text:
AMY BROWN (8 April 1783 – 7 May 1876) was the English mistress of Charles Ferdinand, Duke of Berry, younger son of King Charles X of France and Marie Thérèse of Savoy. Some authors have stated that they married in a secret ceremony which was conducted in England by her father, a Protestant pastor, but there is no evidence of it. Together they had two daughters; however, when he returned to France, he was constrained to put an end to his relationship for reasons of state.

Early years

Amy Brown was born on 8 April 1783 in Maidstone, Kent,

 England, as the fifth child of eight born to John L. (in other sources named Joseph) Brown, a Protestant pastor,[1] and his wife Mary Ann Deacon. By 1793, Amy's four older siblings had died in infancy or early youth, and thus she became the eldest surviving child of her parents.

On 10 January 1804 Amy gave birth a daughter, named Georgina Emma Marshall. Her second child, a son named Georges Granville Brown, was born on 20 February 1805 and ten months later, on 25 December, a third child, another son named John Freeman was also born. Apparently this last child was born in a legitimate marriage with a certain Mr. Freeman. Nothing further is recorded of her husband or his subsequent fate; however, author David Skuy describes Amy as having been a widow when she first met the duke.[2]

The Duke of Berry

Amy met Charles Ferdinand, Duke of Berry in 1805 in London, three years after the Bourbon royal family was exiled to England. As her son had been born in December of that year, it was likely that they had first met while she was pregnant, although the exact date of their meeting is not known. In late 1806 or early 1807, Amy gave birth to another son, named Robert Freeman; his surname established that Amy's husband appears as the official father, although is probable that the Duke of Berry was the biological father of both John and Robert Freeman, but never recognised them. Robert died young, in 1823.

Amy perhaps married Charles Ferdinand in a secret ceremony conducted by her father in 1806, without the duke having first obtained permission from his family and ignoring the fact that as a non-Catholic, no son of Amy's could ever ascend the French throne.[3] As it turned out, they did not have a son (with the controversial exception of John and Robert Freeman), although Amy bore the duke two daughters:[4]

-   Charlotte Marie Augustine de Bourbon, comtesse d'Issoudun (13 July 1808 – 13 July 1886),[5] married in 1823 Ferdinand de Faucigny-Lucinge, Prince of Lucinge, by whom she had issue. She is an ancestress of Anne-Aymone Giscard d'Estaing, president Valéry Giscard d'Estaing's wife.
-   Louise Marie Charlotte de Bourbon, Comtesse de Vierzon (29 December 1809 – 26 December 1891), married in 1827 Charles de Charette de La Contrie, Baron de La Contrie, by whom she had issue. She is an ancestress of French minister Hervé de Charette.

After receiving the news of Napoleon's abdication, the duke returned to France in 1814, taking his daughters with him. Amy remained behind in England. Upon his return, he was constrained to separate Amy for political reasons. If it was real, the marriage was declared invalid due to the lack of royal consent to the match, and therefore the official position was that Amy had never been his wife at all but rather his mistress.[6] He subsequently married Maria Carolina (5 November 1798 – 17 April 1870), eldest daughter of King Francis I of the Two Sicilies, by whom he had four children, including Henri, Comte de Chambord, Legitimist pretender to the throne of France. He also fathered two illegitimate sons by dancer Eugénie-Virginie Oreille (8 August 1795 – October 1875), who was one of his many mistresses. The duke was assassinated by a saddler, Louis Pierre Louvel on 14 February 1820; while he lay dying, the duke asked to see Amy and his daughters, entrusting them to the care of his wife, who afterwards adopted the two girls.[7]

Death and legacy

Amy's son by her first marriage, John Freeman died 26 August 1866 in Zurich, Switzerland; and Amy herself died on 7 May 1876 at the age of ninety-three at the Chateau de La Contrie, France. Through her daughter, the Baronne de Charette, Amy is the ancestress of Hervé de Charette[8] (born 30 July 1938) the French Foreign Minister from 1995–1997 [Charles Ferdinand, Duke of Berry, husband or lover of Amy Brown]

[1] David Skuy, _Assassination, power, and miracles: France and the Royalist reaction of 1820_, (2003), McGill-Queen's University Press, Canada, , Google Books, p.4, retrieved 4-10-10

[2] Skuy, p.4

[3] Skuy, p. 4

[4] Francois Velde,_The French Royal Family: A Genealogy_

[5]

[6] Skuy, p. 5

[7] Skuy, p. 12

[8] François Velde, _The French Royal Family: A Genealogy_

title: Amy Brown (royal mistress)

question:
Answer the following question based on the above passage:

What does the text say about Amy Brown's early life?

answer: Amy Brown was born in England in 1783. She is was the fifth child born to a pastor, John L. Brown, as well as his wife Mary Ann Deacon. Four of her siblings died in infancy or early youth and she was the eldest surviving child of her parents.

text: She was the fifth child of eight

refinement: Amy Brown was born in England in 1783. She is was the fifth child of eight born to a pastor, John L. Brown, as well as his wife Mary Ann Deacon. Four of her siblings died in infancy or early youth and she was the eldest surviving child of her parents.

text: She was born in Maidstone, Kent

refinement: Amy Brown was born in England in 1783 in Maidstone, Kent. She is was the fifth child of eight born to a pastor, John L. Brown, as well as his wife Mary Ann Deacon. Four of her siblings died in infancy or early youth and she was the eldest surviving child of her parents.

answer: Amy Brown was born in 1783 in Maidstone, Kent, England and was the eldest surviving child in her family. She first met the French Duke of Berry in 1805, three years after the Bourbon royal family was exiled to England. Amy gave birth to two sons by the duke, although he subsequently separated from her for reasons of state. Her son John died in 1866 and Amy herself died in 1876 at the age of 93.

text: This is not about her early life and should be eliminated.

refinement: Amy Brown was born in 1783 in Maidstone, Kent, England and was the eldest surviving child in her family.

text: More information about the family.

refinement: Amy Brown was born in 1783 in Maidstone, Kent, England and was the eldest surviving child in her family. She was the fifth child of eight born to John L. Brown a protestant pastor, and his wife Mary Ann Deacon.

answer: Amy Brown was born on April 8, 1783, in Maidstone, Kent, England. She was the fifth child of Protestant Pastor John L. Brown and his wife, Mary Ann Deacon. Amy's four older siblings died in infancy or early youth and she became the eldest surviving child. Amy gave birth to a daughter named Georgina Emma Marshall on January 10, 1804, a second child named Georges Granville Brown on February 20, 1805, and another son named John Freeman 10 months later (December 25). The last child was apparently born in a legitimate marriage with a certain Mr. Freeman, but nothing is recorded about her husband or his subsequent fate.

text: This text is not necessary because it does not answer the question and should be removed.

refinement: Amy Brown was born on April 8, 1783, in Maidstone, Kent, England. She was the fifth child of Protestant Pastor John L. Brown and his wife, Mary Ann Deacon. Amy's four older siblings died in infancy or early youth and she became the eldest surviving child.

answer: Amy Brown was born in 1783 in Maidstone, Kent. She was the eldest child of a Protestant pastor and his wife. Her four older siblings died in infancy or early-youth. In 1805 she met the Duke of Berry and bore him two children. However, the Duke returned to France and separated from Amy for political reasons. Amy eventually died at the age of 93.

text: These lines do not refer to Amy's early life and should be removed.

refinement: Amy Brown was born in 1783 in Maidstone, Kent. She was the eldest child of a Protestant pastor and his wife. Her four older siblings died in infancy or early-youth.

answer: Amy Brown was the child of John L. Brown, who was a pastor. She had four older siblings. She was the eldest child of her parents, having been born in 1783. On January 10, 1804, Brown gave birth to her first child, whom she named Georgiana Emma Marshall.[a] Ten months later, on December 25, she gave birth to a second son, whom she named Georges Granville Brown. A third was born in between these children, but he was born in a legitimate marriage with a widower. The details are scant on the birth father, but he is believed to be the Duke of Berry, who left her behind when he went to France and the illegitimate babies he fathered were taken care of by Berry' wife. Her brother John died in 1866.

text: This is not her early life.

refinement: Amy Brown was the child of John L. Brown, who was a pastor. She had four older siblings. She was the eldest child of her parents, having been born in 1783.

text: She was the eldest surviving child of her siblings

refinement: Amy Brown was the child of John L. Brown, who was a pastor. She had four older siblings. She was the eldest surviving child of her parents, having been born in 1783. Her parents would have three more children.

question:
Answer the following question based on the above passage:

What does the text say about Amy and the Duke of Berry?

answer: Amy first met Charles Ferdinand Duke of Berry in 1805, when he was exiled to England. They had two daughters, Charles and Charles. Charles himself was likely their father. He married Maria Carolina from Naples in 1814. Amy didn't get the chance to meet the Duke again.

text: Their names were not both charles

refinement: Amy first met Charles Ferdinand Duke of Berry in 1805, when he was exiled to England. They had two daughters, Charlotte Marie Augustine de Bourbon and Louise Marie Charlotte de Bourbon. She also had two sons, and Charles himself was likely their father, but never recognized them. He married Maria Carolina from Naples in 1814. Amy didn't get the chance to meet the Duke again.

text: He also returned to France

refinement: Amy first met Charles Ferdinand Duke of Berry in 1805, when he was exiled to England. They had two daughters, Charlotte Marie Augustine de Bourbon and Louise Marie Charlotte de Bourbon. She also had two sons, and Charles himself was likely their father, but never recognized them. He married Maria Carolina from Naples in 1814 when he returned to France. Amy didn't get the chance to meet the Duke again.

