Voices without Votes » Education

George Bush is a Hot Mess

Aggregated from: VivirLatino — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:12:04 +0000

I just got finished listening to the last Bush presidential press conference ever (let the celebrations begin!), and all I can do is shake my head. What a mess that man is. One of the most telling lines in the conference was when Bush talked about how "the presidency never leaves you! You can never escape it!..(blah blah blah)..Unless you ride your mountain bike really fast trying to forget" (clearly that's not an exact quote, but the general gist is there).

This man really hates being president. He really fucking hates it. All those people who said that Bush was a front for Cheney? Never believed it until this conference.

I tried to find a transcript of the conference online--but so far, this video clip of "Bushisms" is the only thing I can find.

It's sort startling to me--the reporter seems think these -isms are so cute and funny--I find them more than a bit horrifying.

Maybe someday, the press will catch up with the rest of humanity and realize it's not funny when a president talks about great job done as people drown.

The Conservative Way Forward

Aggregated from: The Strong Conservative — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 00:30:00 +0000

The current GOP leadership is clueless. I supported Newt Gingrich for president in 2008 although he didn't run, but I'm praying he will in 2012. Hopefully, democracy in America will still exist then. Watch Gingrich's very informative and challenging address to ALEC (American Legislative Exchange Council) HERE.

Let me suggest a very radical first idea that perfectly fits the reason ALEC was founded. If you would go home and identify every stupid thing the federal government is requiring you to do which wastes money, and offer them a swap: if they would pass the omnibus smart-government-and-waste avoidance act that liberated you from all the federal regulations that are stupid, you wouldn’t need them to pass you a stimulus package to send you cash because you would save more than enough cash by not having to let them micromanage you.

America, and most western governments (Canada included), are trapped in the utter stupidity of bureaucratic regulation which cripples business, stifles creativity, prolongs suffering, increases poverty, limits individual accomplishment, and endangers lives. Yes, it even COSTS lives.

Gingrich points out, "We won the Second World War in forty-four months. From December the 7th 1941, when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, to victory over Japan in August of 1945 is three years and eight months. We beat Fascist Italy, Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan in three years and eight months. It recently took 23 years to add a fifth runway to the Atlanta airport. You can’t compete in the world if you are determined to be stupid. It’s a very major problem."

The disaster known as Detroit only graduates 26% of its students, and continues to elect Democrats as it has for 58 years straight. Watch the Gingrich video linked above, it's worth it! We, not conservatives or liberals, need to make government work better because our civilization will deteriorate if we don't and our future could be in jeopardy, indeed our freedom could be doomed if we don't.

Professor President

Aggregated from: England for Obama — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 08:50:06 +0000

BBC Radio 4 recently broadcast a very interesting programme about Obama’s academic career in Harvard and Chicago. You can hear it on the iPlayer here.

China and U.S: Ideal Citizen Education

Aggregated from: Global Voices Online » U.S.A. — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 15:54:13 +0000

Russo at Frog In A Well compares conservative education program in the U.S with textbook in China from 1933-39 about “being a good citizen”.

The new and improved White House: now welcoming artists and scientists

Aggregated from: England for Obama — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 10:14:33 +0000

More great news. My bolding:

‘”Part of what we want to do is to open up the White House and remind people this is the people’s house,” Obama told NBC’s Tom Brokaw during a “Meet the Press” interview taped Saturday in Chicago.

“There is an incredible bully pulpit to be used when it comes to, for example, education: Yes, we’re going to have an education policy; yes, we’re going to be putting more money into school construction. But ultimately we want to talk about parents reading to their kids. We want to invite kids from local schools into the White House.”

The president-elect said his administration is interested in “elevating science once again, and having lectures in the White House where people are talking about traveling to the stars or breaking down atoms, inspiring our youth to get a sense of what discovery is all about.”

“Thinking about the diversity of our culture and inviting jazz musicians and classical musicians and poetry readings in the White House so that once again we appreciate this incredible tapestry that’s America,” he said.’

Barack, my ticket is booked! Does it matter that I’m not actually an American jazz musician..?

Will he find a job in Egypt for real??

