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All Kids Have Rights
The United Nations' 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child was the first legally binding international law to incorporate the full range of human rights for children. It is said to have significantly increased the profile of children's rights worldwide.
Sadly, the United States is one of only two countries in the world which have refused to ratify The United Nations' Convention on the Rights of the Child.
This article includes a number of very touching photographs, a memorable documentary video about children's rights and an emotionally moving photo-gallery.
Please have a look! The United Nations' 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child was the first legally binding international law to incorporate the full... more -
Census won't report gay marriage, claims defense of Marriage Act won't let them
(AP) Same-sex marriage is legal in two states, but not a single one will show up in the 2010 census.
The Census Bureau says the federal Defense of Marriage Act bars the agency from recognizing gay marriages in the nation's 10-year count, even though the marriages are legal in Massachusetts and California.
The agency's director, Steven Murdock, said in an interview Thursday that the 1996 federal law "has that effect, in terms of being a federal agency. We are restricted by it."
The Census Bureau does not ask people about their sexual orientation, but it does ask about their relationships to the head of the household. Many gay couples are listed in census figures as unmarried, same-sex partners, though it is an imperfect tally of all gay couples.
Murdock said the bureau will strive to count same-sex couples in the 2010 census, just as it has in the past. But those people who say they are married will be reclassified as unmarried, same-sex partners.
Same-sex couples with no children will not be classified as families, according the bureau's policy. Those with children who are related to the head of the household will be classified as families.
Gay rights advocates complained that the Census Bureau is depriving them of a hard-fought legal recognition.
"To completely whitewash us out of existence is hurtful, discriminatory and shameful," said Molly McKay of Marriage Equality USA, a California-based group that advocates for same-sex marriage. "It's like the federal government is trying to say that we don't exist."
McKay said an accurate count of same-sex married couples would help policymakers determine the costs of providing benefits.
McKay, 38, said she plans to marry her partner of 12 years on Sept. 1, now that they are legally able to marry in California. She said they consider themselves "an old married couple," even if the government doesn't.
"This is a very sweet moment in our life. It really is an absolutely joyous time," McKay said. "The notion that the federal government is going to come in and erase our existence is un-American."
The Census Bureau is required by the Constitution to conduct a comprehensive count of the nation's residents every 10 years. Every question is either mandated by federal law or used to administer a federal program, Murdock said.
Same-sex marriage was not an issue in the 2000 census because it wasn't legal in any state. The Census Bureau's policy on same-sex marriages was first reported in the San Jose (Calif.) Mercury News.
The bureau relies almost entirely on people's responses to classify them by race, ethnicity, age and income. But not marital status - at least not in 2010.
"It really should be what you say you are, not what I perceive you to be," Murdock said. But, the agency director added, "We have some limitations. This particular act limits us in regards to this issue."
(AP) Same-sex marriage is legal in two states, but not a single one will show up in the 2010 census. ... more -
Environmental Bill Of Rights
I consulted with a number of environmental leaders in the community to devise an Environmental Bill of Rights for residents in the City of Los Angeles. Most of the rights are applicable to all local communities and has been sent to a number of elected officials, with the hope that they can serve as a catalyst for a sustainable city plan for Los Angeles. I hope everyone uses the bill of rights as a tool to advocate for a more sustainable community that protects the rights of all people and nature.
Everyone that lives and works in Los Angeles has the following environmental rights:
The right to breathe clean indoor and outdoor air that poses negligible risks of asthma, cancer, and other health risks.
The right to clean water that is safe to drink. Drinking water should pose negligible risks to everyone that consumes it.
The right to clean beaches, rivers and lakes that protect public health and aquatic life.
The right to open and recreational space, including the ability to walk to a safe park within one half mile of their homes.
The right to have easy access to affordable public transportation that moves freely throughout the city.
The right to have easy access to a diverse, affordable and healthy food supply within their communities, including locally grown food.
The right to have access to sustainable energy, water supplies and comprehensive solid waste recycling programs that do not degrade the environment locally, regionally and globally.
The right to have an environmental education across all disciplines for all children from K-12.
The right to participate in a green economy through green jobs employment and training.
The right to both live and work in affordable residential and commercial green buildings.
The right to be heard on all Los Angeles decisions that have a potential environmental impact.
The right to exercise all the rights herein equally, to ensure that environmental impacts from traffic, industrial emissions, or waste disposal are not disproportional to any community.
