Major Nidal Hasan, accused of killing 13 people at Fort Hood Army base, has been described by former colleagues as "psychotic." As more details emerge about Hasan's troubled state, gun safety advocates are launching fresh attacks on a Senate bill they say would make it easier for mentally unstable veterans to buy firearms.
Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) says his "Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act" will protect veterans' gun rights. But the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence calls it a "dangerous" proposal that could allow "over 100,000 mentally incapacitated or incompetent persons" to buy guns—people who would previously have been barred from doing so by the Veterans Administration (VA).
(click on the link for the full story and for the in-text links)Major Nidal Hasan, accused of killing 13 people at Fort Hood Army base, has been... more
Sam Gindin: Unions should have said "No" to concessions if they wanted to shape the health debateSam Gindin: Unions should have said "No" to concessions if they wanted to shape the... more
On Tuesday morning, in Chicago, the unions came to town. It was the final day of the rolling protest dubbed The Showdown in Chicago, a confrontation with the American Bankers Association, whose members had gathered for their annual meeting. With a crowd estimated at 5,000, it was without a doubt the largest demonstration against Wall Street's ravages since the economy crashed a year ago.
From the desperate manufacturing sector came members of the Sheet Metal Workers and the Machinists and the Steelworkers. From the collapsed housing market came the Carpenters and the Painters and the Insulators. There were laid off workers from shuttered factories – Republic Doors and Windows, whose battle over severance pay was captured in Michael Moore's new film, Capitalism: A Love Story, and Quad City Die Casting, whose hundred employees all lost their jobs with far less fanfare last month. Pulling up the rear, a large contingent of garment workers from Hart Marx, suit makers to the president, who successfully fought off a shutdown threatened by creditor Wells Fargo, saving some 3,500 jobs. And, of course, a vast purple army from the Service Employees Union, SEIU.
"There is something wrong with America," Anna Burger, SEIU's secretary treasurer, told the crowd, in the stirring rhetoric that was typical of the day. "Over a year ago the big banks on Wall Street, because of their greed and risky decisions, put our whole country and our whole economy at risk. And what did they do? They came to us. They asked for trillions of dollars and they said they would help us rebuild our economy. Did they rebuild our economy? Did they stop home foreclosures? Did they cut interest rates? Did they lower bank fees? Did they stop layoffs? Did they extend credit to small businesses? Or create new jobs? No. What did they do? They squeezed us harder. They exploited us more, raked in millions in fees, made lots of money and now they're giving themselves bigger bonuses than ever before." The shouting in response to her was boisterous, as it was to equally tough words from AFL-CIO president Richard Trumka.
more at link...On Tuesday morning, in Chicago, the unions came to town. It was the final day of the... more
If you're in the UK and want to know whether there's a postal strike today - a brand new site has you covered. Yes, that's right, there's a site for that! And, surely, it's just a matter of time before there's an app for that too...
They're also on Twitter: @PostalStrikeUK - that's how I know about 'em as they chose to follow me.If you're in the UK and want to know whether there's a postal strike today - a brand... more
Andy Stern — SEIU President: “People at the Chamber of Commerce have ruined the country.”
Related… After the recent attacks by the Obama White House on the Chamber of Commerce, the organization that speaks out in support of American business, the president of the Chamber of Commerce stood by his defense of free enterprise today in The Wall Street Journal. It is a worthwhile read. The White House’s war on the Chamber has come just as the group is launching a new $100 million campaign promoting free enterprise. This, of course, threatens the plans of the Obama White House.Andy Stern — SEIU President: “People at the Chamber of Commerce have ruined the... more
On Thursday, October 15, 2009, Puerto Rico's social justice movement and organized labor have called for a 1 Day General Strike. The National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights, the Labor Council Latin American Advancement (LCLAA), The Network of Support for Puerto Rican Workers, the Puerto Rican community and supporters of social justice will rally in support of the people of Puerto Rico in N.Y.C.
The Puerto Rican Government has since January fired 25,000 public sector workers in the island nation. Their response to the fiscal crisis IS NOT an acceptable solution to an already severely underserved people by their Government.