answer: Amy had an extramarital affair with Charles Berry (the duke). Sources state that they were secretly married (Amy is from England, Berry from France) but no certificate or evidence of the marriage has been found. It is believed that she had two children with the duke but one died early. After news of Napoleon's abdication, Duke Henry of Berry that back to France where he later married Marie-Caroline, the Queen's daughter. Amy remained behind in England and was supported by Berry's wife. Berry went on to marry another woman, had four other kids and two other illegitimate children. He was assassinated in 1820, and when he asked to see his daughters and was attended to his widow. Berry died uttering their names.

text: The final lines are not relevant and should be removed.

refinement: Amy had an extramarital affair with Charles Berry (the duke). Sources state that they were secretly married (Amy is from England, Berry from France) but no certificate or evidence of the marriage has been found. It is believed that she had two children with the duke but one died early. After news of Napoleon's abdication, Duke Henry of Berry that back to France where he later married Marie-Caroline, the Queen's daughter. Amy remained behind in England and was supported by Berry's wife.

answer: Amy was the English mistress of Charles Ferdinand, Duke of Berry. They met in 1805 in London, three years after the Bourbon royal family was exiled to England. Some authors have stated that Amy and the Duke married in a secret ceremony conducted by her father, a pastor, but there is no evidence of it. They had two daughters and quite possibly, two sons as well (John and Robert Freeman). The Duke only recognized their daughters. When Charles returned to France, he was constrained to put an end to his relationship with Amy for reasons of the state.

answer: Amy Brown was the English mistress of Charles Ferdinand, Duke of Berry, younger son of King Charles X of France and Marie Thérèse of Savoy. The duke took his daughters with him upon his return to France, separating Amy for political reasons. The Duke of Berry fathered two illegitimate sons by dancer Eugénie-Virginie Oreille, one of his many mistresses.

text: This line is not relevant to the narrative about Amy

refinement: Amy Brown was the English mistress of Charles Ferdinand, Duke of Berry, younger son of King Charles X of France and Marie Thérèse of Savoy. The duke took his daughters with him upon his return to France, separating Amy for political reasons.

text: Add information about Amy's role.

refinement: Amy Brown was the English mistress of Charles Ferdinand, Duke of Berry, younger son of King Charles X of France and Marie Thérèse of Savoy. She bore two daughters for him, and perhaps two sons, but he did not recognize them. The duke took his daughters with him upon his return to France, separating Amy for political reasons.

answer: According to the text, Amy met Charles Ferdinand, Duke of Berry in 1805 in London. Three years later, in 1806 or 1807, Amy gave birth to a son named Robert Freeman, who was undoubtedly fathered by the Duke of Berry. Once Napoleon was defeated, the Duke of Berry was constrained to separate Amy for political reasons, an action which was considered to imply that Amy was not considered to be his wife at all. The Duke of Berry died in 1820 and asked to see Amy and her daughters in the final minutes before his death.

text: Bizarrely worded final statement. This sentence should be reworked.

refinement: According to the text, Amy met Charles Ferdinand, Duke of Berry in 1805 in London. Three years later, in 1806 or 1807, Amy gave birth to a son named Robert Freeman, who was undoubtedly fathered by the Duke of Berry. Once Napoleon was defeated, the Duke of Berry was constrained to separate Amy for political reasons. The Duke of Berry died in 1820 and asked to see Amy and her daughters in the final minutes before his death.

question:
Answer the following question based on the above passage:

What does the text say about the Duke of Berry?

answer: The text says that the Duke of Berry was a younger son of King Charles X of France and Marie Thérèse of Savoy and that he met Amy Brown in London in 1805. He subsequently had two daughters with her, but upon returning to France in 1814 he was constrained to separate Amy for political reasons. He married Maria Carolina and sired two illegitimate sons by dancer Eugénie-Virginie Oreille. He was later assassinated in 1820.

answer: The Duke of Berry was a younger son of King Charles X of France, and his mistress, Amy Brown, bore him two daughters. Upon his return to France after Napoleon's abdication, he was constrained to separate from Amy due to reasons of state. The official position was that she had never been his wife at all but rather his mistress. The Duke was subsequently married and fathered two illegitimate sons by dancer Eugénie-Virginie Oreille. He was assassinated by a saddler in 1820.

answer: Charles Ferdinand, Duke of Berry was the younger son of King Charles X of France and Marie Thérèse of Savoy. His sisters and brothers were all married, and so he had to look for a mistress. He met Amy Brown in 1805 in London, and they had two sons - but his family didn't approve, so he had to forget about her and go back to them in France. He was constrained to separate Amy for political reasons.

text: This is poorly worded.

refinement: The Duke of Berry was a younger son of King Charles X of France, and his mistress, Amy Brown, bore him two daughters. Upon his return to France after Napoleon's abdication, he was constrained to separate from Amy due to reasons of state. The official position was that she had never been his wife at all but rather his mistress. The Duke was subsequently married and fathered two illegitimate sons by dancer Eugénie-Virginie Oreille. He was assassinated by a saddler in 1820.

answer: Charles Ferdinand, Duke of Berry, was the younger son of King Charles X of France and Marie Thérèse of Savoy. The duke was exiled to England after Napoleon went into power. The duke married Maria Carolina, the eldest daughter of King Francis I of the Two Sicilies, and they had four children. He also had several mistresses whom he sired illegitimate children with, including Amy Brown. The duke was assassinated by a saddler, Louis Pierre Louvel on February 4, 1820.

text: Discuss more about Amy. This line should be rewritten.

refinement: The Duke of Berry was a younger son of King Charles X of France, and his mistress, Amy Brown, bore him two daughters. Upon his return to France after Napoleon's abdication, he was constrained to separate from Amy due to reasons of state. The official position was that she had never been his wife at all but rather his mistress. The Duke was subsequently married and fathered two illegitimate sons by dancer Eugénie-Virginie Oreille. He was assassinated by a saddler in 1820.

answer: Charles Ferdinand, Duke of Berry, was the younger son of King Charles X of France and Marie Thérèse of Savoy. In 1805, Amy met him in London. They lived together for three years until the Duke returned to France. The Duke fathered two children with Amy and only recognized them as illegitimate. He was killed when he was assassinated by a saddler in 1820.

text: He fathered perhaps four children and recognized two as legitimate.

refinement: The Duke of Berry was a younger son of King Charles X of France, and his mistress, Amy Brown, bore him two daughters. Upon his return to France after Napoleon's abdication, he was constrained to separate from Amy due to reasons of state. The official position was that she had never been his wife at all but rather his mistress. The Duke was subsequently married and fathered two illegitimate sons by dancer Eugénie-Virginie Oreille. He was assassinated by a saddler in 1820.


split: train

text:
The SCHOOL WITHOUT WALLS (SWOW) was a public alternative school in Canberra, the capital of Australia, which operated from 1974 to 1997.

History

In 1973, a group of students, teachers and parents voluntarily met to establish the school to cater for educational needs they considered were not being met by the mainstream public education system in the Australian Capital Territory.[1]

The school's original location was on Childers Street within the campus of the Australian National University, where the meetings to establish the school were held. Later in 1974, the school relocated to what is now St Patrick's Church in Braddon, which had previously housed the Catholic schools St Patrick's School and St Mary's School–Our Lady of Mercy. In 1980, the school moved to what was formerly the infants building at Ainslie School in Braddon (now the Ainslie Arts Centre), where it was co-located with the Questacon science centre.[2]

In 1996, the ACT Education Department conducted a review which recommended the School Without Walls be restructured, and in 1997, SWOW was relocated and merged into Dickson College.[3]

Notable people

People who attended SWOW includes Tim Ferguson.[4][5]

Ned Manning spent a short time there as a teacher.[6]

Further reading

-

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

title: School Without Walls (Canberra)

question: What is the SWOW?

answer: The SWOW was a public alternative school in Canberra that operated from 1974 to 1997.

text: The SCHOOL WITHOUT WALLS (SWOW) was a public alternative school in Canberra, the capital of Australia, which operated from 1974 to 1997.

answer: The SWOW is a public alternative school in Canberra, the capital of Australia.

text: The SCHOOL WITHOUT WALLS (SWOW) was a public alternative school in Canberra, the capital of Australia, which operated from 1974 to 1997.

answer: The School Without Walls was an alternative public school in Canberra, Australia. It was established to cater for educational needs not being met by the mainstream public education system.

text: The SCHOOL WITHOUT WALLS (SWOW) was a public alternative school in Canberra, the capital of Australia, which operated from 1974 to 1997.

text: to establish the school to cater for educational needs they considered were not being met by the mainstream public education system

answer: The SWOW is a public alternative school in Canberra, the capital of Australia, which operated from 1974 to 1997.

text: The SCHOOL WITHOUT WALLS (SWOW) was a public alternative school in Canberra, the capital of Australia, which operated from 1974 to 1997.

question: Why was the school closed?

answer: The school was closed because it was merged into Dickson College.

text: "In 1996, the ACT Education Department conducted a review which recommended the School Without Walls be restructured"

refinement: The ACT Education Department conducted a review which recommended the School Without Walls be restructured.

answer: The School Without Walls was closed in 1997 as a result of a review conducted by the ACT Education Department.

text:
can be interpreted as the review came out on 1997.

correct information:
1996: review to be structured
1997: SWOW relocated and merged into Dickson College.

refinement: The School Without Walls was closed in 1997 as a result of a 1996 review conducted by the ACT Education Department.

text: In 1996, the ACT Education Department conducted a review which recommended the School Without Walls be restructured, and in 1997, SWOW was relocated and merged into Dickson College

answer: The ACT Education Department conducted a review which recommended the School Without Walls be restructured.

text: In 1973, a group of students, teachers and parents voluntarily met to establish the school to cater for educational needs they considered were not being met by the mainstream public education system in the Australian Capital Territory.[1]

answer: A review of the school was conducted in 1996 and recommended that the school be restructured. In 1997 the decision was made to merge the school into Dickson College.

text: In 1973, a group of students, teachers and parents voluntarily met to establish the school to cater for educational needs they considered were not being met by the mainstream public education system in the Australian Capital Territory.[1]

question: How many times did the school move its physical location?

answer:
4 times, viz.
1. Within the campus of the Australian National University
2. St. Patrick's Church in Braddon
3. Ainslie Arts Centre in Braddon
4. Dickson College

text:
There is a bit of technical concerns in the concept of moved.
The school was moved 2 times.

