text:
You’ve booked your ticket.

Your bags are packed.

You can’t wait to begin your journey to a Spanish-speaking country.

Now there is a simple thing you can do that can have a BIG impact on your trip:

LEARN SOME SPANISH TRAVEL PHRASES!

Your trip will be so much more fun and meaningful if you can communicate with locals.

Below are the bare essentials, THE MOST COMMON SURVIVAL SPANISH TRAVEL PHRASES AND WORDS YOU WILL NEED ON YOUR TRIP.

_DOWNLOAD: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)_

Before you move beyond greetings, here is a tip for learning the words and phrases in this post: The best way to study them is TO HEAR THEM IN USE.

And the best place to find authentic videos hand-picked for learning Spanish is FLUENTU!

FluentU takes real-world videos, like music videos, commercials, news and inspiring talks, and turns them into Spanish learning experiences.

Other sites use scripted content. FluentU uses a NATURAL APPROACH that helps you ease into the Spanish language and culture over time. You’ll learn Spanish as it’s actually spoken by real people.

FluentU has a wide variety of videos—topics like soccer, TV shows, business, movies and even magical realism, as you can see here:

[FluentU App Browse Screen]

FLUENTU BRINGS NATIVE VIDEOS WITHIN REACH WITH INTERACTIVE TRANSCRIPTS. You can tap on any word to look it up instantly. Every definition has examples that have been written to help you understand how the word is used. If you see an interesting word you don’t know, you can add it to a vocab list.

[FluentU Videos with Interactive Captions]

Review a complete interactive transcript under the DIALOGUE tab, and find words and phrases listed under VOCAB.

[Interactive Transcripts on FluentU]

Learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentU’s robust learning engine. Swipe left or right to see more examples of the word you’re on.

[FluentU Has Quizzes for Every Video]

The best part is that FluentU keeps track of the vocabulary that you’re learning, and it recommends you examples and videos based on the words you’ve already learned. EVERY LEARNER HAS A TRULY PERSONALIZED EXPERIENCE, EVEN IF THEY’RE LEARNING THE SAME VIDEO.

Start using FluentU on the website with your computer or tablet or, better yet, download the FluentU app from the iTunes or Google Play store for iOS and Android devices.

Spanish Greetings

Spanish-speaking countries are generally very polite and you must always be courteous and say “hello” and “how are you?”

Do not worry about making mistakes: Most people will try their utmost to understand you and to make sure you understand them. Just try your best and they will be happy to reciprocate.

_BUENOS DÍAS (BWAY-nos DEE-ahs)_ — Good morning

_BUENAS TARDES (BWAY-nahs TAR-days) — _Good afternoon

_BUENAS NOCHES (BWAY-nahs NOH-chayss)_ — Good evening

_HOLA_ (_OH-lah)_ — Hi

Use this greeting with people you know.

_¿CÓMO ESTÁ? (COH-moh es-TAH)_ — How are you?

This is the polite version, to be used with people you do not know. To ask someone you know how they are doing, use _¿Cómo estás? (COH-moh es-TAHS),_ instead.

_BIEN, GRACIAS__ _(_bee-AYN, GRAH-cee-ahs)_ — Good, thank you

This is the response to “how are you?” Use it if someone directs the question to you to show that you, too, are a polite person.

_POR FAVOR_ _(por fah-VOHR)_ — Please

_GRACIAS (GRAH-cee-ahs)_ — Thank you

Do not ever forget: These are two very important words in Spanish!

_MUCHO GUSTO (MOO-choh HOOS-toh) _— Nice to meet you

Use this phrase when you are introduced to someone, and they will likely say it back to you.

_¿HABLA INGLÉS? (AH-blah een-GLAYS?)_ — Do you speak English?

While it is never correct to assume that someone speaks English, you can ask if they do and they will appreciate that you asked in Spanish.

For even more useful Spanish greetings, check out the FluentU post on the topic.

Basic Spanish Travel Vocabulary for Many Uses

You can go far with some very easy-to-remember travel phrases and words.

You can always use “I want,” “I like” and “Do you have…?” and if you do not know the noun, you can simply point at the object.

_YO QUIERO, YO NO QUIERO_ _(yoh kee-AYR-oh, yoh noh kee-AYR-oh)_ — I want, I don’t want

_ME GUSTARÍA (may goo-stah-REE-ah)_ — I would like (more polite)

_¿DÓNDE ESTÁ…? (DOHN-des-TAH…?)_ — Where is…?

Since _donde _ends in _e_ and _está _starts with one, these two words flow into each other, almost like they were a single word.

_¿CUÁNTO CUESTA? (CWAHN-toh CWAYS-tah?) _— How much does it cost?

_¿QUÉ HORA ES? (kay OR-ah ess?) _— What time is it?

_¿TIENE…? (tee-AYN-ay…?)_ — Do you have…?

_YO TENGO, YO NO TENGO (yoh TAYN-goh, yoh noh TAYN-goh) _—_ _I have, I don’t have

_YO ENTIENDO, YO NO ENTIENDO (yoh ayn-tee-AYN-doh, yoh noh ayn-tee-AYN-doh)_ — I understand, I don’t understand

_¿ENTIENDE? (ayn-tee-AYN-day?)_ — Do you understand?

You can say a lot of things with very simple verbs.

I want a hotel, I want a taxi, I need pesos. Where is the train station? The bathroom? The airport? The fact of the matter is that you can say a lot using the verbs we introduced above.

It may not be the sophisticated way you speak in English, but you will be understood. For instance:

_YO QUIERO UN BOLETO, UN HOTEL, UN TAXI (yoh kee-AYR-oh oon boh-LAY-toh, oon oh-TAYL, oon tahk-SEE)_ — I want a ticket, a hotel, a taxi

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Asking for Directions in Spanish

If you get a bit lost or unsure of how to get somewhere, you need some simple ways of finding how to find your way. _“¿Dónde está?”_ is the simplest way of asking for directions. For example:

_¿DÓNDE ESTÁ LA ESTACIÓN DE FERROCARRIL? (DOHN-des-TAH la ays-ta-see-OHN day fay-roh-cahr_–_REEL)_ — Where is the bus train station?

_¿DÓNDE HAY UN RESTAURANTE?__ (DOHN-day eye oon rays-toe-RAHN-tay?_) — Where is a restaurant?

A few more locations you might need to ask directions to include:

_UN TREN (oon trayn)_ — A train_ _

_LA CALLE… (lah CAH-yay…_) — The street…

_UN BANCO (oon BAHN-coh)_ — A bank_ _

_EL BAÑO (el BAN-yoh)_ — The bathroom

Here are a few other ways to ask for directions in Spanish:

_BUSCO UN HOTEL (BOO-scoh oon oh-TEL) _— I’m looking for a hotel_ _

_YO NECESITO… (yoh nay-say-SEE-toh…)_ — I need…

_YO NECESITO UN HOTEL / UN CUARTO / UN CUARTO CON BAÑO _(_yoh nay-say-SEE-toh oon oh-TAYL, oon CWAR-toh, oon CWAR-toh cohn BAN-yoh) _— I need a hotel / a room / a room with a bathroom

_¿DÓNDE HAY UNA CASA DE CAMBIO? (DOHN-day eye OON-ah CAH-sah day CAHM-bee-oh?) _— Where is the exchange?

_¿DÓNDE ESTÁ EL BANCO? (DOHN-des-TAH ayl BAHN-coh?)_ — Where is the bank?

_DINERO (dee-NAYR-oh)_ — Money

Once you have asked a question, someone will answer you in Spanish. Here are some simple directions that someone may give you in response. Listen for these key words:

_A LA DERECHA (a lah day-RAY-chah) _— To the right

_A LA IZQUIERDA (ah lah eez-kee-AYR-dah)_ — To the left

_DERECHO (Day-RAY-choh)_ — Straight ahead

_EN LA ESQUINA (a lah ays-KEE-nah)_ — At the corner

_A UNA CUADRA, A DOS, TRES, CUATRO CUADRAS (a oona CWAH-drah, a dohss, a trayss, CWAH-troh CWAH-drahs)_ — In one, two, three, four blocks

Spanish Travel Phrases for the Restaurant

Probably the most useful Spanish travel phrases you will need are the ones you would use in a restaurant.

Ask for anything by using_ quiero (kee-AYR-oh)_ or _quisiera (kee-see-AYR-oh)_ — “I want” or “I would like.” And remember to say _por favor _and _gracias!_

_UNA MESA_ _(oona MAY-sah)_ — A table

_UNA MESA PARA DOS TRES, CUATRO (oona MAY-sah PAH-rah dohss, trays, CWAH-troh) _— A table for two, three, four

_UN MENÚ (oon may-NOO)_ — A menu

_SOPA (SOH-pah)_ — Soup

_ENSALADA_ _(ayn-sah-LAH-dah_) — Salad

_HAMBURGUESA_ _(ahm-boor-GAY-sah)_ — Hamburger

_CON SALSA DE TOMATE, MOSTAZA, TOMATE, LECHUGA (cohn SAHL-sah day toh-MAH-tay, mohs-TAH-sah, toh-MAH-tay, lay-CHOO-gah) _— With ketchup, mustard, tomato, lettuce

_UNA ENTRADA_ _(oona ayn-TRAH-dah_) — An appetizer

_UN POSTRE (oon PHOHS-tray) _— Dessert

_UNA BEBIDA (oona bay-BEE-dah) —_ A drink

_AGUA (AH-gwah)_ _— _Water

_VINO TINTO,_ _VINO BLANCO ((_VEE-noh TEEN-toh, _VEE-noh BLAHN-coh)_ _— _Red wine, white wine

_CERVEZA (sayr-VAY-sah)_ — Beer

 _UN CAFÉ (oon cah-FAY)_ — Coffee

_¡SEÑOR! OR ¡SEÑORITA!_ (_say-NYOR, say-nyor-EET-ah) _— Calling a waiter or waitress

_LA CUENTA (lah CWAYN-tah)_ — The check

Spanish Numbers

Counting is good if you can spend a half hour or hour learning some basic numbers. It really is just some simple memorization and you can find numbers in any book on Spanish or use our guide to counting in Spanish.

