Severe storms followed by a cold front.
I just don't run the equipment during these storms, at least not for this purpose.
Later, I want to get this done, so hopefully it will just be delayed.
Thank you.
Sunday, July 27, 2014
Israel : "Hamas will never stop fighting even if all concessions are made."
That might be the case, but, currently Israel is reading minds and not living up to it's responsibility according to many international documents. Israel is in a very poor set of circumstances and it was all self created. Israel is the aggressor and if there is so much hate and rage the fighting will never stop, then Israel created a paradigm of genocide to the Palestinian people.
Are there not extremists in Saudi Arabia or any other country on Earth? Were there not massacres no one ever expected by those that hate?
Palestine, in it's current state cannot control their extremists. That is not an excuse, but, more a reason to resolve all concessions to the Palestinian Authority.
Currently, Israel is more an extremist than Hamas could ever be.
Are there not extremists in Saudi Arabia or any other country on Earth? Were there not massacres no one ever expected by those that hate?
Palestine, in it's current state cannot control their extremists. That is not an excuse, but, more a reason to resolve all concessions to the Palestinian Authority.
Currently, Israel is more an extremist than Hamas could ever be.
Hamas sees no profit in ending the violence and they are correct. If they agree to a complete ceasefire what have they gained? The right to allow those still alive to continuing living? That would put them right back where they started or worse.
The Palestinian leadership MUST demand the end to Israel's stalling of settling the borders and providing access to allow Palestine to develop their country and instill an economy.
This is where it all gets lost and why the violence continues. Every time there is an incursion by Israel, the SAME TERMS are demanded; "Hamas ends the violence and Israel will end the violence." End of negotiations. Why would that change the future of those fighting Israel? It doesn't. It only allows Israel to continue it's aggression into the West Bank with settlements and puts the Palestinian people further behind in what they call 'their land.'
Hamas isn't going to stop and they don't care if Israel states they are terrorists. Hamas knows what they are doing and they do see the Palestinian leadership as weak. They have lost ground, literally, for decades and it is becoming more and more difficult to see the future.
The Palestine leadership are good people, but, they must demand borders and rights to access to the world even through the fighting. This is over. Either Israel commits to what is Palestine's right to exist and stops occupying it's land or the fighting may never cease. Does Israel think simply because they own all the land and occupy all the land the fighting will stop? That is foolishness and greed.
The Palestinian leadership MUST demand the end to Israel's stalling of settling the borders and providing access to allow Palestine to develop their country and instill an economy.
This is where it all gets lost and why the violence continues. Every time there is an incursion by Israel, the SAME TERMS are demanded; "Hamas ends the violence and Israel will end the violence." End of negotiations. Why would that change the future of those fighting Israel? It doesn't. It only allows Israel to continue it's aggression into the West Bank with settlements and puts the Palestinian people further behind in what they call 'their land.'
Hamas isn't going to stop and they don't care if Israel states they are terrorists. Hamas knows what they are doing and they do see the Palestinian leadership as weak. They have lost ground, literally, for decades and it is becoming more and more difficult to see the future.
The Palestine leadership are good people, but, they must demand borders and rights to access to the world even through the fighting. This is over. Either Israel commits to what is Palestine's right to exist and stops occupying it's land or the fighting may never cease. Does Israel think simply because they own all the land and occupy all the land the fighting will stop? That is foolishness and greed.
Israel has to make concessions. Ending the killing isn't enough.
Israel must set borders and remove settlements.
By Isabel Kershner and Ben Hubbard
...On Sunday afternoon, (click here) Hamas backtracked on its earlier rejection of the temporary cease-fire and said the “resistance groups” would agree to a 24-hour truce starting at 2 p.m. local time. A Hamas official in Gaza released a statement saying that Hamas’s decision came “in response to the intervention of the United Nations” and out of understanding for the people of Gaza who are preparing for Eid al-Fitr, the holiday that ends Ramadan. There was no immediate response to Hamas’s statement from Israel....
By Isabel Kershner and Ben Hubbard
...On Sunday afternoon, (click here) Hamas backtracked on its earlier rejection of the temporary cease-fire and said the “resistance groups” would agree to a 24-hour truce starting at 2 p.m. local time. A Hamas official in Gaza released a statement saying that Hamas’s decision came “in response to the intervention of the United Nations” and out of understanding for the people of Gaza who are preparing for Eid al-Fitr, the holiday that ends Ramadan. There was no immediate response to Hamas’s statement from Israel....
Saturday, July 26, 2014
A ceasefire is not defeat. Not even close to a defeat.
Hamas has made the world take notice of the dedication the Palestinian people have to their homeland, to their past; now it needs to demonstrate it's dedication to their children's future. Hamas and the Palestinians are no longer alone, regarded as important to the world and the world seeks to bring the future, a bright future to the children of Palestine.
A ceasefire is a time to breath the air, clear the mind and take account of what has been won. Dignity. Dignity is not a small commodity to discard on an international scale. It is time for the Palestinian people to end the 'conflict at all costs' and allow the world to help heal their land. It is time for Palestinian leaders to plan for the future and bring safety to the people they love.
Palestine has taken the moral high ground. The world now knows Israel is wrong in persecuting the Palestinian people. There is much to be settled including permanent borders for Palestine and help in developing a strong economy. Helping Palestine become a nation separate from Israel while building a future for the Palestinian children is the only way the world knows how to apologize for the decades of suffering.
Palestine has taken the moral high ground. The world now knows Israel is wrong in persecuting the Palestinian people. There is much to be settled including permanent borders for Palestine and help in developing a strong economy. Helping Palestine become a nation separate from Israel while building a future for the Palestinian children is the only way the world knows how to apologize for the decades of suffering.
