Curtis On The News

News Journal of January 27, 2012: They Did Not Give Up To Learn and Do

2012-01-27T04:07:00.000-08:00

After he learned how to read at the age of ninety-one an experienced lobster-seaman became a first-time author at the age of 98. Captain James Arruda Henry finished a manuscript entitled, 'A Fisherman Language', it is his autobiography. Mr. Arruda Henry was inspired to learn reading and writing after gaining awareness of the accomplishments of George Dawson. At the age of ninety-eight Mr. Dawson learned how to read and eventually authored a book (with Richard Glaubman) entitled, 'Life Is Good'. Mr. Dawson was a son of a slave. My wish to read both of the books. An incentive for me to 'hear' their stories is because the two writers battled out of the encasement of illiteracy.

The captain for many years often hidden his inability to read, but managed to raise a family and supervised others of his occupation. At a young age, still in boyhood James Arruda was forced to work supporting his family but being held away from precious schooling. Propped by his trustworthy, late wife James made an aspirating decision that is now an encouraging advancement for peoples of all ages to take note of. Reading is an important skill in any language, in countless circumstances of life. How true life can still be good to these two, late-booming, published authors whom not given up in obtaining vital abilities of communication.

News Journal of January 25, 2012, Evening

2012-01-25T16:07:00.001-08:00

Actress Cynthia Nixon gained some, negative responses from same-sex activists after her interview with The New York Times Magazine. Nixon is involved in a homosexual relationship with Christine Marinoni. The couple are caring for Max, their son Marinoni gave birth to almost a year ago.
Cynthia was quoted by last Sunday's magazine, saying her being gay is "a choice". According to Newsday newspaper Nixon's critics of her statement include pro-gay, blog writers Perez Hilton and John Aravosis. The two bloggers among many others same-like (in opinion) believe people could be born gay and are unable to change their sexual orientations at will.
There is proof Nixon knows well the actuality of her words. Her prior life experiences must had contributed to this realization of 'choice'. She was in a long-term relationship with a man resulting in the birth of two children. How would Cynthia give birth to those children if she was born gay unable to alter her sexual orientation? Physical attraction is noteworthy in preparing a woman's body functions toward releasing tiny eggs from her ovaries. The male sperm as you are aware of enters one of the female eggs leading to the development of a fetus!
Obviously Ms. Nixon made the choice later on in life after experiencing an attraction to males. True there could be powerful, social factors, influences contributing to one's sexual conduct. To my knowledge there is yet to be proven any, real biological, scientific evidence people are born to a specific, sexual orientation. There isn't a single strand of DNA data or human chromosomes supporting such absurdity.
Not all from the gay community were critical of Nixon's expressions she is entitled to communicate. What is good news is that since homosexuality is a selected gratification-it can be deselected. An willing, determined person can overcome it (with the suitable resources and support) if he or she desires to live as an heterosexual soul.

cartoon by curtis w. jackson

News Journal of January 25, 2012: Brentwood LIRR Hit and Run

2012-01-24T03:34:00.001-08:00

Before I entered the Brentwood LIRR this Tuesday, January 24th there was observed the immediate aftermath of an hit and run accident, circa 6:25am. The victim, a white male was likely struck at his legs, from behind when the driver was making a speeding turn, right off Brentwood Road towards the LIRR station and commuter parking areas. The auto operator failed to stop, check on the condition of the victim and called 9-11 to report the accident.
Eyewitnesses saw the unknown auto (to me) sped down to the next, possible exit to elude the consequences of the accident. Within minutes Suffolk police and Brentwood EMS crew were at the scene to assist the victim who was eventually taken to a local hospital. We can assume police are still investigating the crime. They are likely nearing their objective of arresting the irresponsible driver, whoever he or she might be. The care-less act seemed to had troubled the consciousness of the waiting commuters in discussion, as word of the accident quickly spread.
It is possible the driver would certainly encounter some trouble with a stiff traffic fine if he/she had stopped and waited for police. The accident may had been contributed by the victim's lack of caution, the details many of us do not know. But now we are aware the rushing driver chosen not to stop, so the burden of accountability had increased upon his or her shoulders. And the scheduled train to work was missed be ridden upon because of a change of plan to escape justice. From my viewing the victim was not fatally injured, he may recover favorably pending his condition and medical treatment.

News Journal of January 23, 2012: What Is Known Unexpressed.

2012-01-23T04:58:00.001-08:00

You may had just listened to on news radio that the European Union (EU) nations had agreed on a oil embargo against Iran. Those collective countries with Turkey are expressing their disapproval of Iran's nuclear program. This weekend you likely heard repeated that long time, fired Penn State coach, Joe Paterno passed away due to health complications. He was 85 years old, a man gaining honor in the college world of sports, but not in helping children be spared from sexual abuse. When the opportunity was placed upon his lap of civil duty to his community.
You may had watched Arizona Senator, Gabrielle Gifford's You Tube video announcement. (I did not see it.) She is retiring from her congressional seat this week to better progress her already remarkable recovery. Remember she was shot a year ago by by a psychologically ruptured, young man spraying bullets at a public event. In spite of being seriously inflicted with gun shots wounds in her head, Ms. Gifford battled (with support, medical treatment, assistance) from the edge of death. Her recovery thus far is inspiring in considering how others facing mountains of health dilemmas may be sustained in real hope.
Of course if you live in the metro New York area you know the NY Giants are heading to the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots, February 5th. Both teams won their NFL conference champion games yesterday. The Patriots pushed passed the Baltimore Ravens, the score 23-20. In overtime the Giants overcame their rivals, the game ending in a score of 20-17. What I am aware of or know little of, there is limited time at hand for me write about now. A return here to engage in news commentary is pending, thank you for visiting.

cartoon drawing and photo by curtis w. jackson

At Last

2012-01-20T09:40:00.001-08:00

On the evening news today you will hear about the death of Etta James. She passed away this Friday, January 20, 2012. No doubt the evening newscast would feature dated, video footage of the famed singer. Ms. James may be shown singing her popular, 1961 hit single, 'At Last'. Born in 1938, an native of her birth city, Los Angeles, California. Etta died from complications of Leukemia, other health inflections.
My awareness of the heartfelt written ballad and Ms. James' potent, deeply moving vocals. I am one of those folks whom had not taken the time to learn who sang that famous song. Why is it often at their deaths we learn more about the individuals, the richness of their existences irreplaceable? My father probably knows much about Etta, who died at the age of 73 in her birth city. The song, 'At Last' was written in 1941 for a film musical, 'Orchester Wives' by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren.

The Choice

2012-01-19T15:07:00.001-08:00

News Journal of January 18, 2012: What Is A Good Report?

2012-01-18T19:55:00.000-08:00

How often in recent times you heard that joblessness statistically fallen in numbers? Or you may had got word that fewer people are applying for unemployment benefits. Before accepting such reports as favorable news toward the future, it may be practical to consider a fuller picture. Employment figures might constitute various, working circumstances including vocational and part-time jobs. We can re-examine one sort of situation, a 38-year old single father just got a position grilling and flipping burgers at a fast-food restaurant.
He was a former, public servant who was laid off due to the county budget cuts. So now he is earning a little more than half the income previously to maintain his mortgage debt, contribute to his ill son's health costs, other bills and daily necessities. People might say he should be delighted, be thankful to have a job, but are the feelings suitable in his day-to-day struggles and uncertain future? Somehow, for reasons insensitive such a man would be listed as gainfully employed in the latest, economic good news statistics.
The unemployment rate in the United Kingdom according to Business News increased to 8.6 percent, the highest since 1996. There are other, economic trouble spots in the world including Greece. In Washington D.C. Congressional leaders are in the process of reviewing the payroll tax cut which was recently extended into February, 2012. The payroll tax cut might be a government objective to stimulate the US economy. It is a measure, if I am correct here, to lessen the tax burden on roughly 160 million employees on their wages and self-employment income.
In agreement late last year with President Obama the US Congress had also extended unemployment benefits and averted deep cuts in Medicare benefits. The US President had been engaging as one of his major priorities-job creation. Obama had push for a 447 billion job creation bill. Congress voted against it last fall season, 2011. And no surprise pending, there would be confrontations between political parties on how the economy should be fixed. If those un-progressive disagreements in Washington D.C. develop we might be sure whatever good reports issued forth would not meet the needs of each citizen.
Today's Long Island Newsday on page four features a highlight of the 2012 Long Island Index Poll. According to it there is a noticeable percentage of Long Islanders facing challenges paying their rent or mortgage on time. From 35% to 61% of LI residents found these living expenses "somewhat difficult" to "very difficult". For many on Long Island being able to make ends meet is tough going. Is this same-like in your local area, among your family and associates? I look forward to future days when all peoples will not have financial worries and fear of losing their homes. Thank you for visiting, I look forward to returning here with more, news commentary.

Note: As for the single father stated before, he avoided working extensive overtime in order to spend more, quality time with his son. He soon let go of his house on a short sale, settling for a studio apartment. Two months later he switched occupations training first to be a home health aide, and then as a CNA, certified nursing aide. In the CNA class he met a single mother and later married her.
With their combined incomes the newlyweds transferred from their smaller, rented dwellings to share a larger apartment. They are raising their new family together with cautious consideration of purchasing a new home. The couple often examines their practical goals with their children in improving their lives, enhancing their contentment. You may wish them well.

cartoon by curtis w. jackson

News Journal of January 18, 2012: Crazy Anger

2012-01-18T11:30:00.001-08:00

It is not much a question in modern times, of people losing their proper sense of self-control. The actual inquiry nowadays may be how badly people will engage their rage, their uncontrollable anger. We observe from the news how life-preserving healthy forbearance could be. It might spare us from troubles we need not to encounter. Unfortunately it does not take much for people's sparks to fly into an combustible, tragic incident. A young man in Philadelphia did not live long enough to apologize for his thoughtless statements. As often so the expressions whatever being something worth forgiving and forgotten about within a day.
After an evening spent at a bar 23-year old Kevin Kless sought to get transport for himself, his girlfriend and a female associate. A taxi driver overlooked stopping for the trio of companions. Mr. Kless strewed out loud berating statements at the taxicab. A quad of men in a passing auto misunderstood Kevin's sayings as being directed at them. Three men got out of their vehicle, confronted Mr. Kless and beaten him to death.
The murder was not far, a few feet from the famous Liberty Bell in the historic district. Philadelphia's law authorities are looking for the four men, seeking eyewitnesses and offering a 20k dollars reward toward capturing the thugs. There is a public plead for eyewitnesses to come forward, the reward been increased. Police are also examining surveillance video footage on the Saturday night incident. Mr. Kless was a recent, college graduate. How unfortunate his life was lost on a matter that could had chilled to the winter temperature instead of erupting in violence.

Kevin Kless

Facebook Poker With Life @ Risk

2012-01-16T13:53:00.001-08:00

This is an briefing of post, according to news source, the captain of the cruise disaster, the ship, Costa Concordia off the coast of Giglio Island, Italy-he made a gamble. The captain, Francesco Schettino responded to a Facebook bet (with relatives) to steer his ship close to the rocks. Guess who lost the bet with the guilt of at leash five lives gone? The ship had dangerously capsized to one side last Saturday with a 150 foot gash on her side, ripped by the rocks. There are still at leash 15 missing, you read my posting last Sunday of 01/15/2012. The cruise line CEO had cited human error blaming Schettino. My thought partially is that there is a difference between human error and berk foolishness. To note the detail about the Facebook wager between Schettino and his relatives online is not to my knowledge a confirmed truth.

News Journal of January 16, 2012: It Was Not Meant To Be

2012-01-16T04:29:00.000-08:00

Reported by the U.S. Geological Society was an event I was not expecting to hear of in the Antarctica. Yet on Sunday morning a potent, 6.6 magnitude earthquake occurred off the coast of Antarctica. It happened three hundred and eighty-eight miles northeast of Palmer Station in the stated, icy region and 334 miles west of Coronation Island. The earthquake resulted in a tsunami warning issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center according to CNN. That was a “small possibility“, the tsunami did not followed after the quaking as it did happened in March, 2011 in northeastern Japan. Over the past week there was a minor, 2.3 magnitude earthquake in Cromwell, Oklahoma, no injures or damages reported. There was a series of earthquakes which struck northwest China (Xinjiang region) ranging from 3.1 to 5.0 in magnitude, no major damages or injuries reported.
It wasn’t love at first sight for a heart-broken restaurant worker in Montevideo, Minnesota. The 24-year old man attacked his 18-year old co-worker, a single mother, shortly after she finished her evening shift at the Pizza Ranch. Derek Nelson stabbed Vanessa Lozano some 30 times with a large hunting knife. He then waited for a few minutes later for police to arrive, standing over her life-less body. Derek held the bloodied knife in his crimson strained hand studying her face one last time as red-blue-orange police car lights flashed upon him. Soon the cautiously approaching officers are asking him to drop his weapon leading to an easy arrest. Ms. Lozano was still alive when an ambulance was being called to the crime scene. She died after being admitted to the emergency unit at a local hospital.
Why did Derek Nelson viciously murdered a struggling, “kind-hearted", young parent who befriended him at his job? Because he was probably unable to accept no for an answer. Vinessa (or Vanessa) declined his repeated, romantic advances according to the Minnesota Star-Tribune. My view is true love should not result in harmful or fatal acts. So otherwise the passion-frustrated Mr. Nelson thought more about what he desired than in any genuine, unselfish feelings towards Ms. Lozano. If an individual realizes he or she is infatuated with someone of the opposite sex, there are healthy options to either overcome it or cope with it effectively. One of them is the fortunate realization that it takes two, willing participants to agree upon a romantic relationship (or a courtship). In reality romantic love isn't a dream or a fantasy because whatever happens a person is liable for him or herself in real time.
He was considered by many to be a social outcast according to the Daily Mail UK. Yet Mr. Nelson may had opportunities to develop healthy associations with his family and other, various folks beside focusing on Vinessa. People whom are responsible and are good examples. These 'good examples' noted here would not be 'highly regarded' individuals whom would use their reputations, abilities to exploit Derek's short-comings, be critical of him or treat anyone else unfairly. Those up-building relationships with positive, productive goals might had possibly aided Derek to cope with the romantic rejection. You may agree with me that continuing refining our social skills and communication abilities could be advantageous. Is this not true because we live in a world that often promote bad manners, hurtful attitudes, other, anti-social conduct and ill-feeling loneliness? If one wondering where from, they may take note of the entertainment industry-video games, books, movies, television. Law authorities had determined the January 13th slaying at Pizza Ranch was intentional-premeditated, thank you for visiting.

