Microsoft has updated Bing Maps to provide more accurate estimated travel times for users located anywhere its map service is available. This update was accomplished by implementing the same technology Bing has been using for those in the United States, namely traffic-aware routing, something that results in not only the time it would take to drive between any two points … Continue reading
“The bomb fell over there. If you like I can show you the crater. It exploded and shattered the window. She [my wife] was standing next to the window. The fragments shattered the window and cut her carotid artery. I wanted to run in the opposite direction, but I heard people screaming, ‘Uncle Vanya, Uncle Vanya! Aunt Raya was killed!'”
In October 2014, in eastern Ukraine, Ivan described his wife’s death to Human Rights Watch in terms that were in some ways quite clinical, yet also very desperate.
One wonders what Ivan is doing now; what support he is getting to cope with the loss of his wife; whether those who launched the cluster munitions that killed Raya are aware that the weapon is internationally banned by the majority of the world, and that it should never, under any circumstance, be used in modern warfare. One also has to ask, who gave the orders for this weapon to be used? Governments and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights are pressing for answers on this recent use of cluster munitions in Ukraine.
This week, campaigners against the weapon are also pressing for answers on why any financial institution or bank would choose to be associated with the production of this banned weapon. PAX, a member of the international Cluster Munition Coalition, has released a report revealing the financial institutions backing companies involved in production of cluster munitions.
Sadly, loss of life and limb from cluster munitions is not unusual. Fifty years since they were used in Laos, people still suffer from the daily threat of cluster munition remnants. Some have said that the US bombing of Laos was the equivalent of one planeload of cluster bombs every eight minutes, 24 hours a day, for nine years. At least 270 million cluster bomblets were dropped as part of the campaign and approximately 80 million failed to detonate. It’s because of the devastating failure rate as well as the impact on civilians at the time of use, that cluster munitions are banned under the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions. Cluster Munition Monitor records that civilians account for 94% of cluster munition casualties.
What is increasingly unusual is countries still using the weapon. Since the international ban was agreed, use has been limited to a small number of states remaining outside of the global ban on cluster munitions; states such as Syria which has shown little regard for international humanitarian law across the board. Each incident of use has been followed by strong international condemnation and usually denial by the states in question, showing a clear desire to disassociate themselves from this discredited weapon.
Whilst production of cluster munitions has also drastically reduced (eighteen countries including the UK, Australia, France, Germany, Japan and South Africa have ceased production), it continues to be tolerated in some countries remaining outside the global ban. Seven producers have been researched in the PAX report, from China, Singapore, South Korea and the United States. Financial investments in these seven producers, between June 2011 and September 2014, amount to US $27billion – that’s more than double the GDP of Laos, the country with more cluster munition casualties than any other.
Alarmingly, some of the financial institutions investing in cluster munition producers are based in countries that have already joined the Convention on Cluster Munitions. This raises ethical and legal concerns in countries that should abide by the treaty’s prohibitions (including Article 1.1.c not to assist “in any activity prohibited to a State Party under this Convention”- which includes production).
Tolerating investment in cluster munition producers goes against a strong international stigma, and against the norms of international humanitarian law established by the global ban. It’s time the UK, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Spain and other countries that have joined the global ban on cluster munitions regulate the practice of these bad banks to ensure they are not supporting the overseas production of weapons they have already outlawed.
For every cluster munition produced, for every cluster munition used, for every cluster munition that fails to detonate – a civilian, like Ivan’s wife Raya, is at too great a risk from death or injury. It’s time we ask our banks to put lives before profits, and it’s time for governments to put an end to this practice by introducing legislation to stop explosive investments.
Phongsavath Manithong, Cluster munition survivor and Handicap International Ban Advocate, Laos. © Handicap International Laos
How can I possibly be thankful when my beloved died this year? If your beloved died this year you may well be asking this question, audibly and under your breath.