July 26, 2014
By Alexandra Zavis, Batsheva Sobelman
A brief lull in fighting (click here) Saturday sent Palestinians in the battered Gaza Strip flocking to shops and banks and surging into devastated neighborhoods to search for missing relatives and recover belongings.
Wails arose and the stench of death hung in the air as scores of bodies were pulled from under rubble where they had lain for days. Palestinian officials said the death toll in the 19-day offensive had risen above 1,000, mostly civilians, with the recovery of corpses from areas previously cut off by fighting.
On the Israeli side of the frontier, the break from volleys of rocket fire provided a psychological lift, at least temporarily easing the necessity of rushing for shelter whenever air raid sirens sounded.
At the request of the United Nations, Israel's Cabinet approved an additional 24-hour cessation in fighting to begin at midnight, government officials announced. But they cautioned that Israel would "respond to any violations."...
Israel's propagandist. He needs to be fired.
By Josh Horowitz
July 25, 2014
...Because (click here) of Mr. Dermer’s unabashed hawkishness and his role in organizing Mitt Romney’s 2012 visit to Israel, White House officials — including Denis McDonough, President Obama’s chief of staff — long resisted his appointment, according to people close to the administration. But in the renewed push last year for peace between Israelis and Palestinians, Secretary of State John Kerry, who attended Mr. Dermer’s Passover Seder this spring, thought having a Netanyahu confidant close at hand would present an opportunity to sway the prime minister.
That turned out to be a misreading. Nearly 10 months after Mr. Dermer became ambassador, it is clear in Washington that he is his boss’s ideological twin. “I can authoritatively speak for the prime minister here,” he said during a nearly two-hour interview on Thursday in the heavily fortified Israeli Embassy in Washington. “I think people understand that.”...
Who dumped Netanyahu's puppet at the doorstep of the USA State Department?
Evidently, the USA is suppose to follow his ? lead ? and abandon all conventions on the planet to satisfy an Israel government out of control and determined to destroy any hopes of a Palestinian homeland. His views are blind to any other outcome, except of that of Netanyahu. He is corrupt. He has to go. Can the USA State Department please get someone other than a puppet for the ambassadorship of Israel? It would be refreshing.
My god the money the Israel's PACTs are willing to spend to undermine peace is incredible. I tell you what, just let Israel pay Dermer's salary and the deal will be complete.
Secretary Kerry has been a champion for human rights for as long as he has been in office, regardless of what capacity. He should have smelled this one coming.
How many in North Carolina realize a large water source is polluted?
The quality of water (click here) for downstream communities like Fayetteville and Wilmington is at risk while Jordan Lake remains polluted. For example, researchers at UNC-Wilmington have found blue-green
algae, or toxic cyanobacteria, more than 300 times the levels considered safe by the World Health Organization in the Cape Fear River, which flows downstream from Jordan Lake.
I mean McCrory just can't seem to stop toxic Duke Energy sludge and he can't seem to clean up Jordan Lake for consumers that rely on it for drinking water. I doubt the President of the NC Senate ever gave water quality a thought.
Then again with Jordan Lake connected to all these lands in NC, it really should be a worry for everyone. The federal agencies have done their job in assessing the poor water quality. It really is up to the state to 'get on board' with making things better. Somehow with the toxic sludge problem and the lack of stewardship of the state, it is understandable how Jordan Lake never gets attention.
algae, or toxic cyanobacteria, more than 300 times the levels considered safe by the World Health Organization in the Cape Fear River, which flows downstream from Jordan Lake.
I mean McCrory just can't seem to stop toxic Duke Energy sludge and he can't seem to clean up Jordan Lake for consumers that rely on it for drinking water. I doubt the President of the NC Senate ever gave water quality a thought.
Then again with Jordan Lake connected to all these lands in NC, it really should be a worry for everyone. The federal agencies have done their job in assessing the poor water quality. It really is up to the state to 'get on board' with making things better. Somehow with the toxic sludge problem and the lack of stewardship of the state, it is understandable how Jordan Lake never gets attention.
Drainage areas Location (square miles) Haw River at US 64 near Pittsboro, NC -------------------- 1,296 (click here) Haw River at B. Everett Jordan Dam ----------------------- 1,690 Deep River at Moncure, NC -------------------------------- 1,434 Deep River at mouth near Haywood, NC --------------------- 1,441 Cape Fear River at Lillington, NC ------------------------ 3,464 Cape Fear River at Fayetteville, NC ---------------------- 4,395 Cape Fear River at William O. Huske Lock and Dam No. 3---- 4,852 Cape Fear River at Lock and Dam No. 2 -------------------- 5,017 Cape Fear River at Lock and Dam No. 1 -------------------- 5,255 Cape Fear River at Brunswick River at Wilmington, NC ----- 8,760 Cape Fear River at Mouth --------------------------------- 9,140
Child refugees coming to the USA.
There are many, many reasons these children are FORCED to abandon their country and their families. None of which are even within the understanding of the average American, but, let me try to explain.
The obvious reasons they are leaving their homelands to travel a very dangerous and perilous route is due to drug wars. They are situated in a vitally important area of the 'drug universe' where transportation of drugs occurs. These 'gangs' are not necessarily at all tied to the major drug cartels some are freelancing their incomes. So, even if the large cartels are dismantled there is no guarantee the wars within these countries will end. There is no 'head of the snake' in many instances.
To better illustrate I think of Nigeria. The oil in Nigeria is pumped out of the ground by Big Oil and the government receives some of the monies for it, however, the monies OR jobs never make it to the citizens whom remain impoverished. In the past the citizens of Nigeria would rise up against Big Oil and seek to kill them as their food and water sources were polluted and they were dying, no differently than Ecuador. In Ecuador the people accepted their fate and allowed anti-oil and pro-citizen groups to fight the good fight in the courts. The citizens are winning although the struggle continues.