I consulted with a number of environmental leaders in the community to devise an Environmental Bill of Rights for residents in the Cit... more -
Individualism vs Collectivism
"An animated [6 part] series exploring the substance behind the political terminology used in contemporary debates.
The research of Mr G Edward Griffin reveals how all viewpoints can be stripped down to 2 basic positions.
Discover how the different approaches of Collectivism and Individualism impact on all aspects of our lives, from human rights, governmental authority and the use of force.
INTRO
P1. The Nature and Origin of Human Rights
P2. Group Supremacy
P3. Coercion vs Freedom
P4. Equality and Inequality under the Law
P5. Proper Role of Government"
(End of excerpt)
Videos produced by YouTube user ST0PandL00K "An animated [6 part] series exploring the substance behind the political terminology used in contemporary debates. ... more -
HHS moves to define contraception as abortion
In a spectacular act of complicity with the religious right, the Department of Health and Human Services Monday released a proposal that allows any federal grant recipient to obstruct a woman's access to contraception. In order to do this, the Department is attempting to redefine many forms of contraception, the birth control 40% of Americans use, as abortion. In a spectacular act of complicity with the religious right, the Department of Health and Human Services Monday released a proposal th... more
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There Is No Fourth Amendment
FOURTH AMENDMENT [U.S. Constitution] - 'The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.'
"Skull and Bones member, war criminal and traitor George W. Bush recently signed HR 6304 or the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 into law that effectively makes the Fourth Amendment null and void. The new law disregards the protections guaranteed in the Fourth Amendment and allows the government to spy on people without a warrant so long as the government reasonably believes that they are gathering information on somebody from a foreign country.
The government can reasonably believe whatever they want and not have to provide probable cause supported by an oath or affirmation to obtain a warrant before they engage in spying activities. It gives them a blank check to spy on whoever they please. It also eliminates any sort of oversight in the intelligence gathering process, and this is a dangerous proposition.
The law also gives immunity to telecommunication companies from lawsuits pertaining to their prior cooperation in the unlawful spying programs implemented by the government. As expected, Bush and the supporters of this newly passed law are using the bogus excuse of the war on terror to undermine civil liberties. The terror war as has been documented time and time again is a fraud designed to setup a police state, justify illegal foreign wars and destroy the rule of law. The only reason there has been such a hurry to get this legislation passed into law is so Bush’s buddies in these Fortune 100 companies won’t get sued over their felonious activity." FOURTH AMENDMENT [U.S. Constitution] - 'The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against un... more -
France rejects Muslim woman over radical practice of Islam
France has denied citizenship to a Moroccan woman who wears a burqa on the grounds that her "radical" practice of Islam is incompatible with basic French values such as equality of the sexes, reports the Guardian.
"She has adopted a radical practice of her religion, incompatible with essential values of the French community, particularly the principle of equality of the sexes," said the Council of State, France's highest administrative body.
The woman, known as Faiza M, is 32, married to a French national and lives east of Paris. She has lived in France since 2000, speaks good French and has three children born in France. Social services reports said she lived in "total submission" to her husband. Her application for French nationality was rejected in 2005 on the grounds of "insufficient assimilation" into France. She appealed, invoking the French constitutional right to religious freedom and saying that she had never sought to challenge the fundamental values of France. But last month the Council of State upheld the ruling.
The legal expert who reported to the Council of State said the woman's interviews with social services revealed that "she lives almost as a recluse, isolated from French society".
The report said: "She has no idea about the secular state or the right to vote. She lives in total submission to her male relatives. She seems to find this normal and the idea of challenging it has never crossed her mind."
The woman had said she was not veiled when she lived in Morocco and had worn the burqa since arriving in France at the request of her husband. She said she wore it more from habit than conviction.
"Is the burqa incompatible with French citizenship?" asked Le Monde, which broke the story.
Is this a victory for French women, now that equality of the sexes is not only protected in law but a recognised quality of French-ness? Or is this simply a way of attacking the ways that more extreme, submissive Muslim women live? What about the man she is subjugated to? Will he be rejected from citizenship too?
I can think of many British-born men, young and old, who thoroughly embrace horribly old-fashioned sexism (employing certain women because they're pretty and unthreatening, for example), and their status isn't questioned. Surely their insidious sexism and perpetuation of inequality is more dangerous to society than the odd submissive Muslim woman? Or should everyone's behaviour around equality be subject to scrutiny?