The first location in the answer, "Within the campus of the Australian National University" is the school's first location. It was established in, not moved to, the ANU campus.

The fourth location, Dickson College, is where SWOW was merged with. "Move" implies to transfer something as a whole. A merge is not a move since SWOW was absorbed by Dickson College --SWOW does not exist as a separate entity within the college. So this does not count as a move.

Omit 1 and 4.

refinement:
2 times:
1. St. Patrick's Church in Braddon
2. Ainslie Arts Centre in Braddon

text: The school's original location was on Childers Street within the campus of the Australian National University, where the meetings to establish the school were held. Later in 1974, the school relocated to what is now St Patrick's Church in Braddon, which had previously housed the Catholic schools St Patrick's School and St Mary's School–Our Lady of Mercy. In 1980, the school moved to what was formerly the infants building at Ainslie School in Braddon (now the Ainslie Arts Centre), where it was co-located with the Questacon science centre.[2]

answer: Three times.

text: "Move" implies to transfer something as a whole. A merge is not a move since SWOW was absorbed by Dickson College --SWOW does not exist as a separate entity within the college. So this does not count as a move.

text: The school's original location was on Childers Street within the campus of the Australian National University, where the meetings to establish the school were held. Later in 1974, the school relocated to what is now St Patrick's Church in Braddon, which had previously housed the Catholic schools St Patrick's School and St Mary's School–Our Lady of Mercy. In 1980, the school moved to what was formerly the infants building at Ainslie School in Braddon (now the Ainslie Arts Centre), where it was co-located with the Questacon science centre.[2]

answer: The school moved three times, from the Australian National University campus to St Patrick's Church in Braddon, then to Ainslie School in Braddon, and finally to Dickson College.

text: "Move" implies to transfer something as a whole. A merge is not a move since SWOW was absorbed by Dickson College --SWOW does not exist as a separate entity within the college. So this does not count as a move.

refinement: The school moved twice, from the Australian National University campus to St Patrick's Church in Braddon, and then to Ainslie School in Braddon.

answer: The school moved its physical location three times.

text: "Move" implies to transfer something as a whole. A merge is not a move since SWOW was absorbed by Dickson College --SWOW does not exist as a separate entity within the college. So this does not count as a move.

refinement: The school moved its physical location two times.

question: What is the relationship between SWOW and Ned Manning?

answer: Ned Manning was a teacher at SWOW for a short time.

text: Ned Manning spent a short time there as a teacher

answer: He spent a short time there as a teacher.

text: Ned Manning spent a short time there as a teacher

answer: Ned Manning was a teacher at SWOW.

text: Ned Manning spent a short time there as a teacher

answer: Ned Manning spent a short time there as a teacher.

text: Ned Manning spent a short time there as a teacher

question: Write a ~2 sentence summary.

answer: The School Without Walls (SWOW) was an alternative public school in Canberra that operated from 1974 to 1997. It was known for attracting notable people such as Tim Ferguson and Ned Manning, and was eventually merged into Dickson College.

text: The SCHOOL WITHOUT WALLS (SWOW) was a public alternative school in Canberra, the capital of Australia, which operated from 1974 to 1997.

text:
People who attended SWOW includes Tim Ferguson.[4][5]

Ned Manning spent a short time there as a teacher.

text: In 1996, the ACT Education Department conducted a review which recommended the School Without Walls be restructured, and in 1997, SWOW was relocated and merged into Dickson College.

answer: The School Without Walls was a public alternative school in Canberra, the capital of Australia, which operated from 1974 to 1997.

text: The SCHOOL WITHOUT WALLS (SWOW) was a public alternative school in Canberra, the capital of Australia, which operated from 1974 to 1997.

answer: School Without Walls (SWOW) was established in 1973 in Canberra, Australia to address educational needs that the public school system did not address. It's physical location moved 4 times and it was eventually merged with Dickson College in 1997 after a review by the ACT Education Department.

text:
There is a bit of technical concerns in the concept of moved.
The school was moved 2 times, not 4.

The first location in the answer, "Within the campus of the Australian National University" is the school's first location. It was established in, not moved to, the ANU campus.

The fourth location, Dickson College, is where SWOW was merged with. "Move" implies to transfer something as a whole. A merge is not a move since SWOW was absorbed by Dickson College --SWOW does not exist as a separate entity within the college. So this does not count as a move.

Omit 1 and 4.

refinement: School Without Walls (SWOW) was established in 1973 in Canberra, Australia to address educational needs that the public school system did not address. It's physical location moved twice and it was eventually merged with Dickson College in 1997 after a review by the ACT Education Department.

text: The SCHOOL WITHOUT WALLS (SWOW) was a public alternative school in Canberra, the capital of Australia, which operated from 1974 to 1997.

text: met to establish the school to cater for educational needs they considered were not being met by the mainstream public education system

text:
The school's original location was on Childers Street within the campus of the Australian National University, where the meetings to establish the school were held. Later in 1974, the school relocated to what is now St Patrick's Church in Braddon, which had previously housed the Catholic schools St Patrick's School and St Mary's School–Our Lady of Mercy. In 1980, the school moved to what was formerly the infants building at Ainslie School in Braddon (now the Ainslie Arts Centre), where it was co-located with the Questacon science centre.[2]

In 1996, the ACT Education Department conducted a review which recommended the School Without Walls be restructured, and in 1997, SWOW was relocated and merged into Dickson College.[3]

answer: The School Without Walls was a public alternative school in Canberra, Australia, which operated from 1974 to 1997. It was established by a group of students, teachers, and parents who felt that the mainstream public education system was not meeting their needs.

text: The SCHOOL WITHOUT WALLS (SWOW) was a public alternative school in Canberra, the capital of Australia

text: a group of students, teachers and parents voluntarily met to establish the school to cater for educational needs they considered were not being met by the mainstream public education system


text:
I realize I'm looking out a car window. I'm looking at the occasional driver in the right lane as we pass by, but their forms are obscured by the rain. I'm staring off into the woods bordering the highway, ignoring the conversation between the people in the front seats. I watch a single drop streak down the glass and try not to wonder why I have this feeling of shame gnawing at my stomach.

"Hey you alright bud?"

My head bounces gently on the window. It's not nearly as uncomfortable as the overwhelming sense of contempt that's boiling in my blood. Not for any one thing in particular, save perhaps myself and whatever misdeeds I committed tonight, but for all things.

The other passengers are silent now. I listen to the wipers scrape across the windshield. My mouth is dry and stale from cheap beer. I'm not nauseous, but I want to vomit up every last thing I have, to spew out everything toxic inside of me on side of the road.

"He's passed the fuck out," whispers the driver.

"Yeah, he'll be fine," whispers the passenger.

EDIT: formatting

title: Not really quite a story, but I wrote something

question: What is the relationship between the narrator and the driver?

answer: The narrator is a passenger in the car.

text: "The narrator is a passenger in the car." - doesn't really answer the question regarding their relationship, but he is a passenger.

refinement: Their relationship is unclear, but the narrator is a passenger in the car.

answer: The driver is the narrator's friend.

text: "The driver is the narrator's friend." - it was never mentioned if they were friends or not.

refinement: The relationship between the driver and the narrator is unclear.

answer: The narrator and the driver appear to be friends or acquaintances.

text: "The narrator and the driver appear to be friends or acquaintances." - it was never mentioned if they were friends or acquaintances.

refinement: The relationship between the driver and the narrator is unclear.

answer: Unclear.

question: Write a ~4 sentence summary.

answer: The protagonist is in a car with two other people, and he's passed out.

text: Did not meet the 4-sentence summary requirement. Add more.

refinement: The protagonist is in a car with two other people. He's looking out the window ignoring the conversation between the people in the front seats. He feels shame gnawing at his stomach because of misdeeds the night before. He wants to vomit and passes out, which the driver and passenger notice.

answer: The narrator is in a car with other people, but he's not really paying attention to the conversation. He's staring out the window, feeling shame and contempt for himself. He's not nauseous, but he wants to vomit. The driver and the passenger whisper to each other, and the narrator is passed out.

answer: The narrator realizes he is looking out of a car window and doesn't feel well. A feeling of shame gnaws at him. The driver asks if he is alright then realizes he's passed out. The passenger assures the driver that the narrator will be alright.

answer: The narrator is looking out the window of a car, feeling ashamed and disgusted with himself. He's not sure why, but he feels like everything is wrong. The other passengers seem to think he'll be okay, but he's passed out.

text: Did not meet the 4-sentence summary requirement. Add more.

refinement: The narrator is looking out the window of a car, feeling ashamed and disgusted with himself. He's looking out the window ignoring the conversation between the people in the front seats. He's not sure why, but he feels like everything is wrong. The other passengers seem to think he'll be okay, but he's passed out.


text:
LARGE APPARATUS STUDYING GRAND UNIFICATION AND NEUTRINO ASTROPHYSICS or LAGUNA is or was a European project aimed to develop the next-generation, very large volume underground neutrino observatory. The detector should be much bigger and more sensitive than any previous detector, and make new discoveries in the field of particle and astroparticle physics. The project involves 21 European institutions in 10 European countries, and brings together over 100 scientists. As of 2011, the project was assessing the feasibility of developing the observatory-infrastructure and the observatory particle detectors themselves, as well as looking for a deployment site (7 candidates) in Europe. There have also been propositions of merging the project with similar international projects, like DUSEL.[1]

In June 2011, the LAGUNA collaboration finished the Feasibility Studies of building the proposed neutrino detectors. The studies were paid for by the EU (1.7 million Euro). No further activity is known.[2]

As of 2016, the LAGUNA project seems to be defunct. No further development has happened, and it is unclear if any development will happen. Also the similar DUSEL-project in the United States was cancelled. However, the neutrino-component of the DUSEL-project (the Long Baseline Neutrino Experiment, LBNE) was rebooted as the DUNE project. The construction of DUNE started in 2017 in Sanford Lab in South Dakota, USA with expected completion 2027. It is expected that, with DUNE under construction, the LAGUNA-project will not be constructed, especially because the DUNE-project was enlarged from a USA-only project into an international project that now comprises many of the researchers worldwide (especially American and European researchers) who work on the topic, thus making the case for LAGUNA construction weaker.