News Journal of January 15, 2012: Abandoned Ship

2012-01-15T04:27:00.000-08:00

Upwards of forty persons are missing, three are confirmed dead this Sunday from a luxury ship disaster on the west coast of Italy. There could be at leash 75 injured in addition due to the possible, poor decisions made by the ship's captain, who was arrested by Italian police, held in jail. The law authorities are contesting the captain according to news sources abandoned the 2000 cabins, 114,500 ton Costa Concordia after he (unintentionally likely) committed the shipwreck causing the huge vassal to tip over on one side. The grave accident happened yesterday. The captain is facing manslaughter charges. The Costa Concordia struck some, unseen, underwater rocks near the coast he attempted port at, leaving a huge gash on one side.
The favorable news is that at leash 4,200 persons are spared in what surviving passengers compared this panic-filled disaster to the 1997 popular film, Titanic. Some 39 persons may had been directly rescued or recovered from the efforts of rescuers. There could be others found from a renewed search today. Those passenagers ordeal may be concluding. However it seems like it could be a long year for the disgraced, ship captain and his first officer whom are facing their time of grim accountability. It is not what you see in the movies, correct? Somehow the captain steered the ship resulting in a 150 tear into her side causing water to flush in greatly. The shipwreck is near the Tuscan coast of Giglio Island.

Person Unknown

2012-01-14T04:17:00.000-08:00

The video, 'Violinist Unknown' below is, of course, an non-news item. There is a distanced connection of an unknown, street/subway musician with the December 28, 2011 posting relating about an visiting violinist's concert at a Brightwaters, New York library. The two persons are musicians, yet one of them is probably struggling more so to become better recognized, more successful in his violin art. In near time will he obtain the hard-earned acknowledgement as of concert artist, Hye-Jin Kim noted in the December posting, or the famed Joshua Bell? Considering the odds this matter is a maybe yes or no, many might be sure of it, who can guarantee such lasting, pubic esteem?
Even if a person sought to earn it honorably. In the secular world we live in how so often challenging to become famous and prosper in the arts! And if you do obtain the worldly prestige, homage. Then how long would it last with satisfying happiness, with what personal sacrifices and costs (or losses) to keep it afloat? If you do see him, the street violinist in the video perform on New York City subway platforms, Penn Station or Grand Central Station. You may feel incline, if you wish so to relate about this video to this striving, young violinist. It was filmed by me.

News Journal of January 13, 2012: They Are Not Fitly United

2012-01-13T16:30:00.001-08:00

We had observed how peoples are divided in the world of politics, even within the same parties of shared, governmental ideals. Isn't it true within large corporations there are top executives having principle disputes leading to opposing sides. Yet, what about big-time religion, of Christendom, are the leaders of her flocks united in peace in their objectives? Take one, social matter as same-sex marriage the disagreements among church heads are not uneasy to find. The answer been repeatedly stressed over variable, world issues, in many lands including Mexico.
The nation is likely one of the most violent lands to dwell in due to the bloody drug war. There is a existing disagreement between the Catholic Church and one of their Mexican bishops, an award-honored, human rights crusader. The church according to The Christian Science Monitor is supporting the Mexican government using the military to combat powerful drug cartels. However the Saltillo city bishop, Jose Raul Lopez Vera believes human right abuses were committed by the state. In spite of their differences the church and Lopez were unable to have slowed an 11% increase of drug-related murders in Mexico over the past year. Current statistics indicate there had been over 37,000 drug related killings within the past, five years from 2006 to mid-February, 2011.
You realized the disagreements had been global, right? During 2011 in Germany the church leaders were split among themselves on the issues of celibacy and priestly ordination of women. The same year bishops in Ghana were divided on the acceptance of practicing homosexuals into their worship. In addition in 2011 the bishops in Ireland also had differencing views on their church's position on homosexuality. When you add the subject of politics, especially in the US, there are other noted conflicts. Who of them will (or would not) support whatever, presidential candidate in the elections, Democrat or Republican? Of all of this do you wonder what single matter Catholic or Christendom leaders are completely united on. You may not want to frustrate the pope with that inquiry of vast disunity.

cartoon by curtis w. jackson

Video: Alaska Was Still Digging

2012-01-12T04:45:00.000-08:00

Red Mountain

2012-01-11T12:27:00.001-08:00

News Journal of January 10, 2012: Evening

2012-01-10T16:37:00.000-08:00

Should the endeavour of caring and sustaining a family member lead to the death of other relatives? People in Logan, Ohio may wonder how could their fellow residents be murdered over the issue of what to feed an ill woman. This bed-ridden person witnessed a loud, bloody dispute involving her diet related by numerous, news sources including Time and AP News. The fight between the relatives was whatever the terminally ill Darlene Gikey, age 59 should be consuming either an orange or tea and toast. The disagreement motivated Gikey's husband, Paul to shoot dead his own son, and two of Darlene's sisters. Mr. Gikey, age 63 soon later walked outside his home to his front pouch and shoot himself to death in suicide. How sad before Darlene would lose her life to cancer she experienced the lost of her family members from view of her hospital bed. She must had felt helpless in stopping the mayham.
From this news item there is confirmation that home health care for family member could be a daily, stressful matter. We understand it is not easy to cope with, to wait in troubled feelings in grief of a dear relative passing away day by day. I look forward to the future day when no resident will say "I am sick". My hope of that time all of earth's residents would be freed from every ailment, disability and disease. How important for the terminally ill's kin to maintain peaceful relationships, healthy cooperation and communication with one another. My best wishes to all facing these dreadful circumstances of suffering. May they obtain all the comfort, support and good news necessary to help them face the next day in caring for their love ones.

News Journal of January 8, 2012: Sour After Taste of Customer Service

2012-01-08T18:57:00.000-08:00

Image From Twitter

Can you imagine very soon a world or just any neighborhood where there is not a single element, microscopic trace of racial bias or ethical prejudice? ‘Very soon’ in the progress of racial harmony may be hard for people to conceive when a major pizza chain had to offer an apology online after a customer was insulted. When an Asian American woman, Minhee Cho picked up her order at a Papa John’s restaurant in Manhattan, New York she read a disturbing identification of herself on a receipt given her. On that January 6th evening the cashier who concluded her order wrote on the receipt as customer name, ’lady chinky eyes’.

cartoon by curtis w. jackson

The cashier chosen the wrong person to make this offense to a individual of Asian decent. (It is a mistake, nonetheless to jest at anyone’s ethnical recognition.) Cho is a online journalist, the communication manager for the alternative news site, ProPublica. She posted a message to Papa John’s on her Twitter account with an photo image of the receipt. You can imagine this true; someone’s idiotic joke can spread quickly on the internet. "Hey @PapaJohns", wrote Minhee, "…just FYI my name isn’t “lady chinky eyes.”"
Reportedly many individuals learning about this matter became angered, Minhee Cho‘s message got over 150,000 views. Papa John’s did viewed the message, obtaining Ms. Cho’s correction. The pizza corporation offered an apology on their Facebook and Twitter accounts with assurance the offending employee was terminated. My thought in our modern times persons can permit unhealthy prejudices to exist in their minds and hearts. In due time these concealed, unhealthy feelings will expose the individuals harboring them. Since racial bias are not acceptable earth-wide people housing these rot-soured attitudes within them could have opportunity nowadays to rid of them before trouble emerges.

Lone Bird

2012-01-07T04:35:00.001-08:00

News Journal of January 6, 2012: The Ordeal of Sahar Gul

2012-01-04T04:07:00.000-08:00

It was not seen by me, but perhaps you also heard of the 2011 fantasy, comic book film, Sucker Punch. It relates a story about an abused teen-ager. Her villainous step-father unkindly sent her to an insane asylum after the girl sought to protect herself and her sibling, if I have the story correct. During the film while imprisoned in the insane ward the young woman day-dreams of overcoming various, fanciful foes with her sword play, martial arts fighting skills. In a crowd pleasing movie such as this one you do have to see the film to know generally, the ending. In some victorious, entertaining manner the teen-aged heroine likely defeated her stepfather, maybe sent him to jail and she is forever freed from his harms.
How sad many young people are not able to day-dream themselves out of the real-life horrors they live in day to day. More often there isn’t a happy ending when abusive adults dodge justice for years in their sinister consumption of youthful victims. You may wish to google or research the recent statistics of human rights abuses against children, the problem is world-wide. My thought is much of it, these news accounts are unknown to the public. And too many of them are ignored. Yet another concealed crisis swept under the rug, not taken seriously enough, same-like other critical problems globally. I do not have teen-aged children of my own. If this was the case my choice would be to discuss with my daughter the ordeal of Sahar Gul rather than to purchase (or rent) a DVD of Sucker Punch for her to watch.
You may be aware of Sahar Gul, some several months ago she was entered into an arranged marriage. My assumption she is a real life, 15-year old heroine in her own circumstances. Please consider weighing in thought what she had endured. Her skin burned with cigarettes, being physically beaten before hand. She also had the fingernails ripped off her fingers, her ear lobe damaged. Sahar's skin was also cut with priers. These were among the torments this Afghan child bride experienced much of from her mother-in-law, who is now in police custody. Sahar Gul also been locked in the toilet room for at leash five months, receiving little food and water. Why did her new family exercised vile abuse upon this teen-ager?
Sahar was sold by her own, older brother for some $5000 in US value. In the course of time Ms. Gul refused her in-laws’ outrageous demands. They sought to force this child bride into prostitution to garnish the unloving family income. Sahar courageously resisted, my appreciation she stuck to her values, maintained her dignity-integrity likely in the face of constant threats. Then as stated before this defenseless youth received harsh treatment. People heard her fading cries for help from outside her in-laws’ basement, of their home. It was her uncle who contacted police. Sahar was rescued when authorities raided the dwelling. Gul’s immediate family had inquired of the whereabouts of their missing kin months before.

How unfortunate regarding this matter that humans are put on the market against their will, placed on sale by their own families. Years ago a US teen-ager offered her tender-aged, little sister for sale. Greedy for fornication several, dog-like men took the bait, raping the child. In Iran there is a notorious, secretive practice of mothers selling their own daughters not as wives, but as sex slaves and prostitutes. There may be accounts of these older, Iranian women haggling with potential buyers for top price for their daughters. In India unwanted girls born to parents desiring sons are on the endangered list. These persons of undesired gender been murdered often, in unaccounted millions. Indian authorities had uncovered remains of developed fetuses aborted and discarded in trash bags. What is noted here may pale in comparison of other, appalling crimes.
The lack of authentic love and affection in this world exceeded beyond what you may not expect nowadays. The wait for human institutions to establish high moral standards for us could be a fallacy in anticipation. For example, why is pornography still legal in communities combating sexual assaults and child predators? More than ever before sincere individuals and families may need to seek out reliable resources and exemplary examples to help them to live opposite of what this love-less, disorderly world portrays. Under suitable conditions my belief is people have a greater ability to do what is good, beneficial toward one another than what are wicked and detrimental. Yet ultimately each person must consciously decide how to conduct oneself in society. This self-awareness may be liken to a well-instructed auto driver choosing to shun driving while texting or sped pass a stop sign because no one is watching him.
According to news sources Sahar Gul's husband and father-in-law were on the run from justice, after police raided their Baghlan province residence and arrested the sister-in-law and mother-in-law last week. The father-in-law was recently arrested this week while his son eludes authorities. At a public hearing regarding Miss Gul's abuse, Afghanistan president Hamid Karzai vowed those responsible for her torture will be punished. Sahar's story had and still is repeated in varying degrees of hellish treatment among many other women in Afghanistan. We could assume scores of these victims had not lived to tell the media of their abuses experienced as Sahar vocally struggled to do so. She may face years recovery from the psychological toll, emotional disorders heaped upon her.

Human rights groups may seek to use Ms. Gul's publicized case as a springboard for political change in advancing women's rights. There were stiffer laws being established in Afghanistan against the crimes Sahar suffered, yet such abuses continued, many of these unreported. Established laws do only so much in halting the bad conditions being stirred in people's hearts, especially if they are selfish and want to hurt others. What is the solution then other than filling up prison cells?
You may wonder how would global society discourage, to stop individuals from conducting inhuman treatment against others. It is true, is it not so that Sahar's in-laws could had been good people if they chosen to do so? After her rescue the bruised, weaken youth bride was taken to a hospital in Kabul, she may be on her way now to India for more advanced medical treatment. If you wish you may share your viewpoints via the comment link.

News Journal of January 1, 2012: One Key Lesson of 2011

2012-01-01T16:00:00.000-08:00

What would you suggest being among the biggest, news events of 2011? The answer you have may depend on the category, which area of current news during the year. Billions might agree the public protesting world-wide (including Occupy Wall Street, Syria, Egypt) were significant. For the moment being my time is rather limited to comply a listing of my thoughts of what were biggest events of 2011. You may share your viewpoints of last year if you wish by the comment link below. So I will share an news item which appears to me vital to for the public to take note of, natural disasters and major, weather occurrences.
The first, major earthquake may had been on January 2, 2011 in southern Chile, magnitude 7.1 , it would be followed by many others globally. On March 11 northeastern Japan experienced a double disaster with a 9.0 earthquake with an monstrous tsunami proceeding after it. Close to 20,000 people lost their lives. The survivors of Japan's dual disasters coped with widespread destruction and an alarming threat of an damaged, nuclear plant. In the United States there were major snowstorms, hurricanes, windstorms, wildfires, dust storms and tornadoes and so on during 2011. A number of people were killed in the New York area by fallen trees and tree limbs during Hurricane Irene. Many residents contended with prolonged, power outages.
As to this earth mankind seemingly lost the steering wheel in managing it and living in it securely. We need an updated, global manuel from God. For now it is highly advisable that we learn from these disasters and extreme weather occurrences. Long Islanders should remember how so difficult it was to get food and emergency supplies hours before Hurricane Irene arrived. Retail stores in late August were immediately sold out of essentials such as flash lights and batteries. One key lecture not to overlook is necessary preparation for what might happen in your local area in any season. Name a possible disaster likely in your location and ask yourself: "Am I ready for it, what would I do or how would my household respond?" Individuals and families may have opportunity nowadays to outline in advance, have accessible evaluation plans, contact lists, emergency supply or preparation kits, other important items. It is an important thought not to wait too long on, thank you for visiting.

