THE Wonders OF THE WORLD THE HYPOCRISY OF WOKE IN REVERSE THE PRITZKER PRIZE : HAMILTON VS. BURR THE G-RATED HUMOR OF JIM GAFFIGAN GREENLAND
AUGMENTED REALITY AND THE NEXT DIMENSION OF REAL ESTATE ARTCH TECTURE
US IMPORT DEPENDENCE ON CANADA AND MEXICO TR E DAT REAL ESTATE F THE FU URE
THE BEST & WORST PLACES TO RETIRE BEST CITIES FOR SPACIOUS APARTMENTS
THE MOST & LEAST EDUCATED STATES IN AMERICA C NTEST: THE WRITER WITHIN
from the pages of
From Where I Sit
The Editor’s Page in is almost totally devoted to humor and wisdom and this is a collection of some of the best of them.
The Best Diversions
Give yourself the gift of smiles. J
A handsome, artbook-style volume with the best Diversions to appear in over the last decade. A compendium you will treasure for years to come.
"This collection is laugh-out-loud funny!"
Kirkland Review of Books "Prescription: Read 3-4 pages a day for a month. It’ll brighten your day! And make it last a month."
Susan Carnegie, The Montreal Voice
Vertical Lines I, II, III and IV
Compilations of Sarcasm, Word Play, and Witticisms from the pages of
"This is simply genius. I kept on laughing the whole day when I read it."
Maria Tariq
"...absolutely hilarious! I laughed so hard that it brought tears to my eyes."
Randal Maynard
also from The CREST Publications Group
My Hand Book
"Incisive yet expansive - as if the psychology of R.D. Laing encountered the self-exploration of Hugh Prather to help readers delve into their own thought, experiences and behaviours."
The Rockford Tribune
"Curiously intense and ironic. This is a work that will make you think and feel and you will revisit it over and over.
Marion Danziger, The Toronto Town Crier
S.H.I.T. from the Internet
“An often off-color (but always entertaining and almost always hilarious) collection of jokes that you will read, enjoy – and probably tell –over and over.”
Joey Cousins, The Greenwich Times
Leading With My Heart
"It matters not who we have been, or why, with whom, or how. What matters is that we have met and who we are from now."
Original reflections on new love, its flame, intensity, and all-consuming spirit. Short, poetic expressions of heartfelt longing, passion, and desire. Intimate expressions of tenderness and adoration, accompanied by romantic pictures. A wonderful gift for someone you love.
Available at your favorite online bookstores –click on the links at the top of the page.
“So simple. So eloquent and beautiful. Absolutely wonderful!”
Allison Templeton
A Book
"A perfect companion to Vertical Lineshumor in bite-sized pieces.”
Ellen Campbell, Sinclair Book Reviews "Dyslexics of the world, untie!”
L. Bartow. The Network Bookshelf unite! this!
Punsters of the world, read shit!"
09 INB X | ON THE
THE PLEIADES, THUNDER AND LIGHTNING, THE DEBT LIMIT, WHOA, DATA, HOLY MOLY, WEATHER WATCHES AND WARNINGS, BEAUTY IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER, HOW METEOROLOGISTS MONITOR SEVERE WEATHER, MUKBANG, TIBET, DALAI LAMA, WHEN AND WHY DID DECORATION DAY BECOME MEMORIAL DAY?
ECSTATIC SHOCK, HIPPOS, SIGNATURES, KUEBIKO, IDENTICAL TWINS, THE EARTH’S ROTATION, HOLDING YOUR BREATH, A DINOSAUR’S LIFESPAN, FINGERPRINTS, THE VISIBILITY OF STARS
19 TRENDI G
WORLD HAPPINESS—FINLAND IS #1 FOR THE 8TH YEAR IN A ROW
20 REFLECTIONS
OPINION—UNDER THE COVER OF CHAOS. OUR EDITOR OPINES ABOUT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION
36 CURRENT DEVENTS—SATIRE
TRUMP ANNOUNCES PLANS TO REPLACE THE LETTER ‘D’ WITH HIS OWN NAME 30 DROWNING IN THE DETAILS?
KATE ZABRIESKI OFFERS ADVICE ON OVERCOMING THE URGE TO MICROMANAGE 31 ARTCH TECTURE
MARISA S. WHITE — EXPLORING THE EXISTENTIAL AND THE METAPHYSICAL 39
TRUMP HAS AN INCURABLE CASE OF NOSCRUPLES
BEST & WORST PLACES TO RETIRE IN 2025 44 U.S. IMPORT
THINKING OUT LOUD— THE GLOBAL DECLINE OF TRUST IN POLITICAL SYSTEMS
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR T.J. EDWARDS EXAMINES THE CRISIS OF CONFIDENCE 48 THE GE GRAPHY
THE PAGE HAMILTON VS. BURR
–
–A
THE HYPOCRISY OF WOKE IN REVERSE: THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION
55 THE MOST & LEAST EDUCATED STATES IN AMERICA A WALLETHUB REPORT 56 THE WISDOM AND INSIGHTS OF THEODORE ROOSEVELT 57 THE G-RATED HUMOR JIM GAFFIGAN 59 SWITCHING TO PUBLIC TRANSIT A POINT2HOMES STUDY 60 THE LINK MARKETPLACE, BIDDER’S LIST & DIRECTORY 62 BACKPAGE OUR ADVERTISERS, WINNERS FROM LAST ISSUE’S CONTEST,
C NTEST: THE WRITER WITHIN
ST. UPID, BRAINS, HOW DID THAT HAPPEN?, 2ND GRADE ENGLISH, ON VACATION, OBITUARY
DEARLY DEPORTED, BILL BORD
THE BLUEPRINT
21 TRENDI G THE IMPACT OF JOB LAYOFFS ON THE RENTAL MARKET IN WASHINGTON, D.C 29 AUGMENTED REALITY AND THE NEXT DIMENSION OF REAL ESTATE ETHAR’S TONY HODGSON PRESENTS THE FIRST OF A MULTI-PART SERIES ON HOW THE SPATIAL WEB IS EMERGING
24
THE Wonders OF THE WORLD OUR FIFTH INSTALLMENT –THE SEVEN WONDERS OF THE PRE-COLUMBIAN WORLD
37 LIU JIAKUN IS AWARDED THE PRITZKER PRIZE
38 TRENDI G: RED LIGHT. GREEN LIGHT. RED LIGHT. THE GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION’S FLIP-FLOP ON LISTING FEDERAL PROPERTIES
40 SOCIAL OWNERSHIP OF HOUSING OPINION: A PUBLIC OPTION WHICH CAN TAKE MANY FORMS
41 THE RIBA AWARDS 85 SOCIAL DWELLINGS IN BARCELONA TAKES HOME THE PRIZE
42 BUILDING LIFECYCLE MANAGEMENT AN IFMA AND AUTODESK JOINT ENDEAVOR
22 THE UGLIEST BUILDINGS IN THE UNITED STATES – NOT! THE FIRST EVER AESTHETIC ATROCITY AWARDS
43 THE BEST CITIES FOR SPACIOUS APARTMENTS STORAGE CAFÉ’S MIRELA MOHAN EXPLAINS THE TAKEAWAYS FROM A RECENT STUDY
28 REAL ESTATE F THE FU URE STUDIO LIBESKIND’S FAN D’ISSY IN PARIS
45 THE COMMERCIAL LENDERS’ SLOWDOWN CONTRIBUTING EDITOR ROXANA TOFAN EXAMINES THE IMPACT ON INVESTORS
58 HOW INTEREST RATES IMPACT HOMEBUYERS ADVICE FOR THE FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER
38 THE FACTOR: TORRE THE POINT
THE FACTOR 51 ROCCA IMPERIALE
/ VOL 33 / ISSUE 3
ABOUT US
Now in our 33rd year, reaches millions of architects, engineers, developers, brokers, construction managers, property and facility managers, bankers, lawyers, appraisers, investors, service providers, and many more throughout the U.S. via subscription and social media! We proudly serve and service any and all real estate associations bimonthly. If your group would like to be included, please let us know. Email: aafelder@thenetworkmagazine.org or call the number above.
CREST Publications Group EXECUTIVE STAFF
ANDREW A. FELDER: Publisher/Managing Editor. aafelder@thenetworkmagazine.org
XENIA MONTERO: Associate Editor and Art Director. hello@agosto.studio
ANNETTE LAWLESS: Social Media Manager. annettelawless@hotmail.com
MARK ANGLE: National Sales Manager. mark@thenetworkmagazine.org
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SHUMALIA REHMAN: Cover Designer, Book Division. shumailarehman3225@gmail.com
ROXANA TOFAN: 6Q –Who, What, When, Where, Why and How. T. J. EDWARDS : Thinking Out Loud
Anthony Barbieri Roxana Tofan
T. J. Edwards
CHECK
WHAT OUR READERS ARE saying
ADVISORY BOARD
LINDSEY KOREN, Director of Communications, American Society of Interior Designers.
JONATHAN KRAATZ, Executive Director, USGBC Texas. Rick Lackey, CEO, REAL Professionals Network.
AIMÉE LEE, National Accounts Director, Recycle Across America.
LESLIE ROBINETT, Marketing and Communications Manager, International Facility Management Association.
LAURA MACDONALD STEWART, RID, FASID, IIDA, LEED AP, Editor of Plinth & Chintz.
JESSICA WARRIOR, Director of Property Management, Granite Properties.
Maria Tariq Mark Angle
Tripathi (Sam)
THERE’S AN APP FOR EVERYTHING
A womAn went into an early stage of labor with her first child. The doctor told them there was a new app which could transfer the pain of childbirth to the father. He asked if it was ok to use it. The couple agreed, and so the doctor turned the pain meter on the app to transfer 10% of the pain to the father. The man felt nothing. So the doctor bumped it up to 20%. Still nothing.
They kept doing this until they had the machine up to 100%, but the man still felt nothing. Then the doctor sent them home telling them to get ready to go to the hospital—perhaps tomorrow. So they went home happy… until they found the milkman — dead on the porch.
THE TEXT
A husband sent a text to his wife: “Honey, I got hit by a car outside of the office. Tina brought me to the hospital. They have been taking tests and doing x-rays. The blow to my head was very strong, may be serious. Also, I have 3 broken ribs, a broken arm, a compound fracture on my left leg and they may have to amputate the right foot.”
His wife responded: “Who’s Tina?”
Editor’s note
TOO SMART FOR FIRST GRADE
A first-grade teacher was having trouble with one of her students. One day she asked Johnny what his problem was, and he replied, “I'm too smart for 1st grade. My sister is in 3rd grade and I'm smarter than she is, too.” The teacher took him to the principal's office and explained the situation.
The principal told her that he would give Johnny a test, and if he failed to answer one question, he would have to go back to the first grade and be quiet. The teacher and Johnny both agreed.
Principal: “What is 3 x 3?”
Johnny: “9”
Principal: “6 x6?”
Johnny: “36
It went on like this, with the principal asking Johnny dozens of questions every 3rd grader should be able to answer. Finally, after about an hour he said to the teacher, “I see no reason Johnny can't go to the third grade. He answered all of my questions correctly.”
The teacher asked if she could ask him some questions, too. The principal and Johnny agreed.
Teacher: “What does a cow have 4 of that I only have two of?”
Johnny: “Legs”
Teacher: “What do you have in your pants that I don't have?” The principal gasped, but before he could stop Johnny from answering, he said, “Pockets.” Teacher: “What starts with ‘F’ and ends with ‘K’ and means a lot of excitement?”
Johnny: “Firetruck.” The principal breathed a huge sigh of relief and said, “Put Johnny in the 5th grade. I got the last two questions wrong myself.”
BY ANDREW FELDER Managing Editor & Publisher aafelder@thenetworkmagazine.org
THE TINY PIANIST
A guy walked into a New York bar pushing a small suitcase on wheels. He took a seat at the bar and began to open the suitcase carefully. He took out the tiniest piano you’ve ever seen and placed it on the bar. The bartender watched him, a little puzzled.
The guy then reached back into the suitcase and took out a tiny man. This little man was no taller than ten inches high. The guy seated him at the tiny piano, and he began to play a piece by Chopin in a way that was both enchanting and absolutely beautiful.
The bartender walked up to the guy and said, “Gee! Where did you get the tiny pianist? He’s brilliant!”
The guy put his hand back into his suitcase and pulled out an old magic lamp, which he then handed to the bartender. He said, “Here, rub this and make a wish.”
The bartender said, “Are you serious?”
The guy said, “Sure, go ahead.”
So the bartender rubbed the lamp, closed his eyes, and said, “I wish for a million bucks!”
There was a loud ‘POOF’ sound and a million ducks started marching into the bar.
The bartender looked at the man and said, “Buddy, I think your magic lamp is broken.“
The guy looked at him and gave him a wry smile. “Tell me something I don’t know. You don’t really think I asked for a 10-inch pianist, do you?” n
BRIGADIER
GENERAL
THOMAS J. EDWARDS (P. 48) retired from the U.S. Army after 30 years of distinguished service, earning accolades such as the Distinguished Service Medal, five Legion of Merit awards, and the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service in combat. He is a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, The American Legion, the Military Officer’s Association of America, and the 82nd Airborne Division Association. T.J. holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina and Master’s degrees from the University of Oklahoma, the Naval War College, and the Army War College. In May 2022, he relocated to San Antonio, Texas, earned his Texas Real Estate license, and joined Clear Integrity Group (CIG) as a partner, where he applies his leadership expertise to optimize the company's commercial real estate portfolios and operations.
TONY HODGSON (P. 29) is the founder and CEO of Ethar, Inc., an engineering and scientific firm developing best-in-class spatial computing solutions. Since starting his career supporting NASA and commercial aerospace programs, Tony has started and grown several software companies, led one of the largest technology incubators in the US, started the AR/Wearables group for Verizon’s marketing organization, and chaired global standards initiatives developing open and interoperable AR/VR solutions. He holds multiple industry certifications, and engineering degrees from Texas A&M and the University of Texas-Arlington.
Contributing Writers
ANDRA HOPULELE (P. 59) is a Senior Real Estate Writer at Point2Homes. She has a BAs in Language and in Psychology and an MA in Cultural Studies. With over seven years of experience in the field and a passion for all things real estate, Andra covers the impact of housing issues on our everyday lives, including the latest news on residential development, the dynamics of house rentals, advice for first-time renters and rental market news. She also writes about the financial implications of the new generations entering the housing market, with a focus on renters' perspectives and challenges. Her studies and articles have appeared in publications like The New York Times, Yahoo Finance, Business Insider, MSN, The Real Deal, and the Huffington Post.
ADAM MCCANN (P. 39 and 55) is a personal finance writer for Wallet-Hub who also helps produce WalletHub's weekly 'Best and Worst' studies. At Hopkins he took a wide variety of classes in writing, English, economics, political science, history, and language. While pursuing his education, Adam worked part-time in the Special Collections department of JHU's Milton S. Eisenhower library, where he helped out with the university's collection of rare books and manuscripts.
THE UPSIDE OF DOWNTIME...
Fans of will love these compilations of humor from the last decade. The Best of Diversions is just that –the very best of the hilarious Diversions that have appeared on the pages of the magazine. Each Vertical Lines book is over one hundred and fifty pages of wit, witticisms and sarcasm that have appeared between the pages (”in the gutter”, as they say). They are both available at your favorite online bookseller and you can see samples at the link here My Handbook is... well... look at the cover comments and a few sample pages. You’ll know soon enough if it’s for you. bookshelf on days off on off-days on rainy Sundays if you’re alone if you need a break to pass the time to brighten your day to sharpen your skills to open your mind to make you smile turn to thenetworkmagazine.org
MIRELA MOHAN (P. 42) is a senior editor and research associate for StorageCafe.com and an advocate for the positive impact of decluttered, organized spaces on overall well-being. With an academic background in English and translation, she covers various topics including real estate trends, lifestyle, and the economy. Her previous experience in proofreading academic articles inspired her to choose a writing career path. In her free time, Mirela enjoys reading, hiking, and creating art.
ROXANA TOFAN (P. 45 and 52) is the founder and principal broker of Clear Integrity Group, specializing in commercial real estate across Texas, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Ohio, and Tennessee. With a focus on multifamily and commercial properties, she excels in acquisitions, dispositions, and property management, particularly in transforming underperforming assets through strategic operations and team building. Roxana is a dedicated community advocate and enjoys traveling, spending time with her family, and supporting charitable causes. She has also served as a contributing editor for for over 15 years, covering topics including commercial real estate, business ownership, sports, and travel.
KATE ZABRISKIE (P. 30) is the president of Business Training Works, Inc., a Maryland-based talent development firm. She and her team provide onsite, virtual, and online soft-skills training courses and workshops to clients in the United States and internationally. For more information, visit www.businesstrainingworks.com
I was drinking a martini, and the waitress screamed, “Does anyone know CPR?” I yelled, “I know the entire alphabet,” and we all laughed and laughed…. Well, except one person.
a drive, I decided to go visit my childhood home. I asked the people living there if I could come inside because I felt nostalgic, but they refused and
INB X ON THE COVER
I wanted to express my appreciation for the exceptional quality of your recent articles. Each piece has engaging writing, making complex topics accessible and enjoyable. As an engineer myself, I particularly enjoyed the Diversion called Women As Explained By (Male) Engineers, which is now prominently displayed on my cubicle wall. I can’t tell you how many people have borrowed and copied it for themselves.
J
IAN BREMMER, ST. LOUIS, MO
I may not always agree with the opinion columns or articles in . In fact, I often don’t. But they are thoughtprovoking and fairly presented, and I appreciate that, and I very much enjoy the eclectic blend of art, factoids, industry information, insights and humor, and I look forward to every issue.
DANIELLE
CAZZAZA, ALBANY, NY
Thank you for publishing such a remarkable magazine. I love the Factoids and True Dat columns, and that everything is presented in a clear, ‘bite-sized’ way. Because I enjoyed the Diversions so much, I recently bout the Best Diversions book. It’s absolutely hilarious!!
LITA ALVARADO, SCOTTSDALE, AZ
I am writing as a devoted reader of the network to express my admiration for the exceptional diversity of articles featured in your publication. The breadth of topics covered is truly inspiring. What strikes me the most is your ability to express matters confidently and directly. I appreciate the fact that you label opinion as ‘opinion,’ and that, all at the same time, the magazine is informative, friendly, and funny. Please extend my appreciation to your team of writers, editors, and contributors who make a source of enjoyment with every issue
DECLAN DAVIDSON, MILWAUKEE, WI
CORRECTIONS & AMPLIFICATIONS
Did we make a mistake? Or does something we wrote about need further clarification? Let us know. editor@thenetworkmagazine.org
by MARISA S. WHITE
“This is that moment of sweet surrender—when I finally stop trying to control what’s out of my hands and fall into the unknown. It’s not always easy, but I’m learning to trust that everything happens for a reason. Even when the outcome feels unclear or uncomfortable, I believe there’s a bigger picture at play. The universe has a way of working things out— often quietly, often unexpectedly— but always with my best intentions at heart.”