In addition to the firings, the Government has announced that they will break all labor agreements with unions representing public sector workers. The impoverished island nation, a colony of the United States since 1898, is already facing over 15% unemployment at the beginning of the year.
The response of the people of Puerto Rico to this crisis has been peaceful rallies and demonstrations. The Puerto Rican Government's response to the people has been to ignore the opposition to the administration policiesOn Thursday, October 15, 2009, Puerto Rico's social justice movement and organized... more
Due to strike action, a Royal Mail depot in London is overflowing with letters and parcels. Yes, they can't even fit all the post in. God only knows what will happen when it starts raining (and, being England, that's just a matter of time!)Due to strike action, a Royal Mail depot in London is overflowing with letters and... more
As we head into the deepest recession since the 14th century, a new report published today by the Mutual Agony Foundation reveals an unprecedented level of cooperation between employers and staff in solving financial, and personal, problems together. The recent situation at BA where almost 7,000 workers agreed to participate in the company’s ‘work for free’ initiative is just one example of the solidarity workers are showing employers. Now BA has announced it will build upon its success and merge with Honda to form a new super company known as Bonding plc. But how have these breakthroughs been achieved? Our WORLDbytes reporters were granted exclusive access to film a ‘town hall’ staff meeting at the newly formed recession-proof, super company to find out.As we head into the deepest recession since the 14th century, a new report published... more
"And among His signs is that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may live in tranquility with them; and He has brought between you love and mercy. Truly, in this are signs for those who reflect." (Qur'an 30:21)
Marriage is based on mutual love and respect. The Islamic marriage is a sacred contract between a willing woman and willing man. There can be no coercion, and each party is free to include its own terms. The bride keeps her family name and her marriage gift from the groom. A Muslim marriage is completed with public festivities reflecting culture and customs.
Husbands and wives are protectors of each other. They are equal partners and best friends, remaining faithful to one another.
The husband provides, maintains, protects and is responsible for the family. He fulfills his duties with consultation and kindness. While the wife is not required to share her wealth and earnings, she may help her husband. Both spouses work together in the home - cooking and cleaning - and in raising good children.
If couples are unable to live with one another peacefully, amicable divorce is permitted as a last resort. Mothers are given priority in the custody of children.
Prophet Muhammad (may peace and blessings of God be upon him) said: "Treat women well and be kind to them; they are your partners and committed helpers."
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Hello to you in a group (women in Islam)
Islam means "Peace" - achieved when a person focuses on God, giving her entire mind, heart and soul to none other than the Creator. This liberates her from human subjection; replacing fear with self-respect; weakness with strength, and conflict with tranquility. God says in the Qur'an: "�do not fear human beings, but be in awe of Me." (Qur'an 5:44)
Islam strongly prohibits oppression or cruelty to any individual, group or living thing in the universe. God enjoins good conduct toward women from birth to death. Verbal, psychological, emotional, sexual, and physical violence are forbidden, as are false allegations against women's chastity and honor. Men are further reminded: "Do not annoy women as to make their lives miserable." (Qur'an 65:6).
Prophet Muhammad said: "Only an honorable man treat women with honor and integrity. And only a mean, deceitful and dishonest man humiliates and insults women." Referring to physical abuse, he added: "Never hit your wives, they are your partners and sincere helpers." He exemplified this by never, ever, hitting a women or child. The Prophet guaranteed protection of the life, honor, and property of women.
"And why should you not fight in the cause of God and on behalf of those, who being weak, are ill-treated and oppressed, men, women and children whose cry is, 'Our Lord! Rescue us from these oppressors, and raise for us, from You, one who will protect and help.'" (Qur'an 4:75)
------------------------------Islam means "Peace" - achieved when a person focuses on God, giving her entire mind,... more
This is labor's moment. Or so many thought when Obama entered office and the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA), real healthcare reform, and regulation of the financial sector seemed like tangible goals. Now the picture looks a little different. The New York Times reports that for Unions change hasn't come quick enough. Speaking of Obama, Richard L. Trumka of the A.F.L.-C.I.O said, "He gets an A for effort, and an incomplete for results." So where does the labor movement stand and what are they expecting out of the White House in the coming months. We speak to Bruce Raynor, president of Workers United, about EFCA, healthcare, and the financial crisis.This is labor's moment. Or so many thought when Obama entered office and the Employee... more
Chaplan Father Skip Coreture performs a holy union for two Black women and rides a wave of reactions.