But, to return to Nigeria. The citizens surrendered. They found they were being massacred by their own government and even when the courts ordered payment to the country for the peril of the citizens, the government was corrupt and those monies never made it to the citizens. When they gave up they still needed an income to live. Men pride themselves in raising their family and providing clear water, air and food was still a priority. So, the men of Nigeria decided they would seek their own oil (As Boka Haram has coveted gold in the north of the country.) and develop their own primitive processing. They harvested the oil in crude and dangerous ways accepting the fact they could die doing it and if not then sometime in the future as their exposure would cause cancers. But, they do it anyway as a means of supporting their families with hopes of finding a better life for their children. This atrocity is happening now.
The same dynamic holds true in Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and to a lesser extent in Belize. Belize at least is propagating a healthy tourist trade along it's coast so the impoverishment and violence is along the border with Guatemala as it spills over.
So, that is the plight of the globally impoverished. They accept adversity in their lives in order to find a way of life. That is their quality of life. It is a depraved method of quality of life, but, is reality.
So why don't countries such as Guatemala and Honduras or Nigeria simply round up these criminal networks and keep them forever in prison? The USA does it. Three strikes and your in for life. Why not everyone else?
August 13, 2013
By Ezra Klein and Evan Soltas
...The average inmate (click here) in minimum security federal prison costs $21,000 each year. The average inmate in maximum - security prisons costs $33,000 each year....
Why are prisons aboard used in rendition? Why are pirsons abroad considered torture? Why do other countries with such prisons accepting payment from the USA to house those the USA believes dangerous? Why, indeed. The 'way of life' of those in Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador is considered illegal in the USA, but, it is a way of life and the USA does consume the drugs these 'gangs' bring to the USA.
So, like it or not the USA is directly responsible for the children now refugees to our southern border. Make no mistake these children are coming to the USA southern border because they want to live while the rest of the USA accepts the drug sales as recreation. AND. Drug sales in the USA is also a 'way of life' for those that sell them.
As far as diseases these children refugees carry (OH, yeah. Changing the definitions of refugee in DC DOES NOT change the reality.); there is nothing they are afflicted with the USA can't handle. Eboli is spreading in western Africa, but, is still contained. And here is a thought. If Eboli ever did make it to The West, the disease might actually be defeated.
The Republicans thrive on fear and to that end they are always scaredy cats, refuse to face any reality of the situation and are convinced if DC 'words everything correctly' and turns the USA into a police state, they will have heaven at their doorstep. Republicans don't live with reality, they live everyday of their lives in a dreamscape. That is not a good place to be. It causes more problems than it solves. But, whoever accused Republicans of solving problems.
The bottom line is these small countries can't solve the problems of the refugees. Having children become refugees IS THE ANSWER. Solve that and the problems take care of themselves.
The man without the answer rather play games with congressional proceedings for distraction, political momentum to the polls by the base and amusement (including racism and bigotry). Elect them again and the USA will continue to have the same problems.
One other thing, when I thought it through I was happy about the National Guard was at the southern border; at least USA Wackos won't be shooting anyone as they cross the Rio Grande.
The obvious reasons they are leaving their homelands to travel a very dangerous and perilous route is due to drug wars. They are situated in a vitally important area of the 'drug universe' where transportation of drugs occurs. These 'gangs' are not necessarily at all tied to the major drug cartels some are freelancing their incomes. So, even if the large cartels are dismantled there is no guarantee the wars within these countries will end. There is no 'head of the snake' in many instances.
To better illustrate I think of Nigeria. The oil in Nigeria is pumped out of the ground by Big Oil and the government receives some of the monies for it, however, the monies OR jobs never make it to the citizens whom remain impoverished. In the past the citizens of Nigeria would rise up against Big Oil and seek to kill them as their food and water sources were polluted and they were dying, no differently than Ecuador. In Ecuador the people accepted their fate and allowed anti-oil and pro-citizen groups to fight the good fight in the courts. The citizens are winning although the struggle continues.
But, to return to Nigeria. The citizens surrendered. They found they were being massacred by their own government and even when the courts ordered payment to the country for the peril of the citizens, the government was corrupt and those monies never made it to the citizens. When they gave up they still needed an income to live. Men pride themselves in raising their family and providing clear water, air and food was still a priority. So, the men of Nigeria decided they would seek their own oil (As Boka Haram has coveted gold in the north of the country.) and develop their own primitive processing. They harvested the oil in crude and dangerous ways accepting the fact they could die doing it and if not then sometime in the future as their exposure would cause cancers. But, they do it anyway as a means of supporting their families with hopes of finding a better life for their children. This atrocity is happening now.
The same dynamic holds true in Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and to a lesser extent in Belize. Belize at least is propagating a healthy tourist trade along it's coast so the impoverishment and violence is along the border with Guatemala as it spills over.
So, that is the plight of the globally impoverished. They accept adversity in their lives in order to find a way of life. That is their quality of life. It is a depraved method of quality of life, but, is reality.
So why don't countries such as Guatemala and Honduras or Nigeria simply round up these criminal networks and keep them forever in prison? The USA does it. Three strikes and your in for life. Why not everyone else?
August 13, 2013
By Ezra Klein and Evan Soltas
...The average inmate (click here) in minimum security federal prison costs $21,000 each year. The average inmate in maximum - security prisons costs $33,000 each year....