For How Long?

2011-12-31T04:36:00.001-08:00

This morning from view of a news stand here in Brentwood, New York the front cover of newspapers. What captured the front page of Saturday's New York Post? A large photo of a celebrity couple, pop singer Katy Perry and comedian actor Russell Brand. The two famed persons are divorcing after 14 months of marriage.
You may had also learned Irish singer Sinéad O'Connor is ending her fourth marriage 18 days after exchanging wedding vows. Some time earlier you may had been disturbed hearing how another, overly publicized, celebrity marriage came to conclusion after 72 days.
There is much in society indicating how short a marriage would be. What are, where are the reinforcing aids to encourage how long a happy marriage could last? Many of my associates view this union should be an eternity cultivated by genuine love, endurance, and other, healthy attributes.

It Could Be There Or Allowed To Exist There

2011-12-30T16:50:00.001-08:00

Do you recall the 12/26 blog posting here relating a non-fatal shooting at a Christmas party in Chattanooga, Tennessee? If you do not reside in that southern, local area. You may guess incorrectly the place of this overnight, holiday gathering where nine people were shot, injured by gunfire. You may give it a try. Was it at a low-down bar or saloon? Could it had been at a shady nightclub? The answer is no to both. According to news sources this troubling party was at a downtown, non-denominational, Christian church.
In the wake of this December 25th, early morning shooting Judge Jeff Hollingsworth stamped a 15-day restraining order on the church's activities. The judge's ruling set space and occupancy limits on the religious building. For some time the church has been sponsoring social, dance parties to enhance their ministry. For reason the pastor of Mosaic Church, Tim Reid voiced himself against Judge Hollingsworth's order. Mr. Reid stressed his church's constitutional right to worship, having the popular parties to further his religious objectives. Would Jesus be attending these parties as a Christian interchange? The Chattanooga city officials probably do not believe Christ have anything to do with the Mosaic Church.
The city officials urged the judge to shut down the church's dance parties citing these as a public danger to their community. This Friday afternoon Hollingsworth ruled in the city's favor. Do you view that the judge made a fair decision against the church's interests? Nonetheless we see in this news account unhealthy association can lurk in any environment if the operators kept their doors unlocked preventing it. Or you may select to avoid establishments (or individuals) where harmful, social elements and unwholesome influences are being generated. It was on dawning, Christmas morning when nine people were shot leaving the church's holiday party, no deaths.

News Journal of December 30, 2011: Time To Re-Examine?

2011-12-30T06:57:00.000-08:00

This morning before me heading out to work, Long Islanders had already learned a Nassau police officier been shot, injured by an suspect who was killed thereafter in East Meadow, New York-today. A global tally resumes of those whom, young and older ones, will not live pass the first, few seconds of the New Year, 2011. As you could observe this year, 2011 is not ending "without a bang". This notation is referring to not to New Year Day's celebrations, but how continually modern society is being brutalized. Such human sufferings (war, terrorism, crime, hunger, other miseries) happening often that extreme abuses may be viewed as normal occurrences in daily life.
These awful things are not normal, acceptable to right thinking persons, to our sensible consciousnesses. Partying the night away beyond Sunday midnight won't change matters of what the reality of our times acutely revealed. It is advisable now, more often future-wise and even during the 23 hour of December 31st for peoples reaccess, to examine the actual conditions in today's world and their better options toward their best tomorrow possible. My wish to return here sometime this weekend to share my views of the biggest events of 2011. What might the many, major events could be pointing to? You may now or return here to share your viewpoints also of this year, thank you for visiting.

News Journal of December 28, 2011: An Unhonorable Option To Escape

2011-12-28T06:57:00.000-08:00

"He loved the snow, he was peaceful viewing the fall of snowflakes. Except when he had to shovel it out our driveway."

On the last post my relating an news account of seven people killed on December 25th. Among those relatives, ages 15-59 found shot dead in the Dallas, Texas area (Grapevine) apartment was a man dressed in Santa outfit, he was the murderer who ended his life. It is apparent his victims did not have advance notice, their 56-year old slayer calmly enjoyed an holiday party with them, unwrapping gifts. It was some 20 minutes into the morning gathering that "Bob" Aziz Yazdanpanah's disturbing nature surfaced with his gun accessible.
Aziz shot his estranged wife, her sister, the sister's husband, their 22-year old daughter and his two teen-aged children. Aziz was lacking any regard for human life including himself. The murders were ugly with two victims having multiple gun shots wounds to their heads. News sources conveyed Bob had some history of hard, economic misfortunes as an real estate business man. The rampage may be connected to what the International Business Times referred as Islamophobia. The murders might had been conducted as Islamic honor killings, when misguiding, religious influence is inhumanely foul-sinister.
We may never learn of the reasons why Aziz sniffed out the lives of two immediate families, these of his own and of his in-laws, how painfully tragic! Yet this incident may reveal Yazdanpanah planned this mayhem. He was an willing participant in the Christmas party, in an agreeable spirit with his family, especially wearing the red and white Santa Claus outfit. Unsatisfied, unhappy with his existence, his relationship with his wife and children Aziz may had decided beforehand to end his life. Regardless of how deeply depressed, sadden an individual might be, is it not unlovingly selfish, cowardly to include unknowingly, innocent persons in his suicide plan? Surviving relatives of those Aziz killed might be wishing this emotionally disturbed man had sought psychological treatment before deciding on a holiday day slaughter.
There had been other murder-suicides with family members. Sadly we may get unwanted news of same-like incidents in near time. It may not be surprising these cases often involve conflicts over money. Over the course of this year alone how less possible would people be killed due to economic issues and problems? All the money in the world can not cause a single cell to transform into many billions of cells to remarkably form a human life in a embryo, born as a unique being. Trillions of dollars remaining pocket change in comparison to the value of a person's life. In the face of severe problems hard to cope with, with time still left to breath and appreciate life, is it not a worthy effort for an individual to seek out realistic, hopeful solutions for his future. This option engaged rather than for one to 'escape' to an immediate and senseless end to his or her emotional pain.
In this post I shared unfavorable news of human nature, of people designed to bring praises of life worth living then of sorrowful troubles. We need daily reminders of what good we can accomplish toward another. Here is a little bit, I recently saw a live music performance, it was free at the Bay Shore-Brightwaters Library. Such occasions been a rarity for me, my wishing more often for.
On Sunday, December 4th I arrived late in the middle of South Korean violinist Hye-Jin Kim's interpretation of Aus Der Heimat by Bedrich Smetana. Ms. Kim was supported by Amy Yang, pianist. With no more likely of an audience of 170, mostly senior citizens, I was probably was the only African-American present. I entered in more quiet than a mouse, sitting down at the nearest available, back row seat.
Every eye in the room, how these found themselves held captive, fixed upon the young, petite violinist's enriching, virtuous performance. After the intermission Ms. Kim performed the works of Jean Sibelius (Pieces for Violin and Piano, Opus 81) and Richard Strauss (Violin Sonata in E-Flat Major, Opus 18) in sensitive brilliance. She was gracefully aided by Yang's piano artistry. After the concert I had the honor of personally meeting these professional musicians, expressing my appreciation. They volunteered their arts of abilities through the Concert Artist Guild. This was one of the many reminders I encountered. What were your notations in sharing, of indicating the value of human existence?

Pianist, Amy Yang (top image) and Violinist, Hye-Jim Kim

News Journal of December 26, 2011: A Usual Day

2011-12-25T14:07:00.001-08:00

No doubt there were many, happy accounts of people celebrating Christmas, especially of overdue family unions. My delight are in these occasions of healthy, upbuilding associations which could be engaged other times during the year. Can also our genuine regard towards others in giving gifts or displaying helpful favors be demonstrated within the 12 months of 2011 beside 12/25 or birthdays? On Sunday was a holiday, was mainly celebrated by Christendom, this day of Christmas.
You might had learned of the many Christmas Mass arrangements honored globally involving billions of participants. In Bethlehem, on the West Bank, Israel, an ethical mixture of thousands of worshippers petitioned-prayed for peace on Christmas Eve day, Saturday evening. Bethlehem, the well-acknowledged birthplace of Jesus Christ is not far from the 'City of David', Jerusalem, some several miles. Among the possible 50,000 foreign assortment of pilgrims were Palestinian Christians. The people there under the direction of their religious leaders were asking 'baby' Jesus for peace in the "Holy Land". Do you sense their prayers would be answered? Any wary of seeing an unfavorable answer to this question might decline to google, bing or yahoo search terrorists' attacks on 12-25-11 as so in Nigeria.
Maybe peace relatively was maintained in Bethlehem since many tourists and worshippers were thinking upon it. Unfortunately in many places elsewhere the day of Christmas, 2011 was a unpeaceful and unholy mess. The examples abound, for so at a Christmas party at a night club on Sunday, in downtown Chattanooga, Tennessee several individuals were shot, none fatal. In Grapevine, Texas seven people were found shot to death inside an apartment, three males and four women, ages 18-60. The Dallas metro area incident may had been a murder-suicide including, possible, a victim with a self-inflicted gun wound. The slaughter occurred after the gifts started to be unwrapped.
An recovering, decorated solder who survived a suicide bombing attack in Afghanistan, did not fared well at his homecoming party in San Bernardino, California. When he sought to break up a fight between a family member and another man, the solder, Christopher Sullivan was shot on Friday evening. Mr. Sullivan's prospects are not promising according to the Boston Herald, he is paralyzed and in critical condition. Last Friday before Christmas Eve day a 21-year old mother, Shakeela Planter and her two-year old son, Jaiden was discovered dead by the landlord in their basement apartment in a North Bay Shore neighborhood. The cause of death of the young, single parent and her child is not known by me. Police found no sign of forced entry. On News 12 Long Island segment homicide police were investigating the tragic scene on Cardinal Court South off of Prospect Street, the two family members apparently murdered.
There are sincere individuals whom avoid causing trouble upon others and themselves. Yet we realized December 25th and the other days of holidays are just, ordinary times with festive, selective decorations. How true these dates could be when people chosen to exercise favorable activities or decide to act badly, harmfully toward one another. Humanity desperately needs much more beyond the white-washed, annual events in promoting good will toward all men earth-wide. What would you advise? You may share your thoughts with the comment link below.

News Journal of December 21, 2011

2011-12-21T04:21:00.000-08:00

The blog postings before this one indicated the discovery and eventual confirmation of Shannan Gilbert’s remains last week. This week the Gilbert family indicated how much they are in disagreement with the Suffolk County police commissioner’s assessment of Shannan’s death. Yesterday the Gilbert family officially sought to get the federal government involved. They wanting a FBI probe into the Shannan Gilbert case, removing the investigation from the operations of Suffolk County police. This new development comes after an publicized disagreement between Suffolk County police commissioner, Richard Dormer and Suffolk District Attorney, Thomas Spota. The county’s top attorney had criticized the commissioner’s and Suffolk police handling of the Gilgo Beach serial murder cases. Of one key statement Spota considered Dormer’s theory of only one, serial murderer of ten murders in fault.
Spota is suggesting there could be possible, three killers of separate cases at large. Yesterday the Suffolk County Executive-elect, Steve Bellone had also expressed disapproval of Dormer’s leadership, conveying the police department is “…in some ways, dysfunctional” , according to Newsday. Bellone stated in his remarks the police force is not living up to its’ full potential. Disagreements will exist, improvements could be administered, nonetheless it is apparent serial murder cases are very challenging to solve. Law authorities are facing drawbacks including five of the ten human remains found near Ocean Parkway had not been positively identified. In addition Shannan’s exact cause of death stands to be verified. There are also recent, murder cases unsolved including of those vicious thugs ambushing their victims as of Brandon Sotomayor, Ricardo and Eston Ceron.
Even if all these cases were effectively solved, there is another problem in connection to them. How do you stop these crimes from repeating again? This holiday season, 2011 seems to me the most violent than times before. There are incidents unexpected happening today. Yesterday a 15-year old high school student, Alfredo Allen was stabbed in repetition by scissors during an afternoon, basketball game. Why? The victim and his 16-year old attacker had an argument before the game. Another dispute led to an horrid murder in Brooklyn. An 47-year old handy man, Jerome Isaac staked out a 73-year old widow in an apartment building last Saturday afternoon.
When Dolores Gillespie arrived to the fifth floor on an elevator the suspect entrapped her inside it. The man sprayed her with gasoline head to toe as shown on a surveillance elevator video. He set the woman on fire a long, barbecue lighter. She was screaming toward her death when he threw a firebomb inside the elevator, spraying it with more gasoline to cap off his assault. The suspect fled, sat for hours in the early winter cold on a building rooftop. The heart-less criminal later turned himself in to police.
Jerome admitted to setting a fire to the elevator, but avoided expressing accountability of killing the Prospect Heights apartment resident he once employed by. Inside the police department the handy man reeked strongly of gasoline, the right side of his face was scorched with second degree burns. According to the Daily News Isaac had also attempted to burn down his own brother’s apartment (after attacking Gillespie) at Lincoln Place. What an check list of hate he carried within himself in resentment last Saturday afternoon.