U People Stories are stories from regular everyday people, gay, straight, black, white and with varied beliefs who have had been made to feel like the "other". These are the kinds of stories that we all have carried with us; where it would make you cry if you thought about it but makes you laugh when you talk about it.
What the U People Story Archive does is build a bridge of understanding that unifies our struggles while at the same time lifting an emotional weight off the shoulders of the storyteller. These stories are humorous, moving and timeless. They are individually a testament of how discrimination and the emotions that result connect, effect and can change us all. www.iloveupeople.comChaplan Father Skip Coreture performs a holy union for two Black women and rides a... more
Temporary school teachers protest across Italy for the cuts made by the Ministry of Education. Approximately 60,000 jobs lost, of the 130,000 that according to the Government must be cut by 2011. In part, these cuts are absorbed by retirements, but this year are just 35,000, so at least 25,000 people will remain without work. The largest mass layoff in the history of the country.Temporary school teachers protest across Italy for the cuts made by the Ministry of... more
The strike against Vale-Inco in Sudbury heats up as company threatens to use non-union laborThe strike against Vale-Inco in Sudbury heats up as company threatens to use non-union... more
In discussing health care reform this year, conservative media figures have revived the "socialized medicine" smear to undermine the efforts of President Obama and congressional Democrats, most recently by promoting Ronald Reagan's 1961 attacks on a legislative precursor to Medicare. In light of this trend, Media Matters for America is updating and republishing its March 5 report documenting that health care reform opponents have baselessly smeared at least 16 previous progressive reform proposals as "socialized medicine" over the last 75 years.
"Socialized medicine" smear is false
Progressive reform is not socialized medicine. The Urban Institute wrote in an April 2008 analysis that "socialized medicine involves government financing and direct provision of health care services," and explained that recent progressive health care reform proposals do not "fit this description." The analysis also noted, "Similar rhetoric was used to defeat national health care reform proposals in the 1990s and, with less success, to argue against the creation of Medicare in the 1960s."
Obama has not proposed socialized medicine, single payer, or nationalized health care. As PolitiFact.com noted in a March 5 post, "Obama's plan leaves in place the private health care system, but seeks to expand it to the uninsured," and "the plan is very different from some European-style health systems where the government owns health clinics and employs doctors." And during a March 26 online town hall, Obama explicitly rejected the notion of implementing a health care system "the way European countries do or Canada does," explaining that what "we should do is to build on the [employer-based] system that we have."
Congressional Budget Office: More enrollees in employer-provided insurance under House, Senate legislation than under current law. In both its July 26 analysis of the House tri-committee draft bill and its July 2 preliminary score of the Senate health committee bill, CBO found that more people would be enrolled in employer-based insurance under the bills than under current law in every year CBO examined following the legislation's implementation.
Conservative media predictably cry "socialized medicine" about 2009 reform
Conservatives cite Reagan's anti-"socialized medicine" recording to fearmonger about health reform. On August 14, the Drudge Report, Rush Limbaugh, and O'Reilly Factor guest host Laura Ingraham featured a recording of Ronald Reagan speaking in 1961 against "socialized medicine" for the American Medical Association's "Operation Coffeecup" campaign. Neither Drudge, nor Limbaugh, nor Ingraham, however, noted that Reagan was speaking out against a legislative precursor to Medicare, which has become very popular since it was enacted 44 years ago, or that Reagan's dire predictions of curtailments of freedom were never realized.