A NON-TRADITIONAL APPROACH TO BUSINESS COLLECTIONS
Business-to-business debts require special, focused expertise and finesse... and the selection of your commercial collection service is an important decision. It revolves around Service, Trust and Recovery. Rates are important, and recovery is the objective (the bottom line)... but there is more to it.
The company you choose will be handling your money, talking to your customers, and representing you in the marketplace. You want your money as soon as possible – but you don’t want to lose clients.
At Arsenal Business Collections (ABC), you’re never out-of-pocket for our services. We collect (at prearranged terms) and when – and only when – we succeed (i.e., once we collect money owed to you), do we get paid. There is no fee UNLESS and UNTIL we collect!
Our payment is contingent upon your recovery – so our success is integrally tied to yours.
As a privately-owned company, we make decisions based on what is best for clients, not shareholders or outside investors. Our focus is exclusively on improving your bottom line, and we have the knowledge and experience to deliver exceptional results.
FACTOIDS
THE PLEIADES
the PleiAdes is A bright star cluster in the constellation Taurus, about 410 lightyears from Earth. In Greek mythology, the Pleiades (a/k/a the ‘Seven Sisters’, were the seven daughters of the Titan Atlas and the sea nymph Pleione. The seven sisters were Maia, Electra, Alcyone, Taygete, Asterope, Celaeno, and Merope. According to one myth, the Pleiades were pursued by the giant Orion and transformed into stars by Zeus. Merope is said to be the faintest star in the Pleiades, possibly because she married a mortal.
In Astronomy, the Pleiades is an open star cluster (meaning it is a group of stars that formed together and are gravitationally bound, but not as tightly as a globular cluster). It contains over 2,500 stars, but only six or seven can be seen with the naked eye. They are visible from October to April in both hemispheres.
WHOA!
The word ‘whoa’ has been used since at least the late 1400s and is thought to be a variant of the word ‘ho’, an interjection that was used to command horses to stop. Around the late 1800s, whoa began to be used more generally to express surprise or excitement.
THUNDER AND LIGHTNING
We all know that you see lightning before you hear thunder because light travels faster than sound. But what causes thunder?
When lightning strikes, it heats the air around it extremely quickly—up to 54,000°F—hotter than the sun’s surface! That sudden heat causes the air to expand explosively, creating a shockwave. That shockwave travels through the atmosphere as a sound wave, which is what we hear as thunder. You can estimate how far away the lightning struck by counting the seconds between the flash and the thunder, then dividing by 5. (Every 5 seconds ≈ 1 mile.) A thunderstorm needs three things to happen– moisture, unstable air, and a lift.
THE DEBT LIMIT
The debt limit is the total amount of money the United States government is authorized to borrow to meet its existing legal obligations, including Social Security and Medicare benefits, military salaries, interest on the national debt, tax refunds, and other payments. The debt limit does not authorize new spending commitments. It simply allows the government to finance existing legal obligations that Congresses and presidents of both parties have made in the past.
Failing to increase the debt limit would have catastrophic economic consequences. It would cause the government to default on its legal obligations –an unprecedented event in American history. That would precipitate another financial crisis and threaten the jobs and savings of everyday Americans –putting the United States in a deep economic hole just as the country is recovering from the recent recession.
Congress has always acted when called upon to raise the debt limit. Since 1960, Congress has acted 78 separate times to permanently raise, temporarily extend or revise the definition of the debt limit – 49 times under Republican presidents and 29 times under Democratic presidents. Congressional leaders in both parties have recognized that this is necessary.
Today was the most polarizing day of my life. My ex got hit by a school bus, and I lost my job as a bus driver.
I have an inferiority complex, but it’s not a very good one.
HOLY SMOKES!
HOLY MACKEREL!
HOLY MACARONI!
HOLY COW!
The phrase "holy moly'' (like the phrases above) is an expression of surprise or astonishment, and its exact origin is somewhat unclear. It is believed to be a minced oath, a euphemistic alteration of phrases that would otherwise invoke a religious context.
In the U.S., there are roughly 370,000 religious congregations, including approximately 332,000 Protestant and other Christian churches, 23,000 Catholic and Orthodox churches, and approximately 3,700 synagogues, with 40% being Orthodox, 26% Reform, and 23% Conservative. There are over 44,000 nondenominational or independent churches representing more than 12,200,000 adherents and about 15,000 congregations of other faiths.
DATA – SINGULAR OR PLURAL?
The word data comes from the Latin word datum, which means "something given." In Latin, data is the plural form of datum, so technically, data is plural. However, in modern English, data is often used as a mass noun, meaning it's treated as singular, especially in contexts related to computing and information science. For example, we might say: [Plural] "The data are inconclusive." or [Singular] "The data is stored in the cloud."
In scientific and academic writing, data is still commonly used as a plural noun, especially in formal contexts. In everyday speech and informal writing, data is often treated as singular because of its mass-noun usage (like information). So, both singular and plural usages are correct depending on the context, but in general, data has evolved toward being treated as singular in many common settings
HOW DO WATCHES AND WARNINGS DIFFER, AND WHICH WEATHER ALERT IS WORSE?
Springtime brings warmer weather, longer days, and nature's awakening across much of the country. It also brings higher chances for tornadoes, large hail, flash floods, and damaging winds — and that means more alerts about threatening forecasts, which often come in the form of watches and warnings. There is a distinct difference between the two, particularly when it comes to what they mean about taking action when the weather takes a turn for the worse. Conditions in spring are more favorable for these severe weather events, which happen more frequently and with greater intensity.
WATCH
-CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE
-PREPARE TO ACT QUICKLY
-LARGER AREA OVER COUNTIES AND/OR STATES
WARNING
-SPOTTED OR INDICATED BY RADAR
-TAKE ACTION IMMEDIATELY
-SMALLER AREA OVER A CITY OR SMALL COUNTY
A watch is usually issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Storm Prediction Center, or SPC, hours ahead of a storm system. A watch is intended to alert people in affected areas to monitor weather conditions and stay informed about forecasts. They are issued over a larger area that could span numerous counties or states. No matter what type of watch is issued, such as a severe thunderstorm watch or a tornado watch, they urge people to be prepared to act quickly.
A warning is more urgent and calls for action to be taken immediately. It is issued by the nearest National Weather Service office when a severe weather event has either been spotted by someone on the ground or indicated on radar. They are issued for a much smaller area, like a city or small county. If a tornado warning has been issued for your area, get into the lowest level of a building, find the most interior room with as many walls between you and the outdoors as possible, and cover your head. No matter the threat level, always take caution when severe weather is expected in your area.
HOW METEOROLOGISTS MONITOR SEVERE WEATHER
Specialists at NOAA's Storm Prediction Center monitor severe weather and can issue forecast outlooks days in advance. They use a 1-5 rating system to categorize severe thunderstorms, with 1 indicating a "marginal" threat with isolated storms possible and 5 indicating a "high" threat that includes widespread, damaging winds and/or a tornado outbreak. The SPC issues these severe storm outlooks over the continental United States as far in advance as eight days ahead of a storm. They look like large swatches of color on a map of the U.S. and are based on forecast models for a storm.
BEAUTY IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER
Beauty is subjective and influenced by cultural, social, and personal preferences. Terms like "handsome," "pretty," "beautiful," "attractive," and "gorgeous" are often used interchangeably, but they can carry subtle differences depending on context or society's ideals.
Attractive is often seen as a general term that refers to someone who is pleasing to look at. It could be used for both physical appearance and overall charisma or appeal.
Pretty is usually used to describe someone with a soft, delicate, or youthful appearance. It often carries a connotation of grace and charm.
Beautiful is often considered a more refined or classical term, often used to describe someone who has striking or elegant features. It is sometimes used to describe a more mature or sophisticated form of attractiveness.
Handsome is a term that is generally reserved for men and refers to a striking or distinguished appearance, often highlighting symmetry, strong features, and a sense of maturity.
Gorgeous is a more intense form of "beautiful" and tends to refer to someone who has an eye-catching, stunning appearance. It's often associated with someone who turns heads.
Cute is often used to describe someone endearing, sweet, or youthful in appearance. It's more about charm and likability rather than a classical sense of beauty. Sexy goes beyond physical attractiveness and can imply a certain sexual allure or appeal, often related to confidence, posture, or energy, not just appearance.
There isn't a single universally accepted "classification system" for beauty, and standards can also change significantly depending on culture and individual preferences. Some people focus on physical appearance, while others might consider factors like personality, intelligence, or style as key to attractiveness.
MUKBANG
[Pronounced mʌkpaŋ, literally. 'eating broadcast'], a mukbang is an online audiovisual broadcast in which a host consumes various quantities of food (generally from easily accessible and popular fast-food restaurant chains) while interacting with the audience or reviewing it. The genre became popular in South Korea in the early 2010s, and has become a global trend since the mid-2010s. Varieties of foods ranging from pizza to noodles are consumed in front of a camera. The purpose of mukbang is also sometimes educational, introducing viewers to regional specialties or gourmet spots; it may be either prerecorded or streamed live through a webcast on multiple streaming platforms.
I told my wife she should embrace her mistakes. She gave me a hug.
Meteorologist Preyfor Reine
I told my suitcases there would be no vacation this year. Now, I’m dealing with emotional baggage.
IS TIBET A SEPARATE COUNTRY OR A PART OF CHINA?
Tibet is officially considered an autonomous region within the People's Republic of China (PRC). However, the political status of Tibet is a complex and sensitive issue.
Tibet was an independent region for much of its history, with its own government, culture, and religion, particularly under the leadership of the Dalai Lama. However, the Chinese government asserts that Tibet has been part of China for centuries, citing historical interactions and suzerainty. In 1950, the People's Liberation Army of China entered Tibet, and in 1951, the Chinese government and Tibetan representatives signed the "Seventeen Point Agreement," which affirmed China's sovereignty over Tibet while promising autonomy and respect for Tibetan religion and culture. Many Tibetans feel that the agreement was signed under duress and does not reflect the true will of the Tibetan people.
Tibet is now an autonomous region of China called the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). Despite this, Tibetans (both inside Tibet and in exile) often argue that the region should be an independent country, and the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism (who himself lives in exile in India) has advocated for greater autonomy or independence for Tibet for many years. China maintains strict control over Tibet, and the international community generally recognizes Tibet as part of China as a result of diplomatic pressure and China's influence. However, some countries and individuals continue to support Tibet's independence or greater autonomy. So, while Tibet is legally part of China, the desire for independence and the cultural, religious, and political differences between Tibet and the Chinese government continue to be a source of tension and conflict.
WHEN AND WHY DID DECORATION DAY BECOME MEMORIAL DAY?
The first Decoration Day was observed on May 30, 1868, after being proclaimed by General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, a Union veterans’ organization. It was meant to honor Union soldiers who died during the Civil War by decorating their graves. Over the years, the observance expanded to include soldiers who died in other wars, not just the Civil War. After World War I, the day was increasingly
used to honor American military dead from all wars. In 1967, the name "Memorial Day" was officially recognized by the federal government, and in 1971, it was declared a national holiday by Congress and moved to the last Monday in May as part of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act to create a three-day weekend.
The original purpose of honoring Civil War dead broadened to include all American military personnel who died in service, making "Decoration Day" too narrow a term. Memorial Day better reflected the day's purpose: a memorial to all fallen service members, not just those from one conflict.
DALAI LAMA
The Dalai Lama is the head of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. (The term is part of the full title "Holiness Knowing Everything Vajradhara Dalai Lama.") All in the lineage of the Dalai Lamas are considered manifestations of Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion. Since the time of the 5th Dalai Lama in the 17th century, the Dalai Lama has been a symbol of the unification of the state of Tibet. The Dalai Lama's traditional function as an ecumenical (and not secular) figure has been taken up by the fourteenth Dalai Lama, who has worked to overcome sectarian and other divisions in the exile community and become a symbol of Tibetan nationhood for Tibetans in Tibet and in exile. He is Tenzin Gyatso, who escaped from Lhasa in 1959 during the Tibetan diaspora and lives in exile in Dharamshala, India.
There is a concept in Tibetan history known as "mchod yon" (མཆོད་ཡོན), often translated as "priest and patron relationship". It describes the historical (i.e., before the fourteenth Dalai Lama) alliance between Tibetan Buddhist leaders and secular rulers. According to Tibetan Buddhist doctrine, the Dalai Lama chooses his reincarnation. In recent times, the 14th Dalai Lama has opposed Chinese government involvement, emphasizing that his reincarnation should not be subject to external political influence. n
é Tenzin Gyatso - 14th Dalai Lama
I decided to give myself some life advice. Then I realized it was a stupid idea to take advice from some lunatic who talks to himself.
TR E DAT
Without a telescope, all the stars we can see lie within about 4,000 light-years of now. That means at most you’re seeing stars as they were 4,000 years ago, around when the pyramids were being built in Egypt. Astronomers estimate that the death rate for visible stars in our Milky Way is around one star every 10,000 years. So, given that we can only see 4,000 years back in time, it is unlikely (though not impossible) that any of them have died yet.
The average dinosaur lifespan was surprisingly small. The Tyrannosaurus Rex, for example, reached full size between 16-22 years old and lived up until 27-33. The largest dinosaurs such as the Brontosaurus and Diplodocus tended to live up to between 39-53 years old, maybe as old as 70.
Ecstatic Shock
is the surge of energy you feel upon catching a glance from someone you like, a thrill that starts in your stomach, arcs up through your lungs, flashes into a spontaneous smile, scrambles your inner circuits and tempts you to chase after him or her.
Hippos can’t swim. They have bones that are so big and dense that they’re barely buoyant at all. They don’t swim and instead perform a slow-motion gallop on the riverbed or on the sea floor. But they can sleep underwater, because of a built-in reflex that allows them to bob up, take a breath, and sink back down without waking.
’SROTATION
Identical twins don’t have the same fingerprints. This is because environmental factors during development in the womb (umbilical cord length, position in the womb, and the rate of finger growth) impact your fingerprint.
IS ACTUALLY SLOWING. THIS MEANS THAT, ON AVERAGE, THE LENGTH OF A DAY INCREASES BY AROUND 1.8 SECONDS PER CENTURY. 600 MILLION YEARS AGO A DAY LASTED JUST 21 HOURS.
THE WORLD RECORD FOR BREATH-HOLDING UNDERWATER WAS ACCOMPLISHED BY CROATIAN BUDIMIR SOBAT ON MARCH 27, 2021. HE HELD HIS BREATH FOR A TOTAL OF 24 MINUTES AND 37 SECONDS. ON AVERAGE, A HUMAN CAN HOLD THEIR BREATH BETWEEN 30-90 SECONDS.
^
In a 2016 study carried out by researchers in Uruguay, hundreds of people completed personality tests and then signed their name. The researchers reported that, among men, a larger signature correlated with having more social bravado, while in women, a bigger signature correlated with having narcissistic traits.
Kuebiko [koo-web-i-koh] is a state of exhaustion inspired by senseless tragedies and acts of violence, which force you to abruptly revise your expectations of what can happen in this world, trying to prop yourself up like an old scarecrow, who’s bursting at the seams yet powerless to do anything but stand there and watch. It derives from the mythological Japanese god of knowledge, agriculture, and wisdom, typically depicted as a scarecrow that watched over farmer’s fields and protected them from hungry birds or the ravages of weather.
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The best thing about dating a homeless man is that you can drop him off anywhere.
Finland is the happiest country in the world for the eighth year in a row, according to the World Happiness Report 2025. The World Happiness Report is published by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, in partnership with Gallup, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network and an independent editorial board. Other countries are at the top (and in the same order): 2] Denmark, 3] Iceland, and 4] Sweden.
Country rankings were based on answers people gave when asked to rate their own lives. Researchers say that beyond health and wealth, some factors that influence happiness are: sharing meals with others, having somebody to count on for social support, and household size. Believing in the kindness of others is also much more closely tied to happiness than previously thought.
While European countries dominate the top 20, there were some exceptions. Despite the war with Hamas, Israel came in at eighth. Costa Rica and Mexico entered the top 10 for the first time, ranking sixth and 10th, respectively. The U.S., which peaked at 11th place in 2012, dropped to its lowest-ever position at 24. Afghanistan is again ranked as the unhappiest country in the world, with Afghan women saying their lives are especially difficult.
TRENDI G Finland #1 in Happiness Ranking
The drop in the U.S.' ranking comes shortly after a monumental U.S. election and as many Americans report struggling financially. (The U.S. ranked 24th in the 2025 World Happiness Report, one spot lower than it did last year, when it likewise broke a new record low.)
The report noted that the "increasing number of people dining alone is one reason for declining wellbeing" in the U.S. While the U.S. ranking only changed slightly between the 2024 and 2025 reports, it underscores the previous year's finding that young people under 30 are
driving the downward shift. Young people in the U.S. believe they have the freedom to choose what to do with their lives fell 10 points between 2024 and 2020, at the onset of the pandemic.
Three Western nations — the U.S., Canada and Switzerland — were "among the fifteen largest losers" in the happiness rankings. The quality of global democracies hit an all-time low in 2024, and the U.S. continues to be seen as a "flawed democracy," according to the Economist Intelligence Unit's annual Global Democracy Index report.
More than one-third of the world population now lives under authoritarian rule, according to the index.
See/download the whole report <HERE> n
Democracy Index 2024
BY ANDREW FELDER
UNDER THE COVER OF REFLECTIONS
ishing their chances of obtaining legal protection.
INTERVENTIONS IN THE LEGAL SYSTEM
the trumP AdministrAtion hAs been characterized by a series of actions that many critics argue create chaos, potentially serving to obscure illegal and immoral practices. These actions span various domains, including immigration policies, legal system interventions, and the dismantling of diversity initiatives.
IMMIGRATION POLICIES AND HUMAN RIGHTS CONCERNS
One of the most contentious aspects of the Trump administration's approach has been its immigration policies, which critics argue violate fundamental human rights. The "zero tolerance" policy led to the separation of thousands of children from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border, drawing widespread condemnation. Detention centers are facing severe overcrowding, resulting in deteriorating conditions, with some detainees held in temporary facilities beyond the intended duration, raising significant human rights concerns.