And maybe you can’t be thankful just yet; maybe you need to rail at God, the other driver, his lack of attention to his health, yourself for various regrets, or any number of other targets. If you do, rail away. Wail away, get it out. Emotions are begging to be released, so cry, cry, and cry some more. It’s generally only after you FEEL your emotions fully, that you can begin your HEALing.
Yes, that overladen Thanksgiving table may look nothing short of sickening to you now. You can’t remember when you had an appetite, and you doubt seriously it will suddenly arrive simply because it is Thanksgiving. So, marshal your power and tell your family and friends what you think you need. (Prepare yourself that you may not have any idea of what you need just yet; it may unfold moment by moment, and it probably will change shortly after you decide upon a strategy. That’s okay; change is okay.)
I don’t recommend your being alone on Thanksgiving or any of the holidays, however much you may feel like it right now. Instead, tell the host that you will attend the family/group gathering, yet you may not eat so much, and you may burst into tears, and you may not join in on all the festivities, and that needs to be alright. Another “condition” of your attendance is that everyone joins in to remember your beloved, with stories or anecdotes, pictures and jokes. While your husband isn’t going to be seated at the table, you WILL celebrate his memory, by stating his name and including his memory in the days’ festivities.
Prepare, in advance, a room or location — even your car — where you can retreat into if you need some space. Privacy is as necessary as is community during the holidays, so best to plan to entertain both.
Since you can’t bring about a different yesterday, or a different last year, and since your beloved is no longer physically at your side, it might be just the time to begin thinking about the myriad times you shared, and especially the laughter.
Think about the fact that you two found each other, and committed to a forever love. Forever love doesn’t end with death on this earth plane, however painful the loss-of-having-him-near feels.
Remember what he had said to you on previous Thanksgivings, and repeat that to yourself now. If you may have saved some of his greeting cards, read and re-read those cards now. Think of what he would be saying to you, right now, and attempt to find even a scintilla of comfort in that.
What I know of the next-life, he’s no doubt offering you comfort when and as you are able to receive it. You see, he was powerful and he loved you fiercely, yet even HE wasn’t powerful enough to stop death, or alter death’s random timing; nor, sadly, are any of us. It’s perfectly normal to scream out, or to quietly utter in complete disbelief:
“Why me, though?”
“We had such a good thing going together, and now I’m all alone!”
Yes, you are now facing one of the most challenging chapters of your life; and you will prevail, as have so many before you. You don’t need to know how, or when, yet you will honor your husband’s wishes for you to celebrate his memory; most likely in fits and starts.
I hope that you will be thankful for the time you had together, and move towards your re-membering yourself after that one split second in which you must have felt dis-membered; wrenched apart.
And I hope and pray that now you will literally wrap your arms around you, as he would have, and just hug yourself. And ask your dearest friends and family to gift you with hugs too, because hugs heal. Hugs help widows face the insurmountable mountain of life ahead.
Consider scheduling a massage therapist to come to your home and give you a massage so you can simply fall asleep in your own home afterwards. If your family members ask how they can help, requesting a gift certificate for a massage, a facial, manicure or pedicure (or any combination thereon) may work, right? Maybe, just maybe?
Or ask them to send, or bring you, a bouquet of flowers. Or ask your closest friend(s) to be there for you–for your phone call or drop-in visit or to come over to your house–at any hour of the day or night. Tons of widows have reported having the assurance from one or more family members or dear friends to do just that, and while they typically aren’t called upon, it’s nonetheless a terrific comfort to know that kind of support is at the ready.
And finally, I always say that when we can give to another, we will receive at least equal measure back. Yes, there is healing in giving.
Often our self-worth is in the toilet as widows, so we need to figure out how to get our self/footing/status as a survivor back, and one of the quickest ways I know of is to give something to someone–either in person or through the US mail, or email. Donate to a worthy cause; prepare a shoebox filled with surprises for a military person, or a woman in a homeless shelter, or a neighbor in need.
Even giving a smile to the check-out clerk, or our waiter/waitress, or our lawn service worker, or our mail deliverer will brighten our day. So, this Thanksgiving season and ensuing Christmas and Hanukkah, may we focus on finding ways to give and to receive love, for that’s ultimately all there is, in this life and the next.
