911: Tolerence May be Our Greatesr Revenge

There are those who would have us believe that all Muslims are the enemy. Is it possible that our greatest revenge for 911 will be to dispel this myth and have Christians and Muslims living together at piece in America?

 

For many of us our since of security was shattered on 911 as we watched the most horrific attack on American soil being carried out, not by a foreign superpower but rather a relatively small yet dangerous group of extremist. Prior to 911 many of us were completely unaware of Al Qaeda and the threat they posed to the safety and security of America. We felt quite safe standing on American soil, after all, it was simply inconceivable that anyone would dare attack the most powerful country in the world.

 

As we watched the towers fall we all became painfully aware of Al Qaeda and the threat they posed. Shock and disbelief soon gave way to outrage and the reality that America was now at war. In what may have been a shining moment for then president George Bush he drew a clear distinction between Islam and Islamic extremist, there would be no mass roundup or internment camps for Muslims living in America and attacks on innocent Muslims would not be tolerated. They are American citizens and therefore had been attacked just as we all had been attacked. As the planes hit the Twin Towers there were no Christians or Muslims, no black or white, American citizens or foreign nationals, among those who died, they were all victims.

 

Since 911 there have been those who have refused to accept the fact that this is not a war between Christians and Muslims but rather a war between America and the extremist. Those who pour out a message of hate and attempt to convince us that all Muslims are our enemy are in fact giving Bin Laden and his followers exactly what they wanted. Such rhetoric only serves to fuel the fires of suspicion, hatred and potential violence resulting in an endless cycle of conflict thereby ensuring that Al Qaeda’s ultimate goal is realized.

 

As individuals we have little if any control over global political and social issues but we each have the capability to help deprive the extremist of achieving their goals simply by treating each other with kindness and respect. On this tragic anniversary there are no Christians or Muslims, no black or white, no citizens or foreign nationals among those who lost friends and family on 911, there are only those who grieve. I can think of no better way to honor the dead than by promoting peace among those who live.

The Tea Party: Political Incompetence or Intentional Disruption ofGovernment

It is not uncommon to see a good old-fashioned political battle of words in Washington. Each side will do their best to convince everyone that they are right and gather their supporters to join the fight. If no one side can muster enough support for a clear victory the compromising begins with both sides giving a little and taking as much as they can until a deal is struck.

Over the past few weeks we have all watched as Washington ground to a halt in the debt ceiling debate only managing to squeeze out a deal at the last possible moment. Many of us agree that the  majority of the trouble stems from the TEA party's all or nothing, "we will not compromise"  approach to the debate.

Some political analysts have attributed this to a lack of political experience on the part of the TEA party backed republicans, they simply didn't realize that compromise is how things get done. It seems to me that you could ask any  fifth grader and they could tell you that compromise is an essential component of government in America. If we are to believe the analyst explanation for their actions then it seems that politically incompetent would be the proper term.

On the other hand it  is no secret that the TEA party  republicans have no plans of being re-elected, in other words, political suicide has no deterrent effect allowing them to be as disruptive as they please without fear of voter backlash.

According to the New York Times Representative Tom Reed, a freshman Republican from upstate New York said:

“Re-election is the farthest thing from my mind, like many of my colleagues in the freshman class, I came down here to get our fiscal house in order and take care of the threat to national security that we see in the federal debt. We came here not to have long careers. We came here to do something. We don’t care about re-election.”

This fact alone strikes me as unusual, how often do we see someone run for an elected office but yet have no interest in a political future? This combined with the timing of their run for office  could lead one to ask if this is an intentional effort to disrupt the government in America at a time when we are all beginning to think about the 2012 elections.

Most Americans would agree with the idea of getting the debt under control and certainly we need to be able to defend our country. We would also most likely agree that we need elected officials that can get something done as opposed to bringing Washington to a halt.

The tea party representatives have made it clear that they are willing to put their agenda ahead of the best interest of the American people openly stating that they had no  objections to pushing America into default rather than compromise, a move that was clearly in no ones best interest.

The Times Of India said it best when they said:

"Never before in history has a group of extremist politicians succeeded in taking the good faith and credit of their own country hostage in order to assert their will."

At the end of the day the republicans kept their promise not to raise taxes. Unfortunately, they made no such promises regarding America's credit rating, your 401k or interest rates.

9-year-old Girl Struggles to Recover 3 Years After Being Thrown into a Fire

On April 29, 2008 in Trauali Jhanauti village in Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh 6-year-old Kamlesh, a Dalit (untouchable), was walking with her mother, Manju, when she walked onto a road meant for the "upper cast". What happened next seems so horrific that it defies all semblance of humanity.

According to Gulf News a local man identified as Sunny allegedly beat Kamlesh and then threw her into a fire pit. When Manju, who was 8 months pregnant at the time, attempted to rescue her daughter she was attacked by several men and beaten unconscious. After regaining consciousness she was able to pull Kamlesh to safety but she had suffered severe burns over a large portion of her body.

Kamlesh is now 9 years old and the pain and scars serve as a constant reminder of what has been called another case of caste violence left unpunished. She lost the ability to move her right elbow and hand. She will also need extensive plastic surgery to repair the scars. According to Gulf News the family has exhausted their modest finances paying for the medical care that has been necessary over the past three years. Without outside assistance it appears unlikely that the family will be able to afford the medical care necessary for Kamlesh to regain the use of her arm or the plastic surgery that would help hide the scars of this horrid act.