Further exacerbating the situation, the administration reportedly cut funding for legal programs offering representation to unaccompanied immigrant children. This decision left many minors to navigate complex immigration proceedings without legal assistance, increasing their vulnerability to exploitation and dimin-
The administration's actions have also extended to the legal realm, where measures have been taken that some perceive as attempts to suppress opposition and undermine the judiciary's independence. A notable example is the memorandum directing the Attorney General to sanction lawyers and law firms opposing the administration. This directive includes potential consequences such as reassessing security clearances and terminating federal contracts for those deemed to engage in frivolous litigation against the government.
Critics argue that these measures are intended to intimidate legal professionals and deter legitimate challenges to the administration's policies, thereby eroding the checks and balances integral to a functioning democracy. The targeting of specific law firms and the revocation of security clearances for political opponents are seen as efforts to consolidate power and suppress dissent.
DISMANTLING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION INITIATIVES
The Trump administration has also taken steps to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs across federal agencies and other institutions. An executive order titled "Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs And Preferencing" declared that previous administrations had implemented "illegal and immoral discrimination programs" under the guise of DEI. This order effectively ended initiatives aimed at promoting diversity and addressing systemic inequalities.
Critics contend that this move undermines progress toward a more equitable society and dismisses the importance of addressing historical and ongoing discrimination. By labeling DEI programs as discriminatory, the administration has shifted the narrative, potentially diverting attention from its own controversial practices.
AUTHORITARIAN TENDENCIES AND PUBLIC DISTRACTION
Observers have expressed concerns that the administration's actions exhibit authoritarian tendencies, including undermining the judiciary, attacking the media, and consolidating power among loyalists. These strategies create a climate of chaos and uncertainty, which can distract the public and obscure scrutiny of potentially illegal or unethical practices. The administration's confrontations with legal institutions and efforts to delegitimize opposition are seen by some as tactics to divert attention from its own actions. From contentious immigration policies and interventions in the legal system to the dismantling of diversity initiatives, these actions have raised alarms about the erosion of democratic principles and the potential normalization of authoritarian tactics. As these developments continue to unfold, it remains crucial to maintain vigilance and uphold the foundational values of transparency, accountability, and justice.
EVERYONE WANTS TO GET RID OF WASTE IN GOVERNMENT — JUST NOT THE WAY THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS DOING IT
Cutting waste in the federal government is one of the rare goals that garners bipartisan support. From bloated bureaucracy to duplicative programs and inefficient spending, nearly every politician campaigns on the promise of making government leaner and more effective. However, while the goal is widely shared, the approach taken by the Trump administration has sparked sharp criticism—not because people disagree with the idea of reducing waste, but because many believe the methods being used are misguided, counterproductive, or ideologically driven rather than grounded in evidence or efficiency.
When my Uncle Frank died, he wanted his remains to be buried in his favorite beer mug. His last wish was to be Frank in Stein.
One of the clearest examples of this is the Trump administration's sweeping dismantling of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs across federal agencies. Under the guise of cutting waste and eliminating so-called "radical ideology," the administration has rolled back initiatives meant to ensure fair representation, mitigate bias, and promote opportunity across race, gender, and background. Critics argue this is not an effort to reduce waste but a political move designed to erase programs that don't align with a particular worldview. In reality, many of these initiatives are low-cost and high-impact, helping institutions better serve a diverse population and prevent costly litigation from discrimination claims.
Similarly, the administration's push to cut funding for legal services provided to unaccompanied immigrant children is framed as a budget-trimming exercise. But rather than improving government efficiency, this move puts vulnerable children at greater risk and could create more chaos in the already overburdened
immigration court system. In the long run, it may cost more to resolve legal backlogs and handle appeals resulting from flawed or incomplete proceedings. Cutting vital services under the pretense of efficiency can often create more problems than it solves.
Another troubling trend is the administration’s targeting of lawyers and law firms that oppose its policies. Through memos directing the Attorney General to investigate or penalize those pursuing litigation against the government, the administration is effectively labeling dissent as waste. But in a healthy democracy, legal challenges and checks on executive power are not wasteful—they are essential. Silencing opposition or making it harder for critics to operate undermines the very institutions that keep government accountable and effective.
The reality is, trimming true government waste requires a nonpartisan, analytical approach. It involves careful audits, performance evaluations, technology
TRENDI G
The Impact of Job Layoffs on the Rental Market in Washington, D.C.
the dePArtment of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk under the Trump administration, has initiated significant federal workforce reductions in Washington, D.C., prompting concerns about the city's rental market stability.
Reducing federal jobs, which constitute about 25% of D.C.'s workforce, could decrease housing demand as displaced workers seek employment elsewhere. This scenario may result in higher vacancy rates and downward pressure on rental prices. Additionally, the termination of leases for federal buildings could impact ancillary workers, such as clerical and janitorial staff, further affecting the rental market.
Recent data indicates a 2.7% year-overyear increase in median rent to $2,325 as of February 2025, following a period of decline in 2024. This uptick is attributed to return-to-office mandates and a slowdown in new apartment construction, which has limited housing supply.
However, the full effects of the federal downsizing are still unfolding.
The city's affordable housing sector faces an existential crisis, with over 22,000 income-restricted units at risk of foreclosure due to insufficient rental income. The reallocation of funds from new construction to existing projects has halted the development of low-income housing, exacerbating the housing shortage.
modernization, and strategic restructuring—not blanket cuts or ideologically motivated purges. Government efficiency isn't just about spending less—it's about spending smarter. That means investing in programs that prevent harm, increase access, and improve outcomes for citizens. It means collaborating with experts, listening to feedback from agencies, and making data-driven decisions.
Everyone wants a government that works better and costs less. But the Trump administration’s methods too often conflate political preferences with fiscal responsibility. Instead of targeted reform, we see sweeping eliminations and punitive actions that risk doing more damage than good. The country deserves a conversation about waste reduction that’s based on facts, fairness, and function—not one that uses “efficiency” as a cover for exclusion, suppression, or power consolidation. n
Despite these challenges, D.C.'s multifamily housing sector has shown resilience, supported by a strong local job market and high household incomes. However, the long-term stability of the rental market will depend on the extent of federal workforce reductions and the city's ability to address the affordable housing crisis. While the immediate effects of DOGE's federal workforce reductions on D.C.'s rental market are limited, the potential for significant long-term impacts exists, particularly concerning affordable housing and overall market stability. n
THE UGLIEST BUILDING(S)
IN THE UNITED STATES
– NOT!
the ArchitecturAl uPrisinG is a Swedish group that calls itself “a people’s movement against the continued uglification of our cities.” In the first of what will be an ongoing award, they recently named Steven Holl Architect's Simmons (residence) Hall at MIT the winner of its International Aesthetic Atrocity Awards.
Simmons Hall is a 350-bed, 10-story on-campus residence hall in Cambridge, MA. In 2003, it won the American Institute of Architects Honor Award for Architecture. In fact, it has won many prestigious awards including 2004 ACEC Engineering Excellence Honor Award, the 2003 National AIA Design Award, the 2003 Best of Boston New Building Award, the 2003 Association of General Contractors Build Massachusetts Award, the 2003 Charles Harleston Parker Medal, the Architecture Boston Annual Design Awards, the 2002 NY AIA Design Award, and the 2000 Progressive Architecture Awards.
The AU is strongly and openly opposed to modernist architecture, which is no doubt why they took aim at this structure. It has the classic traits of modernism, an architectural movement also despised by President Donald Trump (and Stalin and Hitler before him). At , like the students who live there, we think the building is very cool.
The dishonorable title — the first-ever Aesthetic Atrocity Awards — will be awarded at a ceremony during the ‘Beauty and Ugliness in Architecture’ Conference in Oslo, Norway from May 2-4, 2025.
American critic and AU cofounder Michael Diamant, who was on the judging committee, said, “It was a difficult decision, as unfortunately there were many worthy contenders, but our panel noted in particular the building’s inhuman scale, awkward structure, and haphazardly placed windows. All of this is evidence of ‘architectural mal-
practice’.” The citation also said that “it's just plain ugly and terrible to look at." Again, we disagree.
Pictured here are runners-up for the ‘award’ including Morphosis Architects' San Francisco Federal Building and 41 Cooper Square, as well as Daniel Libeskind's The Ascent near Cincinnati. Again, again, and again we wholeheartedly disagree. These structures are certainly NOT ugly!
The doctor gave me one year to live, so I shot him. The judge gave me 15 years. Problem solved.
The San Francisco Federal Building, formally the Speaker Nancy Pelosi Federal Building, is an 18-story, 234-foot-tall building in the South of Market neighborhood of San Francisco. It was designed by the Morphosis architectural firm to supplement the Phillip Burton Federal Building several blocks away.
41 Cooper Square is a 9-story, 175,000sqft academic center at Cooper Square in the East Village in New York City, that houses Cooper Union's Albert Nerken School of Engineering and additional spaces for the humanities, art, and architecture departments. It was designed by architect Thom Mayne of Morphosis,
The Ascent at Roebling's Bridge is a residential building in Covington, Kentucky, United States, in the greater Cincinnati area. Designed by Daniel Libeskind, the building sits along the Ohio River across from the Roebling Suspension Bridge. It was commissioned in 2004 and was completed in March 2008 at a cost of approximately $50 million. n
é United States Federal Building in San Francisco (main structure, seen from Mission and 7th).
é Cooper Union Academic Building.
é The Ascent at Roebling's Bridge.
The Seven Wonders
of the Pre-Columbian World
this is PArt 5 of our series—200 Wonders!
THE PYRAMIDS OF TEOTIHUACAN, MEXICO
The pyramids of Teotihuacan (a UNESCO World Heritage site) are iconic Mesoamerican structures about 30 miles northeast of Mexico City. They feature the Pyramid of the Sun, the Pyramid of the Moon and the Temple of Quetzalcoatl and were built between the 1st and 7th centuries AD. Teotihuacan means "place where gods were created." It is known for its colorful murals painted on plastered walls.
The Pyramid of the Sun is the largest building in Teotihuacan, and one of the largest in Mesoamerica. The name comes from the Aztecs, who visited the city of Teotihuacan centuries after it was abandoned; the name given to the pyramid by the Teotihuacanos is unknown. The site also includes La Ciudadela, believed to have been the residence of the city's supreme ruler, and various palaces and temples.
It is thought that the pyramid venerated a deity within Teotihuacan society. However, little evidence exists to support this hypothesis. The destruction of the temple on top of the pyramid, by both deliberate and natural forces prior to the archaeological study of the site, has so far prevented identification of the pyramid with any particular deity.
THE TEMPLES OF TIKAL, GUATEMALA
Tikal, an ancient Maya city in northern Guatemala, boasts impressive temples within Tikal National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage site) featuring structures like Temple I (Temple of the Great Jaguar), Temple II (Temple of the Masks), and Temple IV, the tallest pyramid. (At about 230 feet, it is the tallest pre-Columbian structure in the Americas.
Tikal Temple I is the designation given to one of the major structures at Tikal, one of the largest cities and archaeological sites of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization in Mesoamerica. It is also known as the Temple of the Great Jaguar because of a lintel that represents a king sitting upon a jaguar throne. Another name is the Temple of Ah Cacao, after the ruler buried in there. It was built around 732 AD.
Tikal flourished between 200 and 850 A.D. and was later abandoned. Its iconic ruins of temples and palaces also include the giant, ceremonial Lost World (Mundo Perdido) Pyramid.
Mesoamerica is a historical region and cultural area that begins in the southern part of North America and extends to the Pacific coast of Central America, thus comprising central and southern Mexico, all of Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, and parts of Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. As a cultural area, Mesoamerica is defined by a mosaic of cultural traits developed and shared by its indigenous cultures. Many indigenous societies flourished in Mesoamerica for more than 3,000 years before the Spanish colonization of the Americas began on Hispaniola in 1493.
Instead of ‘John,’ I call my bathroom ‘Jim.’ It sounds better when I say I went to the ’Jim’ first thing in the morning.
MICHAEL WASSMER
é The Sun Pyramid.
é Pyramid of the Moon.
RAYMOND OSTERTAG , CC BY-SA 2.5, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
ARIAN ZWEGERS FROM BRUSSELS , BELGIUM, CC BY 2.0, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
é Temple 1.
é Temple 1 and 2.
The fact that there's a highway to hell and only a stairway to heaven says a lot about anticipated traffic numbers.
THE NAZCA LINES, PERU
The Nazca lines are a group of over 700 geoglyphs made in the soil of the Nazca Desert in southern Peru. They were created between 500 BC and 500 AD by people making depressions or shallow incisions in the desert floor, removing pebbles and leaving different-colored dirt exposed. There are two major phases of the Nazca lines, Paracas phase, from 400 to 200 BC, and Nazca phase, from 200 BC to 500 AD.
In the 21st century, several hundred new figures had been found with the use of drones, and archaeologists believe that there are more to be found.
Most lines run straight across the landscape, but there are also figurative designs of animals and plants. The combined length of all the lines is more than 800 miles and the group covers an area of about 19 square miles. The lines are typically 4–6 inches deep. The width of the lines varies, but more than half are slightly more 13 inches wide. (In some places they may be only 12 inches) wide, and in others 6 feet) wide.
Because of its isolation and the dry, windless, stable climate of the plateau, the lines have mostly been preserved naturally. The figures vary in complexity. Hundreds are simple lines and geometric shapes; more than 70 are zoomorphic designs, including a hummingbird, arachnid, fish, condor, heron, monkey, lizard, dog, cat, and a human. Other shapes include trees and flowers. Scholars differ in interpreting the purpose of the designs, but in general, they ascribe religious significance to them.
é Temple of the Inscriptions (left) and a palace (right).
THE TEMPLE OF THE INSCRIPTIONS AT PALENQUE, MEXICO
The Temple of the Inscriptions is the largest Mesoamerican stepped pyramid structure at the pre-Columbian Maya civilization site of Palenque, located in the modern-day state of Chiapas, Mexico. The structure was specifically built as the funerary monument for Kʼinich Janaabʼ Pakal, ruler of Palenque in the 7th century, whose reign lasted almost 70 years. Construction of this monument commenced in the last decade of his life, and was completed by his son and successor Kʼinich Kan Bahlam II.
The Temple of the Inscriptions has been significant in the study of the ancient Maya, because of the extraordinary sample of
hieroglyphic text found on the Inscription Tablets, the impressive sculptural panels on the piers of the building, and the finds inside the tomb.
The structure consists of a "temple" structure that sits atop an eight-stepped pyramid (for a total of nine levels). Despite the fact that Palenque, and the Temple of Inscriptions itself, had been visited and studied for more than two hundred years, the tomb of Pakal was not discovered until 1952. Alberto Ruz Lhuillier, a Mexican archaeologist, removed a stone slab from the floor of the temple, revealing a stairway filled with rubble. Two years later, when the stairway was cleared, it was discovered that it led into Pakal’s tomb.
DANIEL ARMESTO
THE STELAE OF COPAN, HONDURAS
Maya stelae (singular stela) are monuments that were fashioned by the Maya civilization of ancient Mesoa-
merica. They consist of tall, sculpted stone shafts and are often associated with low circular stones referred to as altars, although their actual function is uncertain. Many were sculpted in low relief, although plain monuments are found throughout the Maya region. The sculpting of these monuments spread throughout the Maya area during the Classic Period (250-900 AD), and these pairings of sculpted stelae and circular altars are considered a hallmark of Classic Maya civilization. The earliest to have been found in situ in the Maya lowlands was recovered from the great city of Tikal in Guatemala. During the Classic Period almost every Mayan kingdom in the southern lowlands raised stelae in its ceremonial center. Stelae became closely associated with the concept of divine kingship and declined at the same time as this institution.
»»»»
THE PYRAMID OF KUKULKAN AT CHICHÉN ITZÁ, MEXICO
The Pyramid of Kukulkan, also known as El Castillo (The Castle), is a Mesoamerican step-pyramid at the Chichen Itza archaeological site in Mexico, built by the pre-Columbian Maya civilization between the 8th and 12th centuries AD, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It served as a temple to the deity Kukulcán, the Yucatec Maya Feathered Serpent deity, similar to the Aztec Quetzalcoatl.
It has four sides with staircases, each with 91 steps, and a temple at the top, totaling 365 steps (representing the days in the Mayan solar year). There are nine levels, symbolizing the nine levels of Xibalba, the Maya underworld and was built on top of an earlier, smaller structure. The main entrance has two columns representing serpents with open jaws. A light and shadow phenomenon [known as the Descent of Kukulcán] occurs during the spring and fall equinoxes, creating the appearance of a snake descending the pyramid's staircase.
In the 1930s, archaeologists discovered that another pyramidtemple was nestled within the larger pyramid. Climbing the pyramid has been strictly prohibited since 2008 to protect the structure and preserve its historical and cultural significance.
Like is like a dick. Sometimes it gets hard for no reason.
é Chichén Itzá.
é Stelae 51 from Calakmul, representing King Yuknoom Took' K'awiil, on display at the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City.
MACHU PICCHU, PERU
Machu Picchu is a 15th-century Inca citadel located in the Eastern Cordillera of southern Peru on a mountain ridge at 7,970 ft). Often referred to as the "Lost City of the Incas", it is the most familiar icon of the Inca Empire. It is located above the Sacred Valley, 50 miles northwest of the city of Cusco. The Urubamba River flows past it, cutting through the Cordillera and creating a canyon with a subtropical mountain climate.
The Inca civilization had no written language and following the first encounter by the Spanish soldier Baltasar Ocampo, no Europeans are recorded to have visited the site from the late 16th century until the 19th century. As far as historical knowledge extends, there are no existing written records detailing the site during its period of active use. The leading theory is that Machu Picchu was a private city for Incan royalty. The names of the buildings, their supposed uses, and their inhabitants, are the product of modern archaeologists based on physical evidence, including tombs at the site.
Machu Picchu was built in the classical Inca style, with polished dry-stone walls. Its three primary structures are the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Three Windows, and the Intihuatana. From 1929 to 1971, Machu Picchu underwent extensive restoration and conservation work, including structural stabilization and artifact excavation, driven by government initiatives and research expeditions. Most recent
archaeologists believe that Machu Picchu was constructed as an estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti (1438–1472). Machu Picchu was declared a Peruvian Historic Sanctuary in 1982 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. In 2007, Machu Picchu was voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in a worldwide internet poll. n
é Machu Picchu.
REAL ESTATE F THE FU URE
FAN D'ISSY
new York-bAsed Architecture firm Studio Libeskind released its design for Fan d'Issy, a multi-use building that will be located in the Paris commune of Issyles-Moulineaux. The geometric design with angular façades will contain offices, a hotel, retail space, a sports hall, and housing, a third of which will be social housing. (See companion article on Social Housing on page 40.)