The fiery attack on Gillespie was front page news on The Daily News and New York Post on December 19. It stemmed from a monetary dispute, the suspect believed this elderly woman owned him funds for work he done for her in her apartment. She had entrusted him with his own keys to go in and out of her dwelling. The handy man was fired after the elderly woman noticed costly items including a DVD player stolen from her apartment. Dolores changed the locks on her door. The woman was noted by those familiar with her to been afraid of Issac. He soon confirmed reason for her fear of him. Who would had known in advance Isaac would cart a supply of gasoline into the building, wait on the fifth floor and ambuscade this older woman returning from her shopping errand?
One of my friends lived in the immediate area where the Ceron brothers, and another victim were shot near Lincoln Avenue and Stockton Street, Brentwood. My friend’s child was awoken from sleep that early morning darkness at the time of the shootings, not knowing about the incident. This sort of disorderly disturbances in the air in modern society may be soon felt by all peoples 24 hours a day if not already nowadays. This family soon became aware of what happened when police officers canvassed the neighborhood seeking information about the deadly shooting at 2:30 am, circa last Sunday.
News crews would soon had entered the Brentwood area, reporting the incident of two brothers shot sitting in their Nissan auto. My friend saw his street sectioned off by yellow police tape, something unfortunately an increased number of Long Island residents been observing. When people are determined to do bad what can done to stop them, even with the best law enforcement units present? What an important examination for those inclined to follow their destructive paths of hurtful, harmful criminals. Should they be inquiring for life changing knowledge, seeking worthwhile resources aiding them to peaceful, responsible citizens of society? You may comment if you wish, I shall return with more, news commentary.

Oh-Oh!

2011-12-20T06:22:00.001-08:00

How long could one park in ease at an ignored warning?

News Journal of December 18, 2011: Evening Late

2011-12-18T19:48:00.000-08:00

This passing weekend had major incidents and activities. For the time now my basic notation of a few of these. North Korea lost their leader Kim Jong II, age 69 on Sunday. The first president of Czech Republic, Vaclav Havel, age 75 also passed away on Sunday due to serious health problems. Occupy Wall Street protesters continued to stir up trouble for themselves in New York City. They attempted to use without permission a church own lot for their next, occupying camp, fifty of the activists were arrested. The human, skeletal remains found last Tuesday, December 13th in a Oak Beach marsh were positively identified on Saturday. The mystery of the New Jersey prostitute, Shannan Gilbert is partly concluded. Although her remains been identified, how she actually lost her life needs to be clarified, her cause of death.
Did someone chased a frightened Shannan into the bushy, tangled, muddy-water filled marsh? Was her body hid there by a murderer, some distance away from her personal items? Suffolk police believe Ms. Gilbert's death was accidental due to a ill-fated attempt on foot to reach Robert Moses Causeway. On early Sunday morning, on Lincoln Avenue, Brentwood, New York two, young adult brothers were killed together. Ricardo Ceron, age nineteen and Enston Ceron Jr., age 21, were sitting in a Nissan Altima when someone, an unknown assailant shot them dead around 2:45am. My mother explained she saw the local newscast of this incident which include another man being shot, not killed, when he sat in his auto nearby the Ceron brothers. No one was arrested.
As millions been told the Iraq War is officially over, especally for the United States. The last of US troops left the middle east nation last weekend. Was it an act toward peaceful relationships when Israel let go out of confinement 550 Palestinian prisoners? Tomorrow hundreds would be attending a funeral for slain Officer Peter Figoski, age 47, killed last Thursday while responding to an apartment robbery last week, early Monday in Brooklyn. Figoski, a Babylon resident was the single father of four daughters. Close to 700 persons, at leash 650 lives were sweeped away by a powerful typhoon storm, Washi in the southern Philippines. The search for bodies would likely continue beyond this Monday in Cagayan de Oro and other nearby cities according to Associated Press News. And considerable bad news for New York metro football fans, both the Giants and Jets lost in their NFL contests.

News Journal of December 16, 2011: Gossip Of The Internaries Of Life

2011-12-16T16:07:00.000-08:00

This is another, much later in day posting, of which may be considered another bit of valueless gossip. My notion something could be learned from this account. Should not peoples be alert, maintaining high expectations of those taking the lead in their religious faiths? My confirmation is unsure whatever this account is accurate, true based on what was related in H-Metro, a newspaper in Zimbabwe. Not long ago, less a week since, a man and his expecting wife sought consultation with a "self-styled" priest, Madzibaba Takaruza Njari, age 40 in resolving their domestic problems. How heart-painful a sight for this Zimbabwe husband, Mufakose, age 31, soon experienced not long after this consultation.
Within a few days later Mufakose caught his pregnant wife, Lydia having sexual relations with Njari in a parked car at the priest's residence. The wife claimed that Madzibaba enticed her with false prophecies and untrue claims of her husband having an affair. According to H-Metro the priest advised Lydia to have private consulting sessions with him. Those sessions the wife had related turned out to be sexual encounters as the one her husband happened upon. Lydia who is five months pregnant may had lied to Mufakose about visiting her mother when she was actually seeing this false prophet.
Mufakose is wondering if the pending child to be born is actually his. Many may agree elders should not counsel a woman alone as Njari suggested, without a fellow elder present in the room. As luring, seductive, potent as Madzibaba Takaruza Njari's influence might had been, Lydia still willingly went to the priest to have relations with him. In my developing viewpoint the fake prophet however bad his influence was, he probably offered what the woman wanted, appealing to her wrongful desires. She declined to say NO to him. Can most anyone make such unwise, illict choices disregarding the pending consequences? Lydia may had that inclination to be unfaithful before confirming her wedding vows. People dating with a view toward marriage may want to have an honest understanding of their prospective mate. How is the quality of his or her heart in maintaining in remaining faithful to their spouse, even during troublesome times?
Such an inquiry may be effectively addressed if the couple share and maintain the same values and principles toward their future together. The period of courtship toward marriage could provide a window of opportunity in gaining awareness of a prospective mate's sense of loyalty-commitment and honestly, and of ourselves in a marital arrangement. It may be helpful for courting couples to gain association with time tested, exemplary, married persons. The experience, knowledge reflected from them might be encouraging toward a new, family unit of bride and groom.
In the news we will unfortunately keep hearing of accounts of husbands, wives being unfaithful to each other. Whatever they are of fame related in supermarket tabloids or unknown, talked about in local, small town gossip. For each of those persons, for some reason or another they chosen on their own to ignore their marriage vows. Therefore how much had society been learning from these individuals' or couples' erroneous paths for us in avoiding traveling in the selfsame, miserable internaries of life?

Vigil On A December Sunset

2011-12-15T05:23:00.000-08:00

It has been a real challenge for me to post a video here on this blog site. I had filmed on Tuesday this week, my wish to embed it here toward fulfilling my objective from the previous posting yesterday, 'Within A Day'. At the time it seems like the ipod videos have hindrances visiting blog pages without being embedded from You Tube. My hope you are able to see the complete video by me of a candlelight vigil held on December 13, 2011 at Oak Beach, Babylon, New York. It features a few family members of Gilgo Beach serial murder victims and the mother of Shannan Gilbert, Mari. It is Melissa Cann reading a poem at the candlelight vigil and reciting the names of the victims and Ms. Gilbert. My regret not capturing the full reading of the unknown poem, there were some profound words heard and worth taken note of.

Hours before the vigil in the bushy, tangled marsh of Oak Beach human remains were discovered. These skeletal fragments are believed to be of Shannan Gilbert whom law authorities did not link to the serial murders cases. Mari Gilbert is not convinced until the autopsy tests are fulfilled identifying her daughter. The video was somewhat difficult to finish in editing and uploading online, mostly because my time, resources and file storage were limited.
I am working on improving my circumstances on novice video production. The favorable news it is on Vimeo now, the six minutes and seven seconds video is entitled, 'Vigil On A December Sunset'. Opportunity did had allowed to me to briefly meet and speak to Melissa Cann, Mari Gilbert and a few of their supporters. There is a description of the video on video page relating to the Gilgo Beach serial murders and the missing person case of Shannan Gilbert. Probably the first actual, news video completed by me, it includes the photo image of yesterday's post of the shore of Oak Beach. In a distance of the photo you may barely see the Robert Moses State Park tower.

You may wish to try this CNN iReport link. (This video is not vetted for CNN).

Within A Day

2011-12-14T03:50:00.001-08:00

There are news items recent my wishing of sharing with you at this time. My allowance to let an important activity take priority over blogging. My desire to within a day to relate details of this photo posted here and other matters, thank you for visiting.

News Journal of December 12, 2011: A Holiday Confrontation

2011-12-12T03:01:00.000-08:00

On Sunday, December 10th it was one year ago since the first set of human remains were found on Gilgo Beach near Ocean Parkway, New York. Nine more sets of human remains were to be discovered from early winter, 2010 into spring, 2011 linked to a unsolved, serial murder case. The search for a missing prostitute resumes today, Monday in marsh area of Oak Beach. Where Shannan Gilbert was last seen on May 1st, 2010. Last Saturday morning an awful accident happened on Sunrise Highway in Shirley, near Mastic, New York. A white, Dodge pick-up truck transporting a family of five, driven by the father, Kevin Gaffney, age 36, was hit from behind by a Toyota Scion sedan. That Scion was being driven by a 30-year old man under the influence of drugs. The rear-ended truck was sent off the road into a tree according to Long Island Newsday.
Sadly a five year old boy, John traveling with his two parents and two siblings died after being taken to a hospital. No one else was killed or have life-threatening injuries. The driver of the sedan, Steven Kinalis was arrested after being high on drugs. Could Mr. Kinalis be mentally pondering how painful his decision to operated a vehicle on Saturday? Criminal charges could be upgraded against him on his return to court this Wednesday. Yesterday morning a 6.5 magnitude earthquake occurred in Guerrero, Mexico killing at leash three persons.
The impact was felt in Mexico City from a quake centering out some 26 miles from Guerrero. According to news sources there were no reports of widespread damage, but the shaking did disrupted the activities of startled, Christmas shoppers. A shopping mall had to be evacuated in Mexico City due to the disturbance. One of the victims died when his house roof collapsed on him according to the Philippine Star newspaper. If your locality experienced an earthquake or a recent disaster, please feel incline to comment about it here. Shaking disturbances were also felt last weekend in New Jersey and Alaska at lesser magnitudes.

A story of interest involves a holiday contest of will between North Korea and South Korea. South Korea had installed a hundred foot, steel frame structure shaped, Christmas tree near the border separating them from North Korea. There are about one hundred thousand lights on the tree set on the top of Aegibong Hill. The officials of South Korea are planning on switching on the lights making the tree highly visible to the residents of both nations. Viewing the pending, tree lighting ceremony as an act of propaganda the leaders of North Korea had promised to shoot out the Christmas lights. This tense border drama may reflect the nature of control North Korea seeks to manifest over her citizens. The huge, holiday symbol may represent a sign of affluence and freedom of South Korea’s lifestyle.
North Korea officials are likely wary their peoples may take these influences to heart, a potential threat to the military-stiffing, ideological agenda loyally exercised in the communist nation. Will they keep their word to fire artillery at the Christmas tree tower? The same warning was issued last year, North Korea done nothing after the South switched on the lights on the same, holiday structure. You may wish to research about this common, holiday attraction. The history of the Christmas tree have a pagan origin not associated with the practices of the early Christians or ancient followers of Jesus Christ. In the United States the custom of the Christmas tree may had been adapted from German natives who resided in the American colonies after the War Of Independence, after the year 1776.
One of the news items capturing my attention during the weekend was of a convicted father’s punishment. The Saudi man had received a sentence of 13 years in prison for raping his teen aged daughter. He committed this foul offense for several years according to AP News and International Business Times. The parent had used drugs to weaken his daughter’s ability to fend for herself. The girl’s uncle found out about the crime and reported the matter to authorities. The court in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia had also sentenced this unknown, disgraceful father to 2,080 lashes over the duration of the 13 year prison term. Let us do the math: he would recieve some 173 strokes a year, of about 15 lashes per month equal to ouch many times over. The court based their rulings on Islamic laws of the locality. How do you view this condition of judicial punishment? Thank you for visiting, may you have a productive week.

The photos below are of my visit to Oak Beach on December 13, 2011. On that day Shannan's remains were found in the marsh area. On that date also there was a late afternoon, candlelight vigil for Shannan Gilbert and four victims of the Gilgo Beach serial murders.

What Is Your Bubble Of Realization?

2011-12-09T10:52:00.001-08:00

"...And then, he has the audacity to vex about being 'locked inside an economic bubble'! How is that expression suppose to make any sense to us when they got us entoiled here?"

News Journal of December 9, 2011: A Mystery Stuck In The Mud

2011-12-09T03:09:00.000-08:00

The day before yesterday the search had resumed for the missing, New Jersey prostitute Shannan Gilbert. This effort was greatly engaged by an unexpected discovery on Tuesday. Police had uncovered key items likely belonging to Ms. Gilbert. The pocketbook discovered contained an identification of Shannan, age 24 at the time of her disappearance on a May 1st, 2010 evening in Oak Beach. There were other items, a cellphone, a pair of worn-out jeans and ballet-slipper shoes found not far from each other.
If someone had murdered Shannon, would he leave her personal items close by to each other in a waist deep, water-filled, marshy area in Oak Beach? We are aware this same, possible killer had troubled himself to dismembered one victim, leaving parts of her buried in Manorville and Gilgo Beach, New York. He had selected more drier, stable land to dispose of his victims. Shannon would had been one of his latest victims. It is unlikely an experienced murderer would jeopardize drowning himself in a sinking marsh. In order for him to to kill Ms. Gilbert, submerging her body into the marsh and leave her items to be found later. In addition after her 20-minutes or so, panic 9-11 phone calls, there may had been a police patrol car in the Oak Beach area looking for Shannan. Would a suspect had then gambled murdering, hiding someone with surveying police in the same area?

Somewhat like dense quicksand feeling, it is not difficult to get stuck in and slowly sink into the dark, muddy marsh. My mishap one time in tripping off a boardwalk not far from the lighthouse at Robert Moses State Park. My heavy, stomping feet easily dipped into the marshy muck. I needed the nearby boardwalk, pulling myself up on it to help myself out of that yucky, smelly mud. It is an effective means of messing up and ruining your clothes.
It wasn't that awful an experience, but one had to act quickly and not stand or sit in it. There appears to me to be more water, less solidity in the Oak Beach marsh than at spots near the lighthouse. The initial search for Shannan in December, 2010 led to the discovery of ten sets of human remains. These victims discovered before mid-April, 2011 been linked to one, serial killer, a possible resident of Long Island. Law enforcement authorities speculated Ms. Gilbert fled into the night darkness, in unreasonable fear from the Oak Beach residential area. They are assuming Shannan ran right into the nearby, deep, entrapping marsh area and accidentally drowned herself. Do you find this theory believe able?
Law authorities are following their conviction Ms. Gilbert's remains are resting in the Oak Beach marsh-somewhere. Police are employing specialized machinery and equipment to find her body. Beforehand on Wednesday the area had to be drained out of much the water using a pipeline. Law authorities brought in mobile crime lab and a medical examiner's lab along with groupings of officers and K-9, caviar dogs. There were more details in this week's Newsday editions. Will they find something of Shannan today, Friday or soon within days? For Ms. Gilbert's family may this mystery be solved, of course many others are curious what happened to her. We have to wait and see, but maybe not for too long.