Four people were named in the 2008 complaint but only Sunny was arrested. Manju was left so traumatized that she developed what is only being described as "psychiatric issues" and was unable to testify in court. Although there were other witnesses they would not testify out of fear. Sunny was released after 6 months and the charges where withdrawn.

Kamlesh's father, Saudan Singh told IBN::

“This is not the first time that this has happened. The problem is no one comes forward to speak. No one came forward to help,”

The traumatic and unthinkable acts committed against  Kamlesh on that day seems a high price to pay for a young girl not "knowing her place" in society.

Koran-burning Pastor Sparks Inter-Faith Unity

Pastor Terry Jones Good Friday protest that was planned to be held at the Islamic Center of America in Dearborn may not of had the desired effect, in fact it seems to have produced the exact opposite response to what Jones would have liked.

Jones’s ongoing efforts to promote division, hostility and anger between the Muslims and Christians in America met with opposition from both the City of Dearborn and the The Metropolitan Detroit interfaith community.

The city dis-alaud the protest after a jury determined that it would be a breach of the peace. The potential for violence and riots are a valid concern whenever Jones and his Dove Outreach Ministry plan such an event. In response Jones is planning a protest at the city hall next week.

In a show of unity and support for freedom of religion and their disagreement with jones and his message religious leaders, both Muslim and Christian, came together to speak out against Jones.

Steve Elturk, Imam Council of Islamic org. of Mich. said that he would welcome Jones if he came in a peaceful manner and was willing to have a peaceful dialog.

It seems that Jones was so upset with the outcome that he later shot a whole in the floorboard of his own car. (accidentally of course)

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Murfreesboro Anti-Mosque Campaign Resumes

Any one who watched the recent CNN special  "Unwelcome: The Muslims Next Door," with Soledad O'Brien is familiar with the ongoing debate in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. I found this story particularly interesting because local Muslims say that they always felt welcome in Murfreesboro both before and after 9-11. The local Imam recalls how in the weeks following 9-11 Murfreesboro residents would approach him on the street to offer words of reassurance.

However, the welcoming attitude of some Murfreesboro residents suddenly changed when the local Muslims purchased a plot of land and received approval to build a new Islamic center and Mosque.  The congregation soon found themselves at the center of a battle for their religious freedom, a battle that began with protest, vandalism, arson, and harassing phone calls.

When these methods failed to stop the construction a lawsuit was filed by Kevin Fisher, Lisa Moore and Henry Golczynski seeking an injunction to prevent any future building permits from being issued for the project.  They claimed that proper public notice was not given prior to approving the plans; according to the county a public hearing was not required because the land was already zoned for religious meeting use. Fear became the weapon of choice for Joe Brandon Jr. and Tom Smith, attorneys for the plaintiffs, with their entire case seemingly being based on unfounded allegations of Sharia law, Jihad and Islamic extremism invading Murphysboro. They further argued that Islam is not a religion.   The case was later dismissed with the judge informing the plaintiffs that Islam is in fact a recognized religion.

According to DNJ.com 14 new plaintiffs have joined the lawsuit and attorneys for the plaintiffs have filed an amended motion, once again attempting to halt the construction. The claims made in this motion seem to be even more ridiculous than the first.

In an effort to have most of the claims in the suit dismissed Attorneys for the county, Jim Cope and Josh McCreary, filed a motion arguing that the plaintiffs have no standing in the lawsuit.

According to dnj.com Brandon and Smith countered by arguing that all 17 plaintiffs have standing based on the following:

Fisher: Because he is an African American Christian who'd be discriminated against and subjugated as a second-class citizen under Sharia law and be denied his civil rights.

Moore: Because she's a Jewish female who's targeted in a Muslim call to kill Jews in "jihad" in support of Palestine and as a woman whose rights would be subordinate to those of men in Sharia law.

Golczynski: Because he lost a son who was killed while serving in the U.S. Marines in combat in Fallujah, Iraq, by insurgents pursuing jihad as dictated by Sharia law.

According to Brandon and Smith the remaining 14 have standing because they live in the general vicinity of where the new Mosque will be located.

A news release by Brandon says:

"The residents neighboring the property of the 52,000-square-foot Muslim Brotherhood Training Center fear for their property values, their safety, their privacy and constitutional rights," (I am not aware of any involvement by the Muslim brotherhood)

Brandon has claimed that the leadership of the Mosque has promoted anti-American sentiment and has ties to terrorist organizations, these allegations by Brandon continue despite the fact that local Muslim leaders were questioned by the FBI (as were many Muslims across the country) shortly after the attacks on 9-11. It seems apparent based on their continued freedom that no threat was found in Murfreesboro.

In a strange twist of events attorney Joe Brandon Jr is now complaining that his rights are being violated. Brandon complained that his right to privacy is being violated after it was discovered that surveillance cameras had been installed in the vicinity of the new Mosque construction site. The claims are based on the fact that he and the plaintiffs in the case use the road by the site on a daily basis. He has filed a motion demanding to know who installed the cameras and who receives the data from them.