Fan d'Issy was designed to be a landmark building in the ZAC Léon Blum eco-district, which is currently under development. A bridge will connect two buildings at Fan d'Issy, which will begin construction after the completion of the adjacent Issy station, which will serve the
new Line 15 of the Grand Paris Express metro.
"The Fan d'Issy aims to elevate the entire neighborhood by introducing a dynamic sculptural form that creates a landmark arrival to Issy-les-Moulineaux from the station and revitalises the urban space around the project," Studio Libeskind said. Treen walls and balconies were designed to bring nature into the district. “The façade itself incorporates an innovative, eco-friendly titanium-enriched ceramic coating that combines environmental performance with aesthetic appeal, and the openness of the fccade, along with the materials, (were) chosen to harmonize with the urban environment, reflecting nuances of the local landscape while affirming the building's unique identity."
Renditions courtesy of Libeskind Studio. n
I’m writing a book about everything I should be doing in my life. It’s an oughtobiography.
AUGMENTED REALITY AND THE NEXT DIMENSION OF REAL ESTATE
imAGine PointinG Your Phone at a vacant lot and instantly seeing a fully rendered building rise before your eyes— complete with tenant signage, energy performance overlays, and live traffic flow data. This isn’t a distant vision of the future. It’s the growing reality of the commercial real estate industry, powered by augmented reality (AR)
At its core, AR is a technology that layers digital content—such as images, data, animations, or 3D models—onto the physical world, enriching the realtime experience of our surroundings. Unlike virtual reality, which immerses users in a fully digital environment, AR enhances the real one, offering context, visualization, and insight precisely when and where they’re needed. AR unlocks a new communication medium – the empty space all around us. It is the natural evolution of the World Wide Web, known across a growing techsavvy user base as the Spatial Web.
While AR has been gaining traction in industries like retail and gaming, it’s now reaching a critical tipping point in the built environment. Across the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) fields, AR is transforming how buildings are designed, reviewed, and delivered. It allows stakeholders to conduct immersive design walkthroughs, verify work in progress with digital overlays, and minimize errors long before they become costly rework. For commercial developers, it’s a tool to de-risk projects and improve communication across diverse teams.
In real estate sales and leasing, AR adds a new dimension to showcasing properties. Brokers can deliver remote, yet deeply immersive virtual tours using nothing more than a smartphone or tablet. Prospective tenants can explore different build-out scenarios, test furniture layouts, or visualize street visibility for signage—all without setting
foot on-site. This saves time, increases engagement, and helps buyers make more confident decisions.
SO, WHY IS THIS HAPPENING NOW?
Advances in mobile processing, camera capabilities, and spatial mapping— along with the rollout of 5G—have made AR faster, more accurate, and more accessible than ever. What once required a headset or custom installation can now be experienced through the cameras of everyday smartphone and tablet computers. Meanwhile, the rise of AI is enabling AR to become smarter—personalizing content based on context, behavior, and geolocation.
But perhaps most exciting is how AR is beginning to reshape not just buildings, but the entire experience of space. Cities, campuses, and mixed-use developments are experimenting with spatial storytelling, overlaying cultural narratives, wayfinding tools, historical content, architectural digital twins, and community updates across their environments. This isn’t just marketing—it’s placemaking.
BY TONY HODGSON
And we’re only scratching the surface.
In upcoming articles, we’ll dive deeper into real-world AR applications in planning and design workflows, followed by a closer look at how AR is being used for urban development, customer engagement, and commercial marketing. We’ll explore how cities, real estate firms, and property owners are starting to treat digital overlays as part of their core asset strategy—creating new revenue streams, increasing foot traffic, and enhancing user experience.
For now, the message is simple: AR is no longer just a tech trend—it’s a practical toolset that belongs on the radar of every forward-looking real estate professional. As the physical and digital worlds converge, augmented reality offers an opportunity not just to see more—but to understand more, collaborate better, and unlock new value in every square foot.
The spatial web is emerging. How will your business harness it? n
About Ethar, Inc.
Ethar, Inc. is a Huntsville, Alabamabased technology company pioneering the future of spatial computing. Our platform empowers organizations to create, share, and monetize augmented reality experiences with ease. From property development and manufacturing to tourism and education, Ethar helps clients blend the physical and digital worlds in meaningful ways. We offer advanced tools for AR content creation, geospatial anchoring, and intelligent context-aware delivery— accessible on mobile devices and wearables. Learn more at ethar.com
Tony Hodgson, CEO, Ethar, Inc. thodgson@ethar.com
BY KATE ZABRISKIE
DROWNING IN THE DETAILS?
SEVEN STEPS TO OVERCOMING THE URGE TO MICROMANAGE
it stArts innocentlY enouGh. You want to ensure everything runs smoothly, so you check in often. You spot a typo in a presentation, so you fix it yourself. Someone misses a minor detail, and you think, “I’ll just handle it next time.” Before long, you’re reviewing every email, sitting in on every meeting, and wondering why your team can’t seem to get anything done without you.
Most people don’t set out to micromanage—it often comes from a desire to help, avoid mistakes, or ensure high standards. But the unintended consequences are real: a demotivated team, slower progress, and burned-out leaders. If this sounds familiar, don’t worry. Awareness is the first step, and change is possible.
Let’s dive into some questions to see if micromanagement might be sneaking into your leadership style and explore actionable tips to break the habit.
ARE YOU MICROMANAGING? ASK YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS
DO YOU NEED TO APPROVE EVERY DECISION?
If team members check with you for even the smallest choices— like the wording of an email or the layout of a slide—you may be micromanaging. This constant need to be involved in decisions can signal a lack of trust in their abilities.
DO YOU FREQUENTLY REDO YOUR TEAM’S WORK?
If reports, presentations, or deliverables never seem “good enough,” and you often tweak or redo them, you’re sending the message that your way is the only way. This discourages initiative and autonomy.
DO YOU HOVER OVER TASKS YOU’VE DELEGATED?
Delegation means handing over responsibility, but if you’re constantly checking progress, asking for updates, or stepping in to “help,” your team isn’t getting the space to own their work.
A RE YOU RARELY SATISFIED WITH RESULTS?
If you’re often frustrated with outcomes, it might not be the quality of the work—it could be unrealistic expectations or difficulty accepting different approaches.
DO YOUR TEAM MEMBERS AVOID TAKING INITIATIVE?
If your team hesitates to make decisions or waits for explicit instructions before acting, it could be a sign they’ve learned to rely on you to avoid being secondguessed.
THE HIDDEN COSTS OF MICROMANAGEMENT
Micromanaging doesn’t just make daily work harder—it has longterm consequences for teams and organizations:
IT HINDERS GROWTH: When managers control every detail, team members miss opportunities to learn, solve problems, and take ownership.
IT PUSHES GOOD PEOPLE AWAY: Talented employees want to feel trusted and valued. If micromanagement makes them feel powerless or underappreciated, they’ll start looking for opportunities elsewhere.
IT ERODES TEAM MORALE: A micromanaged team often feels
disempowered and disengaged, which can lead to frustration, resentment, and lower productivity.
IT LIMITS MANAGERIAL EFFECTIVENESS: Micromanagers spend so much time on small details that they can’t focus on big-picture strategy or leadership priorities.
BREAKING THE CYCLE: HOW TO STOP MICROMANAGING
STEP BACK AND TRUST YOUR TEAM
Trust is the foundation of effective leadership. Start by giving your team clear goals and responsibilities, then step back and let them execute. Instead of “Send me the draft before you finalize it,” try “Finalize the draft and send me a copy once it’s submitted.” This shows confidence in their abilities.
FOCUS ON OUTCOMES, NOT PROCESSES
Micromanagers often fixate on how tasks are done. Shift your focus to the desired results and let your team figure out the best way to achieve them. Instead of prescribing every step for a report, say, “The goal is to highlight trends and actionable insights. Use the format you think works best.”
SET CLEAR EXPECTATIONS
Ambiguity can lead to over management. Clearly define what success looks like for each task or project. Use a shared checklist or document to outline deliverables, deadlines, and key milestones. This ensures alignment without constant oversight.
ENCOURAGE INITIATIVE AND AUTONOMY
Build confidence by allowing your team to make decisions and solve problems independently. If mistakes happen, treat them as learning opportunities. Say, “I trust your judgment—let me know how it goes,” instead of stepping in immediately with your solution.
SCHEDULE REGULAR CHECK-INS INSTEAD OF CONSTANT MONITORING
Replace impromptu check-ins with scheduled updates. This gives your team uninterrupted time to work while keeping you informed. Instead of asking for daily updates, hold a weekly meeting to review progress and address challenges.
REFRAME YOUR ROLE AS A LEADER
Great leaders focus on enabling their team’s success, not doing the work for them. Shift your mindset from “How do I control this?” to “How do I support my team’s growth?” Ask yourself, “Am I helping my team develop, or am I doing their job for them?”
INVITE HONEST FEEDBACK ABOUT YOUR STYLE
Your team’s perspective can reveal blind spots. Create a safe environment where they can share how your management style affects them. Ask, “How can I give you more space to work independently?” and be open to their suggestions.
CHANGE YOUR FOCUS
Micromanagement often stems from good intentions, but its impact can be deeply damaging. By reflecting on your habits, focusing on outcomes, and empowering your team, you can break the cycle and build a more engaged, productive workforce.
Leadership isn’t about controlling every detail—it’s about fostering trust, encouraging growth, and creating an environment where everyone can thrive. If you let go of the reins, you might be surprised at just how far your team can go. n
Kate Zabriskie is the president of Business Training Works, Inc., a Maryland-based talent development firm.
czabriskie@businesstrainingworks.com
I have a fish that can breakdance! Only for 20 seconds, though, and only once.
ARTCH TECTURE
MARISA S. WHITE
“I believe the artist's job–my job–is to create work that speaks to one another, that forges a connection and reminds us what it means to be human; that we are a soul having a human experience. Our humanity is what unites us together, bringing purpose to our existence, and that we are capable of so much more.”
“i exPlore ideAs And concepts that touch upon both the existential and the metaphysical—dabbling in conversations of string theory, transcendence during meditation, existing in that perfect flow state, and overcoming fear in pursuit of one's dreams. My work is a personal
narrative, rich in surrealistic imagery, but also a reminder of the power each person holds within themselves.
As I stop and look at the world around us, I’m constantly fascinated by how seemingly disparate elements fit together so perfectly. Repeated patterns in nature, expressed through Fibonacci’s golden ratio, reveal themselves in the number of petals on a flower, the proportions of our bodies, and the spiral of a galaxy—indicating that mathematics plays a role in the overall design of the natural world. Every living thing has a purpose that contributes to the greater whole, from the pollination of flowers by bees to the decomposition of organic matter by bacteria. These intricate connections inspire my work, urging me to explore the unseen forces that shape our existence.
The repeated use of clouds and the infinite landscape serve as metaphors for the unknown. I manipulate perspectives and scale to blur reality and touch upon concepts beyond this three-dimensional world. Water and air serve as two different states of matter, symbolizing multiple dimensions—both visible and invisible to the naked eye. Birds and butterflies appear throughout my work, embodying transition, freedom, and the effortless movement between realms. This interconnectedness is further depicted through sacred geometry, the presence of water as a life-giving force, and metaphysical undertones that speak to a greater consciousness at hand.
So, as you wander through these works and hold time with each piece, I hope it stops and makes you think. About life. Your place in the universe. And your connection to everything.”
Marisa S White has received numerous accolades for her art, is collected internationally and has exhibited across the US and Europe in galleries and art festivals. She dances in that liminal space between dreams and reality. Based in St. Louis, MO, she shares her world with her husband, whom she fondly refers to as Dr. Awesome, and their two rescue fur babies, Blue and Stormie. n
Great art is among the most sublime, meaningful, and redeeming creations of all civilization. Few endeavors can equal the power of great artwork to capture aesthetic beauty, to move and inspire, to change perceptions, and to communicate the nature of human experience. Great art is also complex, mysterious, and challenging. Filled with symbolism, cultural and historical references, and often visionary imagery, great artworks oblige us to reckon with their many meanings.
Architects and designers (many of our readers) have a lot of influence on the way we perceive the world. A structure often plays a significant part in how we experience a place. (Think of a restaurant, a museum, an arena, a stadium... even an office building - virtually anywhere!) The interior design impacts our sensory perception, our comfort, and our physical connection and there is also artistry in the exterior design. (That’s why we call it artchitecture.)
June 12, 2025
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IN THE N WS
TRUMP ANNOUNCES PLAN TO REPLACE THE LETTER 'D' WITH HIS OWN NAME
mAr-A-lAGo, fl (mAY 1, 2025) – In a move that has left linguists, educators, and literally anyone who has ever used the alphabet in stunned disbelief, President Donald Trump has unveiled his latest initiative: replacing the letter "D" with his own name.
“The letter 'D' is weak, folks, very weak,” Trump announced at a rally filled with adoring supporters who had just been handed dictionaries with hastily scribbled edits. “We’re talking about a letter that’s been around forever, and quite frankly, it’s not doing so well—except when it’s describing you know who. But you know who is doing well? Me. So, from now on, no more 'D.' We’re calling it ‘Trump. And before you ask, I chose ‘D’ for Donald, rather than ‘T’ for Trump because ‘T” is already a strong letter. Very strong—like no one’s ever seen before.”
According to sources close to the president, the newly proposed alphabet will now read: A, B, C, Trump, E, F, G… and so on. Critics were quick to point out that this plan would make spelling words like "Trumpemocracy," "Trumpishonest," and "Trumpumb" far more difficult and confusing. Language specialists have dismissed the plan as "linguistically impossible," but Trump remains undeterred. “The Trump is the best letter, believe me,” he continued. “It starts words like Trumpomination, Trumplusional, Trumperanged—all very big, very important words. And you know what? People are saying it should be the first letter of the alphabet. A lot of people, the best people—they’re saying that!”
When pressed on whether this plan had any prac tical application, Trump spokespersons insisted that renaming the letter would "Make the Alphabet Great Again." Schools, they claim, will be required to adopt the change, ensuring that generations of students grow up understanding that Trump comes before everyone else.
However, not all responses have been negative. Republican lawmakers quickly rushed to support the move. "I think it's a tremendous idea," said one Senator who asked to remain anonymous but was later seen sporting a red hat that read Make Spelling Great Again you think about it, we’ve already removed facts from politics— why not remove 'D' from the alphabet?"
Meanwhile, Fox News has already begun referring to states like "Trumpelaware" and "North and South Trumpakota" in what appears to be an enthusiastic embrace of the change. CNN, on the other hand, spent three hours debating whether the loss of 'D' would impact democracy, though
nobody could agree on how to pronounce it without the letter itself.
Despite the confusion, Trump remains confident in his vision. "Crooked Joe, Sleepy Joe, whatever you want to call him, he’s stuck in the past with his old alphabet. Sad!" Trump declared. "But me? I think BIG. And that’s why we’re doing this. We’re taking Trump and putting it right where it belongs—in the history books.”
Historians immediately clarified that this would likely only be in the "mistakes" section.
As of now, the fate of the English language remains uncertain. But one thing is clear: if Trump gets his way, it won’t just be democracy disappearing—it’ll be the letter ‘D’ itself. n
LIU JIAKUN IS AWARDED THE 2025 PRITZKER PRIZE FOR ARCHITECTURE
in eArlY mArch, chinese architect Liu Jiakun was awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize for his buildings that "celebrate the everyday lives of people." He is the 54th laureate of the annual Pritzker Architecture Prize, widely considered the most significant award in international architecture. It is conferred in acknowledgment of those qual-
ities of talent, vision, and commitment that have persistently produced significant contributions to humanity and the built environment through the art of architecture. He is the third architect from China to receive the award since its inception in 1979, following Chinese American architect IM Pei and Amateur Architecture Studio founder Wang Shu.
Liu was born in Chengdu, China, in 1956. In 1999, he founded Jiakun Architects and has built more than thirty projects in his home city. In making its announcement, this year's jury, chaired by Chilean architect Alejandro Aravena, said, “Liu Jiakun has provided convincing answers that also celebrate the everyday lives of people as well as their communal and spiritual identities... Through an outstanding body of work of deep coherence and constant quality, Liu Jiakun imagines and constructs new worlds, free from any aesthetic or stylistic constraint. Instead of a style, he has developed a strategy that never relies on a recurring method but rather on evaluating the specific characteristics and requirements of each project differently."
Shown here are three of his best-known works. n
The Pritzker Architecture Prize is awarded "irrespective of nationality, race, creed, or ideology". The recipients receive $100,000, a citation certificate, and, since 1987, a bronze medallion. The designs on the medal are inspired by the work of architect Louis Sullivan (generally considered to be the father of the skyscraper), while the Latin-inspired inscription on the reverse of the medallion—firmitas, utilitas, venustas (English: firmness, commodity, delight)—is from Ancient Roman architect Vitruvius.
é West Village is a maxi-courtyard with a centrifugal layout encircling an entire block to maximize the inner area of sports and green like a park. Smaller bamboo courtyards exist within bigger ones; all are open to the public, and visitors are welcome to walk through freely.
é Luyeyuan Stone Sculpture Art Museum weaves a traditional Chinese garden throughout the passage of exhibition space. Volumes of this windowless building are separated by voids, allowing natural light to filter from the gaps through to the open spaces of the museum.
é The Clock Museum of the Cultural Revolution. The ramifications of the Chinese Cultural Revolution [spearheaded by communist leader Mao Zedong in 1966 until he died in 1976] have been memorialized as a Museum in an attempt to mourn its dead, remember its history, and provide information to future generations to learn lessons from it.
Red Light. Green Light. RED LIGHT!
there’s no sort of shortage of news of all of the disjointed and discombobulating things being done, but here’s one you may not have heard.
In early March, the U.S. government was poised for one of the largest commercial real estate sales in history. Then, the process was abruptly stalled.
Reversals of course have not been uncommon in the first months of the Trump administration. In fact, quite the opposite. In this one, the General Services Administration (GSA) removed approximately 440 federal properties—covering nearly 80 million square feet—from its website, just hours after they had been listed for sale. The sudden pause followed sharp criticism from federal employees, elected officials, and other stakeholders who opposed the mass sell-off.
A GSA spokesperson stated that the agency plans to reissue a refined list of properties for sale “after we review this initial input and determine how we can make it easier for stakeholders to understand and ensuring stakeholders better understand the nuances of the assets listed.” In other words, ‘Ready. Fire. Aim.’