News Journal of December 8, 2011: A Christmas Display

2011-12-08T04:17:00.000-08:00

"Honey...You Are Not Too Disappointed The Utility Company Kept Refusing To Grant Us A Usage Discount For Your Annual, Extravagant, Mega-Lighted, Christmas Display, Are You?"

News Journal of November 7, 2011: What Did They Find Of Her?

2011-12-07T03:34:00.001-08:00

What are the news items which may be of an interest? Among them is the the 70th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attacks on December 7, 1941. This assault by Japanese airplanes in bombing the military base, Pearl Harbor in Hawaii state had moved the United States in joining the global conflict, World War II. There is an planned arrangement honoring this event which includes survivors of the attack. Not too long ago President Barack Obama had proclaimed this day, Wednesday as "National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day". We are also aware of Veterans Day and Memorial Day in the United States.
You may know of other, annual occasions in other nations honoring those lives lost in armed combat or those whom either served or are serving in the military. There is an awareness seeing how legalized aggression caused destruction, suffering and loss of life including innocent peoples. How often these days of remembrance since 1941 been effective in discouraging modern warfare? This may be an easier question: During this holiday season will there actually be 'peace on earth' and 'good will toward all men'? Nowadays it may be much harder to repeat those familiar, noel-time, Christmas expressions than decades ago.

Now it could be almost anywhere at almost anytime. It has happened recently in the streets, at social events, in workplaces, at schools, in a post office and of course inside residential homes. Last month someone even taken aim at the White House in Washington D.C. And now last weekend you can include moving, public transit buses on the list for unexpected gun violence. Last Friday, December 2nd, a 34-year old man, Damel Burton believed his fellow passengers on a Queens, New York transit bus were plotting against him. Burton was a ex-con who served prison time for robbery, he has a history of mental illness. Paranoid of the commuters among him, Burton pulled out his gun a shot at leash three commuters.
Two persons were inflicted with serious injuries, one killed, 36-year old Marvin Gikes, shot in the back of his head. Burton, before he deposited his fare on the Q-111 bus Friday night, had killed his fiancé’s teenaged son after an argument. The suspect had lived with his girlfriend and her son in the same dwelling. Relatives there were surprised to learn Damel processed a firearm. After the aftermath the killer had told police according to AP News he had anticipated murdering dozens of people on a terror spree. For the folks of Queens my gladness his violent objective was shorten with two lives lost, still a painful strike against those grieving families. We also learned it was a frightening experience for the Q-111 passengers after the gun shots were fired they were screaming for the exit out of the crowded bus. If this incident would soon be largely forgotten by the public, there may be another one in near time reminding us how insecured our times are.

On the last posting regarding the investigation for missing, New Jersey prostitute Shannan Gilbert there was an statement indicating the police search was stopped, being put on hold. This is not correct as of yesterday police did resumed their searching in the Oak Beach, Ocean Parkway area. According to Newsday Long Island police recovered unknown items on Tuesday which may be connected to Ms. Gilbert's May 1, 2010 disappearance. Yesterday law authorities had not revealed to the news and public what all these things may be. One of them is a pocketbook assumed to belong to Shannan Gilbert found in a marshy area. It has been under the water when first searched for by police, maybe secured by marsh plant rootage. When fleeing for her life in terror on the night of May 1, 2010 Shannan may had lost her pocketbook.
Or it could be this pocketbook may had been placed in the area by the criminal reasponsible for Shannan's disappearance. He may had sought to hide or eliminate whatever existed of his victim. The changing of weather conditions including Hurricane Irene had likely brought the pocketbook into view, to be found by police. It can be understandable the release of certain details, sensitive information may complicate police investigation and efforts in capturing a suspect. So we have to wait and see whatever or not Shannan Gilbert's misfortune is linked to ten, other victims supposedly killed by a serial murderer. The ten sets of human remains found along Ocean Parkway (between Gilgo Beach and Jones Beach areas) are of people involved in the sex trade industry. Of them a mother prositute was recognized by DNA specialists, her infant child became an unfortunate victim with her on their last day together with an homical client. I look forward in returning with more, news commentary, thank you for visiting.

2011-12-07T03:24:00.001-08:00

News Journal of December 05, 2011: Evening

2011-12-05T14:31:00.001-08:00

A thick fog coated the southern, Long Island surface. The density so existing it was challenging for us to see 100 yards ahead. The morning was not so chilly, but as the hours progressed increased moisture in the air brought us some coldness. To my recollection there was some fog yesterday morning, although not as dense and lasting as this morning. The early morning, Sunday foggy air may had contributed to a fatal accident in Huntington Station, New York. At around 6:30 am 93-year old Mercedes Pulido almost completed her usual walk to her church.
As she crossed New York Avenue Mercedes was struck and killed by a auto. She died in front of Saint Hugh's Church (St. Hugh's Church). Her son told Newsday Long Island that Mrs. Pulido was nearly a daily attendee at her church. The car involved in the accident was impounded, the driver not officially charged. Police are interested in speaking with any eyewitnesses. There may had been a early morning service. Yet are you wondering why a 93-year old woman walked alone in the dawning morning?

The fog this morning was not holding back seven groups of thirty-five police officers searching for the remains of a missing, New Jersey sex worker, Shannan Gilbert. This re-launched seeking of Shannan's resting place is based on recent, investigative data pointing back to the Ocean Parkway area. Between Oak and Cedar Beaches police units are combing into the brush terrain along Ocean Parkway. The specific new information was suggesting Ms. Gilbert could be buried there-somewhere among the sandy dunes of twisting, thorny bushes.
The search was on hold because of the risk of poison ivy. There are also now less foliage and much fewer insects to cope with. Last week the Suffolk County police theorized one killer is responsible for the ten sets of human remains found on Gilgo Beach and near Ocean Parkway. Shannan's case has not been connected to the single, serial killer. She is also not forgotten. The mid-afternoon sun brightening after the fog had disappeared offered more visual clarity for the searching officers and their K-9 caviar dogs. Will they finally find Shannan, age 24, after her disappearance from a May 1st, 2010 night visit in Oak Beach?
Law authorities are aware Ms. Gilbert may be linked to the other murders. For the overall investigation however, they were searching today for new evidence based on 90 points of interests issued from high resolution photography taken of the area earlier this year. The combined teams of search units consisted of New York City, Nassau and Suffolk counties police departments. Her resting place was not uncovered yet, future pending.
Before 3pm there was nothing new found of clues, evidence or of Shannan according to a news conference given by police at Gilgo Beach. The person directly involved in her disappearance could offer a news update. It is highly unlikely we will hear from him volunteering such details. The fog made a return in this darkening, blued, evening sky of chilled precipitation. The mystery of Shannan Gilbert remaining for the time just as clouded without much light of being solved. Police do not currently plan to resume the search on Gilgo Beach.

News Journal of November 30, 2011: Gilgo Beach Serial Murder Update-Is It Only One Responsible?

2011-11-30T00:50:00.001-08:00

It was a single person who did all this? Long Island law authorities are theorizing one, sinister individual, a possible Long Island resident, being responsible for the ten Gilgo Beach murders. The serial killings stemmed back from the year 2000 (possibly earlier) into 2010. Most of the remains of bodies was discovered (along the beautiful, south shore stretch of beach territory) from winter, 2010. There was from time of that cold season on and off, detailed intensive, police searching continuing into springtime of 2011. A number of the copses were found wrapped in burlap, dumped in the Gilgo, Ocean Parkway areas at specific locations. Investigators must had probably spotted similar indicators of each murder linking to one, career serial killer.
Richard Dormer, Suffolk County Police Commissioner expressed an unwanted expectation according to Newsday Long Island that there may be new victims. Law authorities are unquestionably working diligently to capture this fiend living toward his next opportune kill of an unsuspecting victim. We do live in more parlous times than our elders. Risky living, tossing caution to the wind should had never been an option. This murder case with 10 or more victims drew national attention spotlighting the perils of the sex trade. A number of the victims worked as freelance prostitutes. None of them should had been killed and dishonorably deposed like beach refuse. I wrote much about the Gilgo Beach serial murders, you may wish to do a site search here to read the prior, blog posts.

Herman Cain, the business executive seeking the Republican presidential nomination may be arriving toward his most sensible decision since starting his campaign. Again in a short span of time his power drive for the US Presidency hits a speed bump developed by his past, immoral conduct. Herman may have to reluctantly withdraw from the political race. After facing a wave of serious accusations of his improper, sexual behavior toward women Mr. Cain seemed to had acknowledged recently a report about his unfaithfulness to his wife.
Maybe it is not surprising Herman Cain committed adultery, there may had been other mistresses over the years. What is troubling is that Mr. Cain presented himself as an honorable candidate enjoying public support while concealing and lying about a disgraceful record. He may had openly proven that high, moral standards are not important when one is seeking high office. And unfortunately of our times he is unlikely the only one in the world of politics. There could be more, unfavorable reports of 'dirty laundry' future pending in the news.

Ninety-six of the US nation top 100 school systems experienced an rise in child poverty due to the recession according to Business Week. This increase in poverty was felt between 2007 and 2010, you may recall hearing of accounts how individuals' and families lives were disrupted financially. Or you might had been one who was adversely affected, confronting daily challenges in the cost of living. My awareness of it, long-term unemployment and few funds could be disheartening for the adult. The sad aspect here in the world's richest nation is that homeless children been attending public schools. The getting of free lunch passes does not address their other, essential needs.
Economic struggles might affect a person's overall academic performance, his or her ability to learn well. For example wearing the same clothes daily, especially unwashed with unpleasant odors may erode a child's self-worth among her peers and teachers. It certainly not up building for him to return from school to hear his parents having another, stressed-out argument about monetary problems. Struggling parents and guardians have a tougher role nowadays providing toward their children's futures, and maintaining the young person's self-esteem to perform important activities. Nonetheless an parent's self-less love and individual attention upon their child may produce priceless wonders, a lifetime of benefits even when school systems fallen short in their resources. Please accept my appreciation of your visit here, I look forward in returning with additional, news commentary.

News Journal of November 28, 2011: A Bad Cuisine

2011-11-28T02:37:00.001-08:00

Yesterday afternoon there was a shooting incident in Huntington Station, New York when a group of persons approached three, young men nearby East Ninth Street and 1st Avenue according to Newsday Long Island. The group of about 8-10 men shot the three men sitting in a white Jeep. As of last night no one was reported killed, the victims were sent to local hospitals, their condition is unknown. Suffolk police are investigating. At leash two suspects may had handguns on them.
May my lack of admiration of hunting as a sport be an offense. My viewpoint it is a unjust cruelty towards animals. The matter of population control of species does not seem like a good enough excuse to support this recreation. An unfortunate tragic incident in Vermont state may confirm my reservations against game hunting. The accident occurred when 49-year old Timothy Bolognani unintentionally shot his 39-year old friend, Benjamin Birch. The two were a hunting party of three tracking down an injured deer Birch shot beforehand. After he realized killing his close companion Bolognani turned the gun on himself, shooting himself dead with his own rifle. Police do not expect foul play in the deaths of the two men according to the Herald Sun.
Last weekend we learned the NBA lockout has ended with a agreement between the owners and professional basketball players. The New York Knicks will be playing their first game on December 25th, of a season extending into April, 2012. Occupy Wall Street demonstrators continued their campaigns nationwide. Protesters are holding out, refusing to leave a Occupy Wall Street location in Los Angeles, California in City Hall Park. They are disobeying the city mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa to vacate a public area on a deadline set this morning at 12 am. Individuals had refused to take down their tents awaiting promised arrests issued by the LA police chief for those non compliant. In defiance the demonstrators maintained their presence outside the city hall building.
Realizing the eviction notice is being ignored by more than one thousand people how would LA city officials resolve this drama without major disruptions? There were some 60 protesters at the Smith Haven Mall last Friday stressing attention that the year end holidays fuel commercialism, supporting corporate greed. My thought people realized the year end holidays' actuality for decades (with the contaminated, paganised history) and many chosen to celebrate these occasions, some pushing even themselves to finish a last-minute shopping list on Christmas Eve. If correct the profit estimates from the Black Friday retail sales may be over four billion dollars nationwide.

A dreadful, unhealthy scent in the Shah Faisal area (of Pakistan) prompted a resident to contact the authorities. The steam stanching aroma of something rotten must had alerted nearby neighbors toward its source, Zainab's kitchen. A bad recipe was being prepared, one many of us unlikely to fandom happening. None of the finest spices of Pakistan could cover over the crime scene investigating police came upon. At that time of their arrival the body parts of a thirties aged man was being cooked in a broth.
Police may had caught 32-year old Zainab Bibi in her culinary scheme to hide a domestic slaying. Her spouse was first drugged, then she without doubt murdered her husband by butchering him into pot size pieces. Police had found a murder weapon, a bloodied knife. They also recovered from the property a bowl of uncooked flesh according to news sources. Zainab's 22-year old nephew, Zeerab Ahmed was arrested with her as an accomplice to the crime committed last week (circa Thursday, November 24, 2011).
The police chef according to BBC News determined Zainab cooked her husband as a holiday meal for two reasons. She may had sought to cover up the crime. Ms. Bibi may had embraced this murderous plan as result of her rage, her anger against her husband. The victim, Abbas Ahmed had sought to marry another woman. This objective of Abbas came after he allegedly expressed an illicit desire to rape Zainab's young daughter (from another marriage). Zainab Bibi may had been motivated to protect her child without considering other alternatives.
The local, Muslim law in Shah Faisal requires a man to be given permission from his first wife to marry a second wife. This law has not been enforced by authorities and Abbas Ahmed ignored it. Hmmm...how would Pakistan men feel if the law granted wives the same provision of taking a second husband? My thought is one would be enough, why would a man need more than one wife legally or illegally? Unfortunately many persons had selected to invest in the emotional devastating, family breaking perils of adultery. It is an injustice in which an individual savors sexual gratification with a person being supported and cared for by a legally assigned spouse. I do not know what holiday in Shah Faisal Bibi was preparing her 'dinner' for. Thank you for visiting, I look forward in returning with more news commentary.