Aggregated from: Egyptian chronicles — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 09:44:10 +0000

There is an Egyptian scientist who is in his home after working and living for years in the United States of America.
Moniem El-Ganayni,57 years old physicist used to work in the famous Bettis Atomic power laboratory specialized in manufacturing parts of nuclear submarines to the U.S Navy. He is a famous contributing member in the Islamic community at Pittsburgh.
You can imagine the level of science of this man to work in a place like that. Anyhow after 9/11 and his security clearance was revoked and he was fired in last May without any justification or evidence against him. Apparently his only crime is being an outspoken Islamic activist speaking against Bush and the War in Iraq.
He filed a federal suite that was dismissed by the U.S district judge in Pittsburgh. The American civil rights union is planning for appeal where as El-Ganayni and his wife returned back home on last Wednesday.
In an interview to Post Gazette in Pittsburgh El-Ganayni said that he found a job as university professor with good salary. I do not know if he was saying this in an Egyptian way to preserve his dignity or it is true. And even if it is true ,I know that this gentleman will be shocked when he works in our universities especially as a Physics professor with our poor capabilities not to mention he will be shocked by the level of security intervention in the Universities. I fear that he may face trouble with his outspoken Islamic views in the University.
Of course in a perfect world this gentleman can be very useful to our future nuclear program.
There are thousands like El-Ganayni from Physics and nuclear scientists that should return back home and help in reviving the scientific research in this country. But what you can say scientists inherited the prophets and there is no dignity for a prophet in his country !!
Anyhow welcome home Dr. El-Ganayni :)
Links :

Yahoo ! News : Clearance Lost,Muslim Scientist return home

Technorati Tags: Egypt,America,Puttsburgh,El-Ganayni,Nuclear,scientists,9/11,democracy,education,science,geek,Bettis Atomic power,Mideast,Middle East

Malia and Sasha Obama will go to Chelsea Clinton’s old school

Aggregated from: England for Obama — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 08:53:03 +0000

It’s been announced that The Cutest Children Not In My Family, Malia and Sasha Obama, will attend the private Sidwell Friends school in Washington - the same school that Chelsea Clinton went to when her parents were in the White House.

It’s also the school that Joe Biden’s grandchildren go to - and according to the HuffPo report:

“Al Gore III, the son of former Vice President Al Gore, also attended Sidwell, where tuition is $28,442 at the lower school and $29,442 at the middle and upper schools.”

Al Gore III? Who knew?! (Not that he went to Sidwell - but that there’s an Al Gore III?!)

Intellectual Elites

Aggregated from: PoliGazette — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:53:37 +0000

Much has been made of the fact that the President Elect is a Harvard man, and the Governor of Alaska went to a variety of colleges before graduating from a small state public university. Yet the great irony that the media paid no attention to was the question of which candidates were more likely to have lives that are similar to the majority of Americans. And in that case, Governor Palin is probably much more typical than Senator Obama, or many politicians, most of whom have some lucky breaks.

One of the things the Democratic party keeps telling us is that it champions good education. Harvard certainly is a good education, but it is not where most of us go. Palin’s experience is one that many of the under 40 age group can relate to. And, while it was under reported, it is worth noting that she participated in school sports and maintained a good GPA. Then there was the question of the Chicago schools. No one seems to have asked William Ayers any pointed questions about educational policy. But one more set of questions might be worth examining, if there ar actually nay investigative journalists left. Have any in the media heard of Marva Collins?

Marva Collins began making a name for her self in the 1970s. She found the Chicago public schools to be failed institutions, which were not educating black and poor children, and claimed that they were not educable. Miss Collins started inner city schooling that provided a good solid education based on classics and excellence. The pupils in her classes excelled, often reading well above grade level. Her classes stressed standard English, math, logic, literature - a good solid curriculum.

A question for the so-called journalists - Why is it that academics in Chicago are seeking out an educational failure like William Ayers, instead of an educational success like Marva Collins? Another question: Is is true that Miss Collins was able to get good results at a cost per pupil of approximately half the per pupil cost of the failing Chicago public schools? Why? Why is no one interested? Do you suppose the underlying lack of interest has something to do with the fact that both Marva Collins and Sarah Palin placed performance ahead of everything else in their educations?