Although it was originally claimed by Brandon that members of the mosque had placed the cameras they deny any knowledge and say that they only became aware of them after Brandon complained. Local authorities are referring all questions in this matter to the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. The FBI, who has been conducting an investigation into arson at the construction site, says they can’t comment on an ongoing investigation or the methods they may be using.

It is important to note that not all Murfreesboro residents are against the construction of the new Mosque.  Counter-protestors have turned out to support the Muslim community and their right to freedom of religion.

Toyota Slows Production in the Wake of Recalls

Toyota announced today that they have planned what they are calling non-production days at 2 US plants located in San Antonio, Texas and Georgetown Kentucky.

The Georgetown plant is scheduled for 1 non-production day on February 26, with an additional 3 non-productions days possible in March and April. The Georgetown plant builds the Toyota Camry, Avalon and Venza and employs about 6,850 people.

The San Antonio plant, which builds the Tundra pickup truck and employs 1,850 people, is scheduled for 2 non-production weeks, the weeks of March 15 and April 12. During the down time the San Antonio plant will be installing new equipment that will allow them to built the Tacoma pickup, the new equipment was originally scheduled to be installed on the weekends during the month of March.

The Huntsville, Alabama plant will also experience some non-production days, the Huntsville plant make V-8 engines for the Tundra pickup truck and the slowdown will coincide with the San Antonio plant. About three hundred employees are expected to be affected.

Toyota plans to pay the workers for the non-production days and provide them with additional training.

Toyota announced the slow down in response to growing inventory as they attempt to deal with recalls. Over the past 5 months Toyota has recalled more than six million cars in America alone and 8.1 million worldwide. They also stopped sales of eight models, including the Camry and Corolla in the United States. Toyota officials believe the total cost of the recall could reach $2 billion. According to CNN Money Toyota spokesman Mike Goss said:

"We don't want inventory to build up for our dealers, we can't keep sending vehicles to dealers until they can start moving those vehicles."

The recalls are expected to take a toll on Toyota’s reputation as the safety leader, Toyota announced that January sales were down by 16% from last year and they expect to see a decrease in sales of about 80,000 vehicles in North America alone as a result of the recalls.

Meanwhile, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced that they will be launching a probe to determine how and when Toyota became aware there was a safety issue with the recalled models. According to federal law automobile manufacturers have 5 days from the date they discover a safety defect to notify the NHTS and begin an immediate recall. David Strickland, Administrator for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said:

"Our top priority is safety and we expect that all manufacturers address automotive safety issues quickly and in a forthright manner,"

Gay Wedding Leads to 5 Arrests In Kenya

in Kikambala beach resort in Kenya yesterday. Under Kenyan law homosexuality is illegal and is punishable by up to fourteen years in prison.

It is unclear if the intended couple are among those who were arrested, according AFP they escaped arrest however the BBC is reporting that two of the men had wedding rings in their possession and are believed to be the intended newlyweds.

The secret wedding was disrupted after locals found out about the plans and contacted the authorities. Three of the men were reportedly apprehended by civilians and turned over to the local police; two of the men were reportedly beaten. A crowd gathered outside of the police station where the men were being held to protest against homosexuality, local officials say that the men might have been stoned if they were not arrested. Police later thanked the public for their assistance and urged continued cooperation.

District officer George Matandura said:

"We are grateful to the public for alerting the police. They should continue cooperating with the police to arrest more, it is an offence, an unnatural offence, and also their behavior is repugnant to the morality of the people."

The wedding was criticized by Christian and Muslim clerics alike, according to AFP Sheikh Ali Hussein of the Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya said:

"We cannot allow these young boys to ruin their future through homosexuality, we shall use all means to curb this vice."

The five men are expected to undergo a medical exam to determine if they had “illegal carnal knowledge of each other.” Before being charged with homosexuality.

Thursday another gay wedding was disrupted before it took place after authorities became aware of the plans, the couple and their guest were forced to flee when word spread that the police and local residents were searching for them.

Myanmar: An American Citizen is Sentenced to 3 Years Hard Labor | Bukisa.com

Nyi Nyi Aung a Burmese-born American citizen was sentenced to three years hard labor in Myanmar today. Aung, who was originally charged with instigating unrest in concert with pro-democracy groups, was convicted of carrying a forged identity card and undeclared U.S. currency and for not renouncing his Burmese citizenship after becoming a U.S. citizen.

Following his September 2009 arrest Aung was reportedly held for 17 days before being allowed to speak to a U.S. government representative. During this time he was allegedly denied food, sleep and medical attention. After being allowed to talk to a representative he was transferred to solitary confinement in what is described as a dog cage.

The arrest came at a time when the United States and Myanmar were taking the initial steps toward becoming diplomatically re-engaged. Wa Wa Kyaw, Aung’s fiancé who is also an American citizen was critical of the Obama administration's silence on the matter at such a critical time saying:

"It is shocking to me that an American citizen has been treated this way and higher U.S. officials are silent on that, it will let the generals think, 'We can do whatever we want, even torture and inhumane treatment of a U.S. citizen,' because America wants to do the engagement policy."

Nyi Nyi Aung’s attorney and supporters say he was arrested before he arrived at the customs checkpoint and therefore was not allowed to declare his currency nor is there an official process to denounce citizenship.