News Journal of November 25, 2011: BF Days

2011-11-25T06:57:00.000-08:00

Dedication towards obtaining material items are likely the accounts you may hear today related from early morning, participating consumers of Black Friday retail sales, as the above video indicates. Many material items can perish or become outdated in time. Think of those products on sale on BF events some years ago. If in new condition, unused today, would these "must have" items have the same value nowadays as was then? No doubt not a few of these would be discarded, placed on the side of the road to be replaced by updated, consumer products this year. And if these things are being rid of since their purchase years ago, what lasting benefit were they beforehand to sacrifice a overnight presence outside a retail store?
If my understanding is correct Black Friday is a promotional sales event where merchants attempt to sell their overstocked items at reduced prices. BF is not a holiday, yet unquestionably millions find it an opportune celebration of savings for products otherwise too pricey to buy. Yet could it be a misguided attachment, a religion of materialism, especially when individuals are requested to behave irrational for these things? "You are therefore commanded to stand outside the mall shopping center doors at 3:45am, Friday, waiting for it to be opened, once inside further purchasing instructions be sent to you pending your bank and credit balances."
True, certain products may help increase efficiency in life or be advantageous otherwise like this laptop computer my having here to type this post. How interesting that persons such as filmmaker Woody Allen still employs an aged, non-electric, manuel typewriter to write all his screenplays. The thought of 'what we can live without' may take on renewed meaning in a prospect of living a meaningful life. Do you remember the large, box-like, big screen television costing over a thousand dollars some years ago? These oversized television sets are likely near worthless in 2011. Many folks may not want them in comparison of current, thinner, screen models. My thought if peoples would put so much effort in planning and fulfilling their BF mechanised goals. Then could it be possible with the same level of anticipation, personal energy and determination to improve one's life, outside of what retail products will not reward in?

News Journal of December 5, 2011: Did You Buy It?

2011-11-25T03:10:00.001-08:00

Consumer products may be produced by unpaid prisoners inside a major, Asian nation could be slipping into our marketplaces and retail stores. These internationally illegal items may end up wrapped as gifts under peoples' decorated x-mas trees. What could be done against it to help protect the buying public and to ensure the human rights of prisoners against enforced slavery? The news video below may draw attention upon a commercial matter having many possible, secretive violations world-wide.

News Journal of November 23, 2011: An Basic Awareness Toward Understanding Their Struggles

2011-11-22T19:48:00.001-08:00

Many of them may be given out this week in charitable arrangements, yet buying a whole turkey may had become an luxury for many Americans. For them the community food bank may be more frequently visited than the local supermarket. A non-profit group, Wider Opportunities for Women released a new report showing 45% of Americans are struggling to make ends meet economically accordingly The New York Times.
What it means is my experience also, that people are not earning enough to meet their basic needs. Is it taking a month's savings for peoples to make repairs on their used autos? Or do they confront circumstances of which major bill to pay first in avoiding the costliest overdue fees or interest rates? Such hardening choices regularly involve necessary services and items against those you longingly desire to have. Does it not feel impossible at times to save toward a dream vacation or be better prepared for emergencies?
My encouragement to any visiting here to continue gaining an awareness of the times we are living in. Fifty years ago or more we could had imagine society advancing in improving conditions for all earth's residents. Yes in specific areas as in transportation, technology and medicine there are improvements. As a child my recollection of reading the Sunday color comics, seeing detective Dick Tracy holding a 2-way video phone. Guess what? There is now in 2011 that sort of device, for example the Apple iPhone 4S, how amazing! Are you desiring to have one yourself or the latest smart phone?
Millions and millions could not wait, willing present for hours outside in uncomfortable weather conditions for the local Apple Store to open for business to purchase the latest version of iPhone. So you are not surprise many today are waiting in food lines as same like in the 1930's? Many will also wait outside retail stores in early morning darkness on November 25, Friday for Black Friday sales. (Why is it called Black Friday anyway?) Unfortunately the US and world economic systems fell short in improvements and refinements opposite the telephone advanced since it's invention by Alexander Graham Bell in the 1870's. A blind, hand less, disable man could use a telephone device designed for him, is this possible, is it correct prospectively?
Yet in contrast to communication technology many more, variable folks are not fully able to utilize the financial products and services available to them. And what might be accomplish monetary may open to further hardships via bad decisions of budgeting. A day after a nationwide holiday of Thanksgiving eager consumers are ready to empty their wallets, overcharge their credit cards on Black Friday to fulfill their Christmas obligations.
It is a personal choice to engage in these activities and celebrate holidays. Does it, however make sense if they have financial obligations already overburdening them towards foreclosure or eviction? We may understand economic problems are unfairly imposed upon citizens. Do we also sense how financial struggles may be self-inflicting with insensible, spending practices? My wish to return to this subject matter, you may comment below if you wish.

News Journal of November 21, 2011: An Collective Lack of Reaponsibility

2011-11-21T02:45:00.000-08:00

A woman's fondness toward squirrels had lead her into big trouble with her neighbors-and with the law. In Kettering, Ohio Annick Richardson maintained a practice of feeding these suburban rodents nuts in her community. Many people may delight in observing the activities of busy squirrels until they start causing problems on your property. An yearly unfavorable experience for my family involved a walnut tree next to our property. The squirrels loved crewing on the walnut fruit to reach the walnut core containing the nut. The droppings of the walnut fruit crewed by the creatures on sitting on tree limbs falls on our autos and stained them.
Many times the rodents crewed the greenish, walnut fruit on top of our cars. The droppings often turn brownish black also staining the driveway and patio. They do leave quite a mess. The problem was resolved by the removal of the walnut tree. Mrs.Richardson's passion of feeding went to the extreme. She had entered the properties of her neighbors to feed the squirrels peanuts there. The unwanted, visiting animals left damage for their hosts by ruining their gardens and crewing up car wires. Now this December when Annick appears in court she will face two counts of criminal trespassing. If she is found guilty, if she convicted the squirrel lover could face up to sixty days in jail and a fine according to the Pocono Record.

This case disturbs me in awareness of news stories involving cover-ups of child abuse scandals of the Catholic Church, Penn State University and elsewhere. In Colorado Springs, Colorado a former, 'Christian' school teacher (of Hilltop Baptist Church) had been arrested for committing fornication with one of her teen aged students. According to the Daily Mail UK the sexual relationship was not a secret among staff at Hilltop Baptist Church, they knew enough to contact the authorities.
The police were not informed by the school. That is not the worse of this account, the father and uncle of the accused school teacher also knew about the illegal affair! Both relatives worked at the school. We may wonder what factors contributed to this collective senselessness of a youth's welfare? The offense against the youth took place in 2007. One school staff member was courageous enough to contact law authorities after learning about the violations.
The (former) school principal, Jan Ockvirk, age 51, was aware of teacher's, Terah Allyn Rawlings, age 32 continued (over a year) trysts with the student. Each of them failed to contact the police and eyewitnesses were discouraged from reaching authorities. According to the Denver Post three, senior administrators including two pastors, Raymond "Allen" Knight, the father and Franklin "Wayne" Knight, the uncle.
These individuals neglected their legal obligation to act on behalf of the 15-year old victim. You can imagine now that the cover-up been exposed these irresponsible adults are facing serious charges. And the teenage student is confronting pending psychological problems of the unloving disregard, of lack of protection shown to him. Was it peer pressure among the grown-ups not to tattle and tell? How so home schooling is becoming more desirable these days.

Late last week Channel News 12 reported a jogger's discovery of a dead man's body found in the Wantage Parkway area on Friday, November 18th. An police investigation ensued and soon after the man was identified the mystery of his unfortunate outcome was solved. Law authorities had uncovered this fallen man, Walter Boland, age 58 was murdered by his ex-wife, Nancy. She was officially arrested on the following Saturday, November 19th. Although the Bolands still lived together the arrangement unlikely favored well for them peacefully.
According to Newsday Mrs. Boland stabbed her former husband to death and later dumped his body after a late evening "domestic incident". It was after a midnight hour searching Nancy, age 56 finally decided to make her grim deposit near a bike path along the Wantage Parkway around 4 am Friday. Newsday related that Nancy Boland confessed of the murder to the investigators questioning her. My thought the real love between the two individuals must had diminished over time in lacking the cultivation and nurturing a long-termed marriage needed. What could seriously troubled couples do in averting the consequences the Bolands experienced? My wish to return with more, news commentary, thank you for visiting.

News Journal of November 18, 2011: An End And A Beginning

2011-11-18T15:31:00.001-08:00

On Long Island a man will soon be resting his future on the jury of his trial. He is accused of framing his ex-girlfriend, arranging for her to be arrested on false charges. She spent seven months in jail for pretending to be a highway police officer who stopped victims on road to robbed them. This did not happened, the 'victims' and 'witnesses' lied for monetary pay by the man on trial. The falsely accused woman after her protested claim of innocence was eventually freed. She had accused the man on trial of sexually assaulting her which she said prompted his scheme against her. The man's defense team, his lawyers will have their turn next week to clear their client of the criminal charges against him.
Billions of people got the news flash of the pending divorce of long-time actress, Demi Moore, age 49 from her actor husband, Ashton Kutcher, age 33. Mr. Kutcher was exposed in the press of having a one night affair with an office worker, Sara Leal, age 22. The tryst last September, 2011 was on the date of the sixth year anniversary of Kutcher and Moore, how painful for Demi. We will not stop hearing of famed divorces. How often do we hear of a mostly unknown marriage?
I learned of a Maine state couple who finally tied the marriage knot last Tuesday, November 14th. They are ages of 88 and 87, been in courtship for 17 years. Reportedly after the couple expressed their vows the new bride and groom kissed three times. My friends and I regard the number three as a number of emphasis. My assurance these newlyweds left little doubt of their love and loyalty toward one another. You may take as a excuse of me concluding this blog post on a positive note.

"Sue Annamarie, If You Take My Hand In Honorable Matrimony. We Can Actually Shack Up And Work Our Share On My Granddaddy's Pignut Plantation. And We Can Live Off Of The Fat Of The Land.

You Will Enjoy The Separation Process And Shelling Of The Pignuts By Hand-For Hours. You Will Seed Out The Worm-Infested Nuts From The Good Ones. And There Are Plenty Of Other, Hard Sweating Tasks To Do. Yep, Our 'Honeymoon' Is Our Work. We Will Live Off The Fat Of The Land.
You Will Learn How To Make My Grand-mamma's World Famous Chicken Liver-Mince Pie. It's Real Smelly And Tasty. She Will Show You How To Make Our Clothes And Pignut Butter, Pignut Oil, Flour And A Lot Of Other Pignut Things. Oh Yeah Honey, We Going To Live Off The Fat Of The Land.

We Can Soon Have A Bunch Of Little Ones Of Our Own Running About, Here And There. You Get Satisfaction Changing Their Diapers And Caring For Them While I Spit Tobacco And Play Poker With The Boys Down The Street. The Lady Folks Would Be Fine Company For You After You Get The Babies To Stop Crying. They Will Tell You, 'You Are Living Off The Fat Of The Land With The Man Of Your Life.'
And When You Wake Up In The Morning Readying Yourself To Do Housework. You Will Sing With A Gladsome Voice; 'My O' My What A Good Life I Have, What A Good Life I Have' Because With Me You Will Be Living Off Of The Fat Of The Land. What More Can You Ask For, Let Us Get Our Life Together Started And!..." (Cartoon By Curtis W. Jackson)

News Journal of November 18, 2011

2011-11-18T04:40:00.001-08:00

There is much news to reflect upon, my endeavor to return back here later today if the day favors for me do so. You may take a look at the older posts if you wish.

News Journal of November 17, 2011: They Were Not Alone

2011-11-17T12:46:00.001-08:00

Today

is the 'Day Of Action' conducted by demonstrators of the Occupy Wall Street movement in Lower Manhattan. The city of New York was given warning the day before and police units prepared themselves. A huge mass of protesters are expected, threatening block and congest traffic, streets and subways.

The protesters started early, getting together with one another, breakfasting in Zuccotti Park, organizing for the morning march. They would later gather as planned in Foley Square to march over Brooklyn Bridge. And earlier on Thursday the protesters would had also aimed to had crowded into numerous (16 determined in advance) subway stations.

At each of these areas the determined demonstrators planned according to news sources to tell their accounts of "economic injustice". The activists against corporate greed sought to halt the operations of Wall Street stock market, failing in their disruptive objective. They had success in blocking arriving NYSE employees and others to their jobs. Yet how many New Yorkers want to hear their stories after the trouble the protesters cause. The non-protesting public with overdue bills, are struggling with their own, monetary dramas supporting their families of basic essentials.
Unfortunately the public tax dollars are being used to cope with costs of managing the 'frustrated' protesters. According to Newsday the city police spent seven million dollars in overtime pay for Occupy Wall Street events. Four police officers were injured when a protester threw vinegar liquid at them. The attacker at Wall Street and Broadway was arrested according to Associated Press News. There are more details which you would likely observe on your evening, television news tonight. I may be able to discuss this subject in tomorrow's post.

"They Are The Only Individuals Around Here Willing To Help Us Out Of This Jam."

News Journal of November 16, 2011: Was It Offensive?