Detectors

There were three possible detector technologies being studied, the MEMPHYS, GLACIER and LENA detectors, MEMPHYS being a water-based detector, GLACIER being liquid argon and LENA liquid scintillator-based. All the detectors work by observing the faint light and electric charge produced when a neutrino particle interacts with a nucleus of the liquid inside the detector. The detectors will be based deep underground (even 1.4 km deep) to filter the noise that is developed by the atmospheric and cosmic particles that bombard everything at the surface of the Earth. These noise particles do not penetrate the Earth at that depth, but the neutrinos that interact only weakly with normal matter do. The detectors will be huge in size, with the liquid target mass being of order 100 000 – 1 000 000 tons.

LENA

LENA (Low Energy Neutrino Astronomy) is a liquid scintillation detector with a mass about 50 kton. Its cylindrical shaped tank with about 100 meters height and 30 meters diameter. The actual scintillation volume is surrounded by nylon barrier and buffer volume. Additionally the buffer volume is surrounded by a pure water volume. The detection mechanism of LENA will be the photomultiplier tubes, which are designed to cover partly the walls between buffer volume and water volume.[3] The scintillation light produced in scintillation volume will be detected with those photomultiplier tubes.[4] LENA's aim is to study low energy neutrinos originated by supernova explosions, Sun and Earth's interior.[5]

Scientific goals

The goals of the project were to: study the unification of all forces by observing proton decay (a very rare phenomenon expected to occur according to some Grand Unified Theory (GUT) models but never observed), study the galactic supernovae through neutrino-observations, study terrestrial and solar neutrinos (neutrinos are formed in nuclear processes), study the excess of matter over antimatter in the universe through observing neutrino oscillations in collaboration with CERN (that provides the neutrino-beams for the experiment; neutrinos are made in the CERN and the sent as underground beam for hundreds of kilometers through the Earth to the detectors).

Sites

The candidate sites for the observatory were:

-   Callio at Pyhäsalmi Mine (Finland)
-   Fréjus Road Tunnel (France)
-   Boulby Mine (United Kingdom)
-   Umbria (this site requires a new cavern to be excavated, as in contrast to the other sites, this site is not an old mine) (Italy)
-   SUNLAB (Sieroszowice UNderground LABoratory) in Polkowice-Sieroszowice mine (Poland)
-   Unirea mine in Slănic (Romania)
-   Canfranc Underground Laboratory (Spain)

From these candidates, the observatory location is chosen (See the project website [6] for more information about the sites).

[1] Large Underground Observatory for Proton Decay, Neutrino Astrophysics and CP-violation in the Lepton Sector

[2] https://lsc-canfranc.es/en/past-experiments/

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6] Laguna sites

title: Large Apparatus studying Grand Unification and Neutrino Astrophysics

question:
Answer the following question based on the above passage:

What does the text say about the continuation of the LAGUNA project?

answer: No further activity is known.

text: The answer is insufficient. The model should consider including the necessary detail to explain the continuation of the LAGUNA project.

refinement: As of 2016, the LAGUNA project appears to be defunct. There has been no further development of the project, and it is unclear if any action will occur. Furthermore, the similar DUSEL-project in the United States was canceled. The DUNE construction started in 2017, which is expected to hinder the development of LAGUNA because the researchers involved have moved on. Therefore, it seems unlikely that the LAGUNA project will continue.

answer: As of 2016, the LAGUNA project appears to be defunct. There has been no further development of the project and it is unclear if any development will occur. Furthermore, the similar DUSEL-project in the United States was cancelled. The construction of DUNE started in 2017, which is expected to hinder the development of LAGUNA since the researchers involved in it have moved on. Therefore, it seems unlikely that the LAGUNA project will continue.

answer: As of 2016, the LAGUNA project appears to be non-existent. There has been no further development and it is unclear if any development will take place. Additionally, the similar DUSEL-project in the United States was cancelled and the neutrino-component of the DUSEL-project was rebooted as the DUNE project. With DUNE under construction, the possibility for LAGUNA is weaker.

answer: The last collaboration for the LAGUNA project was in June 2011 and no activity is known after that. As of 2016, the LAGUNA project seems to be defunct and it seems no further development will happen. However, the neutrino component of the canceled DUSEL project in the United States known as the Long Baseline Neutrino Experiment (LBNE) was rebooted as the DUNE project. The DUNE project started construction in 2017 and was expanded from a USA-only project into an international one comprised of researchers who worked on the LAGUNA project. The development of DUNE means that the LAGUNA project is all but dead in the water.

answer: LAGUNA seem to be defunct by 2016. Development is unplanned and seems unlikely to happen. However, in 2017, DUNE (a similar project, focusing on neutrinos) was restarted in Sanford Lab in South Dakota, USA. It is expected that the LAGUNA project will not be constructed because the DUNE project was enlarged into an international consortium.

question:
Answer the following question based on the above passage:

Summarize interesting facts about the detector technologies.

answer: The three detectors being studied in 2011 are MEMPHYS, GLACIER and LENA, A water-based detector, liquid argon-based, and liquid scintillator-based detector, respectively.

text: The answer is insufficient and should include more facts about the detector technologies.

refinement: The three detectors being studied are MEMPHYS, GLACIER, and LENA; a water-based detector, liquid argon-based, and liquid scintillator-based detector, respectively. These technologies all detect the faint light and electric charge produced when a neutrino particle interacts with a nucleus of the liquid inside the detector. Also, all the detectors will be based deep underground to filter out noises caused by atmospheric and cosmic particles.

answer: The project has three detector technologies under study which all detect the faint light and electric charge produced when a neutrino particle interacts with a nucleus of the liquid inside the detector. MEMPHYS is a water-based detector, GLACIER is liquid argon and LENA liquid scintillator based. All the detectors will be based deep underground to filter out noises caused by atmospheric and cosmic particles. LENA is 50 ktons in size, cylindrically shaped, surrounded by nylon barrier and buffer volume, and designed to detect scintillation light produced in the scintillation volume. The observatory location has not yet been chosen.

text: 'scintillator based' is supposed to be hyphenated.

refinement: The project has three detector technologies under study which all detect the faint light and electric charge produced when a neutrino particle interacts with a nucleus of the liquid inside the detector. MEMPHYS is a water-based detector, GLACIER is liquid argon and LENA liquid scintillator-based. All the detectors will be based deep underground to filter out noises caused by atmospheric and cosmic particles. LENA is 50 ktons in size, cylindrically shaped, surrounded by nylon barrier and buffer volume, and designed to detect scintillation light produced in the scintillation volume. The observatory location has not yet been chosen.

text: The second to the last, and last sentences talk about a different topic which is out of the question. These sentences should be removed.

refinement: The project has three detector technologies being studied, which all detect the faint light and electric charge produced when a neutrino particle interacts with a nucleus of the liquid inside the detector. MEMPHYS is a water-based detector, GLACIER is liquid argon, and LENA liquid scintillator-based. All the detectors will be based deep underground to filter out noises caused by atmospheric and cosmic particles.

answer: Three possible detector technologies were being studied; the MEMPHYS detector is water-based, the GLACIER detector is liquid argon, and the LENA detector is liquid scintillator-based. They all work by observing the faint light and electric charge produced when a neutrino particle interacts with a nucleus of the liquid inside the detector. The detectors will all be based deep underground (even 1.4km deep) to filter the interference caused by atmospheric and cosmic particles that bombard everything in the upper atmosphere, and then penetrate down to create noise.

answer: The three possible detectors being studied are MEMPHYS, GLACIER, and LENA detectors. MEMPHYS is a water-based detector, GLACIER is liquid argon-based, and LENA is liquid scintillator-based. Despite using different methods of detection, all three detectors work by observing the faint light and electric charge produced when a neutrino particle interacts with a nucleus of the liquid inside the detector. The detectors are huge, having a liquid target mass of anywhere between 100,000 - 1,000,000 tons. LENA has a mass of about 50 kton. Its cylindrical-shaped tank is 100 meters tall and has a diameter of 30 meters.

text: The answer ought not to include LENA's description because it's another topic on its own. This sentence should be removed.

refinement: The three possible detectors being studied are MEMPHYS, GLACIER, and LENA detectors. MEMPHYS is a water-based detector, GLACIER is liquid argon-based, and LENA is liquid scintillator-based. Despite using different methods of detection, all three detectors work by observing the faint light and electric charge produced when a neutrino particle interacts with a nucleus of the liquid inside the detector. The detectors are huge, having a liquid target mass of anywhere between 100,000 - 1,000,000 tons.

answer: The detector technologies under study for the LAGUNA project are MEMPHYS (water-based), GLACIER (liquid argon), and LENA (liquid scintillator-based). These detectors work by observing the faint light and electric charge produced when neutrinos have interacted with a nucleus in the liquid inside the detector. All of these detectors are designed to be in large, underground locations to minimize noise. These technologies have the goal of studying neutrinos and their interactions as well as exploring aspects of Grand Unified Theory.

question:
Answer the following question based on the above passage:

What does the text say about the scientific goals of the project?

