks to build its battery materials business.

The European Battery Alliance, a network of electric vehicle supply chain companies formed by Brussels, said the Jadar project "constituted an important share of potential European domestic supply." Serbia is not a member of the EU, though it hopes to join the bloc in coming years.

"It would have contributed to support the growth of a nascent industrial battery-related ecosystem in Serbia, contributing to a substantial amount to Serbia's annual GDP," the alliance said in a statement.

Rio's shares in Australia closed down 4.2% on Friday. While in London, Rio's shares ended down 2.2%.

Thousands of Serbians blocked roads in protests against the government's backing of the project in recent months, demanding Rio leave the country and forcing the local municipality to scrap a plan to allocate land for the facility.

More protests are scheduled for Saturday in the town of Loznica in western Serbia where the mine was to be built, said Ljiljana Bralovic, one of the protest leaders.

"We want not only to see Rio Tinto out (of Serbia), we also want a permanent ban on the exploitation of lithium and borates," Bralovic said.

Aleksandar Jovanovic Cuta, another protest leader, said green groups would prevent any future government's attempt to negotiate a new deal with Rio Tinto after the elections.

"Anyone who tries to do that is crazy, all of Serbia would pour to the streets," he said.

SUPPLY SHORTAGE

On Thursday, Rio said it was "extremely concerned" by Serbia's decision and was reviewing the legal basis for it.

The Australian government said it regretted Serbia's decision.

Relations between Belgrade and Canberra have soured after Sunday's deportation of Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic from Australia over its COVID-19 entry rules.

Djokovic spoke out in support of "clean air" in a December Instagram story post captioning a picture of the anti-mining protests, which was published by The Bridge, a digital sports platform.

Rio has already spent $450 million in pre-feasibility, feasibility and other studies on Jadar to understand the nature of the deposit, the company said in a project fact sheet in July.

"The level of opposition to it has really ratcheted up over the last six months," Credit Suisse analyst Saul Kavonic said of the Jadar mine.

"We've been highlighting for a while now there would be about $2 a share at risk if the government cancels it."

At full capacity, the Jadar mine was expected to produce 58,000 tonnes of refined battery-grade lithium carbonate a year, making it Europe's biggest lithium mine by output.

Experts said the world's shortage of lithium had been forecast to last for another three years at least, but with the cancellation of the Jadar project, the shortfall would be exacerbated.

"We're at the point now where lithium supply is going to set the pace of electric vehicle rollout," Kavonic said.

Robust global demand for the metal far outstripping supply growth has boosted lithium prices in recent years.

Lithium futures, which started trading on the CME in May last year, have jumped 171% to a record high of $38/kg on Thursday, according to Refinitiv data.

(Graphic: Benchmark lithium hydroxide prices surge to record highs on global demand boom, https://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/ce/byvrjmyoyve/GlobalLithiumPrices.png)

(Reporting by Aleksandar Vasovic and Ivana Sekularac in Belgrade, Sonali Paul and Praveen Menon in Melbourne; additional reporting by Clara Denina in London and Florence Tan in Singapore; writing by Praveen Menon and Ernest Scheyder; Editing by Kenneth Maxwell, Raju Gopalakrishnan and Paul Simao)

Police: Truck with 100 monkeys crashes, some of them missing




1 / 4
Crates holding live monkeys are scattered across the westbound lanes of state Route 54 at the junction with Interstate 80 near Danville, Pa., Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, after a pickup pulling a trailer carrying the monkeys was hit by a dump truck. They were transporting 100 monkeys and several were on the loose at the time of the photo. (Jimmy May/Bloomsburg Press Enterprise via AP)More

Fri, January 21, 2022

DANVILLE, Pa. (AP) — A truck carrying about 100 monkeys was involved in a crash Friday in Pennsylvania, state police said as authorities searched for at least three of the monkeys that appeared to have escaped the vehicle.

The truck carrying the animals crashed with a dump truck in the afternoon in Montour County, Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Andrea Pelachick told the Daily Item.

The truck had been on its way to a lab, Pelachick said.

Authorities have asked residents who might see the monkeys to call state police at 570-524-2662.

It was unclear if any people or animals were injured in the crash.

 

Why citizens are losing trust in democratic governments

Ihsaan Fanusie

Fri, January 21, 2022, 

Edelman’s Trust Barometer for 2022 revealed that the global level of trust in government and media is dropping.

An annual online survey conducted in 28 countries and reaching over 36,000 respondents found that distrust in political institutions fell in 2021 across the world.

Among the key findings of the report was the overall lower trust in world leaders and institutions around the world, with 67% of respondents saying they worry that journalists and reporters were “purposely trying to mislead people by saying things they know are false or gross exaggerations.” The figures were 66% and 63% for government and business leaders, respectively.

These results come as the countries across the world have struggled to contain the novel coronavirus since 2020, with varying degrees of success. The Omicron variant, which was first identified in November of 2021, has spread rapidly around the world and has driven the seven day average of new cases to 3.5 million as of January 20.