France has denied citizenship to a Moroccan woman who wears a burqa on the grounds that her "radical" practice of Islam is incompatibl... more -
We the People... Lesbiatopia's Editors Explore the Wisconsin Gay Marrage Law
Over on another part of Current TV, debate is hot over a State of Wisconsin law that says if a same-sex couples from Wisconsin goes to California to get married, it is a criminal offense that threatens them with a $10,000 fine or up to 9 months in jail (or both) if they do marry in California.
This law was passed decades ago, says it is illegal to enter into a marriage outside the state if that marriage is not legal in Wisconsin and was enacted to prevent underage couples from crossing state lines to marry.
In 2006 Wisconsin voters passed a constitutional same-sex marriage ban; gay marriage is not legal in Wisconsin.
But up till last month this law was not really a problem Lesbians and Gays in that state because the only state that had gay marriage was Massachusetts. Their law essentially has a caveat in it that says same-sex marriages preformed in Massachusetts are only legal outside the state of Massachusetts if that state also recognizes same-sex marriage. In other words, if I got married in Massachusetts, my marriage would only be recognized in California.
We Feel this a very serious Constitutional Issue... and one with not only ramification's for the LGBT community but everyone in America....
Please read our full article and see if you agree....
Over on another part of Current TV, debate is hot over a State of Wisconsin law that says if a same-sex couples from Wisconsin goes to... more -
Feminists shut down London Underground... with milkshakes
Feminists reportedly brought chaos to London Underground stations when they 'milkshaked' escalators in support of the tube cleaners' strike during rush hour this morning.
Activists from Feminist Fightback poured the milky concoctions (chocolate, strawberry or vanilla, I wonder?) onto the escalators, forcing a close-down until the mess could be cleared up, in an attempt to highlight the crucial role that cleaners play in keeping the underground running.
They were acting in support of cleaners on the underground who've been on strike since Tuesday evening, after TfL failed to respond to the cleaners' one day strike last week.
London Underground cleaners - the majority of whom are women and people from ethnic minorities - are demanding:
• A wage of £7.20 per hour, the minimum London living wage as determined by the GLA last year
• Sick Pay
• Decent pensions
• 28 days' annual leave
• An end to third party sackings
Last Friday Feminist Fightback activists invaded London Underground Headquarters. Armed with feather dusters, brooms and mops, they set about helping Transport for London 'clean up their act' until they were forcibly removed.
Do you support the demands of the men and women who mop up your sick and clear away your newspapers every day? )
Were you at Bank or Tottenham Court Road stations earlier today? Did errant dairy products ruin your journey, and mess up your morning?
Or was the protest just a drop in the (milky) ocean (do you see what I did there?) of the tube's everyday disruptions?
Feminists reportedly brought chaos to London Underground stations when they 'milkshaked' escalators in support of the tube cleaners' s... more -
The voice of God... or the silence of the weak?
Whoever causes "nuisance" during Pope Benedict XVI's Australian visit risks being charged up to £2800. Who is limiting who? Have these people a right to have their say? Listen to their reasons.
http://media.smh.com.au/?rid=38999 Whoever causes "nuisance" during Pope Benedict XVI's Australian visit risks being charged up to £2800. Who is limiting who? Have these... more -
Secret war against Iran underway
n an article in the "New Yorker", Seymour Hersh says that the President got up to 400 million dollars in a “Presidential Finding” and that top democrats were involved. An unidentified source told Hersh:"The Finding was focused on undermining Iran's nuclear ambitions and trying to undermine the government through regime change." The funds were requested at the same time that a US National Intelligence Estimate late last year stated that Iran had halted any kind of Nuclear Weapons program they may have had by 2003. Despite the report the Bush administration and many in congress continue to talk about Iran as a nuclear threat. In an interview with CNN, Hersh talked about Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney: "They believe that their mission is to make sure that before they get out of office next year, either Iran is attacked or it stops its weapons program," As well, a non binding resolution with bipartisan support is moving quickly through the house. The resolution calls on the White House to ban the export to Iran, of refined petroleum or gasoline and for "stringent inspection requirements on all persons, vehicles, ships, planes, trains, and cargo entering or departing Iran," and would give the President free reign in dealing with Iran including a naval blockade. n an article in the "New Yorker", Seymour Hersh says that the President got up to 400 million dollars in a “Presidential Finding” and ... more
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FCC to discuss digital future at Pittsburgh hearing
Date: June 30, 2008
Contact: Jen Howard, Free Press, (202) 265-1490, x22 or (703) 517-6273
WASHINGTON -- Today, the Federal Communications Commission announced it will hold a public hearing about broadband and the digital future in Pittsburgh on July 21.