2011-11-16T14:38:00.001-08:00

Traffic must be backed up on Northern State Parkway contributing to a later dinnertime for many home bound commuters. This is because there is a car accident near exit 26. Have you wondered how many of the Occupy Wall Street protesters returned to their actual homes after NYC police cleared them out of Zuccotti Park in lower Manhattan before dawn yesterday morning? Listing safety concerns Mayor Micheal Bloomberg ordered the immediate ouster of the residing demonstrators, their tarps, tents, sleeping bags and other items. Later on Tuesday the protesters were allowed back into the park and plaza after the city sanitation department cleaned it for public use.
I had wrote about this news item on a earlier post here today. According to today's news many protesters did not in their civil spirit 'returned' to their actual dwellings. They are planning to continue their campaign with events conducted outside their wish to continue living at Zuccotti Park. The city will not allow them to be sleeping or lying down in the park. Police will stop the protesters if they attempt to slumber down or camp out again. Of the earlier post ( 11-16-11...'Early Eviction Notice') there is currently a black and white cartoon there of a courting couple. Please feel incline to let me know if the cartoon is offensive to you. Camping Occupy Wall Street protesters in London, England were reportedly issued eviction notices in the area of their demonstration.

News Journal of November 16, 2011: Early Morning Eviction Notice

2011-11-15T14:00:00.001-08:00

Photos/Cartoon by Curtis W. Jackson

If you lived in New York and got a glimpse of television news coverage yesterday morning before 6:30pm. You may had observed Channel News 12 helicopter footage of Zuccotti Park after the clearing of the Occupy Wall Street protesters. New York City police officers had promoted the temporary denizens out in advance of the dawning light of day. The law enforcement agents were soon followed by an small army of reflective striped, orange vested, blue uniformed sanitation workers with long, hand-held, water pulsating, chemical germ killing sprayers, bristled, heavy duty cleaning brooms and other, cleaning apparatus. The city officials (in response to complaints by small businesses operating in park and other, concerned parties) had taken action in averting health dangers resulting from the protesting habitation. The area was being sanitized as much possible and restored for public use. Micturiton on the park grounds and foliage were among the complaints issued. The immediate eviction notice came as a unexpected wake-up call likely snipping short extra hours of sleep for some protesters.

Just before 5pm Tuesday a Manhattan judge had ruled against the demonstrators in the removing their tents, sleeping bags and other items from the park. Supreme Court Justice Micheal Stallman had determined the protesters had a constitution right to voice themselves in public, but not to reside the park and plaza everlastingly. How much did it cost NYC to clean up Zuccotti Park? If I am correct there was an increasing bill of over 4 million dollars in paying law enforcement overtime to police the demonstrators 24/7. The protesters had sought a judicial motion in court to return to the park with their tarps, generators, sleeping bags, tents, portable furniture, music gear and other things to keep their direction-less demonstration going. They can return to the park without those items. In view of their human rights should the protesters been allowed to continue dwelling in Zuccotti Park? Do you agree with the judge's ruling? You may comment below if you wish. Let us please consider other, news items of interest.
Was he defiant to the end? His offensive, clenched hand gestures were displayed to an watching audience for an long-awaited day of justness against a heart-less slaughter. How unlikely it seemed on his last day this 66-year old man shed a single tear for his young victims almost 30 years ago. An execution was carried out yesterday afternoon in Lucasville, Ohio for an vengeful child killer. In 1982 according Associated Press News Reginald Brooks shot dead his three sons, ages 17, 15 and 11 after his estranged wife filed for divorce. Reginald's former wife, Beverly and sisters-in-law were present at the execution.
Mr. Brooks' defense lawyer had insisted his mentally-ill client's middle-fingered gestures were not directed toward his wife and her family. Brooks was messaging his feelings his lawyer explained, towards an judicial system which was unfair and unkind to him during the past, few weeks. A Ohio state supreme court had recently refused to delay Brooks' execution because of his condition of paranoid schizophrenic. Beverly Brooks is convinced the murder of her sons were an act of revenge against her and not an result of long-termed mental illness.

The Chicago, Illinois Catholic archdiocese had agreed to pay 3.2 million dollars to settle a sex abuse case. The former victims were students at a parish school are still young people since last decade when the offenses occurred. There were five of them whom were abused (as young as 10 years old) by a now-jailed priest, Daniel McComack who pleaded guilty in 2007 according to Reuters News. The Chicago archdiocese may had been another Catholic institution whom refused to remove McComack from having access to children after becoming aware of his illegal conduct. Mr. McComack was given a five year sentence, not nearly enough. He only served two and half years. Did you know the Catholic Church may had shelled out close to two billion dollars in legal settlement to victims of priestly-cleric abuses.
There was an unfortunate accident, a mini bus crash in Beijing, China. Eighteen kindergartners, pre-school aged children on their way to their class were killed with two adults. The overcrowded mini-bus had a head-on collision with a truck according to the Wall Street Journal. If you had been using Facebook, what had been going on with it? News sources revealed the world populous, social site was not fully successful in warding off promoters of pornography and violence. Of course Facebook administers are aggressively addressing the influx, a wave of unsuspecting abusive material their members were confronted with. Considering Facebook could not prevent under aged individuals from joining their site the sudden, violent and pornographic imagery had posed a threat. How many folks lately are still posting phony, Facebook profiles?

"Never Mind What They Said, We Are In Love, We Are Just Right For Each Other!"

The NBA lockout reached a new chapter in the on-going saga of professional basketball players on strike against the owners of the teams. A large portion of the basketball season is evaporating before the winter air sets in, there were no preseason games. Is it all about the money? The continuation of the strike is leaving scores of lower paid, non-millionaire employees out of work, their seasonal services associated with the NBA. We wonder if there be an NBA championship or even an actual season of scheduled games.
This uncertainty is in view of the disagreements between the parties with NBA commissioner, David Stern and teams of lawyers. If I understand this correctly the players' union has been dissolved and NBA players are now filing an anti-trust lawsuit against the NBA league. I have not been keeping updated about this sporting drama, if you have an understanding of it please feel free to comment. There is much good to be accomplished elsewhere before the annoucement of the first NBA game of 2012. Thank you for visiting, I look forward in returning with more, news commentary.

A Repair Necessary For Luminance

2011-11-14T04:11:00.002-08:00

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News Journal of November 14, 2011: A New Government

2011-11-14T04:11:00.000-08:00

Photos/Curtis W. Jackson

This morning LIRR commuters-cigarette/cigar smokers are confronting a new, smoking ban which taken effect yesterday, November 13th. Puffing it up or puffing it, that is smoking is off limits outside on train platforms. As to now there is an early, grace period, people won't be immediately ticketed. However after this grace period is done with any violators may be facing a fifty dollar fine or possible, thirty days in jail. Do you view this new ban on outdoor smoking fair and reasonable? One of my friends stated in a public discourse yesterday there would not be the issue of second-hand smoke if smoking itself was non-existing in society. It could never be a bad ideal to seek sensible guidance and an effective plan of action in overcoming this proven, unhealthy habit at any age. Unfortunately there are other, unsuspecting dangers in our communities.

Yesterday morning a man was shot to death inside his car in Queens, near Rockaway Park. The unknown victim with a fatal, head shot wound is believed to be livery car driver and his auto, a white Ford Crown Victoria. Queens law enforcement are investigating. Last week Sunday another man, Hansa Keya, age 49 was killed late evening in North Bellmore on East Meadow Avenue. Mr. Keya was shot dead in front of his ground floor apartment around 11:30 pm. A November 4th post here related about Brandon Sotomayor, a young man ambushed inside a pick-up truck in Bay Shore. Brandon was sitting next to his unharmed friend inside the auto on Reilly Street on the November 2nd evening, circa 11:30pm. What nighttime or early morning hour did the Rockaway Park area murderer(s) chosen? Nonetheless a violent indication of insecure times. A reward is expected to be announced by The New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers for any information about the unknown, livery driver's death, killed in Queens.

Sunday morning before arriving at a meeting I saw a front page newspaper photo of a line of dark charcoal-grey charred, torched autos on a Brooklyn, New York street. A van on Ocean Parkway according Associated Press News had the letters, 'KKK' sprayed painted on it. Vandals left a disturbing message of hate during the weekend in a Jewish Orthodox neighborhood in the Midwood section of Brooklyn. Besides the burned totaled autos were sixteen, graffatilized, Nazi swastikas for the local folks to be upset, to be intimidated by, yet they were not for long. There was a pubic protest Sunday as residents marched together with elected officials in a response back to the ignominious vandals. Within a day's time of the bias attacks those Nazi symbols were being removed off sidewalks and other spots. Removing the embedded virus of hatred is something less easily scrubbed away. What is needed to remove it from among all mankind for future generations?
Egypt and Libya have yet to lawfully formulate their fortcoming, new governments. Italy speedily moves towards her objectives after the confirmed resignation of long time premier, Silvio Berlusconi. After more than 17 years Berlusconi unwillingly steps down after his country's parliament voted, consented to the demands of the European Union and (central bank officials) in repairing Italy's damaged economy. The next coming prime minister, an experienced economist, Mario Monti steps into the scene in developing new government. The public celebration of those disapproving of Berlusconi won't be a long one.
According to news reports Italy is facing acute, financial problems. The recovery being lead by Monti won't be easy going, the challenge is large before him dealing with the nation's debt crisis. Italy would seeking to keep afloat the euro currency in her in maintaining a relationship the European Union countries. Of course there is more to relate here in news commentary. Unfortunately as so many of you I am unable to bottle and seal up time shelving it when needed. Time moves along without waiting for any of us to finish all that we need and want to, thank you for visiting.

News Journal of November 11, 2011: The Unaccomplished

2011-11-11T03:49:00.000-08:00

Bay Shore Senior High School/Photos, Cartoon by Curtis W. Jackson

It may had been a few years ago I walked in on a college football game my father was watching on television. It was Penn State against another competitor team. One of the sports announcers drew attention upon the record of Joseph Paterno, Penn State's long- time coach. As of this year he had presided over the team for 46 years, 61 years altogether on Penn State coaching staff! For that past, fall season game my thought was when Paterno finally retires they will give him a big town party. My forecast been proven wrong, a winter of disgraced exit came early for Joe Paterno, age 84. He was fired last Wednesday (by Penn State board of trustees) as head coach, replaced by defensive coordinator, Tom Bradley. You likely reviewed why this outcome resulted connected to a sex scandal.It isn't about what Paterno accomplished, winning 409 games and two championships.

This matter is about what the coach failed to do, the unaccomplished affecting numerous lives.The source of the trouble is Jerry Sandusky, a former assistant coach. The founder of a charity assisting disadvantaged boys, Sandusky, age 67 was arrested last Saturday. In 2002 another member of Paterno's coaching staff witnessed Sandusky abusing a ten year old in the Penn State locker room shower. The incident was reported to Joe Paterno first hand. He apparently passed the buck, this problem onto Tim Curley, the athletic director. Another Penn State official, Gary Schultz became aware of the locker room shower incident. None of the three principle men, Schultz, Curley and Paterno contacted the police and turned in Sandusky. Yet in 2010 all three men found themselves testifying before a grand jury. Curley and Schultz are facing perjury charges for reportedly lying in grand jury proceedings.

Sandusky's double life been investigated by law authorities. Under the disguise of his charity Jerry was allegedly abusing eight or more youths for over 15 years ending in 2009. If Paterno and other Penn State officials has taken responsible action against Jerry Sandusky. His collection of victims may had been a shorter list. A number of young persons' lives would not had been painfully damaged. News reports shown Penn students rioting in the streets, igniting havoc after the announcement of Paterno's dismissal. We observe they would shout less for the justice of Sandusky's victims than for their favorite coach. What an domino effect of Sandusky's deviation causing. His crimes and the cover-up of these acts lead to the ouster of college officials including the university president, Graham Spanier. There are more details to this troubling matter, my wish to reflect a little on it. You may comment below if you wish.

"I HAVE NOT SEEN YOUR CAT CAUGHT ONE MOUSE!"

How Foggy Thy Morning Time

2011-11-09T04:32:00.001-08:00

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Location:Brentwood, NY

News Journal of November 09, 2011: Hidden Faces

2011-11-09T04:11:00.000-08:00

How seriously should a promise to marry someone be taken? For a Brazilian man it will be six thousand times costly. This is the amount of punishment in monetary penalty ($6,000) Marceleo De Azevedo must fork over to his former fiance, Cristane Costa De Andrade. A Rio De Janeiro, Brazil court awarded De Andrade this amount for her "moral and material damages" and for "..her anguish and humiliation" according to Associated Press News from court records. Marceleo had abruptly jilted out on Cristane from a planned 2007 wedding. My friends and I believe a courtship should be honorable and conducted truthfully by both prospective mates. If one or both person are convinced their relationship is not fairing well. It is recommended they discuss the matter respectfully with candor. It may be advisable an unsuccessful courtship be discontinued before a wedding date is set since strong emotions and family members are involved.

Adobe Systems Incorporated announced it will be eliminating 750 jobs as part of a restructuring plan attentive toward digital media. Those employees would not be the only ones out of a job. Have you considered 2011 being known as the year the most governmental leaders were toppled from their posts by their own peoples? This month two, world leaders had agreed to step down, including Salvio Berlusconi who had before this week survived corruption accusations and outrageous, sex scandals. Joining Berlusconi is Greece (former) Prime Minister, George Pappandreou. Both Italy and Greece are confronting serious, economic crisises which is forcing their current leaders out of their jobs. Greece will adapt a new government lead by a different prime minister from another political party opposite of Pappandreou's previous ruling party. What would be a renewed Greece and Italy's economic, restructuring plans for their futures?

"...I HAD MUCH TO SAY ABOUT MY CHANGING TIMES, BUT AM PRECARIOUS OF WHAT TO EXPRESS ABOUT YOUR CHANGING TIMES." (Cartoon/Curtis W. Jackson)

On Monday billions may had watched live, televised coverage (4:15pm circa, New York time) of the jury verdict against former doctor, Conrad Murray in a Los Angeles, California courtroom. After nine hours of discussions and consideration of key evidence the jury found Mr. Conrad, age 58, guilty of involuntary manslaughter of his client, music pop legend, Micheal Joesph Jackson, age 50. A major notation of this case was that Mr. Conrad abandoned Mr. Jackson ("to go to the bathroom") after illegally administrating his client a powerful anesthetic, Propofol (Dipravan, used for surgeries).
What ease of seeing how Mr. Conrad exercised disregard for medical principals and laws to satisfy his (hard-to-say no) client and fill his pockets with money from a high-paying assignment. Murray Conrad may be a most recognizable face of a person who for personal prestige and wealth stepped over moral and legal boundaries. Monday evening I viewed a news video of a crowd with signs voicing loudly outside the courtroom building before the verdict hearing. How so often the audibly shouted words, "guilty, guilty, guilty!".
In their hearts many appeared ready to throw the 'first stone' wanting publicly overdue justice for MJ, for Micheal. Unfortunately for a world showcasing Murray's guilt there are too many, hidden faces-identities operating his sort of damaging practices by various means and occupations daily. Please take a good, honest look at the overall condition of this world. Does it as a whole stand for high standards Mr. Murray lived against? The infamous cardiologist is facing upwards of four years in prison on his manslaughter conviction. Judge Micheal E. Pastor ruled Mr. Murray be held without bail, not free on bond pending a sentence hearing on November 29th.