But, if all else fails, pull out a pen and paper and write down the number you want and encourage the other person to do the same.

Miscellaneous Information

Credit cards. Many places in smaller towns still do not take credit cards so make sure you have enough cash with you. You can ask if you can use a credit card — _UNA TARJETA DE CREDITO (oonah tar-HEY-tah day CRAY-dee-toh)._

If you have questions, you can always use a noun with a question. For example, you can pull out your credit card and say: _¿TARJETA DE CREDITO?_ They will understand.

An all-purpose word: _NO FUNCIONA (noh foonk-see-OH-nah_) — It doesn’t work! You can use this for a million circumstances! Just point at the shower or whatever and say _“¡No funciona!”_

Practice saying everything aloud so that you will remember some of the phrases withoutlooking, and learn how to say these phrases relatively quickly and smoothly. Just hearing them spoken aloud will also help in your comprehension when people are speaking to you.

Take a small POCKET DICTIONARY with you. While you don’t want to try to look up verb declensions in the middle of talking with someone, you can look up nouns quickly.

Better yet, take a PHRASEBOOK. There are tons of incredible phrasebooks (some that are partially travel guides) offered by LONELY PLANET which are perfect for traveling and pulling out at a moment’s notice. This way, if you ever forget one of your most important travel phrases, you’ll be able to remind yourself.

And if you find a regional Spanish phrasebook that focuses on your travel destination, you’ll find even more useful phrases that locals love to use.

Do you feel more prepared for your trip, now? Pack these Spanish travel phrases and words with the rest of your essentials and you will be sure to get the most from your vacation.

_DOWNLOAD: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)_

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question: What does the text say about learning Portuguese?

question: What does the text say about FluentU?

answer: FluentU is the best place to find authentic videos hand-picked for learning Spanish. It takes real-world videos like music videos, commercials, news, and inspiring talks and turns them into Spanish learning experiences. Unlike other sites that use scripted content, FluentU uses a natural approach that helps learners ease into the Spanish language and culture over time. Students can learn Spanish as it is actually spoken by real people. It brings native videos within reach with interactive transcripts wherein learners can tap on any word to look it up instantly. Every definition has examples that have been written to help students understand how the word is used. FluentU has a vocab list feature where students can add interesting words or words they don't know. It can keep track of the vocabulary the person is learning and even recommends examples and videos for a personalized experience. Students can access FluentU's website using a computer or by downloading the app on their tablet or smartphone available at the Google Play (Android) Store and iTunes (iOS).


split: test

text:
GAME

In times like those my 16-year marriage to Evelyn didn’t feel too good. Picture a pastrami sub, lathered with melted cheese and roasted peppers. Imagine eating that sub and topping it off with a pie of bacon-encrusted pizza, your stomach would kill, and that’s how my marriage felt. Sometimes I would blame my stomach aches on Evelyn. I knew it didn’t make sense, but I will admit I used to always need to find a reason for something. I couldn’t just succumb to things, I had to always blame someone- but, im not going to do this right now arguments like those were things I would do with Evelyn. When everything began going well at work, it really began going well. You see, a CFO has a ton of responsibilities and information that he has to handle; this includes future acquisitions and financial reports, lets just say my holdings in our company were well aware of news way before the sleeze-balls on Wall Street were. Inside our Madison Avenue office, my Armani suit was something not to be fucked with, it was outside that I was given the silent treatment like a fucking 2nd grader who was being punished for bullshit. Everyday when I was home she would act tired and depressed. I have never seen an opportune lifestyle of credit cards and drivers take so much out of a woman. This was our life, take it or leave it. It was not always like this; you see we married young, she was 21 and I was 22. When we lived in a studio apartment all was well. I think it was hard for her to adapt to my success. I don’t want to toot my own horn, but I was beginning to become the shit around town. Maybe I was too nice to her, I’ll honestly never know. Than that day came. ‘I want to go on a trip’ she said in our bedroom. ‘You want to come to Morocco? Dan and his kids are taking their Jet out to Morocco, we can go to Morocco, you want to go to Morocco?’ She didn’t even see the point, I could see it in her face. She walked into our master bathroom, as a guy you got to follow your woman in bullshit situations like these ‘Hun, whats wrong? Where do you want to go, we can go anywhere you tell me’. She didn’t think about it for a second ‘I want to go to a cabin that has a small farm, not some stupid Morocco. I want it to be up the street from a small town with people who live normally’, that sounded fucking terrible ‘Ok I’ll get Cindy (Cindy is my beautiful assistant) to find a place. ‘No, I already found one’, she knew what she was saying. I figured I could get this for her, ‘Ok do you want to send me it and I will make sure we can book something cozy?’. She seemed annoyed, like I wasn’t understanding something ‘I already booked it, if you want to make me happy than you will agree to come, you will agree to come with me to the cabin with the little farm that’s up the road from the town’. ‘Ya and the people live normally, alright for you honey lets go’. I didn’t even understand how she came up with this shit sometimes. I called Cindy, told her that I was taking a business trip and I don’t give a fuck if the company gets invaded by China I don’t want one call, nothing about anything with my name attached to it this weekend. This seemed like a chance to motivate Evelyn. I loved her so much, I just wanted her to act the same. I began to pack, but Evelyn stopped me. ‘You can buy clothes there’, their just seemed to be a sincerity in her voice that forced me to agree. I dropped the bag and we went downstairs. She opted for the least nicest car I owned, we got into the Range Rover and began the drive.
It was 4 hours until we were in some weird wilderness. I wasn’t sure if it was Connecticut or upstate New York, but really what’s the difference. Evelyn directed the route perfectly and at the time I didn’t even realize how strange that was. Finally we got to the town. I didn’t bother looking at the name, I figured it would be the most useless weekend of my life, why would I want to name it. We seemed to be driving through the town square, people were walking outside their dogs on leashes their babies in strollers and all that good stuff. All I remember looking at was some restaurants, and the hunting store. I asked Evelyn, ‘Do you see any actual clothing stores?’. She was looking the same direction as me, ‘Well we just passed one that had vests and pants’, it seemed like the hunting store would do. We drove down a winding road or two, until we got to a small cabin. A wooden home that looked like it was built for men of luxury living in Northern Alaska. ‘Its beautiful, just like the pictures’, Evelyn’s eyes lit up. I turned to her as we were pulling in ‘Yeah, how did you find it again?’ She did not respond, she had a knack for that. I parked and we went inside. As soon as you entered there was a stairway, it lead up the one bedroom. Before the stairway however, there were two small living rooms one on each side of the home. The back of the home had the kitchen, we walked up the stairs and Evelyn began to unzip her dress as she set a book she had brought on to the dresser ‘You should go out and get clothes, I will be here, I just want to read for a bit’. I nodded my head and walked back to the car, I began driving. At this point, the hunting store was really the only thing I knew how to drive to, when I got there I parked right next to the store and entered. The place was pretty spacious with at least 8 or so people inside, there were racks of cliché hunting clothing mostly just camo vests and long pants. I walked up to one of the employees, ‘Hey, do you know where any uh shirts are, maybe some button downs or something’, he looked at me ‘What you doin, you tryna hunt?’. I felt a little uncomfortable, ‘Nope just trying to get some clothes, my wife wouldn’t let me pack when we came here’, this seemed to annoy him a little ‘Well let me tell you, we have some of the best damn game here. If you want to hunt you come here, this aint no town for shooting trees, this a town for shooting game.’ I really didn’t feel like getting into this so I asked him ‘Ok well can you tell me where the shirts are, the ones that are good for game?’ He pointed to the back right of the store. I began walking towards the given direction until I accidently bumped into a rack, it fell over and the clothes fell on the floor. In most situations I figure people would look and than carry on, maybe someone would help me put it back, but that was just not the case. Right when that happened, all of the people in the store stopped what they were doing. More employees walked out of the staff room and just began to stare; everyone in the store was just staring at me. No one really moved, they just stood there staring at me so I spoke up ‘Sorry about this, should I just put it back?’. No one said anything, I picked the rack back up but no one moved they just kept staring at me. I looked all around the store, ‘You guys ok? This that big of a deal?’. No one responded they just blankly stared at me. I walked out and got back into my car, I was a little nervous. Shit like that scares me, maybe they just realized I was a new guy and they just wanted to fuck around. This is why I don’t live in the suburbs, shit like this happens.
I drove back to the cabin, but the drive seemed weirder their were more nerves. I pulled in and went back inside, I walked upstairs and saw Evelyn. She glanced up from her book, ‘You got no clothes?’. I began scratching my neck, ‘Ya it was just one of those stores, I don’t think I need anything to be honest’, I didn’t want to lie but I also didn’t want to seem like I was making a big fuss about something that she wouldn’t believe anyway. She looked back at her book ‘Too bad, game is supposed to be great here’. I stopped walking away, ‘What did you just say Evelyn?’ She looked up at me ‘The game, its supposed to be great here why?’, I thought about it for a sec I figured she read it somewhere ‘Don’t worry, nevermind hun’. We stayed at the cabin for the rest of the day, by nightfall we were both back in the bed. Under the covers, Evelyn turned to me ‘I’m very happy you came today, thank you’. I brought her closer to me and kissed her on the forehead, it seemed like one of those moments. I had a nice sleep, and before you ask, I will not tell you if we had sex don’t be one of those guys who asked if we had sex because listen I will not tell you fucked up motherfucker. This is exactly how the following morning went down. I woke up, and turned Evelyn was not there. ‘Evelyn’, I shouted it loud enough that she could hear it anywhere in the cabin. I got up and started snooping. The bed made it seem like I was the only one who slept there that night, her side was already neat and made. I checked the bathroom and than walked downstairs. I shouted Evelyn again but no response, I looked in both living rooms and the kitchen. I opened the fridge and there was no food, that ticked me off a little but mostly I wanted to find Evelyn. I walked back upstairs and began to think, I definitely kissed her on the head last night and I definitely fell asleep. Than it came to me: the car. I walked on over to the window and I could not move when I looked out. The car was there, and so was Evelyn. She was standing there, and she was staring at me. There were over 100 people out there they were all staring. It was like the store, my first thought was to move away from the window. My heart was pounding fast. I ran into the bathroom and splashed water into my face, it was not a dream. I came back to the window and there they all were standing there blankly staring at me. No emotion in their faces, Evelyn seemed dead almost. I went to the drawer to get my phone, but it wasn’t there. There was no home phone in the house, my only option was to actually go outside. I walked down the stairs and opened the door ‘What the fuck is going on? What the fuck Evelyn’ I figured if I yelled it would be easier to talk to all of them. No one said anything, they only turned to watch me. I ran over to Evelyn and began shaking her ‘What the fuck is happening to you right now, talk, speak!’. Evelyn did not say a word, her stare continued. Every single person was just watching. I ran over to the car and opened the door, the steering wheel was ripped off. I don’t mean it was damaged, I mean it was literally ripped off the wires were hanging out as it sat on my dashboard. I didn’t think anything over, I turned and began running into the woods. I figured I could make it to another town I could get the police to come and people would help me and Evelyn, everything would be all right. As I was running, the noise went off and the birds flew. I dropped, I was hit so hard in the back of my spine that I fell with force. I was shot. ‘Fuck, what the fuck’ I yelled. I heard leaves rustling, someone was coming over. I did not have the strength to move, ‘Who are you? Evelyn? Who the fuck, why, what the fuck is happening?’. The leaves stopped rustling right behind me. I heard a click and than he spoke ‘Some of the best damn game here’, he shot.