A majority of survey participants believed that institutions, including businesses, governments, NGOs, and the media were not doing well on responding to health and public safety concerns of the COVID-19 pandemic. Globally, the biggest societal fears were job loss (85%), climate change (75%), and hackers and cyber attacks (71%).

Photo by: KGC-254/STAR MAX/IPx 2021 1/12/22 Protesters demonstrate against Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the 'party gate' scandal outside Parliament on 12th January 2022 in London, England, UK. Johnson is under attack from both his MPs and the public after admitting to having attended a garden party at Downing Street in May 2020 when the UK was still in lockdown.

Social divides widening

Within the United States, a clear political chasm between Democrats and Republicans exists. The Edelman Trust Index, which measures the average percent trust in NGOs, business, government and media, was 55 for Democrats and 35 for Republicans.

Although a deeply skeptical public was a consistent theme in most countries, with 59% of respondents answering that they tend to distrust information until they see evidence of trustworthiness, citizens of some countries reported lower levels of trust than others.

Democracies across the world experienced a rise in distrust in 2021. The five countries with the largest declines in their Trust Indices were Germany (-7), Australia (-6), The Netherlands (-6), South Korea (-5), and the United States (-5). Significantly, the gap in trust between high-income and low-income earners had widened to 15 points, up from 6 points in 2012.

The report noted that the cycle of distrust threatens societal stability. “Government and media feed [the] cycle of division and disinformation for votes and clicks,” the report found. This causes NGOs and business to feel pressured to “take on societal problems beyond their abilities,” leading to greater overall distrust in those institutions as well.

Opinion: Attacks on us teachers are false and frightening. I cannot stay silent.

Marieta Irwin
Fri, January 21, 2022

I am a teacher. As a teacher, I have been following state Sen. Jake Chapman and his recent comments. At the opening session of the Iowa Senate this month, he said, “One doesn't have to look far to see the sinister agenda occurring right before our eyes. The attack on our children is no longer hidden. Those who wish to normalize sexually deviant behavior against our children, including pedophilia and incest, are pushing this movement more than ever before. Our children should be safe and free from this atrocious assault."

This is a direct quote. Chapman has said his comments were mischaracterized. His comment apparently originates from his desire to ban particular books from school libraries. I won’t take time to elaborate on the fact that every school library already has policies in place to decide which books are or are not on their shelves. Parents already have rights to know what students are reading in classrooms and teachers already make alternatives to required readings. I trust schools and parents to follow their protocol and arrive at a decision for that district. Chapman has also said he will introduce legislation to make it a felony for school employees to distribute obscene books. He has not explained who will get to deem a piece of literature obscene.

More: Iowa Senate President Jake Chapman says press, teachers have 'sinister agenda'

More: Rekha Basu: Iowa Senate president went too far Monday; Jake Chapman should apologize or face consequences

On his Facebook page I found more.

“Iowa has some of the best public teachers, that is why my children attend public schools. However, it is undeniable that there are some who are pushing this agenda, it is also a fact that we have had multiple teachers charged this year with sexual contact with their students. I will always stand up for what is right! I will always defend and protect our children!”

President of the Iowa Senate Jake Chapman, R-Adel, speaks before Gov. Kim Reynolds' Condition of the State address, inside the House Chamber, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 11, 2022, at the Capitol in Des Moines.

Chapman’s words about teachers are mere platitudes. He shows his real beliefs when he implies that sexual assault is common and accepted among educators. Anyone, anyone, who is accused of sexual assault, should be investigated and, if there is evidence, prosecuted. Regardless of their profession, social, economic status, or community involvement. Predators, unfortunately, can be found in many professions. Police officers, priests/ministers, judges, doctors, and politicians have been found guilty of sexual assault. But, Chapman hasn’t tried to kindle righteous indignation toward these professions or individuals. He’s targeted only teachers in an attempt to continue divisions. His comment that teachers are pushing a "sinister agenda" is untrue. The only thing educators are pushing is the science of learning, helping students build critical thinking skills, and optimizing learning for everyone.

More: Opinion: The 'sinister agenda' is the attack on our teachers and schools, Senator Chapman

I did not expect this school year to be easy. Teaching has never been easy. But, I did not expect it to be this hard. Chapman and others work on igniting anger toward schools and teachers but are unwilling to help. They claim that “Iowa has some of the best public teachers” and then publicly insult and debase and accuse them of abusing children.

Want more opinions? Read other perspectives with our free newsletter, follow us on Facebook or visit us at DesMoinesRegister.com/Opinion. Respond to any opinion by submitting a Letter to the Editor at DesMoinesRegister.com/Letters.

I am a special education teacher. Because of the students that I serve, there have been times when I have been physically assaulted at school. I’ve been bitten, hit, and bruised. My worst day at school did not batter as badly as Chapman’s comments. The only difference is my students are still practicing and learning executive functioning skills. The deliberate undermining of the public education system and those that serve it is frightening.

Being a teacher in the state of Iowa is going to get much harder. So. Much. Harder.

Marieta Irwin teaches special education in northwest Iowa.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Opinion: Attacks on us teachers are false and frightening