answer: The scientific goals of the project were to study the unification of all forces by observing proton decay (a very rare phenomenon expected to occur according to some Grand Unifed Theory models but never observed), to study galactic supernovae through neutrino-observations, study terrestrial and solar neutrinos, and study the excess of matter over antimatter in the universe through the observation of neutrino oscillations.

text: 'unified' is wrongly spelled, and the model omits 'the' before galactic supernovae and terrestrial and solar neutrinos in this context. These should be corrected.

refinement: The project's scientific goals were to study the unification of all forces by observing proton decay (a very rare phenomenon expected to occur according to some Grand Unified Theory models but never observed). Also, study the galactic supernovae through neutrino-observations, study the terrestrial and solar neutrinos, and study the excess of matter over antimatter in the universe through the observation of neutrino oscillations.

answer: The project seeks to understand the unification of all forces by observing proton decay and studying galactic supernovae through neutrino-observations, as well as studying the excess of matter over antimatter in the universe through observing neutrino oscillations in collaboration with CERN. The project's goals are thus to better understand fundamental physics.

answer: According to the text, the project has four scientific goals, including the unification of all forces by observing proton decay, study the galactic supernovae via neutrino observations, study terrestrial and solar neutrinos, and study the excess of matter over antimatter in the universe through observing neutrino oscillations in collaboration with CERN.

text: The model should consider changing the verb form for 'study' in this context.

refinement: According to the text, the project has four scientific goals, including the unification of all forces by observing proton decay, studying the galactic supernovae via neutrino observations, studying terrestrial and solar neutrinos, and studying the excess of matter over antimatter in the universe through observing neutrino oscillations in collaboration with CERN.

answer: The scientific goals of the project are to study the unification of all forces by observing proton decay (a very rare phenomenon expected to occur according to some Grand Unified Theory models), study the galactic supernovae through neutrino-observations, and study the excess of matter over antimatter in the universe through observing neutrino oscillations in collaboration with CERN.

answer: The LENA detector, which works by observing the faint light and electric charge of neutrinos, will be used to see if neutrinos are involved in the slowing of spinning down of the rotor due to neutrons oscillating into protons. The detector will also be used to study neutrinos that originated in supernova explosions, the Sun, and Earth's interior.

text: The answer talks about something else entirely, which doesn't answer the question of the project's scientific goals. This response should be corrected and written accurately.

refinement: According to the text, the project has four scientific goals. They include unifying all forces by observing proton decay, studying the galactic supernovae via neutrino observations, studying the terrestrial and solar neutrinos, and studying the excess of matter over antimatter in the universe through observing neutrino oscillations in collaboration with CERN.

question:
Answer the following question based on the above passage:

What does the text say about the sites for the observatory?

answer: The possible sites for the observatory are Callio at Pyhäsalmi Mine in Finland, Fréjus Road Tunnel in France, Boulby Mine in the United Kingdom, Umbria in Italy, SUNLAB in Polkowice-Sieroszowice mine in Poland, and Canfranc Underground Laboratory in Spain.

text: The answer omits the Unirea mine in Romania. The answer should include this as well.

refinement: The possible sites for the observatory are Callio at Pyhäsalmi Mine in Finland, Fréjus Road Tunnel in France, Boulby Mine in the United Kingdom, Umbria in Italy, SUNLAB in Polkowice, Sieroszowice mine in Poland, Unirea mine in Slánic, Romania, and Canfranc Underground Laboratory in Spain.

answer: There are seven candidate sites for the observatory. It appears most of the sites are old mines, with the exception of (presumably underground) tunnels in France and Spain, and a cave system in Italy.

text: The answer does not list the observatory sites. It should do this.

refinement: There are seven candidate sites for the observatory. They are Callio at Pyhäsalmi Mine in Finland, Fréjus Road Tunnel in France, Boulby Mine in the United Kingdom, Umbria in Italy, SUNLAB in Polkowice, Sieroszowice mine in Poland, Unirea mine in Slánic, Romania, and Canfranc Underground Laboratory in Spain. It appears most of the sites are old mines, except (presumably underground) tunnels in France and Spain and a cave system in Italy.

answer: No answer

text: Empty response.

refinement: The possible sites for the observatory are Callio at Pyhäsalmi Mine in Finland, Fréjus Road Tunnel in France, Boulby Mine in the United Kingdom, Umbria in Italy, SUNLAB in Polkowice, Sieroszowice mine in Poland, Unirea mine in Slánic, Romania, and Canfranc Underground Laboratory in Spain.

answer: At the time of the document, the sites that were being considered for the observatory were Callio at Pyhäsalmi Mine, Fréjus Road Tunnel (France), Boulby Mine (United Kingdom), Umbria (Italy), SUNLAB (Sieroszowice UNderground LABoratory) in Polkowice-Sieroszowice mine (Poland), Unirea mine in  Slănic (Romania), and Canfranc Underground Laboratory (Spain).

answer: The sites being considered for the observatory are primarily old mines in France, the United Kingdom and Poland. There is also a possibility that a new cavern would have to be excavated at a potential site in Italy. The final site for the observatory is still to be decided.


text:
Republicans are about to start raving about the spending again. Here's why you shouldn't take them seriously

By  David Dayen

January 26, 2016 3:57PM (UTC)

HOUSE SPEAKER PAUL RYAN (AP PHOTO/) (AP/J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE, FILE)

This story has been corrected since it was originally published.

We’re going to start hearing about the deficit again, after a long absence from the political stage. That’s in part because a Democrat might get elected president again – perhaps even on a platform endorsing substantial new federal spending. In the face of that potentially harrowing scenario, government’s willing saboteurs must devise a way to persuade voters to reject those proposals, by spinning terrifying tales of out-of-control debt and intractable burdens for children and grandchildren. For them, deficit fearmongering admirably serves this goal.

Incidentally, while you were busy not hearing about it, the deficit has fallen for the past six years, at the most precipitous rate since the end of World War II. It’s a _problem_ that the deficit dropped so fast, in fact, because we got there mostly through government austerity that has dragged on economic growth since the middle of 2010, contributing not only to the sluggish recovery, but also to deprivations in vital services for the needy.

Just before the election year, Congress made a bunch of changes to boost that deficit back up. The intentions of this were three-fold: 1) reward campaign contributors with tax breaks that go mostly to business; 2) hope that running deficits will feed back into economic growth and protect incumbents seeking re-election; and 3) secure a misleading talking point about irresponsible runaway debt in Obama’s last year in office.

The Congressional Budget Office’s (CBO) outlook for fiscal year 2016, released yesterday, does yeoman service at realizing goal number 3. “In 2016, the federal budget deficit will increase,” CBO intones, and “if current laws generally remain unchanged, the deficit would grow over the next 10 years, and by 2026 it would be considerably larger than its average over the past 50 years.” With this information, the scolds can pull off a neat trick: raise the deficit and then scream about the consequences of raising the deficit.

Let’s first look at the numbers: In fiscal year 2015, the deficit fell to $439 billion, about 2.5 percent of GDP, which is fairly low by historical standards. CBO projects a 2016 deficit of $544 billion, a $105 billion increase.

Over 40 percent of this increase, $43 billion, is due to a statistical quirk, CBO explains. The federal fiscal year goes not by the calendar, but from October 1 to September 30. October 1, 2016 happens to fall on a Saturday, meaning that federal payments that normally go out on the 1st of the month will instead get delivered the Friday before. That puts those $43 billion in monthly payments in the 2016 fiscal year instead of 2017, “increasing” the 2016 deficit.

Quick idea for lawmakers: Pass a bill moving the October payments from Friday to Monday, and instantly cut the current-year budget deficit increase by over 40 percent! (This is not as far-fetched as it sounds: California actually balanced their budget a few years back with a version of this gimmick.)

The rest of the deficit comes from the aforementioned legislation – in particular, the 2016 budget, which increases spending modestly above sequestration caps, and the “tax extenders” bill, which made a host of tax cuts, mostly to corporations, permanent. Republicans were eager to deliver these tax cuts to businesses last year, but will likely spend the better part of this year moaning about the surge in the deficit those business tax cuts created.

The Wall Street Journal started this parade last week by headlining the widening budget gap. Tom Price, chairman of the House Budget Committee, followed suit, finger-wagging at the “rising mountain of debt” which will “bring less opportunity, less freedom, and less security.”

Keep in mind that the relatively trivial 2016 deficit increase – around 0.56 percent of GDP – does precious little to the long-term picture, which has far more to do with inflation, interest rates, and the cost of medical care. Increased spending from lifting the sequestration caps could even boost the economy slightly, and the knock-on effects of that, particularly if it leads to more employment, could increase federal tax revenues and bring _down_ the deficit. The one durable cure for deficits has never been fiscal austerity, but full employment.

Unfortunately, handing out a bunch of tax cuts that mostly flow to businesses probably won’t help the economy much, as money saved by those corporations may not be spent. But especially since these permanent tax breaks were permanent-in-everything-but-name before this point, habitually passed year after year, any deficit hysteria resulting from their passage is pretty cynical.

CBO plays into deficit fears by projecting an unsustainable rise in deficits year after year, all the way to $1.36 trillion in 2026, the last year shown. Surely we’ll hear plenty about “$9 trillion added to the national debt” and “the largest debt as a percentage of GDP since the 1940s.”

To be honest, these projections are about as scientific as seeing a picture of Jesus Christ on your toast. (See if you can find the Great Recession in any CBO report before 2008.) But the overall problem with worrying about these issues is that none of the people doing the worrying actually want to commit to any solution. If the problem is insufficient tax revenue, then we could raise taxes on those who can most afford it. But that’s simply off the table. If the problem is an aging population, allowing a greater influx of young people from abroad and bringing the shadow economy on the books fits the bill. But that can never happen either.