title: [RF] GAME

question: Why does the protagonist end up in this isolated community in the first place?

answer: His wife organizes the whole thing. She pushed for him to come with her to a town and cabin that she arranged.

question: What's an ominous motif that when repeated implies something more insidious is going on.

answer: When the townie and his wife both emphasize that the town is known for "good game," as in good hunting.

question: What indicates that something serious is very wrong and that the protagonist is in danger?

answer: When the protagonist awakes to find over 100 people ominously staring silently outside the cabin, and his wife is also acting in the same way. The car's steering has been torn out violently.


text:
FRANKLIN COUNTY is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2010 census, the population was 49,285.[1] Its county seat is Frankfort,[2] the state capital. The county was formed in 1795 from parts of Woodford, Mercer and Shelby counties, and was named after the American inventor and statesman Benjamin Franklin.[3] Franklin County is part of the Frankfort, Kentucky Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History

The three original counties of Kentucky (Jefferson, Fayette and Lincoln counties) intersected in what is today Franklin County. Franklin County was established in 1795 from land given by Mercer, Shelby, and Woodford counties.[4] Franklin was the 18th Kentucky county in order of formation.[5]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (2.0%) is water.[6]

Major highways

-   Interstate 64
-   US 127
-   US 60
-   US 421
-   US 460
-   KY 676

Adjacent counties

-   Owen County (north)
-   Scott County (east)
-   Woodford County (southeast)
-   Anderson County (south)
-   Shelby County (west)
-   Henry County (northwest)

Government and politics

Franklin County's voter registration is overwhelmingly Democratic. Registered Democrats outnumber Republicans by a ratio of more than 4 to 1.[7] However, in national elections the county has supported both Democrats and Republicans. In 2000 Democrat Al Gore won 50% of the vote to Republican George W. Bush's 47%. In 2004, Bush won 50% of the vote to Democrat John Kerry's 48%. In 2008 Republican John McCain defeated Democrat Barack Obama 49.47% to 48.87%, a difference of only 144 votes, only for Obama to narrowly edge out Mitt Romney in 2012. However, Donald Trump won the county in 2016.

  Year                               Republican                                   Democratic                                   Third parties
  ---------------------------------- -------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------- ---------------
  style=“text-align:center;” |2016   style=“text-align:center;” |49.5% _11,819_   style=“text-align:center;” |44.9% _10,717_   5.6% _1,329_
  style=“text-align:center;” |2012   style=“text-align:center;” |48.6% _11,345_   style=“text-align:center;” |49.4% _11,535_   2.0% _457_
  style=“text-align:center;” |2008   style=“text-align:center;” |49.5% _11,911_   style=“text-align:center;” |48.9% _11,767_   1.7% _401_
  style=“text-align:center;” |2004   style=“text-align:center;” |50.9% _12,281_   style=“text-align:center;” |48.2% _11,620_   1.0% _232_
  style=“text-align:center;” |2000   style=“text-align:center;” |47.2% _10,209_   style=“text-align:center;” |50.1% _10,853_   2.7% _592_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1996   style=“text-align:center;” |35.0% _7,132_    style=“text-align:center;” |55.2% _11,251_   9.7% _1,984_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1992   style=“text-align:center;” |36.1% _7,591_    style=“text-align:center;” |47.1% _9,896_    16.9% _3,544_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1988   style=“text-align:center;” |50.9% _9,805_    style=“text-align:center;” |48.1% _9,271_    1.0% _195_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1984   style=“text-align:center;” |58.1% _11,057_   style=“text-align:center;” |41.0% _7,790_    0.9% _177_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1980   style=“text-align:center;” |34.8% _6,455_    style=“text-align:center;” |60.4% _11,193_   4.8% _882_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1976   style=“text-align:center;” |33.7% _5,536_    style=“text-align:center;” |63.7% _10,475_   2.6% _430_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1972   style=“text-align:center;” |56.9% _7,781_    style=“text-align:center;” |41.0% _5,601_    2.2% _297_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1968   style=“text-align:center;” |30.8% _4,057_    style=“text-align:center;” |48.6% _6,396_    20.6% _2,712_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1964   style=“text-align:center;” |18.6% _2,320_    style=“text-align:center;” |81.1% _10,130_   0.4% _44_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1960   style=“text-align:center;” |40.2% _4,742_    style=“text-align:center;” |59.8% _7,052_    0.0% _0_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1956   style=“text-align:center;” |38.4% _4,047_    style=“text-align:center;” |60.8% _6,412_    0.9% _94_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1952   style=“text-align:center;” |29.8% _3,097_    style=“text-align:center;” |70.2% _7,309_    0.1% _5_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1948   style=“text-align:center;” |21.8% _1,962_    style=“text-align:center;” |74.2% _6,679_    4.0% _362_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1944   style=“text-align:center;” |24.3% _2,050_    style=“text-align:center;” |75.2% _6,356_    0.5% _42_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1940   style=“text-align:center;” |21.7% _1,927_    style=“text-align:center;” |78.2% _6,956_    0.2% _14_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1936   style=“text-align:center;” |24.3% _2,010_    style=“text-align:center;” |75.4% _6,222_    0.3% _26_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1932   style=“text-align:center;” |24.2% _2,034_    style=“text-align:center;” |75.3% _6,331_    0.5% _39_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1928   style=“text-align:center;” |47.5% _3,485_    style=“text-align:center;” |52.5% _3,853_    0.1% _7_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1924   style=“text-align:center;” |37.2% _2,826_    style=“text-align:center;” |61.5% _4,678_    1.4% _102_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1920   style=“text-align:center;” |31.5% _2,710_    style=“text-align:center;” |68.3% _5,878_    0.2% _21_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1916   style=“text-align:center;” |29.7% _1,426_    style=“text-align:center;” |69.7% _3,345_    0.6% _30_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1912   style=“text-align:center;” |17.9% _783_      style=“text-align:center;” |67.9% _2,980_    14.2% _624_

  : PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS RESULTS[8]

Demographics

As of the census[9] of 2000, there were 47,687 people, 19,907 households, and 12,840 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 21,409 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 87.98% White, 9.36% Black or African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.72% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.55% from other races, and 1.24% from two or more races. 1.11% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 19,907 households, out of which 29.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.70% were married couples living together, 12.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.50% were non-families. 30.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.86.

22.60% of the population was under the age of 18, 9.70% from 18 to 24, 30.50% from 25 to 44, 24.90% from 45 to 64, and 12.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $40,011, and the median income for a family was $51,052. Males had a median income of $32,826 versus $26,201 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,229. About 6.90% of families and 10.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.80% of those under age 18 and 12.20% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The county is served by two public school districts: Franklin County Public Schools and Frankfort Independent Schools.

Franklin County Public Schools

This district takes in almost all of the county, including the majority of the city of Frankfort. It operates the following schools:

-   Bridgeport Elementary School (grades K-5)
-   Collins Lane Elementary School (grades K-5)
-   Early Childhood Education Center (grades K-1)
-   Elkhorn Elementary School (grades 2-5)
-   Hearn Elementary School (grades 2-5)
-   Peaks Mill Elementary School (grades 2-5)
-   Westridge Elementary School (grades K-5)
-   Bondurant Middle School (grades 6-8)
-   Elkhorn Middle School (grades 6-8)
-   Franklin County High School (grades 9-12)
-   Western Hills High School (grades 9-12)
-   The Academy (grades 9-12) (For kids with problems/juveniles)
-   Franklin County Career and Technical Center (grades 9-12) (Career center for all public high schools in the county.)