Something to ponder. Yes, Harvard is good. But it isn’t the only way to get a good education.

A Terrorist by Any Other Name is Still a Terrorist

Aggregated from: PoliGazette — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:14:56 +0000

This morning National Public Progressive Radio carried a news piece on terrorist turned educator William Ayers. It is precisely what we have come to expect from the media: pleasant bromides about wonderful progressive people doing well by doing good.

To hear NPR’s Peter Overby tell it, Ayers is just a mild mannered, much revered professor of education from Chicago who is bemused that the old fogies keep remembering his wild college days. The piece cast Ayers as a successful career educator, who was, he implies, wrongly vilified by the McCain-Palin campaign. In fact, according to NPR, Ayers is a very popular educator who has successfully helped change education by focusing on children’s creative energy. So popular that the bookstore where Professor Ayers’ book signing and talk was scheduled to be held was too small, so a local church offered space (sanctuary?) for the event. The book store was well stocked with all of Ayers’ books on education, but had, they confessed to NPR, neglected to carry Ayers’ radical autobiography.

So did the thorough-going NPR investigative reporter ask any pointed questions about Ayers’ past? Not really. Just noted that the Republicans seem unhappy that Ayers wont’ apologize for his bad behavior. And to hear NPR tell it, it’s all here say anyhow, and Ayers says he’s sorry they don’t like him. See, he’s just a great guy, an educator, promoting the creative process.

Which sounds great. A good investigative reporter might have chosen to ignore the oft-repeated mad bomber angle, and look at Professor Ayers’ career and its results. Except NPR really doesn’t seem to understand what investigative reporting involves. Asking questions. Checking up on how Ayers’ educational policy has been received. How well it has succeeded in improving public school graduation rates. Perhaps how well Ayers’ policies worked in Chicago, where he’s been particularly active. Which might be of interest to listeners since both Ayers and the President Elect were active in the Chicago Annenberg Project. How the Washington DC schools think Ayers’ policies would work in their classrooms, if they aren’t using them already. Simple questions like those could probably have been researched in 45 minutes of work on a telephone if Mr. Overby can’t get around to see everyone in person.

You see, if someone at NPR had bothered to make a few phone calls, let alone visit Washington DC public schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee, they might have had some more interesting questions to ask Professor Ayers. For instance, why can’t Ayers show any improvements in graduation rates for the Chicago schools involved in the Chicago Annenberg program, or those using his educational methods? Or why does Chancellor Rhee believe that the No Child Left Behind program offers the best approach to reforming public schools in her community? Why do private and parochial school seem to have better graduation rats than the public schools. even when working with children in poor neighborhoods? These are all legitimate questions to ask an educator, but no one at NPR seemed interested in asking questions.

Black President, So What??!!

Aggregated from: The Magic of My Universe — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 02:32:22 +0000

I am sick and tired of the media reports about the election of the first African American president in the U.S, portraying it as a historical event, and improvement for the rights of Blacks in this country. Don't get me wrong, I am all for Obama, and was praying hard he wins. What annoys me though is how a lot of African Americans started reviving the black history and slavery of African Americans, making Obama's win in elections sound as a victory for all African American citizens and their ancestors who suffered during slavery era in this country. Come on y'all, Obama's ancestors were never slaves!!!! He is the son of an African Immigrant who was born & burried in Kenya.

Obama won because of his promises to the citizens of this country and not because of his skin color. Obama won because he is the hope to better the cursed economy of US and save the American dream of people.

I'm not really sure, why some people insist on bringing up the skin color & SLAVERY every time they make a comment about the presidential elections. I even started believing that some people can't look beyond their skin color!

Asia: On history and hope

Hoa Quach — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:58:16 +0000

Just hours after Barack Obama was named President-Elect, bloggers across the Pacific began recording their thoughts on the historic victory.

Malaysian blogger Kay Peng celebrated the news and comments on the sights around him.

“Earlier at Colorado Springs, I visited several election posts and had a chance to speak to a significant black activist from the county, senior pastor Rev. James McMearn. Rev. McMearn believes other African American leaders such as Rev. Jesse Jackson have made it possible for Obama to come this far. He acknowledges the transformational effect of Obama's election as the 44th President of USA.