Let’s be perfectly clear: runaway federal spending is not the problem. Even with the modest increases this year, the government operates under an artificial and restrictive spending cap, which has reduced discretionary spending to its lowest level of the postwar era. Public investment as a percentage of GDP has been gutted. This investment has historically been what has expanded economic growth; today it’s been crowded out to the verge of extinction.

The real intention of deficit hysteria is to stick a knife in any effort to expand the welfare state, to use “we can’t afford it” as an easy riposte to plans for debt-free college or paid family leave or expanded Social Security. If a Democrat reaches the White House next year, he or she will have to face down this nonsense all over again. But it has no credibility as anything but a political weapon.

People don’t care anymore about the deficit, at least relative to the economy and jobs. Congress by its actions in December showed it didn’t care, either. And that’s OK – there’s not much reason to care about “the deficit” in and of itself, relative to caring how to keep health costs down or ensure that everyone can find a job. We have plenty of problems in America. The precise level of debt load isn’t one of them.

David Dayen

David Dayen is a journalist who writes about economics and finance. He is the author of "Chain of Title: How Three Ordinary Americans Uncovered Wall Street’s Great Foreclosure Fraud," winner of the Studs and Ida Terkel Prize, and coauthor of the book "Fat Cat: The Steve Mnuchin Story." He is an investigative fellow with In These Times and contributes to the Intercept, the New Republic and the Los Angeles Times. His work has also appeared in the Nation, the American Prospect, Vice, the Huffington Post and more. He has been a guest on MSNBC, CNN, Bloomberg, Al Jazeera, CNBC, NPR and Pacifica Radio. He lives in Los Angeles.

MORE FROM DAVID DAYEN • FOLLOW DDAYEN

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question: Who is about to start raving about the spending again?

answer: Republicans are about to start raving about the spending again.

answer: The Republicans.

answer: The Republicans.

question: What are the author's thoughts on Republicans raving about spending?

answer: The author does not believe that Republicans have any credibility when complaining about government spending, as they do not genuinely care about the issue and tend to raise it only as a political tool.

answer: The author believes that Republicans' criticism of spending is mostly just a political tactic designed to argue against beneficial policies that may be proposed by a presidential candidate that they don't agree with.

answer: The author says people should not take these Republicans seriously.

question: What is the Congressional Budget Office's (CBO) outlook for fiscal year 2016 compared to 2015?

answer: CBO projects a 2016 deficit of $544 billion, a $105 billion increase. In fiscal year 2015, the deficit fell to $439 billion, about 2.5 percent of GDP, which is fairly low by historical standards.

answer: The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) outlook for fiscal year 2016 indicates a small increase in the federal budget deficit.

text: No mention of the amount of increase.

refinement: The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) outlook for fiscal year 2016 indicates an increase of $105 billion in the federal budget deficit as compared to 2015.

answer: The congressional budget office's outlook for fiscal year 2016 indicates a higher deficit than last year.

text: No mention of the amount of increase.

refinement: The congressional budget office's outlook for fiscal year 2016 indicates a higher deficit by $105 billion than last year.

question: What is the "statistical quirk" the author pointed out that is responsible for the "artificial" 40 percent increase ($43 billion) in the 2016 deficit?

answer: The "statistical quirk" the author pointed out is the fact that October 1, 2016 falls on a Saturday, meaning that federal payments that normally go out on the 1st of the month will instead be delivered as late as the Friday before- thus 'increasing' the 2016 deficit.

text: The payments would be delivered early, not late.

refinement: The "statistical quirk" the author pointed out is the fact that October 1, 2016 falls on a Saturday, meaning that federal payments that normally go out on the 1st of the month will instead be delivered as early as the Friday before- thus 'increasing' the 2016 deficit.

answer: The CBO explains that the federal fiscal year goes not by the calendar, but from October 1 to September 30. October 1, 2016, happens to fall on a Saturday, meaning that federal payments that normally go out on the 1st of the month will instead get delivered the Friday before. That puts those $43 billion in monthly payments in the 2016 fiscal year instead of 2017, “increasing” the 2016 deficit.

answer: The author states that the "statistical quirk" responsible for the 40 percent increase in the 2016 deficit is a consequence of a federal fiscal year starting on October 1. In October, federal payments that are normally on the 1st of the month instead get delivered on the Friday before, meaning that $43 billion is included in the 2016 fiscal year when it would normally be included in the 2017 fiscal year.

question: Write a ~5 sentence summary.

answer: David Deyen outlines how things like "tax extenders" and "2016 budgetary policy" are not entirely important in regards to the deficit and should not be spoked about. Republicans are looking to make claimstones out of these expenditures. While Trump would like to see "a robust and stable economy with a growing labor force," such sentiments are not being backed with factual exploration. Republicans do not want fiscal responsibility, so they attempt to agitate the public against it instead of adhering to a stance against increasing debt loads.

text: Wrong use of word - spoked.

refinement: David Deyen outlines how things like "tax extenders" and "2016 budgetary policy" are not entirely important in regards to the deficit and should not be spoken about. Republicans are looking to make claimstones out of these expenditures. While Trump would like to see "a robust and stable economy with a growing labor force," such sentiments are not being backed with factual exploration. Republicans do not want fiscal responsibility, so they attempt to agitate the public against it instead of adhering to a stance against increasing debt loads.

answer: David Dayen looks at the money spent on reducing the deficit as opposed to all other financial matters such as stimulating the economy and increasing jobs. Dayen believes that we have other problems in America that are more important than trying to reduce deficits when it is caused by an economy stuck in recession.

answer: Now is not the time to fix the deficit.

text: This response is not related.

text: Refinement missing.

refinement: After a long absence from the stage, the Democrats will be back to talking about the deficit. The reason to not worry about the deficit is that the deficit has been falling for 6 years. The Democrats want to scare the public into thinking that the country is in too much debt. Talking about the 2016 fiscal debt, the author claims that 40 percent of the increase is due to a statistical quirk. He also mentions how the best thing to do would be for lawmakers to pass a bill to move the October payments from Friday to Monday.

answer: Democrats are going to start talking about the deficit again, after a long absence from the political stage. One reason to not worry about deficits is because the media is going to start slandering them by spreading false information and assigning fearmongering hidden agendas in order to dissuade people from supporting anything that will increase the deficit. Democrats have to then face down a spike in the deficit if they get into office, but the reality is that it turns out that the deficit has been falling for 6 years and has little to worry about.

text: It is omitted why the 2016 deficit is due to a statistical quirk

refinement: Democrats are going to start talking about the deficit again, after a long absence from the political stage. One reason to not worry about deficits is because the media is going to start slandering them by spreading false information and assigning fearmongering hidden agendas in order to dissuade people from supporting anything that will increase the deficit. Democrats have to then face down a spike in the deficit if they get into office, but the reality is that it turns out that the deficit has been falling for 6 years and has little to worry about. The 2016 deficit increase, 40 percent of it is due to a statistical quirk.

answer: Republican fascists fear-mongered Democrats will falsify fiscal laws by possibly increasing federal spending by a significant sum. In response, they made sure to devalue the economy by cutting back federal spending to drain government income.

answer: The post's author is saying that the Republicans are raving about spending again, but no one should take them seriously because it's all just politics. The agenda of these Republicans involves scaring the public into thinking the country is in so much debt, blaming Democrats and the Obama administration for the mounting deficit. The author points out that 2016's deficit of $43 billion is artificial, caused by a "statistical quirk" that lawmakers need to fix ASAP because the current federal fiscal year doesn't go by the calendar, but from October 1 to September 30. If October 1st happens to fall on a Saturday, federal payments that would normally go out on the 1st of the month will get delivered the Friday before. The author states that the $43 billion was still included in the 2016 fiscal year, instead of 2017 where it was supposed to be, causing an "increase" in 2016's deficit.


text:
FOR THIS YEAR’S NATIONAL KINDNESS DAY, DR DAVID HAMILTON, AUTHOR OF _THE FIVE SIDE-EFFECTS OF KINDNESS _EXPLAINS HOW BEING NICE IS GOOD FOR YOU

1. IT’S PROTECTIVE AGAINST DEPRESSION

Depression forces us to dwell on ourselves – on our worries, problems, and difficulties in life. It can be difficult to escape these feelings. But being kind actually takes us out of ourselves so that our attention shifts towards the needs or well being of another person.
This shift in attention helps protect against depression. Studies of thousands of people that compare the mental health of those who do regular volunteering work against those who don’t, find that symptoms of depression are much fewer in people who regularly volunteer.

[depression-7-reasons-acts-of-kindness-are-good-for-your-health]

MORE: ‘I can’t get over my affair’

2. IT BOOSTS HAPPINESS

Numerous studies show that being kind makes us feel happier. Kindness impacts brain chemistry, elevating levels of ‘feel-good’ neurotransmitters, and it also makes us feel satisfied that we are doing something meaningful. Together, this results in a boost to happiness. Research studies of the volunteering habits of thousands of people have concluded that more than 95% of people feel happier when they help someone. Most also report an immediate warm feeling. Other studies where the happiness of people asked to perform intentional acts of kindness was compared against the happiness of people not doing the kindnesses also concluded that kindness boosts happiness.

[happy-7-ways-acts-of-kindness-are-good-for-your-health-by-healthista]

3. IT LOWERS BLOOD PRESSURE

The connection we feel with another through an act of kindness causes our bodies to make the hormone, ‘oxytocin’. Known for its role in reproduction and breastfeeding, it is also a powerful cardiovascular hormone. It stimulates nitric oxide production in our arteries, initiating a process known as ‘vasodilation’ – widening of the arteries. This causes a net reduction in blood pressure.
Given that high blood pressure is strongly associated with risk of heart attack and stroke, kindness is therefore ‘cardioprotective’; that is, it is protective towards the cardiovascular system through its ability to reduce blood pressure. Indeed, studies that examine how people relate to each other in relationships show that those who show more loving and kind behaviours tend to have healthier arteries than those who show more hostility and contempt.