Frankfort Independent Schools

This district serves an area roughly covering the Frankfort neighborhoods known as “downtown”, South Frankfort (the vicinity of the state capitol building), and Bellepoint. It operates two schools:

-   Second Street School (grades K-6)
-   Frankfort High School (grades 7-12)

Private schools

-   Capital Day School (grades PreK-8)
-   Frankfort Christian Academy (grades K-12)
-   Good Shepherd Catholic School (grades PreK-8)

University

-   Kentucky State University

Parks

-   Capitol View Park
-   Cove Spring Park and Nature Preserve
-   Dolly Graham Park
-   East Frankfort Park
-   Josephine Sculpture Park
-   Juniper Hill Park and Golf Course
-   Lakeview Park and Golf Course
-   Leslie Morris Park on Fort Hill: of woodland overlooking downtown Frankfort. It contains trails that guide visitors through the remains of earthwork forts that were the main defensive position for Union troops protecting the city during an 1864 Civil War skirmish.
-   Riverview Park and riverside walk
-   Todd Park

Communities

-   Bridgeport
-   Forks of Elkhorn
-   Frankfort (county seat)
-   Jett
-   Switzer
-   Peaks Mill
-   Bald Knob, Kentucky

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

title: Franklin County, Kentucky

question: Where is Franklin County located?

answer: Franklin County is located in the U.S. state of Kentucky.

question: What are the political leanings of Franklin County?

answer: Franklin County's voters are registered overwhelmingly Democratic, with Democrats outweighing Republicans by a ratio of more than 4 to 1. However, in national elections, the county has supported both Democrats and Republicans. In 2000, Al Gore won 50% of the vote. In 2004, George Bush won 50% of the vote. In 2008, John McCain won 49.47% of the cote. In 2012, Barack Obama won the county. In 2016, Donald Trump won the county.


text:
The lady’s nightly ritual of  filling the tub with Dove’s Double Power Calming bubble bath (the ladies at the mall swear that stuff will make you feel like you just went to the spa), taking a Valium, and washing it down with a smooth Bud from the fridge do little to stop the nightmares. Night terrors that come like gut wrenching earthquakes, born from the depths of the closet.

“Oh Lord, the closet,” the lady says as she is shaken from her thoughts. She keeps a kiddy night light that she bought from Walmart, a Little Mermaid themed nighty to keep the room more innocent, in the plug across from the bed. This way, when she wakes from a nightmare she can be sure that she is alone in the room, except for Ariella the Nighty of course.

Tonight was no exception to her ritual. She went to the kitchen and grabbed a cold beer, opened her immense medicine cabinet and fiddled with the cap of Valium until she got it open, turned on the hot water in the bathtub, and then poured in the Dove’s bubble bath. As she waited, she looked into the full-length mirror across from the tub.

Over the past year, her hair has seen grey strands accompany her otherwise brown hair, and dark purple bags have appeared under her eyes. Her skin, which she used to pride her 56 year-old self on being so smooth, has turned white and wrinkled. Her belly is plump from the nightly beers and her face has become slightly gaunt. She looks as if she has aged ten years in the past one, no doubt due to the stress of her nightmares, the alcohol, and drugs.

Staring at herself is a reminder of her fear and fills her with dread. Quickly, she pops open the Bud and washes down her pill. If anything can stop the self-shaming and fear, it’s her Happy Pills. She turned off the hot water, kept a little too hot so getting in would take her mind off of the real issue (although she would never admit this to herself) and slowly stepped into the tub.

After her bath, she got into her robe and went to her bed. She dropped the robe, exposing her breasts to Ariella the Nighty, and climbed into bed with her back to the closet. At this point, she tried to think of everything besides what’s in the closet.

“I wonder if Betsy got those pain meds for her husband?”

“I need to cut the grass tomorrow and get the weed out of the garden...”

“The new neighbors across the street really need to get a hold of their rowdy kids, always throwing their football into my yard...”

On and on the superficial thoughts go, but always, like some inevitable storm creeping in, the thought of the closet comes back. The closet’s glare feels piercing to the lady’s back.

“I can’t sleep with you here,” she whispers. “I can’t sleep with you in there.” Her voice is barely audible.

Her feet begin to tingle as the fear creeps in. She’s momentarily frozen to her bed. Knowing what she has to do, she makes herself sit up. She pulls the blanket down off of her hot, baking legs, and swings them down onto the floor. She takes a deep breath, exhales slowly, musters her courage and stands.

She doesn’t move, bute stares deeply and coldly at the closet door.

“You got me again, you bastard.”

She takes a small step toward the closet, unable to to resist its unending call. A car drives by blaring music, hip-hop, but she is numb to the world. Nothing else exists. Just the old, deteriorating woman and her closet that won’t let her sleep, won’t let her have peace, and haunts her mind and imprisons her thoughts.

She takes another small step to the door and kicks an empty beer can. She doesn’t notice. Another step. Another. The steps seem endless until she finally reaches the closet door.

“This is what you’ve been wanting,” she mumbles.

Her fear gives way to anger. Blinding rage. Anger at the sleepless nights. Anger because her life has been taken from her and given to this monster that feeds on her.

“Fuck you! Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you!” she screams as she swings the closet door open as hard as she can. The door hits the big toe on her right foot, breaking her toenail and making it bleed, but she doesn’t notice. Her eyes are wide open, ready to face the beast that holds her hostage. Her brow is furrowed, mouth a small slit, she is ready to fight, ready to rid herself of the monster. She makes contact with the beast’s eyes, and he stares right back into hers.

On the bottom of the otherwise empty closet sits an old, dusty photo. A photo whose color has begun to fade and edges have wrinkled from use. In the photo, a man with large green eyes stares up at the lady. The eyes of the beast.

Just as quickly, her anger turns into despair. She falls to her knees and grabs the old photo, holding it to her breast. She weeps. She weeps for the days when he was here. Then, the house was brighter, the window curtains pushed aside to allow sunlight in. Now, the sunlight doesn’t even come into the house. The window is like some force field keeping the daylight out.

The woman wept for a long time. Finally, she was able to brush away enough tears to look back into the closet. An old newspaper article lie on the floor. She grabbed it and read for the thousandth-time “Car Crash on I-20 Kills Family, Only Wife Survives”. She closed her eyes for a second, taking in the weight of the heading about the poor family. Her family.

She began to get the shakes. On the floor was one last photo, lying face down. She knew what is in the photo, but couldn’t bare to look. Her trembles got worse, so she leaned against the wall for support. Unable to stop herself, she grabbed the photo from the floor, flipped it around, and stared into the eyes of her children. She fell over clutching the photo. With not more tears to shed, she just lay there wrapped in the arms of the beast.

She awakes the next morning with sunlight hitting her face. She puts the photos and newspaper clippings back into the closet, making sure to put her children facedown and everything back in the same order. She makes coffee, then goes out front for some fresh air. She feels hungover, but she knows it’s not from the beer.

Outside, the Sun is shining, but she doesn’t see it. The wind is blowing, but she can’t feel it. The kids are playing across the street and she watches them. As she turns to walk back inside, she hears a noise from around the corner of the house. She walks around and sees a dog going through her trash.

The dog’s ribs are showing and it steps back in fright. The lady walks into the house to get a cold weiner from the fridge. She comes back out with the food and the dog nervously approaches her. The dog takes the food, eats it, and is transformed by the generosity. The dog wags its tail.

“Oh, you like that? You look a bit broken, pooch. Do you mind if I call you that? I bet not. Pooch it is. Well, Pooch, I’m a bit broken too. I think everyone is a bit broken inside. How about we be broken together? What do you say?”

Pooch licked her hand, and she smiled.

title: [RF] Realistic Fiction The Closet

question: Why does the lady keep the night light on?

answer: Because she wants to be sure she is alone in the room when she wakes up from a nightmare.

question: Why does the lady take valium and drink beer every evening?

answer: Probably to stop nightmares.

question: Does valium help the lady?

answer: It does not stop nightmares but stops her fear.

question: Why does the lady have nightmares?

answer: Because she lost her family in a car accident.


text:
Asylum log, day three thousand thirty seven.

I was kidnapped and brought to the lair of Monster. This cave was dank, smelled of cooked beasts and was adorned with the bones of Monster's prey. Tingo and Olga seemed quite at home. I, however, felt mildly uncomfortable since I was not allowed to bring Fluffy with me. Olga's oversized monstery, Perrywinkle, does not have the ability to carry a fully armored bear, two tiny pet humans, a hairy beast, Tingo and myself.

Monster was oddly cordial and only tried to maul me twice. When I was told I was being brought to Monster's Lair for a feast, I assumed I was going to be the feast. I am happy to report, I was not the feast.

I have safely returned to the asylum and await my next adventure.

title: [HM] The Monster's Lair

question: Why was the narrator kidnapped?

answer: They might be a pet animal.

question: Is Monster a pet owner?

answer: This is one theory.

question: Is the asylum a pet cage?

answer: Sure sounds like it.

question: Is the lair the kitchen?

answer: That's where the narrator is eating, so maybe!

question: Write a ~4 sentence summary.

answer: The narrator has been kidnapped and is staying in a lair that smells like beasts have been cooked there. They are brought out to eat on occasion,though,to their relief, they are not the meal. Monster only accosts them a couple times. After eating, they are returned to their lair.


text:
STOCKWELL is a district in South West London, England, located in the London Borough of Lambeth. It is situated south of Charing Cross. Battersea, Brixton, Clapham, South Lambeth, Oval and Kennington all border Stockwell.

History

[A map showing the Stockwell ward of Lambeth Metropolitan Borough as it appeared in 1916.] The name Stockwell is likely to have originated from a local well, with “stoc” being Old English for a tree trunk or post. From the thirteenth to the start of the nineteenth century, Stockwell was a rural manor at the edge of London. It included market gardens and John Tradescant's botanical garden – commemorated in Tradescant Road, which was built over it in 1880, and in a memorial outside St Stephen's church. In the nineteenth century it developed as an elegant middle-class suburb. Residents included the artist Arthur Rackham, who was born on South Lambeth Road in 1867, moving with his family to Albert Square when he was 15 years old. Another famed cultural figure who was born in Stockwell in October 1914, was theatre director Joan Littlewood, who has been called the mother of modern theatre.

Its social and architectural fortunes in the twentieth century were more mixed. The area immediately around Stockwell tube station was extensively rebuilt following the Second World War, and the original domed tube station was replaced first in the 1920s, then again with the opening of the Victoria line in 1971.

