Iraqi Voters Keep Faith in Democracy despite Pessimism

As a legal and strategy consultant to Southern Crux, attorney Sujey Kallumadanda advises stakeholders in the public and private sectors of Iraq. Previously Sujey Kallumadanda was the in-country director for the International Republican Institute, which promotes and strengthens democracy around the world.

In December 2020, the institute released a poll of Iraqi citizens that indicated widespread pessimism about the country’s future and the health of its electoral organizations. Despite this lack of faith, however, many respondents held positive attitudes about democracy itself.

The poll showed that 66 percent of Iraqis feel the nation is going in the wrong direction, with slightly more doubting the future of Iraq’s youth while 77 percent described the condition of Iraq’s democracy as very bad or bad. Moreover, 94 percent distrusted political parties, with similar results for the Iraqi parliament (83 percent) and the Independent High Election Commission (74 percent).

However, 76 percent of survey-takers were registered to vote and 62 percent said it was important. Thirty-six percent of Iraqis believe that ordinary people can affect governmental decisions.

After the survey was published, the Iraqi cabinet postponed parliamentary elections from June 6 to October 10, 2021. This is actually earlier than the planned 2022 vote, which was moved up after protests over the current political system. Twenty-one party coalitions filed for a total of 3,429 candidates, including 951 women.

Texas A&M Lacrosse Coach Records 500th Victory

An international legal and strategy consultant at Southern Crux, LLC, Sujey Kallumadanda provides advisory services to stakeholders related to private sector organizations and the government in Iraq. Sujey Kallumadanda earned his juris doctor from Michigan State University, prior to which he studied economics at Texas A&M University and won two championships playing on its lacrosse team under head coach Tony Scazzero.

A New York native and former Division I player at Cornell University, Scazzero was hired as coach of the Texas A&M men’s lacrosse team in 1978 and has maintained that role for more than 40 years. Scazzero was named 2018 Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association (MCLA) Coach of the Year and, in February 2019, registered his 500th victory as coach when the Aggies scored a 15-8 win over Texas State University.

Through his 41 seasons as Texas A&M head coach, Scazzero has guided the team to eight MCLA National Championships and left a lasting impact on numerous athletes. He expects a lot out of his players and works hard to help them build character and learn from their mistakes, both on and off the field. In addition to his role as coach at Texas A&M, Scazzero is a former MCLA president.

Kayak Paddling Techniques for Rapids

Based in Houston, Sujey Kallumadanda is an attorney who provides legal and strategy consultancy services to international clients through Southern Crux LLC. Passionate about outdoor activities such as camping and hunting, Sujey Kallumadanda also enjoys kayaking in his free time.

One fundamental skill that all river kayakers should have, whether or not they focus on whitewater adventures, is how to navigate rapids. One of the key elements of keeping the kayak upright in potentially dangerous fast-moving water is to stay centered. This involves ensuring that shoulders and hips are in line and the torso is relaxed.

In order to avoid getting spun or flipping, focus on employing a low brace paddle, which involves an arched back and upright position. The paddle is held near to the navel across the boat, with the elbows lifted above the hands, similar to a classic scarecrow pose.

One blade’s backside is kept in the water, with the boat tilted as required through shifting weight in one direction, while pressing the opposite bent knee into the hull. In this way, tilt is controlled by the hips, with the paddle blade moved steady and flat on the water back and forth to maintain balance.