According to the Washington Post U.S. Embassy spokesman Richard Mei denounced the sentence as politically motivated saying:

"We are deeply concerned by the unjustified conviction. We believe the charges against Kyaw Zaw Lwin (his legal name on his passport) were politically motivated."

According to the Democratic Voice Of Burma, Aung arrived at the Yangoon airport on September 3 where he was arrested. He had returned to Myanmar to visit his mother who is a democracy activist currently in prison and suffering from cancer. She was arrested during the 2007 protest along with Aung’s cousin.

Aung, a well-known democracy activist, fled Myanmar after playing a key role in the 1988 pro-democracy uprising that resulted in the deaths of at least 3000 people. He moved to the United States as a political refugee in 1993 and became a citizen in 2002.

Mongolia: -50c Temperatures Kills 2 Million Head of Livestock

Mongolia is in the grip of what is known as "dzud", a natural disaster that is a combination of an unusually dry summer and fall followed by an extreme winter. The dry season left the nomadic herders with a shortage of food for their livestock for the winter months. Cattle, sheep, goats, horses and camels are dying from cold, exhaustion or starvation.

One nomadic herder, Mr. Baasanragchaa, told NTDTV:

"This autumn we counted over 400 head of livestock including sheep, goats and cattle. So far, over 200 are lost and there are only around 200 head left. But these survivors look unable to survive until the warmer season comes because they are so skinny, even though we are feeding them with hay and fodder.”

A rapid needs assessment conducted by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization has determined that Mongolia will need $6 million over the next three months to help herders make it through until spring.The herders depend on these animals for milk, cashmere, meat and other livestock products. The government estimates that if the conditions remain the same up to four million head of livestock could be lost.

One-third of the population of Mongolia are nomadic herders who depend almost entirely on their livestock to make a living, so far economic losses are believed to top $60 million.Tens of thousands of families own up to 300 head of livestock, 14 out of 21 provinces have been seriously affected, in eight provinces 21,000 families owning 100-300 head have lost over 50% of their livestock.

According to Xinhua up to 80% of Mongolia is covered in snow rangeing from 20 centimeters to 90 centimeters deep. Dundgobi Governor Sh. Turbat said:

"The current situation of continuous snow storms and extreme cold has caused a loss of thousands of livestock, leaving numerous herders without any source of livelihood, the disaster has caused an economic loss equivalent to 6.6 million U.S. dollars to the province,"

If aid does not arrive in time many will be forced into the cities in search of work, as incomes plummet and livestock feed prices rise.

CDC Issues Health Warning For Relief Workers in Haiti | Bukisa.com

According to the CDC relief workers who have traveled to Haiti to assist in the aftermath of the earthquake might be exposed to a variety of health risk. They have urged anyone experiencing the following symptoms after spending time in Haiti to contact a doctor immediately:

Fever

Difficulty breathing

Persistent cough

Confusion

Severe vomiting

Severe diarrhea

Yellowish skin or eyes

Unusual bruising or bleeding

For those who are planning to go to Haiti the CDC recommends getting several vaccines including hepatitis A and B, typhoid, and for those who might be exposed to animals pre-exposure rabies vaccine. They also recommend having all of the routine vaccines including H1N1 up to date.

Malaria is also a concern when traveling to Haiti, although there is no effective vaccine for Malaria preemptive use of prescription medications combined with insect repellent and mosquito nets can greatly reduce the risk.

Dengue is also common in the Dominican Republic and Haiti; there is no vaccine or medications to prevent Dengue. The CDC offers a guide to protecting yourself from insect born disease. Anthrax, HIV, and Tuberculosis are also major concerns.

Due to the lack of infrastructure and medical facilities the CDC recommends that anyone preparing to go to Haiti in the aftermath of the earthquake should take a complete first aid kit for their own use.

It is also recommended that relief workers take their own food, water purification tablets, medications, and extra glasses if necessary and insect repellent. They also recommend taking your own protective equipment including respirators and rubber gloves for handling blood and body fluids.

The CDC also warns about the mental and emotional impact on the relief workers. The ongoing exposure to extensive loss of life and serious injuries as well as massive destruction makes it imperative that relief workers are aware of their emotional state at all times. One third or more of emergency responders and relief workers could experience some form of PTSD. The CDC provides stress management tips for relief workers and emergency responders.

An Overview of Human Rights in North Korea

To most of the world it appears that the apparent devotion of North Korean citizens to the “Deer Leader” is motivated by fear rather than genuine devotion. Under the close watch of Ministry of People's Security North Korean citizens are required to spy on each other and report any potentially critical conversations they may hear. Those who dare to speak out against Kim Jong-il could find themselves imprisoned in one of the ten concentration camps maintained in North Korea.

It is believed that as many as 200,000 t0 250,000 people are currently held in the camps. In many cases the alleged perpetrators of “political crimes” are not told what they are charged with nor do they have their day in court. Those who dare to speak against the “Dear Leader” are simply arrested without explanation, and taken to the camps. After arriving, they may be tortured for a confession, sentenced to a life of hard labor or in some cases executed.

With the authorities acting on the motto: “Factionalists or enemies of class, whoever they are, their seed must be eliminated through three generations.” the accused is not the only one to suffer as a result of their momentary inability to hold their tongue. Under this motto originally instituted by Kim Il Sung in 1972 and still enforced today the parents, children and in some cases the grandparents of the accused can find themselves in the camps as well.