The area also has much social housing; the main estates are Lansdowne Green, Stockwell Park, Studley, Spurgeon, Mursell and Stockwell Gardens. However, many remnants of the area's nineteenth-century grandeur can be found in the side and back streets of Stockwell, notably in the Stockwell Park Conservation Area,[1] mostly built between 1825 and 1840 and centred on Stockwell Park Road,[2] Stockwell Park Crescent,[3] Durand Gardens, and Albert Square. The only twentieth-century building of significant architectural interest in the area is Stockwell Bus Garage. Before the creation of the County of London in 1889, Stockwell was part of Surrey.

In 1986, Kenneth Erskine, a serial killer dubbed the 'Stockwell Strangler', killed seven elderly victims, three of whom were from Stockwell.[4]

Politics

Stockwell[5] is a ward in the London Borough of Lambeth. It is currently represented by three Labour councillors: Lucy Caldicott, Dr. Mahamed Hashi and Mohamed Jaser.[6] At parliamentary level it is in the Vauxhall constituency, represented by Labour MP Florence Eshalomi.

From 1979 to 1982, future Labour MP and New Labour 'spin doctor' Peter Mandelson was a ward councillor.[7]

Places of interest

-   Stockwell Bus Garage
-   London Deep Level Shelters
-   Stockwell War Memorial Clocktower
-   Jean Charles de Menezes Memorial
-   former Annie McCall Hospital, Jeffries Road
-   Stockwell skateboard park

Schools

There are three schools in Stockwell ward[8] - St Stephen's,[9] Allen Edwards[10] and Stockwell Primary School - and also a campus of Lambeth College.[11] In the Stockwell area (on Clapham Road) there is also Platanos College,[12] a secondary school, Lansdowne School and numerous primary schools including Van Gogh Primary.

Churches

In addition to Anglican and Catholic churches, Afro-Caribbean communities have influenced the expression of Christianity in the area, with a variety of congregations, some sharing churches with more long established Anglican and Catholic congregations. One of the many Afro-Caribbean churches is C.A.C. Stockwell.

Population of Stockwell

Stockwell and neighbouring South Lambeth are home to one of the UK's biggest Portuguese communities, known as 'Little Portugal'. Most of the local Portuguese people originate from Madeira and Lisbon and have established many cafes, restaurants, bakeries, neighbourhood associations and delicatessens. Stockwell is also home to many people of Caribbean and West African origin. They are also well represented in the local population, and cafes, grocers, barbers' shops and salons run by people from these communities are scattered around Stockwell.

[Stockwell war memorial and shelter] Famous former and current residents of Stockwell include David Bowie, John Major,[13] Gary Raymond, Lilian Bayliss, Edward Thomas, Vincent van Gogh (briefly), Violette Szabo, Joanna Lumley, Jerry Dammers, Roger Moore, Roots Manuva, Adam Buxton, Joe Cornish,[14] Nathaniel Clyne, Dot Rotten, Will Self, former Scottish Labour Party leader Jim Murphy, and footballer Paul Davis, who played for Arsenal..

Stockwell shooting

On 22 July 2005, following the 21 July 2005 London bombings, Stockwell gained notoriety as the scene of the shooting by police of an innocent Brazilian electrician, Jean Charles de Menezes, on a tube train.

Locale

Nearest places

-   Brixton
-   Vauxhall
-   Kennington
-   Clapham
-   Battersea
-   South Lambeth
-   Camberwell
-   Elephant and Castle

Transport

Rail

There are several railway stations in and around Stockwell.

London Underground

STOCKWELL TUBE STATION is served by the VICTORIA and NORTHERN London Underground lines.

[Stockwell Station|215x215px]To the south, the Victoria line terminates one stop away at Brixton. The Northern line terminates in the south at Morden, which provides Stockwell with a direct link to Clapham and South Wimbledon.

To the north, the Victoria line runs through Central London towards Walthamstow Central, stopping at several key stations including Victoria, Oxford Circus, King's Cross St Pancras and Tottenham Hale. The Northern Line carries passengers northwards towards Kennington and Camden Town. Most trains from Stockwell run through the City of London via Elephant & Castle, Bank and Moorgate. Some trains run on the Charing Cross Branch via Waterloo, Charing Cross and Tottenham Court Road. Beyond Camden Town, the Northern line links Stockwell directly to Edgware and High Barnet in north London.

Other nearby stations include BRIXTON (_Victoria line_) or CLAPHAM NORTH (_Northern line_) to the south of Stockwell, and VAUXHALL (_Victoria line_) or OVAL (_Northern line_) to the north.[15]

In 2017, there were 11.7 million entries and exits at Stockwell tube station.[16]

National Rail & London Overground

There is no National Rail station in Stockwell, but several stations can be found in the locale:[17]

-   Some Southeastern services from Victoria call at BRIXTON railway station, linking Stockwell to Dulwich, Penge, Orpington and destinations in Kent.
-   At VAUXHALL, some South Western Railway services from Waterloo carry passengers to south west London, Surrey and Berkshire destinations.
-   London Overground services call at WANDSWORTH ROAD and CLAPHAM HIGH STREET to the south of Stockwell on direct journeys between Clapham Junction and Dalston Junction or Highbury & Islington in north London, linking the Stockwell area to Peckham and Shoreditch directly.

Road

Several major roads pass through Stockwell, including:

-   the A23 (BRIXTON ROAD) - from the A3 to Brixton, Streatham, the M23 and Gatwick Airport;
-   the A202 (KENNINGTON OVAL) - to Vauxhall and Victoria, or Camberwell, Peckham, the A2 and A20 (towards Kent);
-   the A203 (STOCKWELL ROAD/SOUTH LAMBETH ROAD) - between the A202 and A23;
-   the A2217 (ACRE ROAD);
-   the A3 (CLAPHAM ROAD) - to Elephant & Castle and the City, the M25, Guildford and Portsmouth;
-   the A3036 (WANDSWORTH ROAD).[18]

The A23, A202, A203 and A3 are managed by Transport for London (TfL).[19]

Most other roads are residential.

Pollution

Pollution around Stockwell has been a concern for local health professionals and authorities since the mid-2000s, largely owing to the number of arterial routes in the neighbourhood.

A 2010 study found that, in Stockwell, 7 deaths each year could be attributed to exposure to particulate matter (PM2.5), compared to 139 in the London Borough of Lambeth as a whole in the same year (2008).[20] Road traffic is a primary source of air pollution in Lambeth.[21]

In 2016, Clapham Road south of Stockwell was identified by the local authority as an area of concern when it came to tackling air quality in the Borough, as this section of road is “exceeding EU limits for the gas Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2).”[22] Lambeth monitor air quality on Clapham Road in Stockwell using Diffusion Tubes.[23]

Buses & coaches

London Buses routes 2, 50, 88, 155, 196, 333, 345, P5, N2 and N155 serve Stockwell.[24]

Some National Express coaches pass through Stockwell, with some services towards Gatwick Airport, Worthing, Bognor Regis and Eastbourne stopping in the area.[25]

Cycling

CYCLE SUPERHIGHWAY 7 (CS7) follows Clapham Road through Stockwell, largely on cycle lanes to segregate cyclists from other road traffic. The signed cycle route carries cyclists from Colliers Wood and Tooting Bec in the south, through Stockwell, to Oval, Elephant & Castle and the City of London. The route runs non-stop from Stockwell to all its destinations, but the route is not entirely traffic-free.[26]

Just to the north of Stockwell, CYCLE SUPERHIGHWAY 5 (CS5) terminates in a junction with CS7, linking Victoria and Millbank to Stockwell using a cycle track, separating cyclists from other road traffic.[27]

QUIETWAY 5 (Q5) runs on residential streets in the north of Stockwell, offering a slower but quieter signposted route direct to Clapham or Waterloo.[28]

With two Cycle Superhighways in the locale, many junctions in the area are equipped with cycling infrastructure. Santander Cycles, a bike-sharing system in London, operates in Stockwell.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16] “Multi-year station entry-and-exit figures” (XLSX). _London Underground station passenger usage data_. Transport for London. January 2018. Retrieved 22 July 2018.

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]

[23]

[24]

[25]

[26]

[27]

[28]

title: Stockwell

question: What is Stockwell's nickname and why?

answer: Stockwell, along with South Lambeth, is known as "Little Portugal". This is because it is home to one of the biggest Portuguese communities in the UK. Most of the Portuguese originate from Lisbon and Madiera and have established businesses in the area.


text:
The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

French authorities stand by as migrant minors board a bus to relocation centers on October 28. Authorities began work on Monday to clear the infamous migrant camp known as the Calais "Jungle" in northern France.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

A young migrant stands outside the Calais camp school house on October 28. Minors who were not moved to safe houses outside of the Jungle earlier in the week were let back into the camp to shelter in the makeshift school for the night.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

A trailer burns in the Calais "Jungle" early on Friday, October 28.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

Riot police guard the main entrance to the Jungle on Thursday, October 27. Authorities have declared the camp clear, but aid workers say that up to 100 unaccompanied minors remained with nowhere to sleep.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

A migrant man sits inside a shack that remains in the otherwise demolished Jungle camp on October 27. French authorities said Wednesday that almost 5,600 migrants had been bused to relocation centers around France.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

Heavy machinery is used to remove debris from the camp on October 27.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

An Eritrean migrant waits to be relocated out of the camp on October 27. French authorities have given thousands of people who were living in the infamous migrant camp two options: seek asylum in France or return to your country of origin.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

A migrant shaves while cleaning crews continue demolition of the Jungle on October 27

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

A group of migrants who slept outside an aid station near the Jungle wait to be assigned relocation to processing centers across France on October 27.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

Two migrants rest near the Jungle site on October 27. Long lines for processing have been cited as the reason some didn't manage to register earlier in the week.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