Why are prisons aboard used in rendition? Why are pirsons abroad considered torture? Why do other countries with such prisons accepting payment from the USA to house those the USA believes dangerous? Why, indeed. The 'way of life' of those in Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador is considered illegal in the USA, but, it is a way of life and the USA does consume the drugs these 'gangs' bring to the USA.
So, like it or not the USA is directly responsible for the children now refugees to our southern border. Make no mistake these children are coming to the USA southern border because they want to live while the rest of the USA accepts the drug sales as recreation. AND. Drug sales in the USA is also a 'way of life' for those that sell them.
As far as diseases these children refugees carry (OH, yeah. Changing the definitions of refugee in DC DOES NOT change the reality.); there is nothing they are afflicted with the USA can't handle. Eboli is spreading in western Africa, but, is still contained. And here is a thought. If Eboli ever did make it to The West, the disease might actually be defeated.
The Republicans thrive on fear and to that end they are always scaredy cats, refuse to face any reality of the situation and are convinced if DC 'words everything correctly' and turns the USA into a police state, they will have heaven at their doorstep. Republicans don't live with reality, they live everyday of their lives in a dreamscape. That is not a good place to be. It causes more problems than it solves. But, whoever accused Republicans of solving problems.
The bottom line is these small countries can't solve the problems of the refugees. Having children become refugees IS THE ANSWER. Solve that and the problems take care of themselves.The man without the answer rather play games with congressional proceedings for distraction, political momentum to the polls by the base and amusement (including racism and bigotry). Elect them again and the USA will continue to have the same problems.
One other thing, when I thought it through I was happy about the National Guard was at the southern border; at least USA Wackos won't be shooting anyone as they cross the Rio Grande.
Friday, July 25, 2014
It's been too long and very one sided.
My heart aches for what is happening in the Middle East, but, there have been many deaths in Palestine while they have held onto a promise of peace.
Hamas has been demonized long enough. The people of Gaza has suffered a great deal and the man once responsible for striving to a peace to remove settlements from Gaza never wanted this. He never wanted the continued conflict and the continued deaths of innocent people. It is time the world pay attention to this one sided conflict that always has dead Palestinian citizens.
I am as concerned as the Palestinian leaders for the rage of the people. But, there is a reason why that rage exists. Granted it is very scary. It can get out of control. But, the people of Palestine have to be taken seriously. They are brave people dedicated to their homeland. They have suffered long enough.
I am grateful there is a 72 hour ceasefire. I hold hope dear the ceasefire will be extended and the hopes of the Palestinian people will take shape and borders will be clear, stable and far more than a promise.
The world has held Israel in high esteem and rightfully so. The world has provided for a permanent homeland for Hebrew children. It is time Palestinian children have the same promise of life and happiness. They deserve a homeland no different than Israeli children. They deserve to have permanent borders to insure their future.
A Two State Solution is the only way forward and every Israeli leader that have come before recognized that. It is time to embrace unconditionally the Palestinian people, provide for their access to develop an economy and TRUST them. It is time to trust them.
The civilized world has provided for safety for Israel, but, they have not embraced a two state solution to an end the children of Palestine deserve. There cannot be a single country with two nations of people. The Palestinians will disappear.
The United Nations has spoken loudly over and over, when a people are diluted of culture, genetics, religious devotion it is a threat to the very people themselves.
This is over. Palestinians have to have a nation to themselves to propagate their culture, develop an economy with promise for their children. The indignity of digging tunnels and plotting war against another race of people is over. The final days when this is over will be difficult for some and it may not be neat and orderly, but, the Palestinian people will have a nation where they have dignity and respect.
It is time and it is time to have faith in those engaged in proving their need for a homeland. I trust them. The world needs to trust them and hear them.
The Ryan Plan is extreme.
By Reihan Salam
...While I can’t speak (click here) to what Ryan does in his off hours, I can say that he does believe in the safety net, as he made clear in an address to the conservative American Enterprise Institute on Thursday. There are conservatives who accept the existence of a social safety net begrudgingly, as a concession to political reality that nevertheless offends their libertarian convictions. These are the guys who damn Franklin Delano Roosevelt while adjusting their monocles. And then there are those who, like Ryan, believe that a safety net in good working order is crucial to a healthy economy. Where Ryan parts company from most liberals is in his understanding of what it means for the safety net to be in good working order....
Very true. Rep. Ryan does believe in a social safety net which is a new reality for someone so focused on the national budget.
Rep. Ryan has an interesting approach in consolidating resources to fund a catapult into the future for those Poor and in the Lower Middle Class. I don't dislike the 'idea' (can't say it is new), however, it is extreme in it's approach.
If Rep. Ryan is serious about this 'new consolidation' of resources THE ONLY REASONABLE way of deploying such a plan is to make it a 'trial model' in some areas of the country. Even in such a Trial Model, it would have to be the option of the Social Worker and the recipient of social support to venture into this attempt to change the way a social safety net is employed.
Realizing the USA working class is grossly underpaid with health care needs underfunded in many states it is not prudent to trash the entire current social safety net. But, there is nothing to say for Trial Model for Rep. Ryan's idea which would need autonomous funding. Rep. Ryan needs to bring his idea to the Congress rewritten to bring about a Trial Model which would take additional funding. As the Trial Model is employed the pitfalls can be realized and modified or perhaps even abandoned if it proves to be a failure. It is the only way such a program should be instituted.
When the Welfare to Work Program was instituted in a mass deployment there were problem and there continues to be many problems, including children unsupervised while their only parent works or face long bus rides home. Perhaps, Rep. Ryan's best approach is to FIRST carry out a survey of America's Social Workers with first hand knowledge of the Welfare to Work Program to ask for their input to it's successes and it's failure to be sure the failures are not repeated in his Trial Model Program.