Conservative media figures repeatedly invoke socialism in stating their opposition to health reform. Numerous conservative media figures have revived the "socialized medicine" smear or raised the specter of socialism in their discussions of Democratic health care reform proposals. Examples include:
In a May 8 Wall Street Journal op-ed headlined, "Republicans and ObamaCare," editorial board member Kimberley A. Strassel trotted out the falsehood that Obama is on a "drive to socialize health care." [The Wall Street Journal, 5/8/09]
During the July 18 edition of Fox News' Bulls & Bears, host Brenda Buttner asked if health care proposals take us "one step closer to United Socialist States of America." [Bulls & Bears, 7/18/09] During the July 21 edition of Glenn Beck's Fox News program, Beck claimed that health care reform is "good old socialism ... raping the pocketbooks of the rich to give to the poor." [Glenn Beck, 7/21/09] The July 23 edition of Sean Hannity's Fox News show -- billed as a "Universal Nightmare" special edition -- relied on distortions and falsehoods to raise the specter of "socialized medicine.In discussing health care reform this year, conservative media figures have revived... more
In this video Cenk shows you what really happened
to Kenneth gladney when he said he was
beaten by union workersIn this video Cenk shows you what really happened
to Kenneth gladney when he said he... more
White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel warned liberal groups this week to stop running ads against Democratic members of Congress. The powerful top aide to President Obama made his feelings known at the weekly closed-door strategy session of an array of progressive organizations, according to two sources who were there.
Emanuel’s request came on the same day that Obama himself told a meeting of Democratic senators that he didn’t like seeing dollars used by liberal groups to target congressional Democrats. Some on the left believe administration officials are making such statements only as a favor to Democratic legislators whose votes they’ll ultimately need.
But the White House indicates to POLITICO that it truly believe the ads aimed at Democrat are counter-productive and largely ineffectual. There is no winking and nodding when Obama and Emanuel deliver their message, say West Wing officials. Moderate Democrats who are elected and re-elected in GOP-leaning districts and states earned their spurs in part by running away from liberal orthodoxy and are unlikely to be moved by outside progressive groups, goes the White House thinking.
It’s a delicate issue for Obama, who wants his own supporters to aggressively lobby their representatives during the August recess but also doesn’t want to create a backlash among centrist Democrats who relish their independence and the power that comes with being a swing vote. Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0809/25900.html#ixzz0NXcuj7Sn
Organizing for America, the president’s political arm, is engaged in an intensive grassroots effort to rally support for healthcare reform legislation, going so far as to air ads in the states and districts of targeted Democratic members of Congress. But the spots were tame, not mentioning the names of the members, and White House officials indicated that they were being run to give their allies air cover to support the legislation.
Representatives from progressive groups say they have not heard directly from Obama officials on their Democratic ads, but the White House points to Emanuel’s statement Tuesday when asked whether they’ve made their feelings known to third-party organizations.
The liberal groups say they have no intention of pulling down ads aimed at Democrats – and note that they’re also targeting Republicans.
“We continue to run ads supporting health care reform in states and districts of both Republican and Democratic members of Congress,” said Jacki Schechner, spokeswoman for Health Care for America Now.
Democracy for America, the organization founded in the wake of Howard Dean’s presidential bid, is partnering with another progressive group to target Democrats and has tangled with Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.), who suggested the ads being aired against him made it less likely that a healthcare bill would pass.
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0809/25900.html#ixzz0NXdCM5dw
Rahm tell liberal groups they are't helping no Rahm you are't helpingWhite House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel warned liberal groups this week to stop... more
The workers of Innse won and the factory, once Innocenti machinery, will not be dismantled for real estate speculation as the first buyer intended to do. The new owner, the group Camozzi, accepted an agreement for the resumption of activity in early October and for the industrial use "at least until 2025". All 49 workers put in mobility in May 2008 will be employed again, and were granted the requests of the unions for social welfare provisions.The workers of Innse won and the factory, once Innocenti machinery, will not be... more
The guy who said he was beating so
badly he has to be in a wheel chair
get's up,walkes away and waves his arm
after said beatingThe guy who said he was beating so
badly he has to be in a wheel chair
get's... more
Last week the Amsterdam Court issued a default judgment in favor of BREIN versus The Pirate Bay, ordering the site to be blocked in The Netherlands because the defendants didn’t show up. In a response to this verdict, The Dutch Consumers Union says it is disappointed that the judge ruled in favor of the anti-piracy outfit without looking into the content of their demands.Last week the Amsterdam Court issued a default judgment in favor of BREIN versus The... more