[blood-pressure-7-ways-acts-of-kindness-are-healthy-for-you-by-healthista]

4. IT BOOSTS THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

The ‘Mother Theresa Effect’ describes what happens to our immune systems when we witness an act of kindness or moral beauty. In a study, scientists asked volunteers to watch a video of Mother Theresa performing acts of kindness. They had their immune systems measured before and after watching the video. Watching the acts of kindness performed by Mother Theresa, it was found, had given the volunteers’ immune systems of a boost. Other research has shown that imagining or recalling the experiences of care or compassion for others has the same effect. In these cases, it’s the emotional feeling that kindness invokes in us that impact the immune system so strongly.

MORE: Want more energy? Join our Matcha tea makeover

[happy-lady-in-red-7-ways-acts-of-kindness-are-good-for-your-health]

5. IT’S AN ANTIDOTE TO STRESS

A friend once told me of a time when a driver of a car had been very abusive to her after she accidentally pulled out in front of him. He was swearing at her and making angry physical gestures. It left her feeling shaken and stressed. When she reached a bridge toll a few miles down the road, she discovered that she was right in front of him. As an act of kindness, she decided to pay his toll.
The stressful feeling left her almost immediately, she explained, being replaced by a lightness and clarity of mind. A half mile up the road, the previously angry driver pulled up alongside her, rolled down his window, smiled, and mouthed the words, ‘T H A N K Y O U’. This kind of thing is reflected in real research, which finds an ‘opposite’ relationship between kindness and stress. On days that people do more kindness, they tend to have less stress, and vice versa; when they do less kindness they have more stress.

[laughing-friends-7-ways-acts-of-kindness-are-good-for-your-health-by-healthista]

6. IT SLOWS AGEING

Stress plays a major role in ageing at the biological level. Most people are familiar with the way stress can age a person; hair turning white almost overnight when a person faces great worry, lines on the face of people who feel and express a great deal of anger or hostility. Internally, stress prematurely ages the cardiovascular system, which is why stress is strongly linked with heart disease.
These effects are caused by ‘free radicals’. Stress produces them. We take anti-oxidants to try to combat them. We’re encouraged to eat foods rich in anti-oxidants, like green vegetables, dark chocolate, cinnamon, for example, and to take drinks containing them, like pomegranate juice or green tea. It’s also why some modern face creams contain anti-oxidants, hoping to neutralise free radicals at the sites of apparent ageing. Since kindness is an antidote to stress, it ensures that there’s less free radicals in the body and thus slows the ageing caused by stress and unhealthy lifestyle.

[young-happy-face-7-ways-kindness-is-good-for-your-health-by-healthista]

7. IT TONES THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

The vagus nerve plays a very important role in maintaining the health of the body. It works the parasympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system. It controls the rest, digest, and regenerate mode in the body and helps ensure a balance between all of our organs by providing constant feedback to the brain. Vagal tone is a measure of how well the vagus nerve does this. You can think of it as akin to muscle tone, which reflects the fitness and strength of your body, except that vagal tone reflects the fitness of the nervous system. Kindness (and compassion) have been shown to actually increase vagal tone. When people practice kindness meditations, for example, where they reflect upon kindness and generate warm feelings towards others, their vagal tone tends to increase. In this way, kindness tones the nervous system.

[david-hamilton-7-ways-acts-of-kindness-are-good-for-your-health-by-healthista]

DR DAVID HAMILTON worked in the pharmaceutical industry for four years after gaining his PhD. Now a bestselling author, he travels the world offering workshops to help people understand the power of the mind on the body. The Five Side-effects of Kindness: This Book Will Make You Feel Better, Be Happier & Live Longer[], David R. Hamilton PhD, Hay House UK, £10.99 will be available from 7th February 2017.

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question:
Answer the following question based on the above passage:

What does the text say about kindness?

answer: According to the passage, being kind not only helps others but also helps you in ways that you do not know of. The passage further discusses five benefits to yourself and your body when you are kind to others. It protects against depression, boosts your happiness, and also lowers your blood pressure.

text: The passage outlines seven ways of being kind helping.

refinement: According to the passage, being kind not only helps others but also helps you in ways that you do not know of. The passage further discusses seven benefits to yourself and your body when you are kind to others. It protects against depression, boosts your happiness, and also lowers your blood pressure.

text: The answer omits four ways being kind helps us.

refinement: According to the passage, being kind not only helps others but also helps you in ways that you do not know of. The passage further discusses seven benefits to yourself and your body when you are kind to others. It protects against depression, boosts your happiness, and also lowers your blood pressure. It also boosts the immune system and acts as an antidote to stress in addition to slowing down aging and toning the nervous system.

answer: The point of the article is to showcase how being kind is good for a person's health, which is described in seven separate ways. The first person who can get mentioned is David Hamilton. It says in the article that he became very popular after his book was launched. The book was titled as "The Five Side-Effects of Kindness." It says that the book will show a person that how being kind can be good for the body. Then it talks about how people who are kind are protected against depression. It says that it also boosts happiness and enhances the immune system. The article further states that it lowers blood pressure. It also mentions that the vulnerable nerve gives the body a tune-up over time. The article then says that there are seven different ways one can benefit from kindness.

text: The following section is unnecessary and confusing: "The first person who can get mentioned is David Hamilton. It says in the article that he became very popular after his book was launched. The book was titled as "The Five Side-Effects of Kindness." It says that the book will show a person that how being kind can be good for the body." This should be removed.

refinement: The point of the article is to showcase how being kind is good for a person's health, which is described in seven separate ways. Then it talks about how people who are kind are protected against depression. It says that it also boosts happiness and enhances the immune system. The article further states that it lowers blood pressure. It also mentions that the vulnerable nerve gives the body a tune-up over time. The article then says that there are seven different ways one can benefit from kindness.

text: This sentence is redundant and should be removed: "The article then says that there are seven different ways one can benefit from kindness."

refinement: The point of the article is to showcase how being kind is good for a person's health, which is described in seven separate ways. Then it talks about how people who are kind are protected against depression. It says that it also boosts happiness and enhances the immune system. The article further states that it lowers blood pressure. It also mentions that the vulnerable nerve gives the body a tune-up over time.

text: The text says kindness improves the "vagal tone" which is a measure of how well the nervous system functions. The following sentence seems to be about that in a misleading and confusing way: It also mentions that the vulnerable nerve gives the body a tune-up over time.

refinement: The point of the article is to showcase how being kind is good for a person's health, which is described in seven separate ways. Then it talks about how people who are kind are protected against depression. It says that it also boosts happiness and enhances the immune system. The article further states that it lowers blood pressure. The article also says that kindness improves "vagal tone" which is a measure of how well the nervous system functions.

text: The answer omits two of the ways the article mentions being kind helps health.

refinement: The point of the article is to showcase how being kind is good for a person's health, which is described in seven separate ways. Then it talks about how people who are kind are protected against depression. It says that it also boosts happiness and enhances the immune system. The article further states that it lowers blood pressure. The article also says that kindness improves "vagal tone" which is a measure of how well the nervous system functions. Finally, being kind slows down aging and acts as an antidote to stress.

answer: It can protect against depression, it boosts happiness, it lowers blood pressure, it boosts the immune system, it's an antidote to stress, it slows ageing, and it tones the nervous system. It's protective. It's also cardioprotective and slows ageing at the cellular level.

text: The following section is redundant: "It's also cardioprotective and slows ageing at the cellular level."

refinement: It can protect against depression, it boosts happiness, it lowers blood pressure, it boosts the immune system, it's an antidote to stress, it slows ageing, and it tones the nervous system. It's protective.

text: The answer would be clearer if it said that kindness is helpful for a person's health in many ways instead of just saying "it's protective."

refinement: It can protect against depression, it boosts happiness, it lowers blood pressure, it boosts the immune system, it's an antidote to stress, it slows ageing, and it tones the nervous system. In short, being kind improves health in many ways - physically and mentally.

text: "Aging" is misspelled.

refinement: It can protect against depression, it boosts happiness, it lowers blood pressure, it boosts the immune system, it's an antidote to stress, it slows aging, and it tones the nervous system. In short, being kind improves health in many ways - physically and mentally.

text: Repeatedly saying "it" makes the first sentence awkward. It can be used once at the beginning, instead.

refinement: It can protect against depression, boosts happiness, lowers blood pressure, boosts the immune system, it's an antidote to stress, slows aging, and tones the nervous system. In short, being kind improves health in many ways - physically and mentally.

answer: Kindness has many benefits including the ability to protect against depression, to increase happiness, to lower blood pressure, and to tone the nervous system.

text: The answer omits three different ways being kind helps a person.

refinement: Kindness has many benefits including the ability to protect against depression, to increase happiness, to lower blood pressure, and to tone the nervous system. Additionally, it boosts the immune system and acts as an antidote to stress. Being kind also slows down aging.

text: There are three instances of unnecessary uses of "to" in the following sentence after the first use: "Kindness has many benefits including the ability to protect against depression, to increase happiness, to lower blood pressure, and to tone the nervous system."

refinement: Kindness has many benefits including the ability to protect against depression, increase happiness, lower blood pressure, and tone the nervous system. Additionally, it boosts the immune system and acts as an antidote to stress. Being kind also slows down aging.

answer: The text argues that being kind has many benefits on one's mental, emotional, and physical health. Specifically, kindness boosts happiness, lowers blood pressure, protects against depression, slows the ageing process, and tones the nervous system.

text: The answer omits two ways being kind helps health.

refinement: The text argues that being kind has many benefits on one's mental, emotional, and physical health. Specifically, kindness boosts happiness, lowers blood pressure, protects against depression, slows the ageing process, and tones the nervous system. Additionally, it acts as a boost to the immune system and as an antidote to stress.

text: "Aging" is misspelled.