Rep. Ryan still is attempting to by-pass the professionals that have wanted to speak with him since 2012. They have ideas and he should be more receptive.
There is no one more than I that would love to see social programs that work to return dignity, prosperity and wealth to every American. But, sadly, this so called 'NEW' program by Rep. Ryan is simply a recycled variety of his failed run for Vice President in 2012.
Honestly. Perhaps the graph below is finally large enough for Rep. Ryan to notice it. Or better yet, the ELECTORATE of Rep. Ryan's district.
October 10, 2010
By James P. Leute
...While I can’t speak (click here) to what Ryan does in his off hours, I can say that he does believe in the safety net, as he made clear in an address to the conservative American Enterprise Institute on Thursday. There are conservatives who accept the existence of a social safety net begrudgingly, as a concession to political reality that nevertheless offends their libertarian convictions. These are the guys who damn Franklin Delano Roosevelt while adjusting their monocles. And then there are those who, like Ryan, believe that a safety net in good working order is crucial to a healthy economy. Where Ryan parts company from most liberals is in his understanding of what it means for the safety net to be in good working order....
Very true. Rep. Ryan does believe in a social safety net which is a new reality for someone so focused on the national budget.
Rep. Ryan has an interesting approach in consolidating resources to fund a catapult into the future for those Poor and in the Lower Middle Class. I don't dislike the 'idea' (can't say it is new), however, it is extreme in it's approach.
If Rep. Ryan is serious about this 'new consolidation' of resources THE ONLY REASONABLE way of deploying such a plan is to make it a 'trial model' in some areas of the country. Even in such a Trial Model, it would have to be the option of the Social Worker and the recipient of social support to venture into this attempt to change the way a social safety net is employed.
Realizing the USA working class is grossly underpaid with health care needs underfunded in many states it is not prudent to trash the entire current social safety net. But, there is nothing to say for Trial Model for Rep. Ryan's idea which would need autonomous funding. Rep. Ryan needs to bring his idea to the Congress rewritten to bring about a Trial Model which would take additional funding. As the Trial Model is employed the pitfalls can be realized and modified or perhaps even abandoned if it proves to be a failure. It is the only way such a program should be instituted.
When the Welfare to Work Program was instituted in a mass deployment there were problem and there continues to be many problems, including children unsupervised while their only parent works or face long bus rides home. Perhaps, Rep. Ryan's best approach is to FIRST carry out a survey of America's Social Workers with first hand knowledge of the Welfare to Work Program to ask for their input to it's successes and it's failure to be sure the failures are not repeated in his Trial Model Program.
October 14, 2012
By Greg Kaufmann
By Greg Kaufmann
...Subsidized jobs (click here) have been widely hailed by both Democratic and Republican governors — like Haley Barbour and Scott Walker — and the Recovery Act created 260,000 such jobs for low-income adults before Republicans in Congress killed the program. This kind of investment is particularly key in metro areas like Milwaukee, where just 52 percent of African American males in their prime working years were employed in 2010, compared to 85 percent in 1970.
The third proposal that would benefit working adults is to raise the minimum wage to $8.00 an hour. That hardly seems extreme, given that it would be $10.55 an hour if it were adjusted for inflation in the same way that, say, individual campaign contribution limits are....
There is no one more than I that would love to see social programs that work to return dignity, prosperity and wealth to every American. But, sadly, this so called 'NEW' program by Rep. Ryan is simply a recycled variety of his failed run for Vice President in 2012.
Honestly. Perhaps the graph below is finally large enough for Rep. Ryan to notice it. Or better yet, the ELECTORATE of Rep. Ryan's district.
October 10, 2010By James P. Leute
JANESVILLE — The troubling news (click here) is that one child out of every five in Rock County is living in poverty.
The worse news is that the county's 2009 child-poverty rate—the second-highest in Wisconsin—does not reflect this year's continuing economic fallout.
As part of its American Community Survey, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that 20.2 percent of Rock County kids under 18 were living below the poverty level. Rock County's rate is second only to Milwaukee County, where the child-poverty rate was nearly 30 percent.
The number of local children living in poverty has increased in recent years, but at nowhere near the level between 2008 and 2009.
"We're certainly seeing it," said Ann Forbeck, the Janesville School District's homeless education coordinator. "We've had a lot more requests for assistance such as clothing and school supplies, plus we've had more people asking for bus tokens so they can get to school."
More students are coming to class hungry, without a good night's sleep and distracted by the overall stress of poverty, she said....
The Christians from Iraq are not alone in finding refugee status in Kurdistan.
July 21, 2014
By RUDAW
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (click here) – For around 100 Christian refugees forced into making an Assyrian church in Tel Kaif their home, there was no question of staying behind in Mosul after an ultimatum by the city’s new Islamic State (IS) rulers.
"They stormed into our home in the middle of the night and ordered us to leave with only our clothes,” said one homeless Christian at the Mashriq Assyrian Church in Tel Kaif, where many from the faith have fled since the fall of Mosul last month.
“They said, ‘if you convert to Islam you can stay in your home, otherwise get out of here,’” recounted an elderly Christian man, one of the 105 people being cared for by church priests who said they are expecting more refugees to arrive.
“They took everything: the television, computer, money, gold. I had a chicken I wanted to take for food, but even that they did not let me take,” the elder toldRudaw in a weak, trembling voice.
All of the Christians -- who include Chaldeans and Assyrians or Kurds and Arabs – told similar tales of first being ordered to either convert to Islam or pay a special tax, and then being warned to convert or die....
The Christians have embraced areas of the world not necessarily popular, but, in need of attention to leaders opposed to violence.
