Gary C Fouse

DeSantis scores victory at Big Diamond

DeSantis was at the helm of the fast Harvey Butler-owned No. 88d mount, and earned $2,000 for his 21st career victory at the Schuylkill County oval in the 25-lap Station House-sponsored event.

The eighth-starting DeSantis, at the wheel of his Lombardo-powered Teo-Pro car, had to chase race leader Mike Gular's Eastern Rigging No. 53 for the initial eight rounds. DeSantis, using the high lane, had to pass front runners Colt Harris, Rick Laubach and Craig VonDohren for the lead when a four-to-go caution bunched the field.

But DeSantis was not to be denied, as he stormed under the checkered flag for a much-deserved victory ahead of Laubach, VonDohren, Gular and Keith Hoffman of Whitehall, Pa. Then came Colt Harris, Glenn Strunk, Billy Pauch Jr., Jeff Strunk and Kevin Albert Jr. of Lebanon.

Ray Woodall Jr. of Easton, claimed the 20-lap U.S.S. Achey Sportsman Modified feature, using his front row starting spot to grab the lead and lead the parade to his third career Big Diamond victory. He finished ahead of popular driver Doug Hendricks, Mike Lisowski, Stephen Hughes and past champion Craig Whitmoyer, who was fifth. The Wooden Keg-sponsored Roadrunner 20-lap contest was won by Ed Kuperavage of Port Carbon, followed by Ryan Olenick, Glenn Rowan, Kevin Olenick and Jon Schlauch.

Grandview Speedway û Duane Howard of Oley scored his fourth 358-Modified victory in the 30-lap Whelen Engineering-sponsored NASCAR All American sanctioned feature race at Grandview Speedway on Saturday night.

The Duane Howard / Simone BPG #4 Racing team collected $2,500 for the win and Howard maintained his first-place point standing, providing an exciting feature event, and rubbing tires with runner-up Craig VonDohren. Howard finished ahead of VonDohren, Jeff Strunk, Ryan Godown and DeSantis. The Whelen-sponsored Late Model 20-lap feature winner was Randy Stoudt of Pottstown, finishing ahead of Ron Kline, Chuck Schultz, Danny Snyder and Kory Fleming.

Linda's Speedway û Paul Maxcy of Middlesex, NJ was the class of the field, piloting his Rich McKay owned 600 Micro Sprint speedster, to the front of the 25-lap RTS Sponsored Linda's Speedway contest, finishing way ahead of Brett Peters, Tom Kohler, Brian Carter and Mike Dicely.

fousesquawk: A Comparison Between Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia

Is there Islamophobia in the US (depending how you define it)? In my view there is. Given world events, it is unavoidable. Yet, the article makes a crucial point. What is the true level of Muslim victimization in the US? It is low, not rising, and to include the prosecution of the so-called Irvine Eleven is absurd. The fact is that the American people, with few exceptions, have not translated their anger, suspicion, fear, or whatever you want to call it into carrying out acts of hate against Muslims-which would be wrong in the first place. The American people get that. Born in 1945, native of Southern California. Spent 3 years in US Army 1966-68 as military policeman in Erlangen, Germany. 1970-73, US Customs Agent, 1973-1995, DEA Agent. I was stationed in LA, Bangkok, Milan, Italy, Pittsburgh and Washington DC area (DEA Training.) Retired in 1995. Since then, I have been teaching English as a Second Language (since 1998 at the University of Calif at Irvine.) I have also written 3 books which are: The Languages of the former Soviet republics-their history and development (University Press of America, 2000) The Story of Papiamentu-a study in slavery and language (UPA-2002) and Erlangen-an American's history of a German town (UPA-2005). In addition, I have published the following articles: Kompa Nanzi and Brer Rabbit-Two Tricksters and Their Fates-Published in Carib Kaleidoscope, 2003. Slavery and the Development of Papiamentu- published in Journal of Caribbean Literatures, summer 2007.

Erlangen, an American's history of a German town

The languages of the former Soviet republics, their history and development

The story of Papiamentu, a study in slavery and language

Language problems & language planning

Interdisciplinary Bibliographic Guide to Black Studies