To Your Empowerment,
Debra L. Morrison
http://DebraLMorrison.com
WASHINGTON (AP) — Many immigrants in the United States illegally who apply for work permits under President Barack Obama’s new executive actions would be eligible for Social Security and Medicare benefits upon reaching retirement age, according to the White House.
Under Obama’s actions, immigrants who are spared deportation could obtain work permits and a Social Security number. As a result, they would pay into the Social Security system through payroll taxes. No such “lawfully present” immigrant, however, would be immediately entitled to the benefits because like all Social Security and Medicare recipients they would have to work 10 years to become eligible for retirement payments and health care. To remain qualified, either Congress or future administrations would have to extend Obama’s actions so that those immigrants would still be considered lawfully present in the country.
None of the immigrants who would be spared deportation under Obama’s executive actions would be able to receive federal assistance such as welfare or food stamps, or other income-based aid. They also would not be eligible to purchase health insurance in federal exchanges set up by the new health care law and they would not be able to apply for tax credits that would lower the cost of their health insurance.
The issue of benefits for immigrants who are illegally in the United States is a particularly sensitive one for the Obama administration. As a result, the White House has made it clear that none of the nearly 5 million immigrants affected by Obama’s actions would be eligible for federal assistance. The Obama administration first denied younger immigrants who entered the U.S. illegally as children access to health care exchanges and tax credits in 2012, especially disappointing immigrant advocates.
“They were specifically carved out of that, which is deeply unfortunate because it cuts directly against the spirit” of the health care law, said Avideh Moussavian, an attorney at the National Immigration Law Center. “They should have had the opportunity to buy health insurance just like anybody else.”
Less clear until now was their eligibility for retirement benefits for which they would have paid into through payroll taxes.
Describing the administration’s position, one official said Wednesday that any immigrant considered lawfully present and holding a Social Security number would be entitled to Social Security and Medicare upon retirement because they would have paid into the system.
Stephen Miller, a spokesman for Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama, a leading Republican opponent of Obama’s executive actions, said making immigrants illegally in the U.S. eligible for Social Security and Medicare “is an attack on working families.”
“The amnestied illegal immigrants are largely older, lower-wage and lower-skilled and will draw billions more in benefits than they will pay in,” he said.
Beneficiaries would have to be of retirement age and have worked for at least 10 years. Immigrants would also be eligible for survivor benefits if the deceased worker had worked for 10 years. For disability insurance, they would have to work for 5-20 years.
A report by the White House Council of Economic Advisers this week concluded that Obama’s executive actions would expand the U.S. tax base because about two-thirds of immigrants illegally working in the United States don’t pay taxes.
But many immigrants currently working illegally still pay into the Social Security system because they have obtained an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. Moussavian said the number has declined because the Internal Revenue Service has made it harder to apply for the identification number.
The Social Security Administration estimates that out of about 11 immigrants who either entered the U.S. illegally or have overstayed their visas slightly more than 3 million paid payroll taxes of about $6.5 billion in 2010, with their employers contributing another $6.5 billion.
Those payments would not qualify toward the 10 year requirement needed to be eligible for benefits, the administration official said. The official was not authorized to describe the policy by name and spoke on the condition of anonymity.
“It’s one of many reasons why they would want to come forward,” Moussavian said. “Many immigrants have contributed enormously through payroll taxes and income taxes and they go to programs that they can’t currently access.”
1. A partner who’s really into cooking the turkey (this is not a euphemism).
2. Starbucks drive-thru
3. Car seats, because no matter how much of a pain it is to strap kids in, they can’t play “I’m not touching you.”
4. Minivans (but only secretly thankful).
5. Every time her child poops without help. This never gets old.
6. Every time her child poops without the poop getting on her.
7. Cheese.
8. Her favorite grocery store.
9. The Target toy aisle on a rainy afternoon.
10. Underwear that fits.
11. That one bra she owns that fits.
12. Caffeine.
13. That her formerly super-hot ex is now balding, which makes her feel better about her stretch marks.
14. That her children are not currently grievously injured.
15. That her kids are too young for Legos/old enough to clean up their Legos/ that she is not actively stepping on a Lego.