Pope Francis has already attempted to bring about understanding between Israel and Palestine. It should be no surprise to violent areas of the world they are disenfranchised by a majority of people.
July 21, 2014
The Christians have embraced areas of the world not necessarily popular, but, in need of attention to leaders opposed to violence.
Pope Francis has already attempted to bring about understanding between Israel and Palestine. It should be no surprise to violent areas of the world they are disenfranchised by a majority of people.
July 21, 2014
Days (click here) before the recent Israel/Hamas conflict erupted, the Presbyterian Church USA withdrew $21 million worth in investments from Israel because, as spokesman Heath Rada put it, the Israeli government’s actions “harm the Palestinian people.”
Soon after, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared on NBC’s “Meet the Press” and was asked if he was “troubled” by the Presbyterian Church’s move. Netanyahu responded:
It should trouble all people of conscience and morality because it’s so disgraceful....
Peace loving people are tired of taking it on the chin. The violence is horrible. Children suffer. This has to stop. War within the Middle East only makes it worse and inhibits forward movement of people to a status of comfort with optimism of the future. War removes the promise of the future.
It should trouble all people of conscience and morality because it’s so disgraceful....
Peace loving people are tired of taking it on the chin. The violence is horrible. Children suffer. This has to stop. War within the Middle East only makes it worse and inhibits forward movement of people to a status of comfort with optimism of the future. War removes the promise of the future.
I think that is significant.
July 25, 2014
By Jonathan Capehart
...“In the aftermath of this tragic event, (click here) Justice Department officials have been in touch with Mr. Garner’s family members,” Attorney General Eric Holder said in a statement today. “We are closely monitoring the city’s investigation into the incident.”
This is the first time Mayor de Blasio is facing a death during an arrest by NYPD. He is very much a civil rights mayor. My first instinct is that the NY Mayor would carry out a through investigation, but, with the repeated problems of innocent black men being killed in NYC the Attorney General is focused on what is wrong within the NYPD that politics can't seem to end.
By Jonathan Capehart
...“In the aftermath of this tragic event, (click here) Justice Department officials have been in touch with Mr. Garner’s family members,” Attorney General Eric Holder said in a statement today. “We are closely monitoring the city’s investigation into the incident.”
This is the first time Mayor de Blasio is facing a death during an arrest by NYPD. He is very much a civil rights mayor. My first instinct is that the NY Mayor would carry out a through investigation, but, with the repeated problems of innocent black men being killed in NYC the Attorney General is focused on what is wrong within the NYPD that politics can't seem to end.
The perils of being a Democratic President. Just count on it. Par for the course.
Friday, July 25, 2014
(Reuters) - A top White House adviser (click here) said on Friday Republicans might try to impeach President Barack Obama over his go-it-alone immigration strategy, as Obama prepared to talk about the U.S. border crisis with Central American presidents.
(Reuters) - A top White House adviser (click here) said on Friday Republicans might try to impeach President Barack Obama over his go-it-alone immigration strategy, as Obama prepared to talk about the U.S. border crisis with Central American presidents.
Dan Pfeiffer, one of Obama's longest-serving advisers, told reporters that the executive actions Obama will approve at the end of the summer aimed at tackling illegal immigration will likely generate ire from Republicans who have blocked comprehensive immigration legislation....
I apologize to the First Lady and President Obama and his lovely girls; no American thought the Republicans would stoop so low. I am very grateful to President Obama and Vice President Biden for their leadership and steadfast values in returning the USA to it's former luster.
I apologize to the First Lady and President Obama and his lovely girls; no American thought the Republicans would stoop so low. I am very grateful to President Obama and Vice President Biden for their leadership and steadfast values in returning the USA to it's former luster.
Hamas did not kill Palestinians, Israel has though.
Intensive efforts (click here) underway to bring about ceasefire (rejected by Israel)
Palestinian officials file complaint against Israel to International Criminal Court.
IDF confirms death of Sgt. previously declared missing.
Six Palestinian killed in West Bank.
Hamas is basically the military arm of the Gazan people. There is still no proof there was one Israeli killed due to the existence of the tunnels, except perhaps very recently.
While the Palestinian tunnels are obviously a violation of Israel sovereign land, there is no evidence they ever caused death. My best guest is they were used for supplies and probably movement of munitions into Gaza. I find it curious Israel knew about these tunnels and never stopped the Gazans from using them. It is almost as though Israel laid in wait for enough of a munition build up to occur to sort of justify a military operation. Could that be the case? Could it be allowing Hamas and Palestinians to use the tunnels served Israel's purpose of dismantling Gaza and justify further settlements as a defense of Israel. Perhaps, huh?
According to US State Department personnel there was no formal ceasefire proposed. So, the 'idea' Israel has voted to reject it is propaganda.
I wish the talking heads of Israel would not lie to the people of the USA through their media.
According to a former Israeli Ambassador hundreds of Palestinian citizens surrendered to Israel claiming Hamas was using them as human shields. It would seem as though the facts are skewed. Go figure.
This is reported by "The Times of Israel."
July 24, 2014
By Adiv Sterman
In total,150 Palestinians (click here) were arrested, but only 70 of them who were suspected of carrying out terror attacks were transferred under tight security to IDF Intelligence and Shin Bet facilities for interrogation, an IDF spokeswoman told The Times of Israel, adding to 28 operatives already captured. The remaining detainees were later released, Army Radio reported.
This information seems to invalidate any 'idea' the people of Gaza are forced into being human shields. I mean, there are Hamas members leaving Gaza and surrendering to Israel. Israel is even discriminating who stays and who goes. So, the idea Palestinians are leaving Gaza by the hundreds is inaccurate and in fact even the ones that do and are members of Hamas are SENT BACK.