Last week, industry, advocacy, academic and financial leaders launched InternetforEveryone.org -- a groundbreaking initiative to make access to a fast, open and affordable Internet a basic right for all Americans.
Timothy Karr, campaign director of Free Press, the organizer of InternetforEveryone.org, issued the following statement:
"We applaud the FCC for continuing to seek public input on key policy questions. Few issues facing the nation are more important than the future of the Internet and its vital role in economic growth, education, media and democracy.
"Broadband is no longer a luxury; it is a public necessity. The country that invented the Internet should be able to connect every home, business and civic institution. But right now half of American homes are still not connected to high-speed Internet. This vast digital divide has left entire communities shut out of the economic, political and social opportunities that access to technology brings.
"We hope this is the beginning of a broad public dialogue on how to connect this nation -- and what policies Congress and the FCC must implement to get us there."
Read the FCC's announcement: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-2... Date: June 30, 2008 Contact: Jen Howard, Free Press, (202) 265-1490, x22 or (703) 517-6273 ... more -
cia created facebook to obtain privacy rights
it's scary to think how much of of our privacy is public knowledge.
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Do you think churches should be taxed?
I do. They lobby and spend money on real estate, spend money on advertisements, and some of the megachurch preachers have million dollar homes. At the bottom of this link the poster says that they believe the churches should pay taxes proportional to the good they do.
Benny Hinn, a TV preacher who runs the World Healing Center Church in Grapevine, Texas. Hinn, who travels the globe conducting faith-healing revivals, lives in a seven-bathroom, eight-bedroom mansion overlooking the Pacific Ocean valued at $10 million. It is claimed as a parsonage.
The Rev. Creflo Dollar's World Changers Church International in College Park, Ga. Dollar drives a Rolls Royce and has large homes in Georgia and New York. He is asked to provide a list of all vehicles provided for himself, his wife, board members and ministry employees.
Paula and Randy White's Without Walls International Church in Tampa, Fla. In a letter to the ministry, Grassley asks the couple to provide a list of expense account items "including, but not limited to, clothing expenses and any cosmetic surgery for years 2004 to present."
Joyce Meyer Ministries in Fenton, Mo. Grassley asks Meyer and her husband David to explain expenditures like a $23,000 commode with a marble top, a $30,000 conference table, an $11,000 French clock and a $19,000 pair of vases for the ministry headquarters.
Kenneth Copeland Ministries in Newark, Texas. Copeland is asked to explain how cash offerings are handled during overseas crusades and to explain the use of a ministry jet for "layovers" in Maui, Fiji and Honolulu.
Long's New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, Ga. Among other things, Long is asked to explain a church official's 2005 claim that Long no longer accepts a salary from the church but does take a "love offering
link to above explaining about senate finance committee investigation from this year
http://www.alternet.org/story/72539/?page=entire I do. They lobby and spend money on real estate, spend money on advertisements, and some of the megachurch preachers have million dol... more -
NYC Police Beat Up Rap Group Members Rebel Diaz
By Davey D & Jenny on the Block
Looks like the NYPD are living up to their reputation of being bonafide 'dipshits'. We are just getting word that NYC Police located in what was once known as Fort Apache-the 41st Precint in the Bronx, have shown that police terrorism is alive and well. The word is in a unprovoked attack they badly assaulted two members of the Rap group Rebel Diaz.
The story we are hearing is that group Rodstarz and G1 were up in Bronx on Southern Blvd in Hunts Point, when they noticed the police were harassing a street vendor who was selling fruit. The two went over to witness the cops in action and when they saw the police being abusive they pulled out a cell phone to video tape the incident and asked for the officers badge numbers.
Keep in mind that part of the Bronx has a large immigrant community and it is also being gentrified. The police from the 41st Precint have made it a point to commit acts of terror including the shooting and killing of an unarmed immigrant man last year. The case brought up images of Amadou Diallo another immigrant was gunned down by out of control Bronx cops in the neighboring precint.
According to witnesses, when Rodstarz and G1 asked for badge numbers the police became agitated and turned around and started beating them with bully clubs and kicking them in full view of other vendors and people on the crowded street. The two were dragged off bloody, put into a police car and charged with resisting arrest and assault.