Photo/Curtis W. Jackson

News Journal of November 07, 2011: Monday Morning

2011-11-07T04:11:00.000-08:00

Photos/Curtis W. Jackson

Yesterday morning before individuals started attending their church services there was news of an 5.6 magnitude earthquake. It was reportedly the largest, late Saturday evening occurrence in central Oklahoma, amid the city of Sparks. Audience at the conclusion of a college football game at Oklahoma State University were startled by the quake. From my basic awareness there were no major damages, injuries and deaths. Before Sunday afternoon the area experienced ten aftershocks.
During the weekend there were minor quaking in the British Virgin Islands, Dominican Republic and in Arkansas. Unfortunately there will likely be more than 18 persons killed from a sudden, Sunday landslide in northeastern Colombia. A team of rescuers are still searching for possible survivors trapped under the heavy mud caused by heavy rains. According to CNN News some sixteen homes were covered over in the city of Manizales, at leash five persons were pulled out of the dense mud alive. May there be more survivors.

There were upsetting incidents before the end of the weekend. A 48-year old man lost his life after falling off his bicycle in Oceanside, New York. The Bay Park resident was hit by a Chevrolet van during the 1-am hour. I hate relating the following, upsetting news item from Titusville, Florida. It does however offer potent lessons in precaution in child care. A 19-month toddler was killed after being run over by a lawn mover driven by his grandmother. The older kin was giving the child a ride on the lawn mover. He somehow fell off and got under the spinning blades and well, you might imagine the horrible results on his head and body. Police had seized the vehicle of this grave accident, the Friday, November 3rd tragedy is under investigation.
Two female students of Frostburg University, Washington D.C. got into a nasty, off-campus cat fight. The conclusion of it left one of them dead, Kortneigh McCoy, age 19, from a stab wound to her head. Twenty-three year old Shanee Liggins is in police custody facing first and second-degree murder according to The Washington Examiner. The initial, student fight involved several people stemming from an argument, none may had understood how to 'chill out' and make peace. Two women were affected by drug overdoses at the Vancouver, BC Occupy Wall Street protest site. One of victims, an individual in her age 20's was discovered lifeless in her tent by another protester. Foul play was not determined by law authorities. Local officials will now close down the Occupy Wall Street site in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada as an result of the death of this young demonstrator. Besides the survivors of the landslide my regret for not having much good news here, there is potential future-wise, thank you for visiting.

News Journal of October 07, 2011: Fall Images

2011-11-07T03:49:00.000-08:00

My wish to share with you a few photos I had taken over the weekend. You may click on the photos to enlarge or see more details. There is written, news commentary in the next blog post of today, Monday, thank you for visiting.

News Journal of November 04, 2011: Late Evening

2011-11-04T19:53:00.000-07:00

Photos/C.W. Jackson

It must had been at leash her third, reporting assignment in the Bay Shore, New York area within a few months. None of those occasions were of good news. The blond-haired reporter had shared an news televised account about a young man shot in the leg. After being confronted on Remington Avenue the bicyclist told his would-be robbers he had no money on him. The same reporter was near the crime scene on an earlier date where an apartment murder-suicide took place at Spruce and Third avenues. A shotgun blasting, young man killed his ex-girlfriend, the mother of his child, before slaying himself last July, 2011.

Once again seeing the yellow, police tape sectioning off Reilly Street Erin Colton had returned to Bay Shore. Thursday afternoon wearing her blue and black, News 12 Long Island jacket Erin related another, shooting death. We learned about Brandon Sotomayor (of Central Islip), age 23, who was a passenger sitting with his friend inside a Chevy truck, conversing towards 12am. One or two persons approached the truck parked outside the friend's home firing at Sotomayor's side. Brandon was pieced by the bullets multiple times by the surprise, evening ambush.

At the location of Sotomayor's death an momorial was established.

He struggled to tell his friend to call the police before dying moments later. The suspect(s) immediately fled on foot after the shooting. The driver friend was unharmed and police noted Sotomayor dead at the scene. This vicious shooting is now under investigation, the dark, green-like pick-up truck was hauled to a crime lab. As to now no one been taken into custody. Maybe Erin's next visit to this area would be an assignment reporting favorable news. It is not very easy for me to relate this account, being a resident in Bay Shore. I do look forward to the days when such violent crimes as Sotomayor's murder be forever gone.

News Journal of October 30, 2011: A Bit Too Early?

2011-11-04T04:11:00.000-07:00

Photos/Curtis W. Jackson

Did you noted the potential longevity of Occupy Wall Street demonstrations nationwide and globally? The sponsors at the various locations are planning, determined to take it through the winter. Will they last that long confronting the physical elements? We may first look back in time before addressing that question. Thirty-two years ago this leaf changing season, on October 30th there was another, major protest in the Wall Street, New York area, in 1979. More than 1,000 protesters took part in an antinuclear rally with big brass music playing in the background. On that fall season day it was the 50th anniversary of the stock market crash of 1929. They wanted to shut them down. The demonstrators in 1979 were unsuccessful in halting the activities of the New York Stock Exchange.
If you or your grandparent took part in that late decade, anti-nuclear demonstration. Please feel free to share your experiences here if you wish. If you do comment please explain what progress had issue forth by the 1979 protest against the dangers of nuclear power usage. If the protesters had managed to stop cold the operations of the NYSE. The flow of currency in the stock market is a big factor for emerging businesses. However the connection is uneasy to see. A momentary cessation in the stock market would had done little to halt the trade of nuclear energy power.
The nuclear power plants were owned, managed by energy companies apart from the administrators of the NYSE. The organizers of Wall Street protests 32 years ago were probably aware of an independent agency called the NRC, The Nuclear Regulatory Committee. The NRC was established by the United States government in 1974 to regulate the industry of nuclear power toward more cautious procedures in behalf of the public. For example the NRC worked in placing nationwide standards on how energy companies would dispose of nuclear waste and byproducts without endangering the public and environment. So how did the NRC fared in meeting its' objectives?
It is true The Nuclear Regulatory Committee had an progressive impact in promoting safety in the nuclear energy industry. In 1981 the NRC released a report in their evaluation of 21 US nuclear plants (out of 72 rated) declaring them below safe standards of operations. According to The Baltimore Sun newspaper the NRC report noted critical problems of the 21 listed, nuclear plants such as radiation protection, lacking security and emergency preparation.

In 1986 a US expert, Robert Pollard recognized 39 operating nuclear plants having a safety flaw according to The Montreal Gazette (May 20, 1986). The fault Mr. Pollard indicated involves a safety system used by the nuclear power plants to contain nuclear leaks. According to a 1987, January 8th Newsday article the NRC was unsuccessful in obtaining sufficient funding from the US government toward research in improving nuclear reactor safety. What an indication NRC's role would not be completely far reaching.
An significant event toward directing action in protecting lives and the environment happened on March 28, 1979. In Middleton, Pennsyannvia there was an accident at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant. The core of the reactor started to overheat that early morning. One system malfunction lead to another enhanced by human error of the plant's operators. Basically the reactor was not being cooled down efficiently and the core was melting. This problem posed an alarming danger government officials were not ready for.
It was because the melting core could release radioactivity into earth. By evening time nuclear operators, experts and specialists at the Three Mile Island plant gained control of this scary accident. The reactor was cooling towards a safe level. There was a very small, partial release of radioactivity, no deaths, serious illnesses and grave, environmental damage. You may comment here to refine the truthfulness of this occurrence. I remember this was a major, news headline which stirred public fears of nuclear accidents. The NRC and government officials had been aiming to learn the crucial lessons of the Three Mile Island accident.
The NRC gave greater attention in efforts to avert possible, nuclear accidents. There were adjustments made in numerous areas of nuclear plant operations including improved training, radiation protection and engineering. The NRC also sought to work with the US government in establishing nationwide, emergency response procedures. The NRC have another role-to promote and advance the industry of nuclear energy power. Since 1979 there had been more, anti-nuclear organizations and protesting. It is not difficult finding many critics of this unpopular, energy alternative. Nonetheless this industry in spite of the known risks continued to our day.

Such a fact may cause one to question the lasting impact or benefits of public protesting. Have you inquired of what is actually being accomplished for future sake by the Occupy Wall Street protests globally? People want the economy fixed so they can live better lives. They want fair, health insurance policies and secured jobs. The public savor the elimination of white-collar crimes, corporate greed and unfair, banking practices. Is this all correct of what we been hearing?No question for decades politicians, economists and others labored on the financial systems in their countries. There may had been marked improvements, but problems resumed year after year. Why? Fixing the economy may be liken to trying to make the human body perfect. Each solution discovered may not work on each, unique individual. Of the solutions functioning on persons there are limitations. Those individuals will still obtain other illnesses, disabilities, grow old and eventually die. It is a hard, cold fact, no one found the fountain of youth or a cure for eternal life.Biological evidence may reveal we are all born imperfect. Like many of you it is my wish to live forever. This desire may aid us to understand that death is an expected outcome in life, however it is not a normal, healthy conclusion. Death is a curse we don't want to happen to us. May you therefore obtain good news against it. We also realized each economic system is imperfect to all the needs of their citizens. Monetary sicknesses can not be avoided. This 'perfect body' the protesters will be lacking, regardless of what is accomplished through their governments.
The Occupy Wall Street demonstrators today have greater access and tools of communication than the protesters of 1979. Could you imagine the huge number of commenters and bloggers online right now focused upon the Occupy Wall Street demonstrations? Manhattan protesters and elsewhere were able to expand their message globally and garnished increased support. Yes, "they will come", the number of backers had kept arriving to lend a hand. However did you noted anything else? Might it be a bit too early to list major accomplishments being fulfilled as result of the Occupy Wall Street demonstrations? It may take several winters or more to begin addressing their social concerns.
How unfortunate the newer generation of protesters are facing what seem to be more, acute challenges than their grandfathers with lesser ease to correct them. Each passing day of demonstrations provides indication their voiced issues being overlooked, ignored-certainly not being fully answered in governments. Unless of course, you know otherwise. For those who feel the Occupy Wall Street protesting is an vital activity for them, are there not other resources and worthwhile activities to help them address their immediate needs and concerns? May you obtain the best answers possible toward your finest future possible.

News Journal of November 02, 2011: Why Did She Let Him Drive Them?

2011-11-02T03:45:00.000-07:00

There is another confirmation this week of what was stated in last Friday's blog post about a lack of regard toward human life involving one's own children. Yesterday afternoon a working mother explained to a friend and I that people should exercise forethought before having children they are unable to care responsibly for. Having offspring may contribute to lasting happiness and satisfaction, resulting in unforgettable joys and rewarding experiences for years to come. Yet rearing children, many of us realized, may be the parents' most enduring and costly project of their lives. There are various, key areas moms and dads give weight to as what could be having an immense impact on their children's well-being and future. There are schooling, education, health and nutrition, recreation concerns. Yet what about the area of the parent's, not exactly the childrens' choice of association?
Could the parent's selection of his/her own friend, associate or romantic interest have an negative or positive effect on their child? This question returns attention to this confirmation mention before, of parental neglect, in this case allowing one's children in the presence of an perilous individual. A Brentwood man and woman were arrested Monday evening according to Long Island Newsday for endangering the lives of three children. The man, age 54 was Edwin Santiago, he was driving intoxicated with three boys, ages one, four and five in his car. The boys are the sons of the woman arrested, age 25, Blanca Lopez. In spite of the age difference Ms Lopez and Mr. Santiago may be in a courtship. Or they could had been bonding acquaintances. Whatever the case Blanca wrongly entrusted Edwin with the lives of her children and herself as he drove them in a drunken state. How so fortunate there was not a fatal accident in this latest violation of Leandra's Law.

Babylon LIRR Station, Photo/C.W.Jackson

In the state of New York it is a felony if a grown person is operating a vehicle intoxicated with children passengers inside it under the age of 16. If you live in New York the news of one too many people testing this law is well-known. There were likely seventeen or more arrests in the past year on Long Island. Yet the Santiago/Lopez incident varied somewhat that the auto operator was not the birth parent. It is unique that the birth parent was the passenger with her children. Can you relate of any other direct, serious disregard of one's own children? This wrongful selection of association could come in other ways such as our choice of entertainment. For example parents may decide to view a violent, R-rated film with their children believing there is little harm about it.
My friends and I believe close companions would avoid putting our lives at risk. Would it not also be reasonable an prospective mate would exercise genuine love and parental regard toward his future step-children? Both or either Lopez and Santiago probably had options in avoiding their arrests. Another person, taxi or train ride could had safely transported them. My thought is if I am going to waste time blogging reflections on the news, the subject matter should have some kind of importance. Do you feel this one have it? Suffolk police told Newsday the boys were released into the custody of their father. Ms Lopez is facing three counts of child endangerment and Santiago is confronting numerous DWI charges, thank you for visiting.

News Journal of October 31, 2011

2011-10-31T02:37:00.000-07:00

This morning my bypassing an involved posting here in order to allow me time to instead participate in non-profit work with my friends. You may read the prior, blog postings or comment on them if you wish. There is plenty of news to be heard, how seemingly impossible to elude it wherever you go. So I am curious about what I am not writing about here and what you would get a earful of today from elsewhere. The weekend had been cold and rainy wet (Saturday) for me, with a little brushing of snow (early Sunday morning). Thank you for visiting I look forward in returning with news commentary.

"I Find This Weather Invigorating, How Do You Feel About It, Son?"