Oh, one other thing.
Hamas, ISIS and al Qaeda do not equate. I think many Americans know that, so to say they are the same is really telling the tale of 'taking advantage of ignorance.' At least that is my opinion.
IDF confirms death of Sgt. previously declared missing.
Six Palestinian killed in West Bank.
Hamas is basically the military arm of the Gazan people. There is still no proof there was one Israeli killed due to the existence of the tunnels, except perhaps very recently.
While the Palestinian tunnels are obviously a violation of Israel sovereign land, there is no evidence they ever caused death. My best guest is they were used for supplies and probably movement of munitions into Gaza. I find it curious Israel knew about these tunnels and never stopped the Gazans from using them. It is almost as though Israel laid in wait for enough of a munition build up to occur to sort of justify a military operation. Could that be the case? Could it be allowing Hamas and Palestinians to use the tunnels served Israel's purpose of dismantling Gaza and justify further settlements as a defense of Israel. Perhaps, huh?
According to US State Department personnel there was no formal ceasefire proposed. So, the 'idea' Israel has voted to reject it is propaganda.
I wish the talking heads of Israel would not lie to the people of the USA through their media.
According to a former Israeli Ambassador hundreds of Palestinian citizens surrendered to Israel claiming Hamas was using them as human shields. It would seem as though the facts are skewed. Go figure.
This is reported by "The Times of Israel."
July 24, 2014By Adiv Sterman
In total,150 Palestinians (click here) were arrested, but only 70 of them who were suspected of carrying out terror attacks were transferred under tight security to IDF Intelligence and Shin Bet facilities for interrogation, an IDF spokeswoman told The Times of Israel, adding to 28 operatives already captured. The remaining detainees were later released, Army Radio reported.
This information seems to invalidate any 'idea' the people of Gaza are forced into being human shields. I mean, there are Hamas members leaving Gaza and surrendering to Israel. Israel is even discriminating who stays and who goes. So, the idea Palestinians are leaving Gaza by the hundreds is inaccurate and in fact even the ones that do and are members of Hamas are SENT BACK.
Oh, one other thing.
Hamas, ISIS and al Qaeda do not equate. I think many Americans know that, so to say they are the same is really telling the tale of 'taking advantage of ignorance.' At least that is my opinion.
Mali is a troubled area to say the least. Is the crash more than weather? I seriously doubt it.
By Hannah Strange and Andrew Marszel
-Wreckage found near city of Gao, close to Burkina Faso border (click here)
-French president says no hypothesis ruled out as to crash cause
-Air traffic lost track of plane over Mali 50 minutes after takeoff
-Plane had rerouted due to heavy rains shortly before contact lost
-Flight AH5017 had 116 on board at time, including 51 French
-All six crew members were Spanish employees of plane owner Swiftair
GAO, Mali (AP) — Black-robed Islamic extremists (click here) armed with AK-47 automatic rifles invaded Gao in wooden boats Sunday to launch a surprise attack on the most populous city in northern Mali, two weeks after French and Malian troops ousted the jihadists.
Gunfire echoed for hours across the city of mud-walled buildings. The combat started at about 2 p.m. in downtown Gao and the fighting was continuing as night fell. Later the sound of gunfire was replaced by the clattering of French military helicopters overhead.
The attack in Gao shows the Islamic fighters, many of them well-armed and with combat experience, are determined and daring and it foreshadows a protracted campaign by France and other nations to restore government control in this vast Saharan nation in northwest Africa.
The Islamic radicals fought against the Malian army throughout the afternoon and were seen roaming the narrow streets blanketed in sand and on rooftops in the center of Gao, which had a population of 90,000 before the conflict caused thousands to flee....
We've seen this before in other areas of the world in order to demoralize the people. It is kind of a no brainer to seek control of people when their god is offensive to those with guns.
13 February 2014 – Some 90 per cent (click here) of the 11th century archaeological site of Gao Saneye in northern Mali was pillaged by Islamic extremists during their seizure of the region in 2012, traditional musical instruments and costumes were destroyed, and a World Heritage site mosque needs urgent repairs, United Nations cultural officials reported today.
The report on the damage to cultural heritage in the town of Gao, addressing both sites and the cultural practices of local people, follows a UN assessment last year of Timbuktu, another major heritage site in northern Mali, which found that damage there was more extensive than first estimated, including the destruction of parts of the 15th century Djingareyber Mosque, one of three madrassas comprising the University of Timbuktu.
“Concerning Gao's heritage, we must address the trauma experienced by the local population following violent attempts by the armed extremists to destroy their cultural identity and practices, including traditional music,” UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) country Director Lazare Eloundou Assomo said after visiting the city with Malian and international experts.
“Urgent measures are required to safeguard the Tomb of Askia World Heritage site before the next rainy season in June.”
The dramatic 17-metre-high pyramidal structure, built in 1495 by Askia Mohamed, Emperor of Songhai, which flourished in the 15th and 16th centuries through its control of trans-Sahara trade in salt and gold, is a fine example of the monumental mud-building traditions of the West African Sahel....
The French have been very active in containing the extremists. I would expect the French to enter Mali again if the investigators find any evidence of attack on the airline. The downing is tragic, but, illustrates the world is dangerous in the year 2014 for many reasons.
January 28, 2014
SEVARE, Mali – Residents of the northern Malian city of Gao (click here) are celebrating the arrival of French and Malian forces.
The French-led mission entered Gao over the weekend and took control of the airport and a major bridge and patrolled the town....
The Great NewsMax is reporting CNN has a poll stating 33 percent want President Obama impeached.
In the poll, (click here) 33 percent of Americans say Obama should be impeached and removed from office while 65 percent said that he should not face impeachment.