His observation cannot be more accurate. At the Obama party, an African American woman rushed up to hug me after it was obvious that Obama has clinched the presidency. People of all ethnicity shed their tears of joy together and exchanged hugs and kisses. This is a true transformation and it has started tonight.

It is undeniable that this election is ground breaking for the United States of America. It has mobilises and motivates more Americans than any other elections in the history of American politics. He is the first African American president and the first African American presidential candidate who is able to garner massive support from across ethnicity, creed and gender.”

Peng further analyzes what contributed to President-Elect Obama’s win.

“here are several; his personality, strategy, consistency and the current political environment.

Obama's cool headed approach and demeanour was exclusively identified as an important contributor to him being seen as more presidential than his hot headed opponent.

McCain's attack on Obama lack of experience backfired when he picked Sarah Palin as his running mate. Like I have said in my previous post, the nomination of Palin will become a case study of poor political decision for many more months to come.

There is a valuable lesson for McCain to bring home from this historic contest. Do not ignore the influence and support of a growing middle ground. Many staunch republican supporters (Reagan Republicans) have deserted his campaign for moving to the extreme right of his party.

Obama's campaign is set to become a model for all election campaigns in the future. Many aspects of his campaigns will be carefully studied and copied in the future - from fund raising, organisation to his consistent political messages. The most unique part of his campaign is the spirit itself. The way Obama was able to move and motivate his supporters to be part of his Change movement is something not easily replicated. It comes from the heart.”

Indonesian blogger, Maman, comments on the power of one particular word.

“How big is the power of HOPE….don't forget, never lost the fate on the hope you have, hope is actually the biggest power you could ever have in you.
Salute for President Obama…..”

In another post, the blogger comments on what the win means for America.

“Young and charismatic but with little experience on the national level, Obama smashed through racial barriers and easily defeated Republican John McCain to become the first African-American destined to sit in the Oval Office, America's 44th president. He was the first Democrat to receive more than 50 percent of the popular vote since Jimmy Carter in 1976.”

And in the Philippines, PatricioMangubat, writes about the President-Elect’s acceptance speech that drew thousands in Chicago.

“Democratic candidate Barack Obama has just been elected the 44th U.S. President. I just finished watching Obama deliver his acceptance speech. It was a speech that I think would be the subject of study and talk for years. It’s a speech that encapsulated what Americans really hope their government would do for them–unite them and rebuild their nation from the damages wrought by years of excesses.

Truly, that speech was more than presidential. It was the most ideal speech ever to be made by a U.S. president. Faced with crises and threats of monumental proportions, Barack Obama said the right things at the right time–change can only happen, if Americans unite behind government.”

PatricioMangubat then comments on the magical “hope” word.

“Obama’s message is as clear as the summer’s day–hope and change rest in every American. It’s a message of hope, I think, not just for Americans, but also for Filipinos.

Those who hope for a better life under a better government–despair not. Evermore, Filipinos should hope that someone in the present generation would stand up and provide what we truly need–a rallying cry and a true leader who’ll put our house in order.”

Martes Morning Musica : Listen to the Children, Vote!

Aggregated from: VivirLatino — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 11:59:39 +0000

My 11 year old's school had their own presidential election. Barack Obama won by a landslide 674 to 147. My hija reports that kids were high-fiving each other.

I believe in the sanctity and privacy of the vote which is why while these kids mouthing McCain makes me shiver in fear a bit, the message is right on. See you at the voting booth!!!

Via / Slant Truth

Today's Faves: Three cheers for McCain

Solana Larsen — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 06:12:48 +0000

Voices without Votes continuously aggregates interesting links about the election from world bloggers. Our authors take turns picking their top 3 personal favorites every weekday.

Nervous about the election yet? Here's a triple dose of McCain favoritism brought to you from bloggers around the world.

1) Mexican actor, singer, and devoted Catholic, Eduardo Verástegui has been campaigning against Obama and for McCain on the basis of his anti-abortion and “traditional family value” beliefs. Numerous videos explaining his views are in circulation on the internet, including the one below. While Christian media rejoice, New York Latin culture blog, El Daily Remix, wish he would just stick to acting and stop interfering with women's rights.