Travel outside of North Korea is forbidden as is listening to news from any foreign source. Information, including religious sermons is strictly controlled by the government and is geared toward praising the “Dear Leader”. It has been reported that the authorities arrest those who poses un-authorized mobile phones or watch South Korean videos.

Public executions are commonly used as a method of sending a message to would-be political dissidents or those who would attempt to leave North Korea. Hanging and death by firing squad are the preferred methods of carrying out such executions.

The North Korean government maintains the world’s fifth largest military and a research program aimed at developing nuclear weapons and long rang missiles. In stark contrast to the military spending malnutrition is rampant among the average citizens. Almost three quarters of the North Korean populations are currently facing a daily shortage of food. The current crisis is believed to be as bad as the food shortages of the 1990’s when an estimated 3.5 million people died of starvation. South Korea has traditionally been one of the largest donors of rice and fertilizer to the North, Do to strained relations North Korea has failed to request the aid that the general population so desperately needs. Despite the travel ban, many North Koreans are forced to cross the border into China in a desperate attempt to provide food and other supplies for their families.

North Korea is commonly believed to be the most oppressive regime in the modern world. Under the rule of Kim Jong-il, North Korea seems destined to continue to live in isolation as the “secret state”.

Peter Hale: I'm Still in Love with My Wife Who Tried to Kill Me

Joanne Hale appeared in Bristol Crown Court for sentencing after being found guilty of attempted murder. Peter Hale, her husband and intended victim, sat quietly only yards from Mrs. Hale as she was sentenced to six years in prison. In an unusual twist, Mr. Hale was not in court to see justice done but to support his wife and attempted murderess.

This unusual story of love, betrayal, and attempted murder began on December 27 2008 when Joanne Hale convinced her husband, Peter, to take a natural aphrodisiac known as "horny goat weed". She then enticed him into a nearby wooded area in Stoke Park, Bristol with promises of sex. Peter Hale stated in Bristol Crown Court that a migraine mask had been placed on him obscuring his vision, he went on to tell the jury: 'It was just a kind of sexual game. I enjoyed the game but I lifted it up because I wanted to see."

After rolling around in the leaves and some flirtatious foreplay Joanne Hale rolled on top of her husband, cut his throat and stabbed him several times. Before she could inflict a fatal wound Hale was interrupted by a passer-by, Timothy Walker, she told him that she had discovered the injured man and would go for help. She then drove to Bristol Parkway railway-station to pick up Philip Sudol, a married postal worker she had met online. The couple had arranged to meet for a romantic encounter. The pair was arrested at Joanne Hale's home later that evening, Sudol apparently had no knowledge of the crime and was later released.

In an unusual display of devotion her husband and victim has been her greatest supporter and ally throughout the trial. Peter Hale has reportedly sent several letters to the court stating that he has forgiven his wife and declaring his love for her.

During sentencing, Justice John Royce said the loyalty and apparent love between the two "produces a serious sentencing dilemma'. He went on to say "this is an extraordinary case, and I hope and trust that when you are released you and Mr. Hale will be together again enjoying a happy life and steer clear of Horny Goat Weed in the future.'

After hearing the sentence Peter Hale told reporters: "I suppose the sentence is the best we could have hoped for. My evidence was very confused and I hope that we have grounds for an appeal. I still love her very much." He went on to say "I am still very much in love with my wife and will certainly be standing by her when she is released."

Joanne Hale, who has reportedly attempted suicide two times since her arrest, must serve at least half of the six-year sentence before she will be eligible for parole. Six years is the minimum sentence allowed by law for the charge of attempted murder.

Peter blew a kiss to Joanne as she was led away to begin serving her sentence.

On the First Day of Christmas My True Love Gave to Me.... A Divorce Gift Voucher?

Lloyd Platt & Company, a London law firm, is offering what could easily be described as the most unusual "must have" gift of the season. For £125 you can give your true love a divorce gift voucher good for one session with an attorney to receive advice pertaining to your potential divorce or possible alternatives.

Ms Lloyd Platt, senior partner at the firm, told the Telegraph: "We hope through the vouchers that we can offer clients all the practical options available to them - divorce being only one of the options." The firm has reportedly sold over 50 vouchers in the run up to Christmas.

Lloyd Platt & Company may have stumbled into a gold mine for the New Year; Family law practices across the UK are reporting a spike in new consultations to discuss filing for divorce. One UK law firm expects January to be one of the busiest periods ever recorded for divorce. Family law specialist, Shelley Hesford, told the Guardian: "People have been battling to keep marriages intact, but many have simply cracked and crumbled under the relentless pressure of recession. People see the Christmas break as a hiatus in their lives during which they can end one chapter and try to start the next."

Quickie Divorce Ltd, a firm specializing in divorce in the fast lane, has had to triple their workforce over the past year to keep up with demand. Their director, Adrian Hill told Wales Online: "Last year we had 15,000 people request one, whereas this year we've had around 25,000 - that's an 80% increase. Just a year ago we had five members of staff, now we have 14 just to cope with the demand." Their success has been credited to the emulation of celebrities.