Smoke rises from multiple fires blazing in the camp on Wednesday, October 26, as French authorities work to demolish the settlement and evacuate its residents to reception centers around France.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

A French fireman attempts to extinguish a blaze in the Calais Jungle on October 26.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

Remaining migrants watch fires burn across the Jungle on October 26. Migrants set fire to structures along the camp's main street.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

The remains of makeshift structures smolder from fires that broke out overnight in parts of the camp on October 26.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

A man looks skyward as he stands beside the burned remnants of his tent in the Jungle on October 26.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

A migrant walks past a burning shack that was set on fire, as a demolition crew began tearing structures down on Tuesday, October 25.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

Women and children protest their case to the UK government from the Jungle, as authorities continue the destruction of the camp on October 26.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

French authorities stand guard after migrants set fire to a shelter during the dismantling of the Calais "Jungle" camp on October 25.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

Workers begin demolishing shelters in the camp on October 25.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

A volunteer helps a man carry his luggage away from the camp on October 25.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

French demolition teams work to dismantle the camp on October 25.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

A police officer guards demolition crews as they work to dismantle the site on October 25.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

A man passes a camp structure on fire on October 25.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

A firefighter extinguishes a fire set to migrants' tents during the mass evacuation.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

Women arrive at a meeting point determined by authorities managing the evacuation of the camp.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

Migrants' belongings are trucked out of the "Jungle" on October 25.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

Sudanese migrants wait in line to board buses that will take them to relocation centers across France.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

People walk through the camp on October 25.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

A migrant sets fire to a portable toilet inside the camp on Monday, October 24.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

Police try to maintain order as migrants waiting to be processed wait in crowded lines on October 24.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

Migrants leave their makeshift homes on October 24.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

Migrants register with French authorities on October 24 before boarding buses that will transport them to shelters across France.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

Migrants board buses that will transport them to shelters around France on October 24. Those applying for asylum will be offered temporary accommodation in a shelter while their claim is processed.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

Residents of the camp hug before departing the "Jungle" on October 24.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

Men, women and children leave the camp during the first day of the planned eviction on October 24.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

Riot police stand off with some of the camp's residents the night before the eviction was set to take place.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

French police fire tear gas after refugees reportedly threw rocks at police vans near the camp on Saturday, October 22.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

A view of the migrant camp in Calais on Wednesday, October 12.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

Refugees in Calais claimed their rights to pass to Great Britain but were pushed back by tear gas and flash grenades on Saturday, October 1.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

Migrants walk past security fencing on Tuesday, September 6.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

French business owners and local residents block the main road into the Port of Calais as they protest "The Jungle" on Monday, September 5.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

This aerial view taken Tuesday, August 16, shows the tents and shipping containers housing migrants in "The Jungle."

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

A French riot policeman stands near graffiti during the dismantling of the southern part of "The Jungle" migrant camp on Thursday, March 10. The graffiti reads "London calling," a reference to how the camp has become notorious for migrants and refugees trying to enter the UK illegally.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

A man sews the lips of an Iranian migrant at the camp on Thursday, March 3. Journalists said at least nine Iranians stitched their mouths shut and went on a hunger strike to protest the camp's dismantling.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

Migrants stand next to a burning shack in the camp on Tuesday, March 1.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

A migrant makes a phone call near "The Jungle" on March 1.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

A woman fights with a police officer as she is removed from the top of a hut on March 1. Police and demolition teams were starting to dismantle makeshift shelters and relocating people to accommodations nearby.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

Migrants demonstrate on Monday, February 29.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

Riot police spray water on migrants to disperse them during the dismantling of half of "The Jungle" on February 29.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

A migrant flies a kite on Friday, February 19.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

Migrants walk past housing containers in "The Jungle" on Tuesday, February 16.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

Two young boys walk in the mud inside "The Jungle" in December 2015.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

A man is seen among tents in "The Jungle" in October 2015.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

French police oversee the removal of tents in September 2015.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

Afghan and Pakistani migrants eat lunch in the migrant camp in August 2015.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

Migrants walk along the railway track leading to the Eurotunnel in Calais in August 2015. Migrants attempt to enter the UK illegally by stowing away on trucks, ferries, cars or trains.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

A migrant hides on the train tracks in the direction of the Eurotunnel terminal in August 2015.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

The home of Sami, a refugee living in the "The Jungle," is pictured in August 2015. Sami, who has lived in the camp for two months, said: "We made this house from blankets and wood and then covered it in plastic to keep the rain out. It rains often in France. I think it will rain often when I am in England, too."

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

Several migrants successfully cross the Eurotunnel terminal in July 2015 as they try to reach a shuttle to the UK.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

Displaced from "The Jungle" camp, Afghan migrants congregate in Calais' harbor in September 2009.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

A digger lifts a migrant's makeshift tent during a destruction operation in September 2009.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

An aerial view of the camp in September 2009.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

Migrants from Afghanistan look at a ferry boat in Calais in September 2009.

The saga of the Calais 'Jungle'

Migrants jump onto the back of a UK-bound truck in March 2006.

question: Why were the migrants being relocated?

answer: The French police were about to dismantle the camp for reasons unknown.

question: What was the outcome of burning the camp?

answer: This leads to havoc since a few refugees threw rocks at the police vans forcing the police to fire tear gas.

question: What is the reaction of the local population to burning the Calais Jungle?

answer: It seems like the local population is also not welcoming of the move. The local business owners and residents blocked the main road into the Port of Calais as a protest.


text:
The MACULA (/ˈmakjʊlə/)[1] or MACULA LUTEA is an oval-shaped pigmented area near the center of the retina of the human eye and some other animalian eyes. The macula in humans has a diameter of around and is subdivided into the umbo, foveola, foveal avascular zone, fovea, parafovea, and perifovea areas.[2]

The anatomical macula at is much larger than the clinical macula which, at , corresponds to the anatomical fovea.[3][4][5]

The macula is responsible for the central, high-resolution, color vision that is possible in good light; and this kind of vision is impaired if the macula is damaged, for example in macular degeneration. The clinical macula is seen when viewed from the pupil, as in ophthalmoscopy or retinal photography.

The term macula lutea comes from Latin _macula_, “spot”, and _lutea_, “yellow”.

Structure

[Photograph of the retina of the human eye, with overlay diagrams showing the positions and sizes of the macula, fovea, and optic disc] [Schematic diagram of the macula lutea of the retina, showing perifovea, parafovea, fovea, and clinical macula]

The macula is an oval-shaped pigmented area near the center of the retina of the human eye and some other animalian eyes. The macula in humans has a diameter of around and is subdivided into the umbo, foveola, foveal avascular zone, fovea, parafovea, and perifovea areas.[6] The anatomical macula at is much larger than the clinical macula which, at , corresponds to the anatomical fovea.[7][8][9]

The clinical macula is seen when viewed from the pupil, as in ophthalmoscopy or retinal photography. The anatomical macula is defined histologically in terms of having two or more layers of ganglion cells.[10] The umbo is the center of the foveola which in turn is located at the center of the fovea.

The fovea is located near the center of the macula. It is a small pit that contains the largest concentration of cone cells. The retina contains two types of photosensitive cells, the rod cells and the cone cells.

Color

Because the macula is yellow in colour it absorbs excess blue and ultraviolet light that enter the eye and acts as a natural sunblock (analogous to sunglasses) for this area of the retina. The yellow color comes from its content of lutein and zeaxanthin, which are yellow xanthophyll carotenoids, derived from the diet. Zeaxanthin predominates at the macula, while lutein predominates elsewhere in the retina. There is some evidence that these carotenoids protect the pigmented region from some types of macular degeneration. A formulation of 10 mg lutein and 2 mg zeaxanthin has been shown to reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration progressing to advanced stages, although these carotenoids have not been shown to prevent the disease.[11]

After death or enucleation (removal of the eye), the macula appears yellow, a color that is not visible in the living eye except when viewed with light from which red has been filtered.[12]

Regions

-   Fovea –
-   Foveal avascular zone (FAZ) –
-   Foveola –
-   Umbo –

Function

Structures in the macula are specialized for high-acuity vision. Within the macula are the fovea and foveola that both contain a high density of cones, which are nerve cells that are photoreceptors with high acuity.

In details, the normal human eye contains three different types of cones, with different ranges of spectral sensitivity. The brain combines the signals from neighboring cones to distinguish different colors. There is only one type of rod, but the rods are more sensitive than the cones, so in dim light they are the dominant photoreceptors active, and without information provided by the separate spectral sensitivity of the cones it is impossible to discriminate colors. In the fovea _centralis_, cones predominate, and are present at high density. The macula is thus responsible for the central, high-resolution, color vision that is possible in good light; and this kind of vision is impaired if the macula is damaged, for example in macular degeneration.

Clinical significance

The clinical macula is seen when viewed from the pupil, as in ophthalmoscopy or retinal photography.

Whereas loss of peripheral vision may go unnoticed for some time, damage to the macula will result in loss of central vision, which is usually immediately obvious. The progressive destruction of the macula is a disease known as macular degeneration and can sometimes lead to the creation of a macular hole. Macular holes are rarely caused by trauma, but if a severe blow is delivered it can burst the blood vessels going to the macula, destroying it.

Visual input from the macula occupies a substantial portion of the brain's visual capacity. As a result, some forms of visual field loss that occur without involving the macula are termed MACULAR SPARING. (For example, visual field testing might demonstrate _homonymous hemianopsia with macular sparing_.)