Obama has rejected accusations made against him on “partial birth abortion” on the website, Fight the Smears.

2) German blogger “Hans Fritz” (aka Jan Becker) was an exchange student at a high school in Texas many years ago. He makes a film of his “homecoming” and talks to students of Tom Bean High School about who they think people in their community will vote for. Guess who.

Don't miss Hans Fritz' humorous take on the last presidential debate (where candidates “decided not to bomb Germany”).

Untitled from Jan Becker on Vimeo.

3) On Global Voices Online, Onnik Krikorian links to two separate blogs that each examine the general preference for McCain over Obama among citizens and politicians in Georgia (the country) and the Caucasus region.

From Social Science in the Caucasus:

McCain, of course, is popular in Georgia for having said “Today we all are Georgians” during the recent conflict. He has also previously visited the country, and apparently a missile was fired at his helicopter as he was flying over South Ossetia. His willingness to stand up to Russia, directly, makes him understandably popular in Georgia.

Blaine561’s Political Issues Update for Nov 02, 2008, 2 Days To Go!

Aggregated from: Blaine561's Blog — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 17:28:41 +0000

So it is only two days to go until the most important election of our modern times for our struggling planet. Though we in the rest of the world cannot vote in this election, we want to have our say in what will happen after Tuesday’s vote. The most important thing I can do is bring to light what is the most ideal we have in a free western society, is GET OUT AND VOTE, it is your duty. Please don’t take a lesson form Canadian’s who didn’t vote this election in record numbers, it has to be the other way around, it has to be a record for voting numbers.

I have been collecting video clips for the past several weeks, and I wanted my second to last posting before the election be give you the lighter side of this election, but I found some really scary stuff out their about the Republican’s VP candidate, Sarah Palin. As you saw in my last post, she’s someone to be made fun of because she opens her mouth, a lot, and nothing intelligent comes out of it. This woman is "one heatbeat from the Presidency" and what is really known about her and her extreme right-wing politics. Here is a brief collection of some of the things I found today on YouTube, …

More Jokes On You - More Comedians On John McCain and Sarah Palin

Collection SNL Tina Fey Sarah Palin Joe Biden Queen Latifah Bush Nancy Pelosi

1/2 Alec Baldwin on the bailout, taxes and republicans, Sarah Palin

2/2 Alec Baldwin on the bailout, taxes and republicans, Sarah Palin

The Sarah Palin Church Video Part One

The Sarah Palin Church Video Part Two

Sarah Palin Wasilla Church Has Kooky Prophecy Sessions

Sarah Palin has Pastor Problems!

A Witch Hunt at Sarah Palin’s church! (Thomas Muthee VIDEO)

The ultimate reason why you shouldn’t vote for Palin.

Sarah palin is scary. The Original Video.

Sarah Palin and Her Wackey Religious Beliefs Part 1

Sarah Palin and Her Wackey Religious Beliefs Part 2

Sarah Palin’s Crazy Church

Couric/ Palin CBS interview: exclusive outtakes!

Palin’s Satanic "Message from GOD"

Sarah Palin’s Pastor says God Damns Israel

Sarah Palin sat in church during anti-Jewish tirade!

Now this is the really scary video, this is the real Sarah Palin yesterday, this woman has not got a clue, … caught with her panties around her ankles. Stef Cos is not the Prime Minister of Canada, Mr. Harper should be offended with this snub. I need to end on this, it already has 503,144 views, in the end she knew her fate was seal, listen closely to her final comments, and her tone of voice, "Oh my God, I really screwed up this time!"

Sarah Palin Got Pranked

More to come from Blaine561

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Blaine561’s Political Issues Update for Oct. 12, 2008, 23 Days To Go!

Aggregated from: Blaine561's Blog — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 21:43:24 +0000

Blaine561 here with my latest updates on the political issues facing our world, …

Here are some things I found on the Internet today, I thought would keep it onthe lighter side, but please don’t forget, there is nothing light about this election.

http://www.thegreatschlep.com/site/index.html

The Great Schlep aims to have Jewish grandchildren visit their grandparents in Florida, educate them about Obama, and therefore swing the crucial Florida vote in his favor. Don’t have grandparents in Florida? Not Jewish? No problem! You can still become a schlepper and make change happen in 2008, simply by talking to your relatives about Obama.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgHHX9R4Qtk - 700,000+ views

The Great Schlep from The Great Schlep on Vimeo.