16. Sleep: both hers and her kid’s .
17. That kids show that’s pure trash, that she loves to hate, because it gives her five quiet minutes.
18. The Target and Wal-Mart back end caps where they stock all the bargains.
19. Hand turkeys (also not a euphemism).
20. Friends she doesn’t have to clean for.
21. Absurdist kids’ books, like Dragons Love Tacos and Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus.
22. Her favorite lipstick.
23. Mornings when her kids can find a matching pair of shoes without searching, whining, or nagging.
24. That magic baby-head smell.
25. Days when she loves the sticky kisses, the loud noise, the thrown balls and running feet and Dr. Seuss.
On November 24, 2014, Prosecutor McCulloch announced the grand jury’s decision on the Michael Brown case that has gripped the nation from Ferguson, Missouri. The grand jury decided not to indict Darren Wilson.
The response has been overwhelming thus far. The immediate reaction saw protesters expressing their outrage and 3.5 million tweets (52,200 tweets per minute during the peak) mentioning Ferguson. Eventually, the great debates began questioning the ultimate lack of trial despite McCulloch’s long defense and claims of conflicting information. The conversation has also questioned the choice of McCulloch as the prosecutor for the case and attempted to analyze McCulloch’s motives.
Today, we’re left picking up the pieces from the aftermath of the rather lengthy announcement, which included blaming the media for unrest. The rest of the world got in on the Ferguson watch as it has been since Michael Brown’s death in August. (If you missed it, North Korea has also gotten in on the action, calling America the “graveyard of human rights.”)
The public outrage has led to protests throughout the nation, but many teens, young adults and HuffPost Teen bloggers have also expressed their reactions on social media. One of the prevailing things I noticed on that fateful night was the high volume of teens who were speaking out and explaining why this isn’t just about one of our peers — it’s a bigger societal indication about civil rights and the racism that still exists in America. It’s about the reality that America hasn’t made as much progress as we’d like to believe.
But at the end of the day, I believe we can look forward to our future with hope. My first draft of a post I began writing about the grand jury decision included a line that said, “America has lost to itself.” After seeing the reactions from teens who will one day lead America, I quickly revised my thought. There is hope in the way that teens and young adults today refuse to let racism slide and in the way we’re willing to stand up for justice and what is right.
America has lost, but it has also won in so many powerful ways. I hope the following reactions from teens and young adults convince you of the same. (Warning: some mild language.)
Many of us were appalled by McCulloch’s announcement and some of the reactions.
excuse me did he just blame social media for the worlds problems like no
— Justina Sharp (@bentpieceofwire) November 25, 2014
So Officer Wilson wasn’t indicted because witnesses varied on what angle his arms were raised? #Ferguson
— Jamie Gleklen (@jglek) November 25, 2014
This is so disheartening. #FergusonDecision
— Jackson Barnett (@jacksonbarnett) November 25, 2014
Disgusting to see people taking advantage of the situation. Looting and violence is unacceptable in a community that is hurting for justice.
— Garrett deGraff (@Garrettdeg) November 25, 2014
We can’t let them get away with this shit. We can’t let this become another page in a history book that gets tossed under someone’s bed.
— Leo Sheng (@iLeoSheng) November 25, 2014
Ferguson police… I knew you were trouble when you waited hours to release the verdict. #FergusonDecision #JusticeForMikeBrown #Ferguson
— Morgan Levy (@RBF_Reporter) November 25, 2014
there is a difference between defending your opinion + destroying property because you feel like expressing it
— Justina Sharp (@bentpieceofwire) November 25, 2014
It’s sad to see the battleground Ferguson has literally become. Be aware of the livelihoods you affect with violent protests.
— Isabel Song (@IsabelSong) November 25, 2014
It took minutes for Darren Wilson to shoot and kill Mike Brown.
It took seconds for millions of people around the country to call bullshit.