In the case of occipitoparietal ischemia owing to occlusion of elements of either posterior cerebral artery, patients may display cortical blindness (which, rarely, can involve blindness that the patient denies having, as seen in Anton's Syndrome), yet display sparing of the macula. This selective sparing is due to the collateral circulation offered to macular tracts by the middle cerebral artery.[13] Neurological examination that confirms macular sparing can go far in representing the type of damage mediated by an infarct, in this case, indicating that the caudal visual cortex (which is the principal recipient of macular projections of the optic nerve) has been spared. Further, it indicates that cortical damage rostral to, and including, lateral geniculate nucleus is an unlikely outcome of the infarction, as too much of the lateral geniculate nucleus is, proportionally, devoted to macular-stream processing.[14]

Additional images

File:Retinography.jpg%7CA fundus photograph showing the macula as a spot to the left. The optic disc is the area on the right where blood vessels converge. The grey, more diffuse spot in the centre is a shadow artifact. File:Retina-OCT800.png%7CTime-Domain OCT of the macular area of a retina at 800 nm, axial resolution 3 µm File:SD-OCT Macula Cross-Section.png|Spectral-Domain OCT macula cross-section scan. File:Macula Histology OCT.jpg|alt=macula histology (OCT)|macula histology (OCT)

[1] https://www.lexico.com/definition/macula

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

title: Macula of retina

question: How can the macula get damaged?

answer: Progressive destruction of the macula is called macular degeneration. Some macular degeneration is age-related. It can lead to a macular hole. In rare cases, macular holes can also be caused by trauma, such as a blow to the head. Damage to the macula results in loss of peripheral vision and is immediately obvious to the patient.

question: What are the parts of the macula?

answer: The macula is subdivided into the umbo, foveola, foveal avascular zone, fovea, parafovea, and perifovea areas. The anatomical macula is larger than the clinical macula, which corresponds to the anatomical fovea. The anatomical macula is defined histologically in terms of having two or more layers of ganglion cells. The umbo is the center of the foveola which in turn is located at the center of the fovea, which itself is located at the center of the macula. The fovea is a small put which contains the largest concentration of cone cells. The retina contains the rod and the cone cells.


text:
BROOKS COUNTY is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2010 census, the population was 7,223.[1] Its county seat is Falfurrias.[2] The county is named for James Abijah Brooks, a Texas Ranger and legislator.

The county faces a range of challenges due to immigration issues. Though it lies about 80 miles north of the border, it is a main route for migrants crossing from Mexico. The open dry terrain and hot summer temperatures cause many immigrants to die annually, leading some to dub the area a “Death Valley” for migrants.[3][4][5]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (0.03%) is water.[6]

Major highways

-   [] U.S. Highway 281
    -   [] Interstate 69C is currently under construction and will follow the current route of U.S. 281 in most places.
-   [] State Highway 285
-   [] Farm to Market Road 755

Adjacent counties

-   Jim Wells County (north)
-   Kleberg County (northeast)
-   Kenedy County (east)
-   Hidalgo County (south)
-   Starr County (southwest)
-   Jim Hogg County (west)
-   Duval County (northwest)

Demographics

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 7,223 people living in the county. 89.6% were White, 0.5% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 7.9% of some other race and 1.4% of two or more races. 91.2% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race).

As of the census[7] of 2000, there were 7,976 people, 2,711 households, and 2,079 families residing in the county. The population density was 8 people per square mile (3/km²). There were 3,203 housing units at an average density of 3 per square mile (1/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 75.84% White, 0.19% Black or African American, 0.46% Native American, 0.09% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 21.58% from other races, and 1.77% from two or more races. 91.57% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,711 households, out of which 38.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.20% were married couples living together, 19.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.30% were non-families. 21.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.92 and the average family size was 3.38.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 31.60% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 23.40% from 25 to 44, 21.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 94.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $18,622, and the median income for a family was $22,473. Males had a median income of $23,051 versus $16,103 for females. The per capita income for the county was $10,234. About 36.90% of families and 40.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 51.70% of those under age 18 and 30.40% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

While the state of Texas has become a stronghold of the Republican Party in the 21st century, Brooks County rests in the oldest extant Democratic stronghold in the state. It has never voted for a Republican presidential candidate since its creation in 1911.

Until 2020, no Republican had received more than 35% of the vote in the county since Richard Nixon in his 1972 landslide, and no Democrat since George McGovern that same year had received less than 65%. McGovern is one of only three Democrats, the others being Adlai Stevenson in 1956, and Joe Biden in 2020, to have received less than 60% of the vote in Brooks County since it first participated in presidential elections in 1912. In 2020, the county saw a swing toward the Republican party in the national election. Despite the county still voting Democratic, it only gave 59% of the vote to Biden; his performance was the worst by a Democrat in Brooks County since 1956. Donald Trump was the first Republican to carry over 40% of the county's vote since 1972.

The only instance of Brooks County having ever cast its votes for a Republican was in 2010, when Comptroller Susan Combs won it during her reelection, as no Democrat filed to run.[8]

  Year                               Republican                                  Democratic                                  Third parties
  ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------- ----------------------------
  style=“text-align:center;” |2020   style=“text-align:center;” |40.2% _998_     style=“text-align:center;” |59.2% _1,470_   0.6% _16_
  style=“text-align:center;” |2016   style=“text-align:center;” |23.6% _613_     style=“text-align:center;” |74.6% _1,937_   1.8% _46_
  style=“text-align:center;” |2012   style=“text-align:center;” |21.1% _507_     style=“text-align:center;” |78.5% _1,886_   0.4% _10_
  style=“text-align:center;” |2008   style=“text-align:center;” |24.1% _556_     style=“text-align:center;” |75.7% _1,747_   0.3% _6_
  style=“text-align:center;” |2004   style=“text-align:center;” |31.6% _845_     style=“text-align:center;” |68.2% _1,823_   0.2% _6_
  style=“text-align:center;” |2000   style=“text-align:center;” |22.9% _556_     style=“text-align:center;” |76.3% _1,854_   0.9% _21_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1996   style=“text-align:center;” |11.8% _413_     style=“text-align:center;” |84.4% _2,945_   3.7% _130_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1992   style=“text-align:center;” |15.5% _585_     style=“text-align:center;” |75.9% _2,856_   8.6% _324_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1988   style=“text-align:center;” |17.4% _608_     style=“text-align:center;” |81.9% _2,859_   0.6% _22_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1984   style=“text-align:center;” |24.8% _896_     style=“text-align:center;” |74.8% _2,702_   0.4% _16_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1980   style=“text-align:center;” |23.4% _780_     style=“text-align:center;” |74.7% _2,488_   2.0% _65_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1976   style=“text-align:center;” |18.7% _641_     style=“text-align:center;” |81.1% _2,782_   0.2% _6_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1972   style=“text-align:center;” |40.2% _1,117_   style=“text-align:center;” |59.6% _1,657_   0.3% _7_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1968   style=“text-align:center;” |20.5% _534_     style=“text-align:center;” |73.1% _1,904_   6.4% _166_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1964   style=“text-align:center;” |14.9% _402_     style=“text-align:center;” |85.1% _2,299_   0.1% _2_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1960   style=“text-align:center;” |22.6% _567_     style=“text-align:center;” |77.0% _1,934_   0.4% _10_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1956   style=“text-align:center;” |41.8% _802_     style=“text-align:center;” |57.7% _1,108_   0.5% _10_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1952   style=“text-align:center;” |33.9% _809_     style=“text-align:center;” |66.1% _1,577_   0.0% _1_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1948   style=“text-align:center;” |16.9% _217_     style=“text-align:center;” |80.3% _1,029_   2.8% _36_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1944   style=“text-align:center;” |22.4% _142_     style=“text-align:center;” |63.5% _403_     14.2% _90_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1940   style=“text-align:center;” |23.0% _201_     style=“text-align:center;” |76.6% _670_     0.5% _4_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1936   style=“text-align:center;” |24.2% _117_     style=“text-align:center;” |75.6% _365_     0.2% _1_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1932   style=“text-align:center;” |12.3% _86_      style=“text-align:center;” |87.2% _608_     0.4% _3_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1928   style=“text-align:center;” |32.5% _160_     style=“text-align:center;” |67.5% _332_     style="text-align:center;|
  style=“text-align:center;” |1924   style=“text-align:center;” |22.0% _59_      style=“text-align:center;” |76.5% _205_     1.5% _4_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1920   style=“text-align:center;” |22.6% _37_      style=“text-align:center;” |77.4% _127_     style="text-align:center;|
  style=“text-align:center;” |1916   style=“text-align:center;” |37.7% _63_      style=“text-align:center;” |60.5% _101_     1.8% _3_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1912   style=“text-align:center;” |2.2% _13_       style=“text-align:center;” |69.1% _402_     28.7% _167_

  : PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS RESULTS[9]

Communities

City

-   Falfurrias (county seat)

Census-designated places

-   Airport Road Addition
-   Cantu Addition
-   Encino
-   Flowella

Unincorporated community

-   Rachal

[1]

[2]

[3] (9 July 2014). Texas' Brooks County Is 'Death Valley' for Migrants, NBC News

[4]

[5] (10 July 2018). The Brutal Border, _U.S. News & World Report_

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

title: Brooks County, Texas

question: What does the text say about the challenges Brooks County faces?

answer: Brook County lies about 80 miles north of the Mexican border and is the main route for Mexican migrants. This ranchland has become the "death valley" for many migrants, with scores of dead bodies uncovered in this area annually. Some smuggled migrants also get missing, while the rest wind up dead primarily due to the open dry terrain and hot temperatures, which leads to dehydration and extreme exposure.

question: Summarize the 2000 United States census of Brooks County.

answer: The population of Brooks County in 2000 was 7,976, with 2,711 households and 2,079 families residing there. The Latino or Hispanic population was mostly dominant, followed by whites. Other races recorded in the area were African Americans, Native Americans, Asians, Pacific Islanders, and other races. Out of the 2,711 households, the majority were married couples living together; some had children below 18 living with them, others were unmarried women, non-families, and those living alone with a senior citizen. The population's average age was 34 years. The average income for a household was $18,622, and the average income for a family was $22,473. Men had a higher average income than women. Finally, the county's per capita income was $10,234, and a large number of the population lived below the poverty line, including those below 18 and those from 65 and older.

question: What does the text say about why the county has never voted for a Republican presidential candidate since its creation?

answer: Brooks County has a history of not casting votes for Republican parties since the Nixon administration of 1972 because they have a Democratic stronghold, which is contrary to Texas being the stronghold of the Republican party in the 21st century. Evidence shows that no Democrat has ever received less than 65% votes in Brooks County. However, only three Democrats received less than 60% votes in Brooks County since its first participation in 1912. These three Democrats are George McGovern, Adlai Stevenson, and Joe Biden. In the 2020 elections, the county gave Biden 50% votes because his performance was considered the worst by a Democrat in the county since 1956. Donald Trump was the first Republican to receive over 40% votes in the county since 1972. Also, the only time the county cast its vote for a Republican was in 2010 for Comptroller Susan Combs because no Democrat contested.


text:
On Thursday, June 30, New York's FOX 5 news proved there is great public interest in learning more about the complexities of Lyme disease.

