SPRINGFIELD — As he looked at his daughters — who were just 6 and 9 years old when he took office in January 2008, and are now in college — Mayor Domenic J. Sarno reflected on his administration’s achievements over the past 12 years.
“This is the fifth time I have taken this oath and as of today I am the longest serving mayor in the city of Springfield’s 384 year history,” …more: masslive
In this Historical
inauguration ceremony Imam Wissam Abdul Baki Prayed:
“O God of Abraham -Allah- on whom we all rely on for our lives, our families , our
communities, our land, and for our inner peace and success, help us all to be responsible creatures to you, fulfilling our obligations — both as individuals and as a society . O God, Allah in Arabic, give us the humility and the good sense to be fair and merciful with ourselves and with everyone. Bless Mayor Domenic Sarno, bless the Cabinet and all the public servants. Help Mayor Sarno to make Springfield the best city in America. Help him and help his wife to help him”.
America and dancing don’t really jive. In fact, the history of nightlife in the US is littered with rules and regulations attempting to curtail the activity. In the hyper-Christian America of the mid-1800s, publicly gyrating with a partner was forbidden in numerous cities and towns; and for much of the 20th century, it was illegal to dance with a member of the same-sex. Even today, regulations like the Cabaret law in New York—used at various points since the 1920s to target…MORE: 
wide margin — 11,848 votes to 3,587 — but said victories feel short-lived as the mayor of an urban center.
It is a shame that so few Chinese remember General Bai Chongxi, a brilliant tactician during the war against Japan in 1937-45. He showed China that it is possible to be at once a patriot and a devoted Muslim. Bai was a complicated figure. A warlord capable of ruthlessness, he was also a reformer who wanted education to free his fellow Chinese Muslims from isolation and poverty. As a commander of Kuomintang (or Nationalist) troops, he was involved in massacres of Communists. Still, when Chaguan this week visited Bai’s home town in Guangxi province, in the south, locals praised his victories over the Japanese. ..MORE:
The World If is an annual collection of scenarios in the fields of politics, business, technology and history. Just suppose… Click to reveal the cover. Politics. If France’s reforms succeeded. Suppose France’s president manages to transform his country and his continent. Politics. If Thailand had a reformed monarchy….more: 