TRENDI G
The Trump administration has been pursuing the sale of numerous federal properties as part of its broader effort to downsize government operations and reduce federal expenditures. While many of the buildings identified for disposal were aging and in poor condition, the list also included high-profile properties such as the Washington, D.C., headquarters of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Labor Department.
The GSA immediately began trimming the list and removed several marquee buildings. Then, abruptly, all listings had disappeared from its website; they were replaced with a message stating that the list of "non-core properties for disposal" would be "coming soon."
Spearheaded by the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the administration had been aggressively cutting costs, encouraging federal employees to accept buyouts, and laying off thousands of newly hired workers. Lawmakers expressed concerns about the rapid pace of the sales process, and rightly so. There is little doubt that whenever the sales process resumes, it could significantly impact real estate markets in cities across multiple states. The sale would likely exert further downward pressure on office property values during what is already one of the worst downturns for the commercial real estate sector since World War II.
For years, the federal government has acknowledged that many of its buildings are underutilized and in need of major renovations. The GSA had been preparing to offload numerous properties when President Trump entered his second term. However, his administration has accelerated plans to sell federal assets and terminate costly leases on private office spaces. As of this writing, DOGE has expanded its target list to include more than 740 federal leases. The original list heavily focused on the Washington, D.C. area, where office vacancies have surged, and return-to-office rates remain low. It also included many federal offices, laboratories, and other facilities across various states.
Amid rising interest rates and the increasing prevalence of remote work, U.S. office vacancy rates have spiked, and property values have plunged. Many of the buildings targeted by the GSA are particularly vulnerable, given their high vacancy rates and need for extensive upgrades. Commercial property investors are closely watching both federally owned buildings up for sale and private properties where government lease terminations are looming. With significant financial and political stakes involved, the fate of the federal real estate sales initiative remains uncertain, as the administration recalibrates its approach in response to mounting scrutiny. n
THE FACTOR
TORRE THE POINT
An office skYscrAPer in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Torre The Point was built between 2011 and 2014; the tower is 448 feet tall. It has 36 floors and is the tallest building in the country. Ecuadorian architect Christian Wiese was in charge of the construction of the tower. It is a visually striking building that establishes a symbol and urban icon for the region and the city. The objective was to construct an outstanding structure with basic technology, resulting in a 105-foot square layout that ascends vertically with a 6-degree anti-clockwise twist
Circular cuts are made on the corners of the square to prevent significant overhangs when the square is rotated. It is a compression structure in a radial circular shape, featuring orthogonal diaphragms and perimeter overhangs. The floors and envelope rotate upwards, floor by floor, adding a sculptural quality to the building. The outcome is a curvy sculptural form resembling a rope or a woman's body. n
A recent study has found that women who carry a little extra weight live longer than the men who mention it.
TRENDI G
Best & Worst Places to Retire in 2025
After putting in decades of hard work, we naturally expect to have financial security in our golden years. But not all Americans can look forward to a relaxing retirement. Around 68% of workers are somewhat confident that they will have enough money to retire comfortably, but only 21% are very confident. As a result, more than half
of people expect to retire at age 65+, and three-quarters expect to do some work even after retiring.
To help Americans plan an affordable retirement while maintaining the best quality of life, WalletHub compared the retiree-friendliness of 182 U.S. cities across 45 key metrics. Their data set ranges from the cost of living and tax laws to the availability of activities and the quality of health care.
To view the full report and your city’s rank, to understand the methodology and read expert commentary, click <HERE>. n
BY ADAM MCCANN
Key Takeaways
Pearl City, Hawaii, and Scottsdale, Arizona, have the highest share of the population aged 65 and older, which is three times higher than in Irving, Texas, the city with the lowest.
Brownsville, Texas, has the lowest adjusted cost-of-living index for retirees, which is 2.4 times lower than in Honolulu and Pearl City, Hawaii, the cities with the highest.
Irving, Texas, has the highest share of workers aged 65 and older, which is 2.4 times higher than in Gulfport, Mississippi, the city with the lowest.
St. Louis has the most home health care facilities (per 100,000 residents), which is 29 times more than in New York, the city with the fewest.
Adam McCann is a personal finance writer for WalletHub.
SOCIAL OWNERSHIP OF HOUSING
sociAl housinG is A public option for housing that can exist in different forms. It is permanently and deeply affordable, under community control, and most importantly, exists outside of the speculative real estate market. It can be owned by public entities, residents or missiondriven nonprofits and occupied by renters or homeowners. It includes public housing, community land trusts, new construction, existing affordable housing, and conversion of current market-rate housing, and should meet the scale of the housing crisis.
In the United States, public housing is the primary form of social housing and often the only source of affordable housing for America’s lowest-income families. 1.2 million families currently live in public housing. However, our government has, time and again, chosen to disinvest from public housing – and done so in racially discriminatory ways – causing too much of it to be in a state of extreme disrepair. Residents have reported being mistreated by management and criminalized by the police. Despite legal requirements to the contrary, public housing residents often don’t have much say over their living conditions. Current public housing residents also face eviction if their incomes rise too much.
There are over 225 community land trusts (CLTs) in the United States. CLTs are nonprofit, democratically governed organizations that provide shared equity opportunities for communities. By separating the ownership of a structure from the ownership of the land it sits on, CLTs can provide permanently affordable housing to both homeowners and tenants. Ground leases ensure the property stays permanently affordable. CLTs are often governed by boards that are made up of residents and community members. However, they are limited in scale.
Other cities and countries produce social housing differently. Most land in Helsinki and Vienna, for example, is owned by the government and used for social housing. While priority access is given to homeless applicants, residents can remain in their homes even if their incomes change.
PERMANENT AFFORDABILITY
Almost half of renters in the U.S. are consid-
ered cost-burdened, meaning they pay more than 30% of their income on rent and utilities. [According to the federal government, housing is affordable if it costs no more than 30% of the monthly household income for rent and utilities.] Permanently affordable housing is housing that is kept affordable to its residents in perpetuity (unlike other forms of affordable housing, which can “expire” and be put back on the speculative market after a period of time).
Ideally, a social housing program should guarantee permanently and deeply affordable housing for the lowest-income residents, including those with no income. People with the lowest incomes have the fewest choices and should be prioritized, and public funding should be targeted to support them. To that end, social housing should exist and be funded in a way that does not rely exclusively on a need for cross-subsidization to ensure that everyone, including those without incomes, are housed. No tenant in social housing should pay more than 30% of their income inclusive of all housing costs.
Examples around the globe show that public ownership of housing is the best way to keep housing affordable for even the lowest-income residents. In the United States, most affordable housing — even government-subsidized housing — is owned or financed by for-profit companies. Lack of investment from the federal government means that affordable housing developers often cannot afford to build for the lowest-income residents. And when for-profit companies get involved as investors, they expect a return on that investment — anywhere from 5% to 14% a year, which also limits how affordable the housing is to the tenants who need it.
In the United States, even government-subsidized housing such as Low-Income Tax Credit, Section 8, and other HUD-assisted projects may be owned or financed by for-profit entities or reliant on for-profit investors. Again ideally, a social housing program should ensure adequate funding from nonprofit investments, such as government grants, low-interest public bank loans, or bonds to ensure that social housing is permanently affordable to all low-income or no-income residents.
Decommodifying housing means making housing for people, taking it off the speculative market, so it cannot be bought, sold, and exploited for a profit. Decommodifying housing is a prerequisite for keeping it permanently affordable. Public, not-for-profit financing is an important way to ensure decommodification—through government grants, low-interest public bank loans, or bonds.
Community/Resident Control describes the influence a housing model’s residents have over decision-making and governance of their housing. A social housing program should have a high level of community control from the planning stages through day-to-day operations and maintenance.
Anti-Discrimination & Equity: The reverberations from discriminatory housing policies (i.e., entrenched racialized wealth disparities and continued racialized disinvestments) continue to this day, A social housing program must vigorously combat these inequities by ensuring that social housing development investments are made not only in disinvested communities that are predominantly Black, Latinx, and Indigenous but also provide low-income residents and other residents most in need with access to well-resourced education, recreation, and other amenities to promote racial justice and social equity.
Sustainability is an environmental justice issue. The majority of people who live within two miles of a hazardous waste facility are people of color. People of color are twice as likely to live near chemical facilities or near a fenceline zone of an industrial facility. Residents of public housing, our main existing source of social housing and often the only option for people with the lowest incomes, disproportionately suffer from mold, lead, and poor indoor air quality. Green social housing is energy efficient, disaster resilient, and produced through sustainable renovation or construction techniques. Any newly constructed social housing should be fully carbon-neutral, meeting the most stringent sustainability requirements, including those relating to embodied carbon. They also must be carefully located away from areas at high risk of flood-
The RIBA Awards
85 SOCIAL DWELLINGS IN CORNELLÀ
A social housing project in Barcelona by local architectural studio Peris + Toral Arquitectes was named the winner of this year's RIBA International Prize. Named 85 Social Dwellings in Cornellà, the project was selected as the winner of the biannual award by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) from a list of three finalists. Peris + Toral Arquitectes was praised for its “inclusive and sustainable” design that centers on a modular timber framework designed to promote flexibility for its residents, which the jury said, "is both aspirational and demonstrates genuine change".
ing from sea-level rise, wildfire, drought, and extreme heat. But equally importantly, existing buildings, like the 1.1 million public housing units in need of repair, must be renovated into healthy, safe, zero-carbon, green housing. Retrofitting public housing alone would not only improve the living conditions of nearly two million Americans, but would also reduce annual carbon emissions by the equivalent of taking over 1.2 million cars off the road. All of this would involve the creation of hundreds of thousands of well-paying, career-track, union jobs in construction and maintenance.
Tenant Protections: Stable housing is foundational to the rest of our lives. A social housing program must guarantee the stability of its residents by providing them with robust tenant protections, including just cause for eviction requirements, rent control, the right to organize, the right to counsel, and accessibility.
Accessible housing demands that the housing stock accommodate the various needs of the residential population and ensure integration of individuals with diverse accommodation needs into the larger residential community (including those of the aging population, individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities, individuals with mental health needs, and caregivers).
By creating an inclusive environment, social housing fosters a sense of belonging and improves the overall quality of life for all residents. n
Completed in 2022, the housing development consists of 85 equal-sized apartments, each organized around a central kitchen. According to the architects, this layout is designed to make "domestic labor visible" in the home, to challenge gender roles and traditional residential layouts. Another key feature is its modular mass-timber structure, to ensure future adaptability while reducing its carbon footprint and construction time.
RIBA president Muyiwa Oki said the winning project offers a "strong example of the ways in which architects can create new and imple-
mentable solutions to the common challenge of creating housing for all".
The RIBA International prize is awarded biennially to a building that "demonstrates visionary thinking, originality, excellence of execution, and makes a distinct contribution to its users, surrounding environment and communities".
Photography by José Hevia. n
BUILDING LIFECYCLE MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE
founded in 1980, the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) is the world’s largest, most widely recognized association for facility management (FM) professionals. Supporting more than 25,000 members in over 140 countries, it is a key contributor to the development of international FM standards and works with decision makers to inform FM-related policy.
In late March, IFMA and Autodesk, a global leader in software for engineers, builders, designers and creators, launched the Building Lifecycle Management Initiative (BLMI), a groundbreaking, technology-agnostic, standards-aligned endeavor that aspires to unify commercial real estate stakeholders –from owners and facility managers (FMs) to architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) professionals, technology providers and regulatory agencies – around a common approach to lifecycle management. With a global focus spanning North America, EMEA, Asia-Pacific and LATAM, the initiative is poised to drive transformation of the built environment on a worldwide scale.
BLMI envisions a future in which the built environment operates with intelligence, efficiency and interoperability at every lifecycle phase: design, construction, operations, renovation and deconstruction. By emphasizing industry-wide collaboration and the adoption of best practices and advanced technologies, the initiative establishes a cohesive, holistic approach to lifecycle management that will help industry stakeholders reduce costs and improve asset longevity while addressing decarbonization and regulatory challenges.
BLMI places a strong focus on stakeholder collaboration, data governance, interoperability and advanced technology integration, such as building information modeling (BIM), digital twins, predictive analytics, and artificial intelligence enabling smarter decision making, reducing inefficiencies and creating a connected data ecosystem. The objective is to deliver tangible value to every sector of commercial real estate, including:
• Facility Operations: Move from reactive maintenance to proactive lifecycle management, improving efficiency and tenant satisfaction.
• Architecture, Engineering, and Construction: Ensure design and construction integrate seamlessly with operational needs, reducing costly retrofits.
• Technology & Service Providers: Align digital solutions with industry-wide standards for seamless adoption and interoperability.
The Initiative does not seek to create or replace industry standards; rather, it will foster a framework for aligning stakeholders around a common approach to lifecycle management. By leveraging global industry standards – like ISO 19650 (Building Information Modeling), ISO 8000 (Data Quality), ISO 41001 (Facility Management Systems), and OSCRE data models – the initiative ensures that buildings are managed
with consistency, efficiency and longterm value in mind.
“Advanced technology solutions, such as digital twins, rely on quality data to deliver powerful insights and 3D visualizations to facility operators. The Building Lifecycle Management Initiative seeks to resolve systemic issues related to data quality that span the building lifecycle,” said Robert Bray, Vice President & General Manager, Autodesk Tandem.
“Given that operations represent the longest of the building lifecycle phases, IFMA is excited for the potential benefits the Building Lifecycle Management Initiative will deliver to our FM professionals. Adoption of this lifecycle management approach is long overdue,” said Lynn Baez, FMP, SFP, IFMA Fellow, Chair of IFMA’s Global Board of Directors.
“The commercial real estate industry has long struggled with inefficiencies due to fragmented data, disconnected systems and short-term decision making,” said Dean Stanberry, CFM, SFP, Past Chair of IFMA’s Global Board of Directors. “BLMI represents a turning point, providing a structured approach for aligning stakeholders, eliminating waste and unlocking the full potential of the built environment.”
To join this movement and shape the future of building lifecycle management, visit blmi.org. Register to stay informed, contribute to ongoing discussions and explore how your organization can participate in advancing industry-wide best practices. n
Alcohol does not solve any problems, but then again, neither does milk.
Spacious apartments with plenty of storage are the norm in cities like Fayetteville, NC, where rentals average a generous 990 square feet. Over half of them come with walk-in closets and nearly half offer additional storage.
THE WEST DELIVERS SPACE AND STORAGE
Cities like Gilbert, Chandler, and Scottsdale, AZ, have apartments averaging over 940 square feet, with walk-in closets in 50-66% of rental buildings. Plus, Scottsdale leads Arizona in self-storage availability, making it a dream city for renters who love their space.
THE EAST COAST STRUGGLES
In high-density cities, storage is scarce, and apartments are shrinking. Miami Beach, FL, tops the list for tightest squeeze, with apartments averaging just 692
THE BEST CITIES FOR SPACIOUS APARTMENTS, WALK-IN CLOSETS AND EXTRA STORAGE
square feet and only 5% of rental buildings offering walk-in closets.
SELF-STORAGE TO THE RESCUE
With apartments getting smaller, renters are turning to self-storage as an extension of their homes. The industry has nearly doubled in the past 20 years, reaching nearly 2 billion square feet at the end of 2024.
Mirela Mohan is a
WHY COMMERCIAL LENDERS ARE SLOWING DOWN AND HOW
IT’S IMPACTING REAL ESTATE INVESTORS
timinG cAn mAke or break a deal in commercial real estate (CRE). Investors rely heavily on lenders to provide timely financing to seize opportunities in a fast-moving market. But over the past year, many commercial lenders have significantly slowed their loan processing and closing timelines. While this may seem like a minor inconvenience, the ripple effects are being felt across the industry, from cash flow disruptions to lost opportunities and strained profitability.
So, what’s causing these delays? And more importantly, how are commercial real estate investors adapting to this new reality?
HEIGHTENED DUE DILIGENCE AND RISK MANAGEMENT
One of the primary drivers behind the longer loan approval times is increased scrutiny. Lenders have grown more cautious in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic uncertainty that followed. They’re conducting deeper due diligence, evaluating not just the property itself but also the financial health of borrowers and the long-term viability of the investment. Lenders now demand far more comprehensive documentation than they did even a few years ago. This includes detailed cash flow projections, tenant lease agreements, and tenant creditworthiness, market and submarket analyses, environmental assessments, stress testing of projected returns, and additional cash reserves. Lenders want to ensure that the income stream supporting the debt is secure, particularly in sectors still recovering from the pandemic—like office and retail.
This expanded due diligence takes time, which directly translates into delayed closings. In some cases, deals that would previously have closed in 30 to 45 days are now dragging out to 60, 90, or even more than 120 days.
RISING INTEREST RATES AND UNCERTAIN MARKET CONDITIONS
As central banks, particularly the U.S. Federal Reserve, raised rates to fight inflation, the cost of borrowing surged. Higher interest rates affect not only the affordability of loans for investors but also the risk appetite of lenders.
Lenders are recalibrating their underwriting standards to reflect increased borrowing costs and a potentially softening economy. Many have adopted more conservative loan-to-value (LTV) ratios, are tightening debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) requirements, and are being more selective in the types of assets they finance.
Speculative development deals or properties in weaker markets are viewed as riskier and may be declined or delayed indefinitely. Even deals in prime markets are subjected to more detailed underwriting. Each adjustment in policy adds time to the loan processing timeline, and that uncertainty can be a big hurdle for investors. Longer financing periods in a rising-rate environment are a double hit—delays increase the risk of losing a deal to a more agile buyer, and rising rates can make the financing more expensive by the time it’s finalized. The financial model an investor started with may no longer work by the time they close.
LABOR SHORTAGES AND OPERATIONAL BOTTLENECKS
The labor shortage that has affected industries across the board hasn’t spared the lending sector. Many banks and financial institutions are struggling to recruit and retain underwriters, loan processors, and compliance professionals.
CRE investors often work within tight timelines, especially in competitive bidding scenarios. Delays in getting lender approvals due to labor shortages can cause them to lose deals or be forced to renegotiate terms under less favorable conditions.
STRICTER REGULATORY AND COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS
Regulatory oversight in the financial industry has steadily increased over the last decade. After the 2008 financial crisis, and again following the economic instability during the pandemic, regulators pushed for more stringent lending standards to prevent risky behavior. Lenders must now comply with a wide range of regulations, including: anti-money laundering (AML) checks, know your customer (KYC) protocols, enhanced borrower financial scrutiny, and environmental and social risk assessments.
In addition to external regulations, many financial institutions have adopted stricter internal guidelines to avoid exposure to volatile sectors or markets. For example, loans involving properties with a high vacancy rate or uncertain tenant mix might be flagged for additional review, causing further delays.