The divorce gift vouchers have not been without criticism, some of which includes treating divorce like buying a handbag and an "ambulance chasing" technique for divorce lawyers.

Despite the criticism the vouchers may just be a hit, they are catching on with everyone from friends using them as a suggestion to wives husbands and mistresses. I wouldn't be surprised to see a few mother in laws giving them as a present to their married children.

It appears that the divorce gift voucher can take its rightful place at the top of the list of unusual Christmas gifts. Some other contenders are: Squirrel Feet Earrings, the Fetus Cookie Cutter, and the Decapitated Teddy Bear Lamp.

Who Are The Homeless?

For many of us there is the stereotypical image of a homeless man forever etched in our mind, this image is often of a lazy, dirty, drunken panhandler standing on the corner of any city street asking for a handout. Based on this misguided yet common misconception we might not ever see the real faces of homelessness, listen to thevolunteers in New York or hear the first hand accounts from Dallas. We might not take the time to learn the truth about homelessness in our own community.

In America we have what are commonly referred to (if referred to at all) as the hidden homeless. The hidden homeless represents a large portion of the homeless population however; in most cases we will not see them or in many cases even hear about them. To dispel the myth we should ask ourselves one important question: who are the homeless?

Inherent in the nature of homelessness is an inability to accurately determine the exact numbers, the estimates below represent the best efforts of The National Coalition for the Homeless and The National Coalition For Homeless Veterans.

Children

A 2003 report from National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty reported that 39% of the homeless population was minors under the age of 18, 42% of these were under 5 years old. In addition, 5% of the urban homeless population was comprised of unaccompanied minors.

Families

Families with children make up an estimated 23% of the homeless population, they also currently represent the fastest growing segment of the homeless population. At the 2008 conference of mayors those with current data reported an increase in families requesting food assistance for the first time, the increase was most notable among working families.

Veterans

Although there is no national databank tracking homeless veterans the Veterans Administration estimates that on any given night there are 131,000 veterans homeless. Nearly twice that many will be homeless at some point Over the course of a year. To put these numbers in perspective, an estimated one out of three homeless men are veterans, this represents 23% of the total homeless population in America.

Victims of domestic violence

In 2005 the U.S. Conference of Mayors surveyed 24 cities to determine what role domestic violence plays in homelessness. 50% of the cities surveyed reported that domestic violence was a primary cause of homelessness. On a national level the situation is much worse with an estimated 50% of homeless women and children becoming homeless as a result of an attempt to escape domestic violence.

The mentally ill

According to the 2008 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress an estimated 26% percent of the homeless living in shelters suffered from severe mental illness.

Working homeless

The number of working homeless has been on the rise over the past few years, in 2005 the estimated number of homeless persons who were employed was 13%; this number has now grown to around 25% in the 24 cities surveyed. It is believed that on a national level the percentage of employed homeless persons may be much higher. Insufficient wages, lack of affordable housing, and foreclosures (including foreclosure of rental property) has contributed to the number of people who are employed but homeless.

For many who are homeless and unemployed it is not out of a desire to remain unemployed, these people will often find themselves in a position of having to choose between looking for a job or insuring food and shelter for the immediate future. Shelters and food services for the homeless are usually on a tight schedule, attempting to go to a job interview or even starting a new job can result in losing your only sources of food and shelter. If you accept a job offer, in most cases it will be two weeks or more before you receive your first paycheck. The question now becomes how do you survive until Payday?

Reflections on Benazir Bhutto's assassination

On October 18, 2007 hundreds of thousands gathered in the streets of Karachi, the stronghold of Pakistan's People's Party, to greet Benazir Bhutto as she returned home following 8 years of self-imposed exile. The celebration was soon brought to an abrupt end by a bomb attack targeting Bhutto's convoy. Although Bhutto was unharmed the blast, that occurred around midnight, resulted in the death of 139 bystanders and injured nearly 400 more. Bhutto refused to be deterred by this initial attempt on her life.

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Benazir Bhutto had served twice as the Pakistani prime minister between 1988 and 1996. She had returned home in an attempt to win a third term. She aligned herself with long time political adversary, Nawaz Sharif, after vowing not to make any deals with President Musharraf. Sharif was also a former prime minister,

The worst fears of many of her supporters became a reality on December 27, 2007. Benazir Bhutto was killed in a shooting/suicide bombing attack while leaving a political rally in the city of Rawalpindi. The attacker fired gunshots at Bhutto's vehicle as she left the rally, she ducked for cover, and he then detonated a bomb.

At least 16-20 bystanders were killed in the blast, reports indicated that body parts were scattered across Liaqat Bagh Park where Bhutto had just spoken. Police quickly cordoned off the area as rescue workers rushed to the aid of the injured. Bhutto was later pronounced dead at Rawalpindi General Hospital.

As news of Bhutto's death reached her supporters who had gathered at the hospital they began smashing glass doors and throwing rocks at cars. In Rawalpindi, her supporters burned election posters and attacked police who were forced to flee the area. In Peshawar, outraged supporters raised anti-Musharraf banners while in Karachi thousands gathered in the streets.

Outside of the hospital, Nawaz Sharif told supporters "I assure you that I will fight your war from now on.... Benazir Bhutto was also my sister, and I will be with you to take the revenge for her death." He went on to say he shared the grief of the entire nation.