Despite airing at 10:30 p.m., the "Lyme and Reason" special drew strong ratings as it delved into issues surrounding Lyme disease that few news programs ever do, including the fallibility of diagnostic blood tests, common misdiagnoses, potentially fatal heart complications--including aninterview with Neil Spector, a medical doctor who was told by other physicians that his failing health was little to worry about--and then required an emergency heart transplant to save his life.

New York is one of the "ground zero" areas in which Lyme disease is endemic, with New York City only a little over 100 miles from Lyme, Connecticut--the town where Lyme was first discovered and described. Yet, as Susan Green, legislative council for NatCapLyme, told FOX5NY, "this disease is in every state in the country...it is not selectively a northeastern disease." NatCapLyme is the primary community resource for Lyme disease patients in one of the country's most hard-hit areas, the Washington, D.C. region.

Lyme, in fact, is an epidemic, with the the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting over 300,000 new cases contracted by American people every year. This statistic was revised from an estimated 30,000 in 2013--yet the FOX5NY special is the first of its kind. Why?

Because, as discussed in the special, there is great resistance from medical authorities--particularly the CDC and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA)--to acknowledge abundant current scientific evidence and countless patient reports of Lyme symptoms that persist and worsen following their recommended maximum 28 day treatment with antibiotics.

The CDC has been notoriously quiet about Lyme disease, focusing almost exclusively on prevention (avoiding ticks, recognizing the bullseye rash that many Lyme patients never see) and avoiding conversation about poor diagnostics, newer research than that on which the IDSA treatment guidelines are based, and complexities relating to persisting Lyme symptoms. Emily Lampa, lead investigative reporter for a Salisbury, Maryland ABC news program, revealed that she was refused an interview by anyone at the CDC in May, for a story she produced as part of Lyme Disease Awareness Month.

FOX5NY had better luck in securing a CDC interview. Paul Mead, chief of epidemiology and surveillance activity of the Bacterial Diseases Branch of CDC, confirmed in an on-camera interview that the Center continues to endorse the two-tiered ELISA and Western blot blood diagnostics that, as Susan Green described, have been proven to result in false negative readings for at least half of patients who are tested. Mead, on behalf of CDC, maintains that the two-tiered test is "reliable" in later stages of Lyme; however, as Green discusses at length in the above interview, this is not the case for many patients, for a number of reasons, one of which has to do with the many species and strains of Borrelia bacteria that may cause Lyme or "Lyme-like illness," but which never will result in a positive Lyme disease blood test.

(NatCapLyme has facilitated the passing of laws in Virginia and Maryland requiring that doctors inform patients about the failings of these tests, which usually are not explained to patients by doctors.)

Although Fairfax, Virginia-based George Mason University and Ceres Nanosciences recently created a urine-based Lyme disease testthat was shown in a trial to be more accurate than the two-tiered Lyme disease test, the CDC still only endorses the traditional two-tiered ELISA + Western blot testing process. "In general," Mead said, "CDC recommends that people rely on FDA-approved tests for the diagnosis of Lyme disease."

I contacted the CDC Clinician Outreach and Community Activity office to inquire about the urine-based test and received this reply from someone named Will (no last name was given):

  ...we have not evaluated the Nanotrap(r) Lyme Antigen test. CDC supports the development of new testing methods for Lyme disease and encourages laboratories to submit their newly developed tests to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for clearance in order to ensure that the highest quality diagnostic tests are available.

(It is worth noting that the average cost to secure FDA approval of a new medical device is $24 million, which can present delays and sometimes even indefinitely prohibit creators of better and more accurate devices from securing FDA approval.)

According to LymeDisease.org's Lorraine Johnson, the CDC did not officially reject non-FDA approved diagnostic tests until 2013. Johnson writes:

  The CDC does not have jurisdiction over the FDA, of course. And, the FDA permits the marketing of tests that do not have FDA approval. Many tests on the market today fall in this category. What the announcement means is that physicians and insurers will be less likely to accept non-FDA approved tests. This means that patients who want these tests will need to pay for them out of pocket. It also means that the entrenched lab tests that simply do not work will have more of the market to themselves.

The Meade interview presents a perplexing dichotomy. Meade states--consistent with CDC's messaging--that the concern about Lyme disease specialists treating patients who have persisting symptoms is that "there is no evidence" (other than over 300 peer-reviewed, published articles) for Lyme bacteria that persist after short-term antibiotic treatment, and that patients are "treated with therapies that are sometimes harmful. There are cases of patients who have died as a result of long-term therapies for Lyme disease." When citing these cases, the CDC never mentions, for example, cancer patients who are treated with chemotherapy for years and succumb to the illness, or to the poisonous treatment, anyway. The conversations, which sometimes invoke one or two anecdotes of patients who die, for example, from an infected IV port used to administer antibiotics, don't discuss that across the board, hospital mistakes are the third leading cause of deaths in the United States. The publisher of the cancer journal _Oncology_ states that "infections are among the most common, potentially serious complications of cancer and its treatment"--yet, the CDC doesn't recommend against chemotherapies for this reason, or because chemo often fails and is toxic to the body. The CDC and IDSA frequently use this argument against treatment Lyme disease patients.

Similarly paradoxical, CDC's current priority of raising awareness about and preventing the spread of Zika virus among the American population focuses--as the CDC should--on protecting the overall public health. Yet, CDC's approach to Lyme disease often is to refuse interviews that would serve to inform the public, to deny an abundant and growing body of evidence for persisting Lyme disease, and rather than focusing on raising awareness and containing the Lyme epidemic--the fastest-spreading bacterial infection in the country--CDC personnel and publications consistently cite chemotherapy-like risks to individual patients from treatment instead of, as it does with Zika and most other infectious diseases, focusing on containing the greater public health threat. This makes no sense.

FOX5NY's Teresa Priolo asked Meade about patients who are misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis, ALS and other diseases and succumb directly or indirectly, and then are diagnosed after death with Lyme disease.

"Reports of cases of Lyme being mistaken for other diseases are really quite rare," Mead said. "Some...patients were actually seriously harmed by being given a diagnosis and long-term therapy for Lyme disease when in fact their underlying condition went untreated."

I can only speak anecdotally, but my story in a nutshell: I was diagnosed with and treated for Lyme in 1997, at age 18 or 19. Undertreated. By age 33, doctors thought I might have multiple sclerosis or possibly even ALS. Tests were inconclusive but ruled those out. At 36, I was re-diagnosed with Lyme, as well as bartonella and babesia coinfections. After approximately six months of antibiotic treatment, I was no longer semi-disabled. My recovery has continued.

Last month, I met a young woman in her early 30s who was born ill. She was diagnosed at a young age with multiple sclerosis and treated for it. She was then un-diagnosed with MS and instead diagnosed with Crohn's disease, and treated with biologic medications. She was given a partial colectomy and treated with biologic medications that have destroyed her body. She could not turn her head without turning her whole body, and I heard her bones crack every time she moved a joint. She was ultimately diagnosed with Lyme disease, and it was determined that she was most likely born with it.

I have met scores of people who were initially diagnosed with MS or another condition and then were found to have Lyme disease, underwent treatment, and recovered a great deal of wellness as a result. Based on my personal experience and my personal encounters, this is not a rare occurrence. With approximately 10,400 new cases of MS diagnosed each year, according to the CDC's own data, Lyme disease is 30 times more prevalent--and yet physicians continue to be encouraged to look for something, anything, other than Lyme disease when patients with symptoms that could be attributable to Lyme disease present. This is, by way of great understatement, nonsense.

Thank you, and congratulations, to FOX5NY, Teresa Priolo, and all others who are making real efforts to inform the public about this epidemic. This type of coverage is overdue, but it's more necessary than ever. For journalists who haven't scratched the surface of the complexities and controversies surrounding Lyme disease, read through these questions and start doing your homework. The success of FOX5NY's special report is evidence that the public is hungry for information about Lyme disease, recognizing the threat through word of mouth that cannot be contained.

Lyme is today's greatest medical mystery, and for any journalist with investigative instincts and an interest in uncovering the truth, the Lyme story is only beginning to be told.

question: What are the failings of the standard two-tiered test for Lyme disease?

answer: The two-tiered test often results in misdiagnoses, and it results in false positives for about half of the tests. The disease itself causes great discomfort and a worsening condition, and when this is combined with mistreatment due to misdiagnosis, the complications can be severe. One misdiagnosed patient, for example, was mistreated for a long time, including a partial colectomy. The treatments were so debilitating that her bones creak whenever she moves a joint.

question: What is the official stance of medical agencies about Lyme disease?

answer: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) both recommend the standard 28-day antibiotic treatment for Lyme disease, claiming that there's no evidence of Lyme bacteria persisting after it. They also endorse the FDA-approved two-tiered test for it, which results in false negatives half the time. CDC's reason for rejecting newer treatments is the potential side effects long-term antibiotics could cause. CDC endorses prevention methods. They also tend to refuse publicly informative outreach activities about Lyme disease.

question: What does the text say about CDC's position on wearing masks in public during an ongoing pandemic?