ONGOING DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY HICCUPS
Technology has the potential to streamline loan origination, underwriting, and closing, but the reality is that many lenders are still in transition. Shifting from legacy systems to cloud-based platforms or integrated underwriting tools is a complex process, and it doesn't always go smoothly. Some lenders have embraced digital transformation more effectively than others, but many are stuck in a hybrid model where manual and digital processes coexist—often inefficiently.
Technology-related delays are frustrating, especially when investors are expecting faster, not slower, processing in today’s digital age. A
BY ROXANA TOFAN
glitch in a lender’s system or a missing digital signature can delay closings by days or even weeks—time that can cost investors money or derail deals.
INCREASED COMPETITION FOR CAPITAL
The volume of loan applications is growing. Institutional investors, private equity funds, and foreign capital are increasingly active in U.S. commercial real estate, competing for the same financing sources as smaller, private investors.
Lenders are now inundated with applications, and many are prioritizing clients with whom they have longstanding relationships or large deal volumes. New borrowers or smaller investors may find themselves waiting longer for responses or approvals. Investors without strong relationships with lenders may find themselves at a disadvantage.
ADAPTING TO THE NEW LENDING LANDSCAPE
Adapting to these changes is essential. Work with lenders who understand your business and can prioritize your deals Anticipate lender requirements and have detailed financials and due diligence materials ready in advance. Consider bridge loans, private lenders, or credit unions that may offer faster closings. Negotiate longer closing periods in purchase agreements to account for delays. Use rate locks or hedging strategies to protect against rising costs during longer approval periods.
Loan processing delays are now a defining feature of the commercial lending environment. Increased due diligence, rising interest rates, staffing shortages, regulatory compliance, digital growing pains, and intense competition for capital slow down the financing process significantly. The ability to remain flexible, proactive, and well-prepared will be critical to succeeding in a market where speed and certainty of execution are often the keys to winning deals. As the lending environment continues to evolve, investors who can navigate the delays effectively will be better positioned to thrive in an increasingly complex and competitive real estate landscape. n
Tofan is a commercial real estate and business broker and the founder and owner of Clear Integrity Group in San Antonio. She is also a Contributing Editor of roxana@clearintegritygroup.com
Roxana
THE
BY BRIGADIER GENERAL (RET) T.J. EDWARDS
GLOBAL DECLINE OF
TRUST IN POLITICAL SYSTEMS A CRISIS OF CONFIDENCE
in recent YeArs, PoliticAl systems across the globe have been grappling with a worrying trend: a significant decline in trust from the public. From established democracies to emerging political landscapes, citizens are increasingly disillusioned with political institutions, leaders, and processes. This growing skepticism threatens not only the stability of individual nations but also the health of global democracy. This article explores the causes and consequences of this global decline in trust, with specific examples illustrating the profound implications it has for governance and society.
EROSION OF TRUST IN POLITICAL LEADERS
One of the primary drivers of the global decline in political trust is the growing dissatisfaction with political leaders. Scandals, corruption, and perceived self-serving behavior have diminished confidence in political elites. From bribery and financial misconduct to unfulfilled campaign promises, voters across the world are increasingly questioning the integrity of those in power. Political leaders often appear more focused on preserving their positions than addressing the needs and concerns of the public, leading to widespread frustration. Example:
In Brazil, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has held his country’s highest office three times. He is Brazil’s current president after being released from prison on corruption charges associated with his previous presidential terms from 2003-2010 (according to a January 2023 National Public Radio story). This was a stunning political comeback for Silva, given both his conviction and subsequent imprisonment, as well as the involvement of many other Brazilian politicians. This led to widespread perceptions that political elites were deeply corrupt, eroding public trust in political institutions. According to a Reuters news article (April 2, 2025), most Brazilians today disapprove of their president’s performance. This erosion of trust is largely based on Brazil’s higher food costs and increasing fuel costs. Brazilians increasingly share a widespread perception that
THINKING OUT LOUD
their purchasing power now is lower than it was a year ago.
Example:
In the United States, President Donald Trump is only the second President in history to be elected for two non-consecutive terms (after Grover Cleveland). Trump was embroiled in several scandals during his first term in office, including impeachment for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Despite these controversies (and many others), Trump was reelected in 2024. Now, just four months into his second term, President Trump’s public approval ratings are showing serious signs of stress fractures. Americans are increasingly concerned about their financial stability and future. In May 2024, Trump campaigned saying, "They're dying, Russians and Ukrainians. I want them to stop dying. And I'll have that done -I'll have that done in 24 hours." In August 2024, Trump equally vowed, “When I win, I will immediately bring prices down, starting on day one." His promise to bring down grocery prices (dramatically and fast) went about as smoothly as his promise to solve America’s opioid crisis -on day one.
PARTISANSHIP AND POLITICAL POLARIZATION
Partisanship and political polarization are other major factors contributing to the global decline of trust in politics. In many countries, political discourse has become increasingly divisive, with opposing sides entrenched in ideological battles. This deepening polarization creates an environment where collaboration and compromise are often seen as weaknesses, and political debate is reduced to a series of “us versus them” conflicts.
Example:
In the United Kingdom, the Brexit referendum revealed and deepened divisions between proEuropean Union and anti-EU factions. The intense partisanship surrounding Brexit led to years of political gridlock and public frustration, with both major political parties struggling to find common ground. The inability of political leaders to unify the country on such a critical issue further fueled mistrust in the political process and left many feeling alienated from the political system.
Example:
In the United States, the 2020 Presidential election highlighted the deepening divide between Republicans and Democrats. The election, marked by fierce partisan rhetoric and heightened polarization, culminated in the January 6th Capitol riots, where supporters of President Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol after Trump’s false claims of a stolen election. This event further amplified political division and raised questions about the integrity and effectiveness of American democratic institutions.
THE INFLUENCE OF MONEY IN POLITICS
The growing influence of money in politics is another key factor in the decline in public trust. In many countries, the rising cost of political
campaigns and the power of wealthy donors have made it clear that money plays a central role in shaping political outcomes. Super PACs, lobbying groups, and corporate interests often have more sway over politicians than the voters. As a result, people are questioning whether their votes really matter or whether politics is increasingly a game played by and for the wealthy elite.
Example:
In the United States, the Citizens United v. FEC Supreme Court ruling in 2010, which allowed unlimited contributions to Super PACs, has led to concerns over the undue influence of wealthy donors and corporations on U.S. elections. Massive spending by special interest groups in elections has fueled perceptions that the political system favors the rich, diminishing trust in the democratic process. According to USA Today, President Trump’s 2025 inauguration saw some of the richest people in the world seated in front of Trump's incoming Cabinet, including Amazon Executive Chairman Jeff Bezos and his fiancée Lauren Sanchez, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew.
Example:
In India, political campaigns are often financed by wealthy businessmen and corporations, with critics arguing that this has led to a situation where politicians are beholden to corporate interests. The influence of money in Indian politics has become a major concern, especially concerning large infrastructure projects and government contracts, which are seen as being awarded to those with the financial clout to influence policy decisions.
MISINFORMATION AND THE DIGITAL AGE
The rise of social media and the spread of misinformation have amplified the global decline in trust. In today’s digital age, news is often delivered in a fragmented and sensationalized manner. Social media platforms, where content is driven by algorithms designed to maximize engagement, have created echo chambers in which users are exposed primarily to information that reinforces their existing beliefs. This, in turn, distorts public discourse, blurring the lines between fact and fiction. Example:
Most U.S citizens witnessed widespread misinformation first during the 2016 U.S. Presidential election. Misinformation and fake news spread
rapidly on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, with false claims about candidates and voting processes. These false narratives, often amplified by foreign actors and partisan groups, created confusion and eroded trust in the electoral process. The rise of conspiracy theories such as QAnon further compounded the crisis of trust in political institutions. These efforts have often been successful in shaping campaign narratives because they are disseminated broadly on social media platforms, promoted through funny memes, and picked up and publicized by mainstream media outlets. Internet mega-influencers and leading candidates also amplify this information during rallies, debates, and interviews. Public confidence in the media (as with politics today) is very low. New generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools are even making it easier to create and disseminate fake pictures, videos, and narratives. The U.S. Presidential campaign of 2024 was unfortunately packed with organized efforts to sway voters, twist perceptions, and make people believe negative things about various candidates.
Example:
In Brazil, the spread of misinformation and fake news during the 2018 Presidential election played an important role in influencing voter opinions. A report by the Brazilian newspaper Folha de S.Paulo revealed that fake news stories promoting far-right candidate Jair Bolsonaro were widely circulated, contributing to his electoral success. The use of social media to disseminate false information undermined the integrity of the electoral process and contributed to a growing distrust in political institutions. One week ahead of Brazil’s 2022 Presidential election, social media wrongly claimed that the leftist candidate in Brazil’s presidential election planned to close churches if elected. Then there was misinformation that Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva wanted to let men use public-school restrooms next to little girls. Other false information included allegations that right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro made comments confessing to cannibalism and pedophilia. Brazil is the fourth largest democracy in the world with significant internet penetration across the country.
GLOBALIZATION AND ITS DISCONTENTS
The forces of globalization have created a sense of disconnection among many citizens, particularly in industrialized nations. As global trade and international policies have reshaped local economies, many individuals feel that their governments are increasingly powerless to address their concerns. The rise of multinational corporations and international organizations has led some to believe that national governments are being sidelined in favor of global interests, leaving ordinary people feeling disenfranchised.
Example:
In France, the "Yellow Vest" protests, which began in 2018, were sparked by dissatisfaction with fuel tax increases but quickly expanded to include broader concerns about inequality and the government's failure to address the struggles of ordinary citizens. Many protesters felt that their concerns
were ignored by a political elite more concerned with globalization and international trade deals than with the welfare of French workers.
Example:
In the United States, President Trump’s "America First" rhetoric has resonated with many who have felt left behind by globalization. His withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement (now for a second time in his second term) and his renegotiation of trade deals such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) –now called the U.S.-Mexico-Canada-Agreement (UMCA) are seen as efforts to prioritize national interests over global cooperation. This approach, along with President Trump’s evolving global tariff plans, reflects a broader dissatisfaction with the manner in which globalization has impacted American manufacturing jobs and economic inequality.
DISSATISFACTION WITH POLITICAL PROCESSES
Many citizens are losing faith not only in the leaders themselves but also in the political processes that underlie democratic systems. Electoral systems that are seen as rigged or outdated, voter suppression tactics, gerrymandering, and unequal representation all contribute to a sense of disenfranchisement. When people feel that their votes don’t count or that the political system is unfairly skewed in favor of certain groups, they are more likely to disengage from politics altogether.
Example:
In the United States, voter suppression tactics, such as strict voter ID laws and purging of voter rolls, have disproportionately affected marginalized communities, leading to accusations of a ‘rigged’ electoral process. The issue of gerrymandering, where voting districts are manipulated to favor one political party, has also fueled disillusionment with the political process.
Example:
In Russia, the political process has long been criticized for lacking transparency and fairness. President Vladimir Putin’s government has been accused of suppressing opposition candidates, manipulating elections, and using state-controlled media to limit public debate. This has led many Russians to feel that their votes have little impact on the political outcome, resulting in a loss of faith in the electoral system.
GLOBAL CHALLENGES AND INACTION
On a global scale, major challenges such as climate change, economic inequality, and public health crises are putting pressure on political systems to act. However, many leaders and governments have been slow to implement effective solutions, leading to widespread frus-
tration. When politicians are perceived as being more interested in preserving the status quo or protecting corporate interests than in tackling pressing global issues, citizens lose faith in their ability to deliver meaningful change.
Example:
The failure of world leaders to take decisive action on climate change has been a key factor in the growing disillusionment with politics, especially among younger generations. Despite the urgent warnings of scientists, international negotiations like 2024’s COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan failed to produce meaningful agreements. The lack of progress on climate change has left many feeling that political systems are too beholden to corporate interests to address the existential crisis. President Trump has taken the world’s biggest emitter out of the Paris Agreement for a second time in his second term, and he is promising to roll back several other climate actions. This, perhaps, is a calculated political risk that assumes Americans care more about changes to their wallets than changes in the weather.
Example:
The global response to the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted political failures in many countries. For instance, the delayed response to the pandemic in countries like the United States and Brazil, where leaders downplayed the severity of the virus, arguably caused widespread harm and further eroded public trust in political leadership and institutions. This once-in-a-century global pandemic saw lockdowns, masking, social distancing, mandatory vaccinations, and nearly 7 million deaths. Unfortunately for the world, the pandemic undermined our belief in medical experts and the competence of national governments. Information was weaponized; fear, cynicism, and distrust followed (Plummeting trust in institutions has the world slipping into grievance – Here is the fix, Richard Edelman, Fortune.com, January 2025).
The global decline of trust in politics is a multifaceted phenomenon fueled by corruption, polarization, the influence of money, misinformation, and the perceived powerlessness of citizens. As the political landscape becomes increasingly divided and disconnected from the needs of ordinary people, trust in political institutions continues to deteriorate. Rebuilding that trust will require a concerted effort to address the systemic issues that have led to widespread disillusionment. This includes greater transparency, accountability, reducing the influence of money in politics, and a commitment to meaningful reforms that prioritize the public interest over the interests of the powerful. Without these changes, the global crisis of confidence in politics will only deepen, threatening the stability of democratic institutions and the effectiveness of governance worldwide. n
T. J. Edwards retired from the U.S. Army after 30 years of service. He is a Contributing Editor of tjedwardsjr23@gmail.com
GREENLAND THE GE GRAPHY PAGE
GreenlAnd wAs suddenlY thrust into the spotlight in January when President Donald Trump announced a desire to acquire it. Since then, it has been in the news a lot, so much so that Prime Minister Múte Bourup Egede and Parliament are now considering holding an independence referendum.
Atlantic Ocean). The citizens of all territories are full citizens of Denmark. Greenland is one of the Overseas Countries and Territories of the European Union and is part of the Council of Europe.
Greenland lies between the Arctic and Atlantic oceans. It is the world's largest island (836,330 square miles—about three times the size of Texas), and it is the location of Kaffeklubben Island—off the northern coast—the
é Pituffik Space (formerly Thule) Base.
Greenland hosts the US military, permanently stationed at Pituffik Space Base under a defense agreement between Denmark (a founding member of NATO) and the United States, and it is critical for our ballistic missile early-warning system. For years, the US has seen the island as strategically important and recently has grown concerned as China’s military cooperation with Russia in the Arctic has grown.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Egede have insisted that Greenland is not for sale but that Greenlanders have a right to decide their destiny. All five political parties in parliament have said they do not want Greenland to become part of the United States.
With that in mind, what follows are some facts about Greenland today. The maps on these pages tell more of the story
Greenland is an autonomous territory in the Kingdom of Denmark. It is by far the largest of three constituent parts of the kingdom; the other two are metropolitan Denmark and the Faroe Islands (an archipelago in the North
world's undisputed northernmost point of land. The capital and largest city is Nuuk. Economically, Greenland heavily relies on aid from Denmark, amounting to nearly half of the territory's total public revenue.
Though it is a part of the continent of North America, Greenland has been politically and culturally associated with the European kingdoms of Norway and Denmark for more than a millennium, beginning in 986. It has been inhabited at intervals over at least the last 4,500 years by various indigenous peoples
of the Arctic whose forebears migrated there from what is now Canada. Norsemen from Norway settled in the uninhabited southern part of Greenland beginning in the 10th century (having previously settled in Iceland), and their descendants lived in Greenland for 400 years until disappearing in the late 15th century. The 13th century saw the arrival of the Inuit.
Today, most residents of Greenland are Inuit. The population is concentrated mainly on the southwest coast, and the rest of the island is sparsely populated. With a (2022) population of 56,583, Greenland (with .07 people per square mile) is the least densely populated region in the world. It is socially progressive, and like in Denmark, education and healthcare are free. LGBTQ rights are some of the most extensive in the world. Sixty-seven percent of its electricity production comes from renewable energy, mostly from hydropower.
Since the late 15th century, the Portuguese had been attempting to find the northern route to Asia, ultimately leading to the earliest cartographic depiction of its coastline. In the 17th century, Dano-Norwegian explorers reached Greenland again, finding their earlier settlement extinct and reestablishing a permanent Scandinavian presence on the island. When Denmark and Norway separated in 1814, Greenland was transferred from the Norwegian to the Danish crown.
The 1953 Constitution of Denmark ended Greenland's status as a colony, integrating it fully into the Danish state. In the 1979 Greenlandic home rule referendum, Denmark granted the island home rule; in the 2008 Greenlandic self-government referendum, the citizens voted for the Self-Government Act, which transferred more power from the Danish government to the local Naalakkersuisut (Greenlandic government). Under this structure, Greenland gradually assumed responsibility for several governmental services and areas of competence.
The Danish government retains control of citizenship, monetary policy, security policies, and foreign affairs. With the melting of the ice due to global warming, its abundance of mineral wealth, and its strategic position between Europe, North America, and the Arctic zone, Greenland is of interest to the great powers, chiefly U.S. President Donald Trump, who has made annexing Greenland one of his platforms. n
HAMILTON VS. BURR
At dAwn, on JulY 11, 1804, in Weehawken, New Jersey, Aaron Burr [the third U.S. vice president at the time] and Alexander Hamilton [the first and former Secretary of the Treasury] faced each other in a duel which was the culmination of a bitter rivalry that had developed over years. Burr shot Hamilton in the abdomen. Hamilton returned fire and hit a tree branch above and behind Burr's head. Hamilton was transported across the Hudson River for treatment in present-day Greenwich Village in New York City, where he died the following day, on July 12, 1804.
Hamilton's death permanently weakened the Federalist Party, which was founded by him in 1789 and which was one of the nation's major two parties at the time. It also ended Burr's political career, as he was vilified for shooting Hamilton. [Alexander Hamilton was shot close to the spot where his son Philip Hamilton was fatally wounded in a separate duel 3 years prior.]
The duel was the final skirmish of a long conflict between DemocraticRepublicans and Federalists. The conflict began in 1791 when Burr won a United States Senate seat from Philip
Schuyler, Hamilton's father-in-law, who would have supported Federalist policies. Hamilton was the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury at the time. The Electoral College then deadlocked in the 1800 presidential election, during which Hamilton's maneuvering in the U.S. House of Representatives played a factor in Thomas Jefferson's winning the presidency over Burr. [At the time, the candidate who received the most votes was elected president, while the candidate with the second most votes became vice president.] Hamilton's animosity toward Burr was severe and well-documented.