"We are shocked. We are stunned. Every single one of us is mourning the loss of our leader," said Javaid Manzoor, president of the PPP party.

The attack sparked international outrage as well. U.S. President George Bush said, "The US strongly condemns this cowardly act by murderous extremists who are trying to undermine Pakistan's democracy. We stand with the people of Pakistan in that struggle against the forces of terror and extremism. We urge them to honor Benazir Bhutto's memory by continuing with a democratic process."

The UN Secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, said, "I strongly condemn this heinous crime and call for the perpetrators to be brought to justice as soon as possible."

Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, who had met with Bhutto earlier on Thursday, said, "She sacrificed her life for the sake of Pakistan and for the sake of this region."

Further condemnation came from a host of other countries including China. The Vatican has also condemned the attack.

Pervez Musharraf reportedly called an emergency meeting after the bombing and later asked all Pakistanis to remain calm "so that the evil designs of terrorists can be defeated," according to state TV.

Bhutto and other Musharraf opponents had recently accused him of planning to "rig" the elections as radicals had said they would disrupt the voting.

Bilawal Bhutto, son of Benazir Bhutto, later told reporters "We have lost our best hope but not our only hope," The death of Benazir Bhutto most certainly deepened the political divide in Pakistan.

Report Denies That Ceylan Önkol was Killed By a Mortar Blast

The Village of ?enlik in Diyarbak?r province Turkey

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On September 28 Ceylan Önkol went out to tend the family sheep as her mother prepared macaroni for her. According to villagers there was a sound in the air followed by an explosion, shortly thereafter Ceylan (whose ages been reported as 12 and 14) was found dead with her midsection shredded. Body parts were scattered over 150 m with some landing in the branches of nearby trees. Despite the massive damage to her midsection witnesses say her legs and feet as well as her arms, hands and head were relatively uninjured.

The authorities were contacted and the family waited at the scene for what they expected to be military security forces, a doctor, and the local prosecutor. Security forces did not arrive, after six hours of waiting the family was informed that the doctor and prosecutor would also not be coming because they feared for their safety. The village Imam had been instructed to take photographs of the scene and the family was asked to gather the girl’s remains and bring them to the police station in Bingöl province where an autopsy could be performed. According to local protocol the prosecutors should have conducted the autopsy at the scene.

Önkol’s brother, R?fat Önkol said:

“The village headman called; we wanted soldiers and the prosecutor. The prosecutor said he could not come because it was not safe. Soldiers did not come either. The prosecutor told the imam to take pictures.”

According to the Human Rights Association, a local NGO, the prosecutor did arrive three days later to conduct an investigation; they went on to say that this might have only been in response to public pressure.

Ceylan Önko's mother said:

“My Ceylan was torn to pieces. Why was my child killed for no reason? Who is going to answer for this?”

It has also been reported that not only did the prosecutor not properly conduct the autopsy but also the doctor who did allowed janitors to participate.

The family, local media, and NGOs believe that a mortar round, possibly fired from a nearby military base, hit Ceylen. This is primarily based on the reports of the noise in the air before the explosion and the lack of injuries to her upper and lower body.

As of October 11 it was being reported that the case was being investigated as a terror crime, however, the final report found otherwise. The results of the official investigation were released this week and deny the claims that a mortar round hit Ceylan. The investigation has concluded that she detonated unexploded ordnance that had been left in the area at some previous time.

The family and NGOs alike have questioned the results of this investigation due to the initial lack of response, unorthodox autopsy, and the pattern of injuries. The Human Rights Association has gone so far as to say that they believe she may have been targeted:

"Due to the Forensic Examination Record Ceylan Önkol was not badly injured at her head, her arms and her legs. Whereas when stepping on a mine or another explosive, bad injuries of the legs would eminently occur. If a found explosive sets off because it was monkeyed with, serious injuries of the arms in particular would occur. However, according to the forensic examination record, serious injuries of Ceylan Önkols abdomen caused her death."

"It is possible that an explosive hits the abdominal region. That is to say, the explosive has to be fired from somewhere, targeting Ceylan Önkol".

As many as 40 NGOs and other organizations have joined in a campaign demanding that the details of the investigation be released.

The Great Wall Of Jerusalem, 3700 year old wall discovered

On the slope of the Silwan Valley archeologist have made an an amazing discovery, a 26 foot high, 79 foot long section of a wall built from giant boulders weighing as much as 4-5 tons each. The wall is believed to date back 3700 years.

Archeologist have been digging at this site since 1995, they are amazed by this discovery not only because of the discovery itself but the fact that the ancient Canaanites (believed to have built the wall) could have accomplished such a feat.

The excavation’s director, Ronny Reich, said:

“To build straight walls up 8 meters…I don’t know how to do it today without mechanical equipment, I don’t think that any engineer today without electrical power could do it,”.

The wall is believed to have been built to help protect a natural spring that supplied water to the people of Jerusalem. It is also believed that the wall could have been connected to a fortress that possibly stood at the top of the hill.

Archeologist say that this discovery could be the tip of the ice burg and plan to continue their work at the site.