— Leo Sheng (@iLeoSheng) November 25, 2014
When the world makes no sense I feel so small. #ferguson
— HauntedSunshineGirl (@hauntedsunshine) November 25, 2014
We see what this really means for America and racism.
Ferguson doesn’t end with an indictment or a trial. It ends when racism in america finally dissolves. #Ferguson #JusticeForMikeBrown
— Morgan Levy (@RBF_Reporter) November 25, 2014
This case isn’t about a black man being shot by a white officer, it’s about a race of people living in a society where they are expendable.
— Garrett deGraff (@Garrettdeg) November 25, 2014
None of us are free until all of us are free. Stand with Ferguson. Don’t forget Michael Brown.
— Allison ✨ (@wendla_b3rgmann) November 25, 2014
— Camryn Garrett (@dancingofpens) November 25, 2014
“America is not everything that it could be. I’m confident that we can make progress.” literally yes
— KAMI BAKER (@Peeta_is_aBAKER) November 25, 2014
This isn’t the end, nor is it the beginning. Our country’s been like this for centuries. White politics have always won against black folks.
— Leo Sheng (@iLeoSheng) November 25, 2014
The fact the people even have to TWEET #BlackLivesMatter is upsetting. It’s already implied for white people. No one questions it.
— Camryn Garrett (@dancingofpens) November 25, 2014
If you think about it. My generation is growing up in the social equivalent of the 1960s, social rights history is being made as I type
— JBird (@JShearrow) November 25, 2014
I am not worth more than my friends of color because my parents are white.
— Jackson Barnett (@jacksonbarnett) November 25, 2014
“Opened old wounds.” The black community has been bleeding for hundreds of years.
— Garrett deGraff (@Garrettdeg) November 25, 2014
For me the hardest part about becoming an adult is realizing that the world is not a fair place. It has been the hardest lesson.
— Jessica R. Williams (@msjwilly) November 25, 2014
Am I’m still expected to stand up and say the pledge tomorrow? When it clearly doesn’t apply to everyone? #Ferguson
— Camryn Garrett (@dancingofpens) November 25, 2014
Dear America,
I hope these images forever haunt us as a reminder of the progress that always needs to be made. pic.twitter.com/SUWeLOsC86
— Isabel Song (@IsabelSong) November 25, 2014
A murder isn’t even going to trial. We have so much to fix in this country. BLACK LIVES MATTER. #FergusonDecision
— Tyler Oakley (@tyleroakley) November 25, 2014
And in the end, we look to our future.
I don’t want to leave America-I want to grow up and make a difference.
— Jillian K. (@JillGeeRAWRd) November 25, 2014
Have hope for a brighter tomorrow, through hard work, we can achieve great progress.
— Garrett deGraff (@Garrettdeg) November 25, 2014
Basically all I want to tell you people is to stay informed and to stay aware and to stay awake in this world
— KAMI BAKER (@Peeta_is_aBAKER) November 25, 2014
“Only in the darkness can you see the stars.”
― Martin Luther King Jr
— HauntedSunshineGirl (@hauntedsunshine) November 25, 2014
This generation, OUR GENERATION, needs to change this. We see all this injustice; it’s been our entire lives. We have to change it.
— Jillian K. (@JillGeeRAWRd) November 25, 2014
There is goodness in the world and I’m telling you we have to fight for it every single day
— KAMI BAKER (@Peeta_is_aBAKER) November 25, 2014
I’m left with one conclusion. I have to believe that our generation will be better. We have no other choice and no other way to move forward. It will not be easy, nor will it happen quickly, but it is the fight worth fighting. Rage against the civil injustices that continue to plague America.
And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
–Dylan Thomas, Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night (final stanza)
NVIDIA is rolling out an Android 5.0 Lollipop OTA update for its Shield Tablet, the company has announced. The update is heading out for the US 32GB LTE model, making Shield the first LTE tablet in the United States to score Lollipop. Those who don’t want to wait for the over-the-air update to make it their way can update the … Continue reading
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