Burr and Hamilton first came into public opposition during the 1800 United States presidential election. Burr and Thomas Jefferson ran for president on the Democratic-Republican Party ticket against incumbent President John Adams and his vice presidential running mate Charles C. Pinckney of the Federalist Party. Electoral College rules at the time gave each elector two votes for president, and the candidate who received the second most votes became vice president.
The Democratic-Republican Party planned to have 72 of their 73 electors vote for Jefferson and Burr, with the remaining elector voting only for Jefferson. The electors failed to execute this plan and Burr and Jefferson were tied with 73 votes each. The Constitution stipulated that if two candidates with an Electoral College majority were tied, the election would be moved to the House of Representatives—which was controlled by the Federalists, at this point, many of whom were loath to vote for Jefferson. Although Hamilton had a long-standing rivalry with Jefferson stemming from their tenure as members of George Washington's cabinet, he regarded Burr as far more dangerous and used all his influence to ensure Jefferson's election. On the 36th ballot, the House of Representatives gave Jefferson the presidency, with Burr becoming vice president.
When it became clear that Jefferson would drop Burr from his ticket in the 1804 presidential election, Burr chose to run for the governorship of New York. Hamilton campaigned vigorously against Burr, causing him to lose the gubernatorial election to Morgan Lewis, a Democratic-Republican who Hamilton had endorsed.
In the morning of July 11, 1804, Burr and Hamilton departed from Manhattan by separate boats and rowed across the Hudson River to a spot known as the
I laughed until my abs were tired, so I skipped the gym.
Today
Why is there so much month left at the end of the money?
Heights of Weehawken, New Jersey, a popular dueling ground. [Dueling had been prohibited in both New York and New Jersey, but Hamilton and Burr agreed to go to Weehawken because New Jersey was not as aggressive as New York in prosecuting dueling participants.] They also took steps to give all witnesses plausible deniability in an attempt to shield themselves from prosecution. For example, the pistols were transported to the island in a portmanteau [a piece of luggage] enabling the rowers to say under oath that they had not seen any pistols. They also stood with their backs to the duelists.
Burr, William Peter Van Ness (his second), Matthew L. Davis, another man often identified as John Swarthout, and the rowers all reached the site at 6:30 a.m., whereupon Swarthout and Van Ness started to clear the underbrush from the dueling ground. Hamilton, Judge Nathaniel Pendleton (his second), and Dr. David Hosack arrived a few minutes before seven. Lots were cast for the choice of position, and which second should start the duel. Both were won by Hamilton's second, who chose the upper edge of the ledge for Hamilton, facing the city. However, Joseph Ellis claims that Hamilton had been challenged and therefore had the choice of both weapon and position. Under this account, Hamilton himself chose the upstream or north side position.
Some first-hand accounts of the duel agree that two shots were fired, but some say only Burr fired, and the seconds disagreed on the intervening time between them. It was common for both principals in a duel to deliberately miss or fire their shot into the ground to exemplify courage—a practice known as deloping. The duel could then come to an end.
Hamilton fired a shot above Burr's head. Burr returned fire and hit Hamilton in the lower abdomen above the right hip. The large-caliber lead ball ricocheted off Hamilton's third or second rib fracturing it and causing considerable damage to his internal organs. Hamilton collapsed almost immediately, dropping the pistol involuntarily.
It is entirely uncertain which principal fired first, as both seconds' backs were to the duel under the pre-arranged regulations so that they could testify that they "saw no fire". After much research to determine the actual events of the duel, historian Joseph Ellis thinks, Hamilton did fire his weapon intentionally, and he fired first. But he aimed to miss Burr, sending his shot into the tree above and behind Burr's location.
In so doing, he did not withhold his shot, but he did waste it, thereby honoring his pre-duel pledge. Meanwhile, Burr, who did not know about the pledge, did know that a projectile from Hamilton's gun had whizzed past him and crashed into the tree to his rear. According to the principles of the code duello, Burr was perfectly justified in taking deadly aim at Hamilton and firing to kill. n
THE FACTOR
ROCCA IMPERIALE
roccA imPeriAle ("imPeriAl rock") is a town and commune in the province of Cosenza in the Calabria region of southern Italy. It is in the middle of the arc that surrounds the Gulf of Taranto and sits about 2.5 miles from the sea on a hill at the foothills of the Apennine Mountains, which stretches out to the shore that was once the ancient Siritide plain. It is one of I Borghi più belli d'Italia ("The most beautiful villages of Italy").
The main sight is the
é The town with the Hohenstaufen castle at the top.
Castle of Frederick II of Hohenstaufen (Italian: Castello Svevo), Rocca Imperiale is the name of the town (meaning the Chiesa Madre, the Monastery, and the wax museum. n
BY ROXANA TOFAN
WORLD WAR II
A GLOBAL CONFLICT THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
world wAr ii wAs more than just a battle between nations—it was a seismic event that reshaped the world as we know it. With over 100 million people mobilized across continents, it remains the deadliest and most widespread conflict in human history. From 1939 to 1945, the war left a permanzzent mark on global politics, society, and economics. To understand the full impact of WWII, we break it down using six essential questions: Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How. n
WHO
WERE THE KEY FIGURES BEHIND THE WAR?
The war’s course was directed by a cast of powerful and often controversial leaders:
ADOLF HITLER (GERMANY): The architect of Nazi ideology and German expansionism, Hitler's aggressive policies were the immediate catalyst for the war. His vision of a "Greater Germany" plunged Europe into chaos.
WINSTON CHURCHILL (UK): Britain’s wartime Prime Minister, Churchill’s stirring speeches and defiant leadership became symbols of resistance during Britain’s darkest hours.
FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT (USA):
As the 32nd President of the United States, FDR played a critical role in supporting the Allies, and in steering the U.S. from neutrality to full engagement after Pearl Harbor.
JOSEPH STALIN (USSR): Stalin’s Soviet Union endured immense losses but eventually played a decisive role on the Eastern Front, helping turn the tide against Nazi Germany.
BENITO MUSSOLINI (ITALY):
Italy’s fascist leader sought to revive Roman imperial glory, aligning with Hitler to form the Axis Powers.
These leaders weren’t just figureheads—they shaped strategies, inspired (or terrified) millions, and ultimately decided the fate of nations.
WHAT EVENTS SPARKED THE WAR?
Several key developments sowed the seeds of global conflict: TREATY OF VERSAILLES (1919): The post-World War I treaty left Germany humiliated and economically crippled, conditions that paved the way for Hitler’s rise.
RISE OF FASCISM: Authoritarian regimes in Germany, Italy, and Japan pursued expansion through military force, dismissing international diplomacy.
JAPANESE EXPANSION: Japan’s invasion of Manchuria in 1931 and later China signaled growing militarism in Asia.
GERMAN AGGRESSION: The annexation of Austria (Anschluss) and the invasion of Poland in 1939 flouted peace agreements and forced Europe into war.
Fueled by nationalism, economic instability, and a hunger for power, these events led the world toward its most devastating conflict.
A jellyfish has existed as a species for 500 million years, surviving just fine without a brain. That gives hope to quite a few people.
Sorry I’m late. I didn’t want to come.
WHEN DID IT ALL HAPPEN?
World War II officially began on September 1, 1939, with Germany’s invasion of Poland. Just two days later, Britain and France declared war on Germany. After nearly six years of relentless warfare, the conflict ended on September 2, 1945, when Japan formally surrendered following the U.S. bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
WHERE
DID THE WAR UNFOLD?
Unlike previous wars, WWII truly spanned the globe, with major theaters of conflict across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Pacific:
EUROPE: The Battle of Britain (1940), Stalingrad (1942–1943), and the D-Day landings in Normandy (1944) were crucial turning points.
PACIFIC: From the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor to the decisive Battle of Midway, the Pacific Theater saw brutal island-hopping campaigns and fierce naval warfare.
NORTH AFRICA: The Allies clashed with Axis powers in deserts and dunes, culminating in victory at El Alamein in 1942.
EVERYWHERE IN BETWEEN: From the jungles of Burma to the beaches of Italy, WWII was fought in nearly every corner of the world.
Each battlefield shifted the balance of power and pushed the Allies closer to victory.
WHY
DID NATIONS JOIN THE FIGHT?
Motivations for entering WWII varied widely:
GERMANY, ITALY, JAPAN: Driven by imperial ambitions and a desire to overturn the post-WWI order, these nations sought dominance through force.
UNITED KINGDOM AND FRANCE: They acted in defense of Poland and to check Nazi aggression, honoring long-standing alliances.
UNITED STATES: Initially neutral, the U.S. joined after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in December 1941, marking a decisive shift in the war’s momentum.
SOVIET UNION: Originally in a non-aggression pact with Germany, the USSR joined the Allies after Hitler broke the deal and invaded Soviet territory in 1941.
In the end, WWII became a struggle between two ideologies— totalitarian domination vs. democratic survival.
HOW DID THE WAR CHANGE THE WORLD FOREVER?
The consequences of World War II were nothing short of transformative:
POWER REALIGNMENT: The war ended European dominance, ushering in a new era led by the United States and Soviet Union— and the decades-long Cold War that followed.
UNITED NATIONS FOUNDED (1945): Determined to avoid another global catastrophe, the world’s nations came together to create the UN.
TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES: Radar, jet engines, nuclear technology, and even early computers emerged from wartime research.
HUMAN RIGHTS AWARENESS: The Holocaust exposed the horrors of genocide, galvanizing the global community to establish human rights protections and international laws.
GLOBAL COOPERATION: The war laid the groundwork for NATO, the European Union, and a new vision of shared global responsibility.
World War II didn’t just redraw maps or shift alliances—it redefined what it meant to be a nation, a leader, and a citizen of the world. The war’s lessons remain urgent and relevant, reminding us that peace, though hard-won, is never guaranteed—and that history, when understood, can help us build a better future. n
Roxana Tofan is a commercial real estate and business broker and the founder and owner of Clear Integrity Group in San Antonio. She is also a Contributing Editor of roxana@clearintegritygroup.com
BY ANDREW FELDER
beinG "woke" trAditionAllY refers to a heightened awareness of social injustices and systemic inequalities. It implies a kind of moral awakening, a recognition of the unseen or ignored realities that shape people's lives. But during the Trump administration, we are witnessing what can best be described as “woke in reverse”—a deliberate regression masquerading as truth-telling, a rejection of so-called political correctness rebranded as honesty, and a performative disdain for elites and institutions that often betrayed the very people it claimed to champion.
The Trump administration built much of its political brand on rejecting "wokeness." To Trump and many of his supporters, being "woke" was framed not as moral clarity, but as weakness, hypersensitivity, or censorship. This reversal flipped the concept of awareness into something shameful. Ironically, this rejection was couched in its own kind of performative morality—one that claims to stand for “real Americans,” “free speech,” and “traditional
CASE:
Medical experts are baffled. The latest scans are in, and the diagnosis is stark: Trump, the former reality TV star turned... well, let’s just say ‘former something,’ suffers from a previously undocumented condition – an incurable case of noscruples. Symptoms first appeared during his early career, manifested as a brazen disregard for ethical guidelines in the cutthroat world of real estate. These early, relatively mild symptoms included things like slightly exaggerating property values and redefining truth to fit the situation. Doctors dismissed them then as simply aggressive business acumen.
However, the condition rapidly progressed. As Trump ascended to higher office (a position bafflingly attained despite the symptoms’ obvious severity), the manifestation of noscruples became increasingly alarming.
Witness reports include:
THE HYPOCRISY OF WOKE IN REVERSE –THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION
values”—while pushing policies and rhetoric that harm marginalized groups, fuels division, and ignores the lived realities of millions.
Perhaps the most glaring example of this hypocrisy is the administration’s self-styled image as a populist movement "draining the swamp" and standing against the establishment. In practice, however, Trump has appointed lobbyists, billionaires, and corporate insiders to key positions. His tax cuts overwhelmingly benefit the wealthy, and deregulation efforts are at the expense of workers, the environment, and public health. This gap between rhetoric and reality exposes a deeper contradiction—a movement that claims to speak for the forgotten while governing in favor of the powerful.
In matters of race and social justice, the reversal is even more stark. Trump frequently mocks
or dismisses movements like Black Lives Matter and downplays the significance of systemic racism, calling for “law and order” in response to protests while refusing to condemn white supremacist groups. His administration banned federal diversity training programs, deriding them as “divisive.” And yet, all of this has been done in the name of “truth” and “common sense,” cloaking regressive policy in the language of anti-woke resistance. This is the essence of “woke in reverse”— a false clarity that uses criticism of political correctness to justify intentional harm.
The hypocrisy deepens when considering how the administration weaponizes victimhood while disparaging others for doing the same. Trump consistently positions himself as a victim of the media, the “deep state,” and political opponents, creating a narrative of persecution that mimics the very identity politics his base despises. It was a strategic inversion—employing the tools of grievance while attacking others for doing so.
The Trump administration's approach represents not just a rejection of wokeness, but a reversal of its core values wrapped in populist performance. It co-opts the language of truth and justice to obscure regressive actions. This hypocrisy—claiming to reject performative morality while engaging in it—is a warning: that without integrity, even awakening can be turned backward. n
Trump Has An Incurable Case of Noscruples
DESCRIBE SYMPTOMS:
Phase 1: Denial of Reality: A persistent inability to acknowledge facts, even when presented with irrefutable evidence. This phase was characterized by statements that defied logic, physics, and basic common sense. Doctors initially speculated that (in Trump’s case) this was a severe form of delusion, but further study revealed that it was, in fact, simply a highly advanced case of noscruples. Lying, it turned out, was not a symptom, but a core function of the disease.
Phase 2: Moral Amnesia: A complete inability to recall any previously held moral principles. Studies show that during this phase, previously cherished values evaporated like morning dew under a scorching sun. Trump displayed a complete lack of empathy, remorse, or even the
faintest twinge of guilt. Medical professionals noted with alarm that this appeared to be not a memory loss, but an active, enthusiastic rejection of morality.
Phase 3: Unfettered SelfInterest: The disease's endgame. Completely consumed by selfaggrandizement, the patient (Trump) prioritizes personal gain above all else, displaying a disregard for the well-being of others that borders on the sociopathic (though technically, the condition is far more advanced). This phase is marked by a constant stream of selfcongratulatory pronouncements and an obsessive need to be the center of attention, regardless of the consequences. Unfortunately, there is currently no known cure for noscruples.
TREATMENT:
While some researchers are exploring experimental therapies involving prolonged exposure to truth serum (with wildly unpredictable results), most doctors agree that the condition is essentially untreatable. The prognosis is, frankly, bleak. The only foreseeable outcome is continued erratic behavior, a steady stream of outrageous statements, and a legacy of questionable decisions that will likely plague future generations. So, while the medical community continues its research, the best advice for now is... brace yourselves.
I refuse to answer that question on the grounds that I don’t know the answer.
Most & Least Educated States in America (2025)
for millions of AmericAns, a good education is the ticket to a better future. College opens doors to more career opportunities, higher earnings and new social connections, among other benefits. But how much schooling one receives also matters to some extent. Generally, the higher the level of education one completes, the higher their
BY ADAM MCCANN
income potential and the lower their chances of unemployment become.
Some states are able to provide better quality education than others, though. In this study, WalletHub compared all 50 states across 18 metrics that examined the key factors of a well-educated population: educational attainment, school quality and achievement gaps between genders and races.
To view the full report, an explanation of the methodology used, expert commentary, and an interactive map, click <HERE>. n
Adam McCann is a personal finance writer for WalletHub.
THE WISDOM AND INSIGHTS OF THEODORE ROOSEVELT
Let us rather run the risk of wearing out than rusting out.
The only man who never makes mistakes is the man who never does anything.
With self-discipline, almost anything is possible.
If you could kick the person in the pants responsible for most of your trouble, you wouldn’t sit for a month.
theodore roosevelt Jr. (1858 – 1919) (a/k/a Teddy or T. R) was the 26th president of the United States (1901-1909). He was previously involved in New York politics, including serving as the state's 33rd governor for two years. He served as the 25th vice president under President William McKinley for six months in 1901, assuming the presidency after McKinley's assassination. As president, Roosevelt emerged as a leader of the Republican Party and became a driving force for anti-trust and Progressive policies.
WHEN YOU’RE AT THE END OF YOUR ROPE, TIE A KNOT AND HOLD ON.
Old age is like everything else. To make a success of it, you’ve got to start young.
I HAVE NEVER IN MY LIFE ENVIED A HUMAN BEING WHO LED AN EASY LIFE. I HAVE ENVIED A GREAT MANY PEOPLE WHO LED DIFFICULT LIVES AND LED THEM WELL.
Great thoughts speak only to the thoughtful mind, but great actions speak to all mankind.
People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.
THE MOST IMPORTANT SINGLE INGREDIENT IN THE FORMULA OF SUCCESS IS KNOWING HOW TO GET ALONG WITH PEOPLE.
Keep your eyes on the stars but remember to keep your feet on the ground.
Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.
Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.
The greatest doer must also be a great dreamer.
Believe you can and you’re halfway there.
I am a part of everything that I have read.
Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell ’em, ‘Certainly I can’ Then get busy and find out how to do it.
In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing. The worst thing you can do is nothing.
I CARE NOT WHAT OTHERS THINK OF WHAT I DO, BUT I CARE VERY MUCH ABOUT WHAT I THINK OF WHAT I DO! THAT IS CHARACTER!
Courage is not having the strength to go on; it is going on when you don’t have the strength.
I refuse to have a battle of wits with an opponent who is so clearly unarmed.
I am in touch with my motivation.
I saw it going by this morning, waving at me and winking.
JAmes christoPher (Jim) GAffiGAn (1966 -) is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and producer. His material often addresses fatherhood, laziness, food, religion, and general observations. He is regarded as a "clean" comic, using little profanity in his routines. He has
released several successful comedy specials, including Mr. Universe, Obsessed, Cinco, and Quality Time, all of which have received Grammy nominations. Gaffigan's memoir Dad Is Fat (2013) and his most recent book Food: A Love Story (2014) were both published by
Crown Publishers. He co-created and starred in the TV Land series The Jim Gaffigan Show, based on his life. He collaborates extensively with his wife, actress Jeannie Gaffigan, with whom he has five children.
The hardest part of the day is all the stuff after I open my eyes in the morning.
Whenever you correct someone's grammar just remember that nobody likes you.
You wanna know how good bacon is? To improve other food, they wrap it in bacon.
My wife always asks me why I don't make the bed. And I respond with the same reason why I don't tie my shoes after I take them off.
If camping is so great, why are the bugs always trying to get in your house?
The Pearly Gates. Am I the only one who finds it odd that Heaven has gates? What kind of neighborhood is Heaven in?