 

Cambodia: One Dead and Six Ill after Eating Poisonous Frogs

For many in the village of Mondul 3 in Siem Reap Cambodia poverty is a way of life, for Sov Soparath this poverty ended in tragedy. Sov and friends caught and ate brown frogs after a heavy rain, 2 hours later Sov was dead and his brother was in critical condition at Kantha Bopha Children's Hospital. Two other children and three adults were also treated at Siem Reap Provincial Hospital and recovered.

Sov's family could not afford the price of a funeral or a coffin; he was laid to rest in a coffin made from a wooden table. The News Hope Community center paid $250 for the funeral and held an email fundraiser for the family, they raised over $1000. They plan to use the money to restore the family’s home that is in need of major repairs; they also plan to pay for an education for Sov's younger brother.

Kerry Huntly, director of the community centers told the Phnom Penh Post that this is not the first time someone has been poisoned by eating frogs:

"About three months ago, two little army girls, one 3-year-old and one 5-year-old, caught a frog ... grilled it, ate it and were severely sick. At one stage, the younger girl was not expected to survive, but she pulled through."

"This is what happens when you have poverty like this. This lot here don't have a choice when it comes to food, and they'll eat anything. They also eat ants that sometimes make them sick."

According to New Hope 78 percent of the people in Siem Riep earn less than $2 per day, 45% of the children 5 years old and younger suffer from malnutrition, many children survive on rice water, salt and the frogs and ants they catch. Mothers who are to malnourished to produce breast milk will sometimes be forced to feed their babies rice water. In many cases the family may be forced to give their children away to someone that can provide a better life for them.

Sov's homemade coffin was carried through the streets on a cart before the funeral to warn others about the dangers of eating the poisonous frogs.

A Defiant Sudan Strikes Back after ICC Decision

On March 4,the International Criminal Court announced that they had issued an arrest warrant for Omar Hassan Ahmad Al Bashir, President of Sudan. The charges include war crime and crime against humanity stemming from allegations that he ordered attacks on civilians in the Darfur region. These attacks employed rape, murder, forcible relocation and torture as a standard method of war. These attacks have led to an estimated 200,000 to 400,000 deaths and over 2.5 million people being displaced.

A defiant Al Bashir reportedly said that the decision by the ICC would not stop him from doing his "work" calling the warrant a conspiracy against his country and new form of colonialism.

Sudanese ambassador Abdalmahmood Abdalhaleem said:

"We strongly condemn this criminal move, It amounts to an attempt at regime change. We are not going to be bound by it."

In an act of defiance The Sudanese government expelled at least 10 humanitarian aid groups including Portland based Mercy Corps who has about 225 aid workers in Darfur and for the past five years has been providing aid to around 200,000 internally displaced people. Also on the list of expelled aid groups are Oxfam, CARE, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)-Holland, Save the Children, the Norwegian Refugee Council, the International Rescue Committee, Action Contre la Faim, Solidarites and CHF International. According to the U.N. there are about 76 aid organization working in Darfur however the 10 being expelled did the majority of the work.

The operational director of MSF-Holland, Arjan Hehenkamp, said:

"It is absurd that we as an independent organization are caught up in a political and judicial process,"

Vice President Ali Osman Mohammed Taha of Sudan confirmed the expulsion of the groups saying:

"Whenever an organization takes humanitarian aid as a cover to achieve a political agenda that affects the security of the county and its stability, measures are to be taken by law to protect the country and its interests,"

According to the aid groups this decision will affect up to two million people who are relying on them for food, shelter and water.

U.S. State Department Warning About Traveling to Mexico

The U.S. State department has issued a new travel warning for U.S citizens traveling to Mexico. Skirmishes between Mexican authorities and the drug cartels in border towns and elsewhere are being described as "small unit combat" and in some cases foreign bystanders have been caught in the cross fire resulting in injuries and death.

 

Although large-scale confrontations between authorities and the cartels have occurred across Mexico they have recently became more frequent in Northern Mexico in towns such as Tijuana, Chihuahua City and Ciudad Juarez and others. The border towns can erupt into combat zones as government officials confront cartels that are using automatic weapons and hand grenades in their fight for the valuable Northern drug trade routs.

U.S. citizens are being advised to cooperate fully with any official Mexican checkpoints they may in counter. They are also advised to be extremely aware of their surroundings at all times, travel only on main roads (Toll roads are the most secure) and avoid any areas known for drugs or prostitution as well as isolated areas. The U.S. Embassy and consulates will issue travel advisories asking their employees and tourist to stay away from certain roads or areas of the country due to dangerous conditions and criminal activities, be aware of these advisories and stay up to date.

Criminals along the border region are known to be heavily armed and have used police and military uniforms as well as vehicles that appear to be official in the commission of various crimes.

The drug war in Mexico is having a dramatic impact on Mexican and U.S. Businesses located in border towns, the fear of violence has led many U.S. shoppers to refrain from their usual shopping trips south of the border. In many cases merchants are reporting that sales are down by as much as 75%. Gabriel Lara, a Mexican businessman, said:

“The economy is very bad. We need your money,”

Sharelene Reams from Arizona said:

“I haven’t been down shopping for a long time just because of what we heard about the shootings six months or so ago,”

Mexican tourists who do not live in the Northern region may otherwise visit the U.S. border states, but due to the ever-increasing violence they are afraid to travel through the area.