Paid for by the Jewish Council for Education and Research, www.jcer.info, not authorized by any candidate or candidates committee.

TALKING POINTS

Whether you’re visiting in person (Great Schlep)
or making a phone call (Mini Schlep) here are some ways
to talk to your grandparent about Obama…besides loudly.

Biography

Foreign Affairs

Barack ♥ Israel and so do you.

Patriotism

He’s Black! Let’s talk about it!

Social Security

Taxes

Women

Countdown: Sarah Silverman

Sarah Silverman - Letterman Interview

Sarah Silverman - Niteline Interview

This started as a post on something I heard on CBC this morning, but has blossumed into an collection of funny and informative clips on the curent US election. I do not own a TV at the moment so I was seeing these videos with a fresh eye, though I have seen short clips on CNN.com Live. Please, don’t get me started on television, that’s another post on my list. But, as David Letterman said, "The road to the White House goes through his show!" and to ditch an appearance, a month before the election, and then lies about it, is not the dumbest thing to do, getting caught in makeup on another CBS studio set, in the same building, waiting to go on the air with Katie Couric. Now that’s not only dumb, that’s rude.

Letterman: Roasts, Trashes, Attacks, and Mocks McCain For Canceling Late Show Appearance And Appearing With Couric Instead - 3,034,878 views

NBC Is Letterman mad at McCain?

Letterman slams McCain for second night

John McCan cheats America and David Letterman

Craig Ferguson on McCain suspending his Campaign

CBS News not happy with David Letterman

David Letterman’s top 10 questions you would ask John McCain

David Letterman Sarah Palin Top 10 September 25, 2008

Late Show: The Sarah Palin Debate Recap - this one is really funny!

The Jokes On You - Comedians on John McCain and Sarah Palin - Part 1

David Letterman’s Old Jokes Against John McCain

Well, after that one I followed a thread to find out about what was being said about the next President of the United States, Sarah Palin. This really scares me and should most of my readers, that, as Jack so eloquently puts it, "is just one heart beat away from being president", should even be on the ticket, yips!

Matt Damon Rips Sarah Palin

A few thoughts from Jack Cafferty on CNN, …

Jack Cafferty Tells Us How He Really Feels About Sarah Palin - Jack Cafferty on CNN, September 26, 2008

Jack Cafferty Loves Sarah Palin, Part II

Jack Cafferty Empties His Sarah Palin Mailbag

Cafferty: Does McCain Undercut His Own Message With VP Pick?

Jack Cafferty Not Letting Up On Sarah Palin

Countdown: Sarah Palin is Just Like George W. Bush

Let’s give Sarah the last word on this and let you decide:

CBS Sarah Palin interview

And this is what SNL gets to do with it, … in her own words, …

SNL Sarah Palin Interview vs Real Sarah Palin

SNL Spoof - Tina Fey - Katie Couric

Now this is just funny, especially to us baby-boomers

The Ballad of Sarah Palin

Is McCain Palin’s Bitch?

Sarah Palin: An Introduction

Sarah Palin: Maverick to Nowhere

This last weeks of the campaign is going to see a lot more nasty, doublespeak from the trailing McCain/Palin ticket against Barak Obama along the lines of this, but what will only inflame voters to actually go out and vote this time. I hope so!

McCain’s Britney Spears Ad Against Obama

Paris Hilton & Barack Obama Reply to McCain Ads

McCain’s Paris Hilton Ad Creates Stir

So you know what Barak Obama stands for, watch his appearance (which he showed up for) with David Letterman.

Late Show - Sen. Barack Obama - 610,955 views September 11, 2008

I’ll end with this, …

McCain’s YouTube Problem Just Became a Nightmare - 6,832,118 views

The video that should sink John McCain’s presidential dreams - 300,443 views

It’s time for you to decide, America, the world is watching what you do, for good or for bad. Vote this time, make a difference, …

Blaine561

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