refinement: The text argues that being kind has many benefits on one's mental, emotional, and physical health. Specifically, kindness boosts happiness, lowers blood pressure, protects against depression, slows the aging process, and tones the nervous system. Additionally, it acts as a boost to the immune system and as an antidote to stress.

question:
Answer the following question based on the above passage:

Summarize how being kind slows the aging process.

answer: When people practice kindness, their vagal tone tends to increase, which helps slow the aging process caused by stress. Increased vagal tone helps protect the body from stress-related damage, such as premature aging of the cardiovascular system.

text: The answer doesn't address how being kind slows the aging process. It talks about unrelated matters (vagal tone, etc.) instead.

refinement: Stress ages the cardiovascular system prematurely, and being kind lowers stress. Additionally, many aging effects are caused by free radicals, which stress also produces.

answer: Studies show that being kind prevents stress, which causes aging at the biological level. Kindness also increases vagal tone, which tones the nervous system. In this way, kindness slows the aging process.

text: The article doesn't link increased vagal tone with decreased aging. The related sentence should be removed.

refinement: Studies show that being kind prevents stress, which causes aging at the biological level. In this way, kindness slows the aging process.

text: The answer would be better by elucidating what biological processes are involved in the aging process.

refinement: Studies show that being kind prevents stress, which causes aging at the biological level. Specifically, kindness counteracts stress-related aging of the cardiovascular system as well as reducing the free radicals caused by stress. In this way, kindness slows the aging process.

answer: When we experience stress our bodies physically age faster, hair even turns white overnight.

text: hairs turning white overnight isn't a biological cause of aging, it's a consequence. The mention of it makes the answer less coherent.

refinement: When we experience stress our bodies physically age faster.

text: The answer would be better by elucidating what biological processes are involved in the aging process.

refinement: When we experience stress our bodies physically age faster. Specifically, kindness counteracts stress-related aging of the cardiovascular system as well as reducing the free radicals caused by stress.

answer:
People tend to have less stress on days they do more kindness, and vice versa.
When they do less kindness they have more stress. Stress plays a very important role when it comes to aging at the biological level, most people are familiar with the way stress can age a person. A friend once told me of a time when a driver of a car had been very abusive to her after she accidentally pulled out in front of him. It left her feeling shaken and stressed. While the acts of kindness may be a one-off event in a person's life, normally stress accumulates overtime, and this is the one thing that shouldn't be underestimated.

text: The anecdote about the author's friend and the subsequent commentary is irrelevant to the question. They should be removed.

refinement:
People tend to have less stress on days they do more kindness, and vice versa.
When they do less kindness they have more stress. Stress plays a very important role when it comes to aging at the biological level, most people are familiar with the way stress can age a person.

text: The answer would be better by elucidating what biological processes are involved in the aging process.

refinement:
People tend to have less stress on days they do more kindness, and vice versa.
When they do less kindness they have more stress. Stress plays a very important role when it comes to aging at the biological level, most people are familiar with the way stress can age a person. Specifically, kindness counteracts stress-related aging of the cardiovascular system as well as reducing the free radicals caused by stress.

text: The following sentence should be removed because it's redundant: "When they do less kindness they have more stress."

refinement:
People tend to have less stress on days they do more kindness, and vice versa.
Stress plays a very important role when it comes to aging at the biological level, most people are familiar with the way stress can age a person. Specifically, kindness counteracts stress-related aging of the cardiovascular system as well as reducing the free radicals caused by stress.

answer: When you are stressed your body tends to age faster; your hair turns white and lines start to appear on the face. This is caused by 'free radicals' which the stress produces. Kindness is an antidote to stress and hence ensures that there are fewer free radicals in the body leading to a slower aging process.

text: The answer omits misattributes the stress lines to free radicals while faster aging of the cardiovascular system is caused by stress.

refinement: When you are stressed your body tends to age faster; your hair turns white and lines start to appear on the face. This is caused by the premature aging of the cardiovascular system due to stress. Kindness is an antidote to stress and hence ensures that there are fewer free radicals in the body leading to a slower aging process.

text: The sentence and the answer would be clearer if it explicitly pointed out that free radicals are another stress-related aging process.

refinement: When you are stressed your body tends to age faster; your hair turns white and lines start to appear on the face. This is caused by the premature aging of the cardiovascular system due to stress. Kindness is an antidote to stress and hence ensures that there are fewer free radicals in the body leading to a slower aging process, which is another mechanism for stress-caused aging.


text:
[traffic camera]
trekandshoot / Dreamstime
Chicago's use of red light cameras to shake every possible cent out of its citizens took a hit this week. The city has agreed to a $38.75 million settlement to end a class action suit by people who say they hadn't been given adequate notice of violations to respond to them.

The _Chicago Tribune_ reports that as many as 1.2 million people may get refunded half of what they paid to the city.

The plaintiffs contend that the city didn't send second notices to people who had gotten red light tickets before declaring them guilty, as the regulations required. The suit also says the city was doubling the fines for late payments before it was supposed to.

The city's response to the complaint was pretty telling: It changed the ordinance so that the city didn't have to send a second notice at all. Then, to cover their asses, Chicago lawmakers passed an ordinance giving those who had gotten tickets prior to 2015 permission to challenge them. The city took in nearly $300 million from traffic camera citations in 2015; they didn't want to give up that money without a fight.

This suit was rather limited, considering the many, many problems Chicago has had with its red light and speed camera systems. The _Tribune_ has been on top of these problems:

  Zolna's suit was among half a dozen cases that followed a Chicago Tribune investigation of corruption and mismanagement within the city's $600 million red light program. The series exposed a $2 million City Hall bribery scheme that brought the traffic cameras to Chicago as well as tens of thousands of tickets that were unfairly issued to drivers.

  The investigation found malfunctioning cameras, inconsistent enforcement and millions of dollars in tickets issued purposely by City Hall even after transportation officials knew that yellow light times were dropping below the federal minimum guidelines.

  Throughout the scandal, the Emanuel administration has been reluctant to issue refunds, in some cases forcing drivers to file paperwork and apply for a rehearing process some critics have called onerous.

A former city official has even gone to prison for bribery over the implementation of the system. $10 million of the money that will pay for the settlement will come from the cash the city itself will get from the private red light camera company Redflex, in a completely different settlement over the bribery scandal.

The _Tribune_ previously researched what the cameras actually accomplished for drivers. The safety results turned out to be terrible. The city actually saw a 22 percent increase in rear-end crashes, and many of the cameras had been implemented in intersections with no notable history of problems with collisions.

Chicago's implementation of red light cameras makes it abundantly clear—if it's not already—that the purpose of these programs is not public safety but raising money for the city by sucking it out of the pockets of its citizens.

Or at least the citizens it has left. The Chicago area has been bleeding population for the past two years, losing more residents than any other major city in the country.

question: Why is Chicago being sued for the red-light tickets?

answer: The issuance of those tickets violated multiple regulation rules.

answer: The city did not give second notices to people who had gotten red-light tickets before declaring them guilty, as the regulations required.

answer: Chicago is being sued for the red-light tickets because the city did not send second notices to people who had gotten red light tickets before declaring them guilty, as the regulations required.

answer: Chicago is being sued because the plaintiffs believe that the city did not give adequate notice of violations to those who received red-light tickets, and that the fines for late payments were doubled before they were supposed to be. The city is settling the lawsuit for $38.75 million in order to avoid further legal action.

question: What is Zolna's suit?

answer: Zolna's suit is a class action suit against the city of Chicago for allegedly not giving people adequate notice of violations and overcharging them for fines.

answer: Zolna's suit was among half a dozen cases that followed a Chicago Tribune investigation of corruption and mismanagement within the city's $600 million red light program.

answer: A class action suit against the city of Chicago for not giving drivers adequate notice of violations.

answer: Zolna's suit is a class action suit against the city of Chicago.

question: What did the investigation find?

answer: The investigation found that the city was doubling the fines for late payments before it was supposed to.

answer: The investigation found malfunctioning cameras, inconsistent enforcement, and millions of dollars in tickets issued purposely by City Hall even after transportation officials knew that yellow light times were dropping below the federal minimum guidelines.

answer: The investigation found that Chicago's red light camera system was rife with corruption and mismanagement, leading to unfair tickets being issued to drivers.

answer: The safety results turned out to be terrible. The city actually saw a 22 percent increase in rear-end crashes, and many of the cameras had been implemented in intersections with no notable history of problems with collisions.

question: Who was the former city official that had gone to prison for bribery?

answer: The former city official that went to prison for bribery was John Bills, who was the former managing deputy commissioner of transportation for the city.

text: Unknown

answer:
A. Zolna
B. Emanuel
C. Redflex
D. The Chicago Tribune

text: Unknown

answer: That information can't be found.

answer: Information can't be found.

question: Write a ~3 sentence summary.

answer: At the time of the article, Chicago was being sued for its red-light camera ticket issuance. Tickets were being issued despite it not following protocol and regulations, and then to solve the problem, Chicago passed an ordinance allowing them to break those regulations. The writer makes it clear that Chicago's purpose behind the implementation of red light cameras is to raise money for the city.

answer: Chicago's use of red light cameras to shake every possible cent out of its citizens took a hit this week. The city has agreed to a $38.75 million settlement to end a class action suit by people who say they hadn't been given adequate notice of violations to respond to them. The city's response to the complaint was pretty telling: It changed the ordinance so that the city didn't have to send a second notice at all.

answer: Chicago's red light camera system has been plagued with problems, leading to a class action lawsuit and a $38.75 million settlement. The city's primary motivation for implementing the system was to generate revenue, not to improve safety. Chicago has also been experiencing a population exodus, losing more residents than any other major city in the U.S.

answer: Chicago has agreed to a $38.75 million settlement to end a class action suit by people who say they hadn't been given adequate notice of violations to respond to them. The city has been taking in nearly $300 million from traffic camera citations in 2015; they didn't want to give up that money without a fight.