Kale is a superfood and its special power is tasting bad.
Pie can't compete with cake. Put candles in a cake, it's a birthday cake. Put candles in a pie, someone's drunk in the kitchen.
We are all a little weird. And we like to think that there is always someone weirder. I mean, I am sure some of you are looking at me and thinking, “Well, at least I am not as weird as you,” and I am thinking, “Well, at least I am not as weird as the people in the loony bin,” and the people in the loony bin are thinking, “Well, at least I am an orange”.
THE G-RATED HUMOR OF JIM GAFFIGAN
I was looking at a bottle of water; they have nutritional facts printed on the side. You know, I'm no chemist, but I have a rough idea what's in water.
But truly, women are amazing. Think about it this way: a woman can grow a baby inside her body. Then a woman can deliver the baby through her body. Then, by some miracle, a woman can feed a baby with her body. When you compare that to the male’s contribution to life, it’s kind of embarrassing, really.
There should be a children's song: 'If you're happy and you know it, keep it to yourself and let your dad sleep'.
There is the vegetarian Hot Pocket for those of us who don't want to eat meat, but would still like diarrhea.
Thanksgiving. It's like we didn't even try to come up with a tradition. The tradition is, we overeat. 'Hey, how about at Thanksgiving we just eat a lot?' 'But we do that every day!' 'Oh. What if we eat a lot with people that annoy the hell out of us?'
My favorite vegetable is the marshmallow.
I was watching Animal Planet. Did you know that the male seahorse has the baby? And I was thinking, "Why don't they just call that the female seahorse?" You know it's just some stubborn scientist. "Yeah, that one there's the male seahorse." And his assistant's like, "Uh, Bill, that one's having a baby." ... "The male has the baby. You're fired."
Raising kids may be a thankless job with ridiculous hours, but at least the pay sucks.
How did we get to the point where we're paying for bottled water? That must have been some weird marketing meeting over in France. Some French guy's sitting there, like, "How dumb do I think the Americans are? I bet you we could sell those idiots water."
Anyone know if the shuttles to Hell will have Wifi? Asking for a friend.
It's amazing how email has changed our lives. You ever get a handwritten letter in the mail today? 'What the? Has someone been kidnapped?'
When you hear bacon cooking... that sizzling sound isn't the fat cooking....that's applause.
HOW INTEREST RATES
IMPACT HOMEBUYERS
(ADVICE FOR THE FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER)
when it comes to buying a home, many factors play a role in shaping what you can afford—from your income and credit score to the price of homes in your desired location. And high or low rates can drastically change your monthly payments and, ultimately, your purchasing power.
Even a slight fluctuation in interest rates can impact the real estate market and the decisions of individual homebuyers. Understanding how interest rates work and what they mean for your mortgage can help you make smarter financial choices. Here’s a closer look at how interest rates affect homebuyers and the broader housing market.
THE POWER OF PERCENTAGE POINTS: WHY EVEN A SMALL INCREASE MATTERS
For most homebuyers, purchasing a home means taking out a mortgage. The interest rate on that loan determines how much you'll pay in addition to the principal (the actual cost of the home). A difference of just 1% in interest can translate to hundreds of dollars more per month in mortgage payments, and tens of thousands over the life of the loan.
For example, a $400,000 mortgage at a 5% interest rate over 30 years will cost about $2,147 per month in principal and interest. But if the rate increases to 6%, the monthly payment rises to approximately $2,398. That’s a $251 difference per month or over $90,000 across the loan’s (30-year) lifespan. For many buyers, that extra cost can be the difference between comfortably affording a home and having to look in a different neighborhood—or holding off on buying altogether.
When interest rates rise, affordability shrinks. Buyers who may have qualified for a larger loan suddenly find that their budget doesn’t stretch as far. This can push some potential buyers out of the market entirely, reducing demand and cooling down housing prices in certain areas. In extreme cases, rising rates can lead to a slowdown in home sales and even a temporary dip in prices.
LOWER RATES FUEL DEMAND—BUT CAN PUSH PRICES UP
On the flip side, when interest rates fall, borrowing becomes more affordable. Lower monthly payments make homeownership accessible to a broader range of people. As more buyers enter the market, competition heats up—especially in high-demand or desirable areas. While that’s great news for sellers, it can pose new challenges for buyers.
In a low-rate environment, bidding wars become more common, and homes may sell for above the asking price. The increased demand can drive prices higher, sometimes offsetting the affordability gains from the lower rates. So while your mortgage payment might be lower thanks to reduced interest, you could end up paying more for the home itself.
That’s why timing the market—trying to buy when interest rates are low and before home prices climb too high—is a strategy many buyers aim for, but it can be difficult to predict. Rates fluctuate based on a range of economic indicators, including inflation, employment rates, and decisions made by the Federal Reserve.
FIXED VS. ADJUSTABLE-RATE MORTGAGES: WEIGHING YOUR OPTIONS
As interest rates climb, many buyers begin exploring alternatives to traditional fixed-rate mortgages. One popular option is the adjustablerate mortgage (ARM), which offers a lower initial interest rate for a set period—typically 5, 7, or 10 years—before adjusting periodically based on market conditions.
In a rising rate environment, the appeal of an ARM is clear: lower initial payments can help buyers qualify for a larger loan or simply make monthly payments more manageable in the short term. This can be especially useful for buyers who don’t plan to stay in their home longterm and expect to sell or refinance before the adjustable period kicks in.
ARMs come with risk, however. If interest rates continue to climb, payments could increase significantly after the initial fixed period. It’s important for buyers considering an ARM to understand the terms of the loan, including caps on rate increases and the frequency of adjustments. Those who anticipate staying in their home long-term or prefer predictability may still opt for the security of a fixed-rate mortgage, even if it comes with a higher initial rate.
HOW BUYERS CAN NAVIGATE RATE CHANGES
While interest rates are largely outside of any individual’s control, there are several steps homebuyers can take to prepare for rate fluctuations:
GET PRE-APPROVED EARLY: This helps you understand how much home you can afford and locks in a rate for a limited period.
IMPROVE YOUR CREDIT SCORE: Better credit can help you qualify for a lower interest rate, potentially saving you thousands over the life of your loan.
SHOP AROUND FOR LENDERS: Rates and fees vary from lender to lender, so it pays to compare offers.
CONSIDER RATE LOCKS: Many lenders offer the option to “lock in” a rate while you shop for a home, protecting you from rate increases for a specified time.
WORK WITH A KNOWLEDGEABLE AGENT AND LENDER: Professionals who understand the current market can help you find the best strategies and mortgage options for your situation.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Interest rates have a powerful impact on what you can afford as a homebuyer—and on the housing market as a whole. When rates are low, buyers gain more purchasing power, but increased competition can drive up prices. When rates are high, affordability takes a hit, and some buyers may need to adjust their expectations or wait for better conditions. Understanding how interest rates affect your mortgage, exploring your loan options, and preparing financially can help you navigate the market with confidence. Whether rates are rising, falling, or staying steady, informed decisions are your best tool for making homeownership a reality. n
My grandma has the heart of a lion... and a lifetime ban from the zoo.
SWITCHING TO PUBLIC TRANSIT
historicAllY, drivinG hAs been Americans’ preferred way to get to work. According to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the share of workers who drive to work alone never dipped below 75%. Only the increase in remote work following the pandemic put a dent in these numbers: The share of workers driving to and from the office daily declined slightly, but hovers around 69% to this day.
And that’s no wonder. Navigating the city by car shaves hours off of a commuter’s weekly traffic time. It’s also much more comfortable than getting up earlier to walk to the metro or bus station and then walk some more to the office. However, to save that time and keep a certain level of comfort, the typical American commuter spends thousands of dollars just to cover the commute costs.
Alternatively, the annual costs associated with commuting by public transportation are significantly lower. On average, whereas a car commute might equate to a little more than $8,000, taking the bus costs just $972 per year. This means that a commuter willing to ditch the car in favor of the bus could potentially save around $7,000.
Commute Savings: In the 30 Largest U.S. Cities, Commuters Can Save Either Time or Money
• Commuting by car instead of public transit saves up to 218 hours (or nine days) per year in Las Vegas, while ditching the car in favor of the bus saves up to $10,000 per year in San Francisco.
• Renters versus owners in the 30 largest U.S. cities: Saving thousands of dollars is great for anyone’s budget, but renters would benefit from ditching the car more so than owners. Average savings represent approximately 8% of owners’ income, but a massive 15% of renters’ median income.
• Best cities for budget-conscious renters: In 27 of the 30 cities in the analysis, renters would save more than the equivalent of a month’s salary if they ditched the car in favor of public transportation.
• In fact, in three cities (Philadelphia, Detroit and Baltimore), yearly savings would exceed the equivalent of two months’ salary.
• Best cities for commuters pressed for time: When it comes to how much time they can save, both renters and owners who drive to work would spot the biggest difference in Las Vegas (where the car commute takes 52 minutes less compared to a public transit commute) and San Jose, CA (51 minutes less), adding up to nine days per year.
Of course, that’s a substantial amount for anyone, but it’s renters who would benefit the most: With a monthly income of around $4,000, the average U.S. renter household would save the equivalent of nearly two months’ salary by choosing public transit. Homeowners who commute would get the same discounts should they choose public transportation. But, given that the median monthly income for owner households is around $8,000, those savings represent a far smaller share: For owners, the costs related to car commute represent 8% of their average annual income, whereas driving to work bites more than 15% out of a renter’s salary.
So, how much money can commuters, and especially renters, save by switching from a car commute to using public transportation in the 30 largest U.S. cities? And conversely, how much time could they save if they went for the car, instead of the bus?
CAR COMMUTERS SAVE TIME, BUT DRIVING TO WORK COSTS $7,165 MORE PER YEAR, ON AVERAGE
For owners, yearly car costs may mean just 8% of their average annual income, but driving to work consumes more than 15% of a renter’s salary.
From parking and fuel costs to insurance and maintenance, commuting by car is thousands of dollars more expensive than commuting via public transportation. To be more precise, it’s a hefty $7,165 more. With a monthly income of a little more than $4,000, the typical renter household has to set aside the equivalent of nearly two months’ worth of income every year just to be able to cover the costs of getting to work by car.
Switching to mass transit to save money sounds great, but some cities are simply too steeped in
BY ANDRA HOPULELE
car culture. While New York, for example, distinguishes itself from other U.S. cities for its low personal car ownership and its significant use of public transportation, cities like Oklahoma City, OK; Jacksonville, FL; and Memphis, TN, are car-dependent, having very low transit scores. According to Walkscore, these cities have minimal public transportation, not many bike lanes, and some of the lowest walkability scores out of all of the cities in the analysis.
Transportation accounted for a total of $1.6 trillion USD, making it the fourth-highest category of household expenditure in the country. After a decline in 20192020 due to the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, between 2020-2021, the total national household spending on transportation continued to increase by nearly 30%. Many U.S. cities lack reliable, well-funded, and inclusive public transport options, so people are forced to travel by personal vehicles to access essential destinations, like school or work. The lack of affordable, sustainable public transport options thus creates a noticeable financial burden on average American households –with fewer mobility options, many are forced to make difficult financial decisions that can impact their quality of life. n
LINK : MARKETPLACE, BIDDER’S LIST & DIRECTORY
Products Inc.
WEB DEVELOPMENT
OBITUARY
REACH YOUR FOR LESS
DIVERSI NS
2ND GRADE ENGLISH
BRAINS ON VACATION
ST. UPID
HOW DID THAT HAPPEN?
THE BACK PAGE
ANSWERS FROM THE MARCH/APRIL
CONTEST: CITY SLOGANS
1. Alabama: Birmingham – "The Magic City" / 2. Alaska: Anchorage – "Air Crossroads of the World" / 3. Arizona: Phoenix–"Valley of the Sun" / 4. Arkansas: Little Rock – "The Rock" / 5. California: Los Angeles – "City of Angels" / 6. Colorado: Denver –"The Mile-High City" / 7. Connecticut: Bridgeport –"The Park City" / 8. Delaware: Wilmington – "Corporate Capital of the World" / 9. Florida: Jacksonville – "Bold New City of the South" / 10. Georgia: Atlanta – "The City Too Busy to Hate" / 11. Hawaii: Honolulu – "The Big Pineapple" / 12. Idaho: Boise – "City of Trees" / 13. Illinois: Chicago – "The Windy City" / 14. Indiana: Indianapolis–"The Crossroads of America" / 15. Iowa: Des Moines–"Hartford of the West" / 16. Kansas: Wichita – "Air Capital of the World" / 17. Kentucky: Louisville – "Derby City" / 18. Louisiana: New Orleans –"The Big Easy" / 19. Maine: Portland –"Forest City" / 20. Maryland: Baltimore – "Charm City" / 21. Massachusetts: Boston – "Beantown" / 22. Michigan: Detroit –"Motor City" / 23. Minnesota: Minneapolis –"City of Lakes" / 24. Mississippi: Jackson –"The City with Soul" / 25. Missouri: Kansas City –"The Heart of America" / 26. Montana: Billings –"Magic City" / 27. Nebraska: Omaha – "Gateway to the West" / 28. Nevada: Las Vegas – "Sin City" / 29. New Hampshire: Manchester – "Queen City" / 30. New Jersey: Newark – "The Brick City" / 31. New Mexico: Albuquerque –"The Duke City" / 32. New York: New York City –"The Big Apple" / 33. North Carolina: Charlotte – "The Queen City" / 34. North Dakota: Fargo – "Gateway to the West" / 35. Ohio: Columbus – "The Discovery City" / 36. Oklahoma: Oklahoma City – "The Big Friendly" / 37. Oregon: Portland – "City of Roses" / 38. Pennsylvania: Philadelphia – "The City of Brotherly Love" / 39. Rhode Island: Providence –"The Creative Capital" / 40. South Carolina: Charleston – "The Holy City" / 41. South Dakota: Sioux Falls – "Best Little City in America" / 42. Tennessee: Nashville – "Music City" / 43. Texas: Houston – "Space City" / 44. Utah: Salt Lake City – "The Crossroads of the West" / 45. Vermont: Burlington – "The Queen City" / 46. Virginia: Virginia Beach – "The Resort City" / 47. Washington: Seattle – "The Emerald City" / 48. West Virginia: Charleston – "The Capital City" / 49. Wisconsin: Milwaukee – "Cream City" / 50. Wyoming: Cheyenne – "Magic City of the Plains".
DEARLY DEPORTED
Dearly Deported,
We gather here against our will, not in the cozy confines of our favorite café but in the less accommodating accommodations of Cecot Prison, El Salvador's finest institution. Your sudden relocation was as unexpected as a plot twist in a telenovela, and yet you embrace this new chapter with the same resilience that got you through airport security with ‘questionable’ souvenirs.
Your knack for turning life's lemons into lemonade—or perhaps more appropriately, into a zesty salsa— has always been your trademark. Who else could transform a simple holding cell into the set of a reality show, complete with colorful characters and impromptu dance-offs? You believe that rules were merely suggestions and that speed limits were challenges to be met enthusiastically. With all those tattoos, it’s hard to tell if you’re a person or just a very committed coloring book.
We remember your favorite saying: "Life's too short for matching socks," and your wardrobe and your outlook were a colorful tribute to that philosophy. Whether it was treating smoke alarms as kitchen timers or turning unexpected layovers into part of the adventure, you lived by another of your favorite mantras: "Life's a journey, not a destination," and you always managed to find laughter, even when the GPS of life clearly needed recalibrating.
May your days be filled with unexpected friendships, your nights with stories to tell, and may you always find the humor in the absurdity of it all.
C NTEST: THE WRITER WITHIN
Unleash your imagination and let your words take flight! This is NOT your chance to craft captivating stories, vivid worlds, and unforgettable characters that showcase your unique voice, but [whether you’re a seasoned storyteller or just beginning your writing journey] we invite you to explore the power of language and creativity by
a of cake
a of lettuce
a of worms
a of mystery
a __________ of color
a of laughter
a of spice
a __________ of elegance
a of hope
a of madness
a __________ of emotions
a of possibilities
a of truth
a of nostalgia
a __________ of magic
a of doubt
a of fate
the __________ of silence
the of dawn
the of the line
the of despair
the __________ of genius
the of gravity the of fear the __________ of passion
the of the crowd the of truth
the __________ of doubt
the of memory
the of reason
a of wisdom
a of smoke
a of thunder
a of guilt
completing these phrases. Let your ideas flow freely—every word counts! Fill in the blanks from the list below. Scan or copy this page and send your entry to editor@thenetworkmagazine.org or fax it to 817.924.7116 on or before June 2nd for a chance to win a valuable prize.
The Arsenal Companies are a diversified consulting, educational and publishing group, dedicated to service in the real estate industry. With national reach, regional strength and local sensibilities, we serve and service large and small companies as well as governmental entities in acquisitions, dispositions, leasing, licensing, contracting, procurement, insurance certificate tracking, educational program development, mediation services and collections.
Our Contracts and Procurement Services Division provides solutions and services that help real estate owners and companies effectively manage their contractual needs and commitments. We provide industry knowledge and we practice deal facilitation rather than obstruction. Whether you are a property, facility or asset manager, your functions are integrally related to real estate contracts. Quality management is all about contracts.
Leases are highly specialized documents. A few words can make a world of difference. Anyone with experience.
Leasing
Acquisitions, dispositions, renewals, surrenders, amendments, abstracting, administration, interpretation –our professionals are experienced in residential, commercial, industrial, professional and retail leasing issues of all kinds.
Don’t assume that problems won’t occur. Plan what you can do to avoid them. A small reduction in costs can be the equivalent of a substantial increase in value. We suggest ‘refinements’ to improve language and reduce direct and indirect costs. Our attorneys have successfully resolved leasing issues for both small and Fortune 100 corporations –effectuating $millions in savings.
Are the contracts for services and supplies which your organization uses prepared for your organization –or are they the vendor’s or contractor’s agreement forms? Wouldn’t you be better off if those agreements and purchase orders were revisited from your perspective? Isn’t it time you fortified your real estate related contracts?
Contract Negotiation and Drafting Services
Do you have contract issues that call out for review, interpretation and the advice of a specialist? Do you have a service contract which is about to expire and will need to be renewed or replaced? Do you have oversight of a real estate or facilities function which has been given savings targets? Have you considered ‘outsourcing’ this part of your real estate function but fear a loss of control?
We analyze the details of your proposed service contracts before they begin - while you still have leverage. Or, we can review your existing service contracts, help reveal cost efficiencies and/or savings opportunities. We look for pragmatic solutions that are sensitive to your business interests, anticipating issues that may arise, and we assist in minimizing those risks that cannot be avoided.