The backdrop to this story is that Rebel Diaz are not your ordinary rappers. They are well known activist who not only speak out against police terrorism, but have been key in helping out folks within this immigrant community. Hence it would not be usual for group members to bear witness and to speak out against the injustices. Rebel Diaz has committed themselves to given voice to the voiceless in that Bronx neighborhood.
Many feel that the assault by these cowardly Bronx police officers in plain view of everyone was a way to send a strong message to folks in the community that the police run things and they best stay in line. By beating the Rebel Diaz members in front of everyone was a way to spark fear and remind people that no one is safe from the police. They wanna let folks know that they can brazenly beat up popular rappers in front everyone even with cell phone cameras rolling and do so with impunity. The whole ordeal is akin to the slave masters from way back sparking fear in the hearts of other slaves by beating the strongest among them in front of everyone for all to see.
Over the past year NY Police have been man handling, arresting and terrorizing politicized Hip Hop artists, activists and news reporters.
For example, last year in Brooklyn well known attorney Michael Tarif Warren who routinely represents people in police abuse cases was badly beaten along with his wife when they stopped to watch and bear witness to NY cops terrorizing a unarmed tennage boy at a gas station.
During the protests immediately following the acquittal of the officers on trial for the Sean Bell shooting, journalists who had been speaking out against the police were harassed and roughed up.
Hopefully folks will read this and understand that what the police are doing will not work.. A police state will not take place on our collective watch..
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La Peña del Bronx is urging folks to call the 41st Precint
at 718.542.4771, stating that the community is with the
Venegas brothers and to demand that the NYPD release them.
The Justice Committee, MXGM and Micheal Warren have beencontacted.
For more information contact La Peña del Bronx at lapena2006@hotmail.comTel:718-292-6137
By Davey D & Jenny on the Block ... more -
CURRENT MEETUP?
I have been very inspired by comments, posts, replies and messages from members of Current.com.
So, I got to thinking, what if we all met up and started, as a team, implementing some of these ideas we bang aound on the site and channel?
What about finding (possibly by zipcode) where we all are, and whereever possible, establishing meetups?
Maybe monthly, where we can discuss an agenda to actually brainstrom and IMPLEMENT real change.
We could pool all our resources and who knows what we could accomplish?? I have been very inspired by comments, posts, replies and messages from members of Current.com. ... more -
Election reform for $6!?? Yes.
Congress would only have to spend $6 per citizen per year to publicly fund each and every election for the House, the Senate and the White House. When you consider that "pork barrel" projects cost every one of us more than $200 last year alone, it’s no contest.
Think of it. With public funding, wealthy special interests and their hired lobbyists would no longer have a commanding influence over our politics and government. Instead of begging for campaign donations, candidates would spend their time communicating with voters. Once elected, our leaders would be free to focus on our nation's challenges rather than having to worry about financing their next campaign. And there's no doubt that more of our most able leaders would run for federal office when the ability to finance a campaign isn't such a daunting obstacle.
Take action!
Prompt candidates and representatives to support sound election reform!
http://www.just6dollars.org/candidates Congress would only have to spend $6 per citizen per year to publicly fund each and every election for the House, the Senate and the W... more -
Racism in America (and obviously in the Republican Party) still...
At the Republican state convention, a booth hosted by Republicanmarket was selling a pin Saturday that says: If Obama is President will we still call it the White House. At the Republican state convention, a booth hosted by Republicanmarket was selling a pin Saturday that says: If Obama is President wil... more
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SAY NO TO Senator Bond's attack on civil liberties
In order to avoid this disastrous legislation, all the House has to do is stand strong on their February vote, and stick with the current version of FISA. Send a message to your representative today, and him or her to vote for the Constitution by voting against Senator Bond's catastrophic FISA "compromise" when it comes to the House.
In order to avoid this disastrous legislation, all the House has to do is stand strong on their February vote, and stick with the curr... more -
The other Secret of NiMH and Conservative Lunacy
I have really started to believe that conservatives, at least the far rights, have something wrong with them that is socially unacceptable and has long been dangerous to other peoples well being. This is an article from 2007 that I don't remember hearing anything about, probably because the powers that be squelched it. It is a study by the National Institute of Mental Health about how conservatives may be mentally ill. I can't cut and paste for some reason, so please visit the site for a good read. "Conservatism is an ancient disease that threatens all life on Earth". I have really started to believe that conservatives, at least the far rights, have something wrong with them that is socially unaccept... more
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