That's news?
That is NOT news. That is reporting that the Republican Base are still the idiots they have always been.
That's news?
That is NOT news. That is reporting that the Republican Base are still the idiots they have always been.
Russia is creating it's own problems for the purpose of confrontation in Ukraine.
What is Russia inspecting? The UN has inspectors at the crash site. Russia is shelling across the Ukraine border. For some reason Ukraine is not suppose to retaliate when attacks are incoming?
There is no inspectors necessary for so called criminal activity. Russia has been shelling Ukraine for absolutely no good reason and now Ukraine has returned the favor. What crimes?
I am quite sure when Russia stops being this stupid the Ukraine will return the favor as well.
Russia has to stop shelling Ukraine. Questions? I think there are international treaties and conventions in force and can be referred to by Russia's Foreign Minister.July 25, 2014
ITAR-TASS
...A team of Russian investigators (click here) inspecting the area near Primiussky came under mortar fire from the Ukrainian territory, said Vladimir Markin, the spokesman for the Russian Investigative Committee said.
"During the inspection, the investigators who were wearing clothes with insignia and inscriptions came under intensive mortar fire," he said.
Markin added that the attack on the Russian team was targeted but poor training of Ukrainian servicemen and prompt evacuation of the investigators helped to prevent casualties.
Preliminary reports say that an underage girl was slightly wounded in the accident, he added.
And what is it with this "50 people" thing? Small towns are under fire? Or, what?
ROSTOV-ON-DON, July 25./ITAR-TASS/. About 45 Ukrainian shells hit a village in the Rostov Region, southern Russia, damaging houses and electric wires, a spokesman for the border guard service said on Friday.
And what is it with this "50 people" thing? Small towns are under fire? Or, what?
ROSTOV-ON-DON, July 25./ITAR-TASS/. About 45 Ukrainian shells hit a village in the Rostov Region, southern Russia, damaging houses and electric wires, a spokesman for the border guard service said on Friday.
At least 50 local residents were evacuated from the village of Primiussky, the spokesman said adding that no one was injured....
I have to go to a lot of trouble now to get a map and keep up with all the 50 people thing.
The Bloodshed 50 people somehow was bankrolled into over a thousand and now there is another 50 people. It all adds up and is rather confusing. So when Russia's propaganda comes out the people of Russia will be scratching there head as to what 50 dead people started the whole mess. At least if I keep up with all the '50 people' I can help out by stating all the 50 people thing is bullshit.
The Bloodshed 50 people somehow was bankrolled into over a thousand and now there is another 50 people. It all adds up and is rather confusing. So when Russia's propaganda comes out the people of Russia will be scratching there head as to what 50 dead people started the whole mess. At least if I keep up with all the '50 people' I can help out by stating all the 50 people thing is bullshit.
These are citizens, not human shields. Human shields is a convenient term to permit the mass murders of Palestinians.
I thought Israel was overwrought with worry about tunnels. Are the bombs closing the tunnels?
I really don't see the justification for Israeli's occupation of Gaza, yet alone the attacks killing so many citizens. The tunnels have two ends. Israel can't find the end of the tunnels in Israel? I find that hard to believe. Israel doesn't want to close the tunnels immediately at their end in Israel? If not what are their plans to use them to go to Gaza as well?
So far those speaking about the attacks into Gaza are creating their own problems. Israel was safe even with rockets from Gaza. The problem as stated is the tunnels. The tunnels have two ends at least. There is a chance a tunnel leaving Gaza could be branched and have many routes. There are no reasons for the deaths of Palestinians in large number that is justified by the words of Israel. I am still waiting to hear how the people of Gaza were such a profound problem to Israel they had to again die for their homeland.
July 25, 2014
By Kamna Arora
Israeli air strikes in the Gaza Strip Thursday (click here) killed a top militant commander, two of his sons and a pregnant woman among others, taking the Palestinian toll to 828, as the 18-day conflict spread to the West Bank where largest anti-Israel protests in years turned violent.
A spokesman for the Palestinian health ministry in Gaza, Ashraf al-Qidra, confirmed the figures adding that over 5,240 people had also been injured in Israeli attacks since July 8....
I really don't see the justification for Israeli's occupation of Gaza, yet alone the attacks killing so many citizens. The tunnels have two ends. Israel can't find the end of the tunnels in Israel? I find that hard to believe. Israel doesn't want to close the tunnels immediately at their end in Israel? If not what are their plans to use them to go to Gaza as well?
So far those speaking about the attacks into Gaza are creating their own problems. Israel was safe even with rockets from Gaza. The problem as stated is the tunnels. The tunnels have two ends at least. There is a chance a tunnel leaving Gaza could be branched and have many routes. There are no reasons for the deaths of Palestinians in large number that is justified by the words of Israel. I am still waiting to hear how the people of Gaza were such a profound problem to Israel they had to again die for their homeland.
July 25, 2014
By Kamna Arora
Israeli air strikes in the Gaza Strip Thursday (click here) killed a top militant commander, two of his sons and a pregnant woman among others, taking the Palestinian toll to 828, as the 18-day conflict spread to the West Bank where largest anti-Israel protests in years turned violent.
A spokesman for the Palestinian health ministry in Gaza, Ashraf al-Qidra, confirmed the figures adding that over 5,240 people had also been injured in Israeli attacks since July 8....
To my dear friends at Moral Mondays
I was recently at a public presentation by Governor McCrory. It is amazing to arrive early and watch his entourage set up his podium. He comes equipped with platform, podium and TWO FERNS. It is quite a show. The governor addresses the public standing between TWO FERNS compliments of tax payer money. I thought that might be interesting.
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