TSB at The Skeptical Bureaucrat ("Giving my fellow Americans the view from my cubicle") is talent-spotting for the Department.
Money quote(s):
"I don't yet know how this summit was perceived in the diplomatic community. Bono is traveling in Africa and is unavailable for comment, and Angelina Jolie's spokeswoman did not return my calls.
I must say that George Clooney sure does look exactly like an Ambassador should, and looking the part is half-way there in this mass media age. He projects sincerity well, and has just enough grey at the temples to appear distinguished. And he's obviously mastered the patter: "this is high on their agenda" ... "there was some concern this could fall off the radar" ... "one of a small handful of foreign policy reviews being undertaken at the senior most level" ... "it’s not about government money, not about government troops." Why doesn't he just go for it and ask Obama for an appointment?"
Saturday, February 28, 2009
WP - Veteran Mideast Envoy Ross Named to Advise Clinton on Iran Strategy
Washington Post
Veteran Mideast Envoy Ross Named to Advise Clinton on Iran Strategy
By Glenn Kessler
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, February 24, 2009; Page A04
Dennis Ross, a longtime diplomatic troubleshooter, has been appointed as a special adviser to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, with responsibility for developing a strategy for engaging Iran.
Veteran Mideast Envoy Ross Named to Advise Clinton on Iran Strategy
By Glenn Kessler
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, February 24, 2009; Page A04
Dennis Ross, a longtime diplomatic troubleshooter, has been appointed as a special adviser to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, with responsibility for developing a strategy for engaging Iran.
Read the whole article here.
TMN - Walnut Creek woman charged with holding Peruvian nanny as indentured servant
The Mercury News
Walnut Creek woman charged with holding Peruvian nanny as indentured servant
By Robert Salonga
Contra Costa Times
Posted: 02/09/2009 05:23:14 PM PST
A federal grand jury has returned a five-count indictment against a Walnut Creek woman alleging that she smuggled a Peruvian nanny into the United States and for two years forced her to live in indentured servitude, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced today.
Walnut Creek woman charged with holding Peruvian nanny as indentured servant
By Robert Salonga
Contra Costa Times
Posted: 02/09/2009 05:23:14 PM PST
A federal grand jury has returned a five-count indictment against a Walnut Creek woman alleging that she smuggled a Peruvian nanny into the United States and for two years forced her to live in indentured servitude, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced today.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Mabelle de la Rosa Dann, 45, was indicted last week on criminal violations of forced labor, unlawful conduct regarding documents in furtherance of servitude, visa fraud, conspiracy to commit visa fraud and harboring an illegal alien for private financial gain, according to a news release."JO - Will Africa catch up?
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Observer
Will Africa catch up?
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Dear Editor,
Watching on TV the handover of power in America with former leaders, Opposition members and people of all walks of life present made me wonder when Africa will catch up!In many African countries, the Opposition or former presidents would not have attended. Some would even say that the elections were not free and fair.
Read the whole letter here.
Jamaica Observer
Will Africa catch up?
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Dear Editor,
Watching on TV the handover of power in America with former leaders, Opposition members and people of all walks of life present made me wonder when Africa will catch up!In many African countries, the Opposition or former presidents would not have attended. Some would even say that the elections were not free and fair.
Read the whole letter here.
JO - Caricom enterprise in danger
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Observer
Caricom enterprise in danger
ANALYSIS
RICKY SINGH
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Passions are running high in Barbados on an issue of fundamental importance to the Caribbean Community's future - intra-regional freedom of movement of Caricom nationals. It is also the subject of concern in some other Caricom states, including Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica.
The respite that Caricom nationals experienced during Cricket World Cup 2007 in so-called "hassle-free" intra-regional travel was commendable. But in real terms, the arrangement had a not insignificant component of what's desirable for "cooperation" by our extra-regional partners - superpower USA, for example.
RICKY SINGH
In relation, that is, to "security" priorities which do not really address specific problems being faced by those in whose name the Caricom enterprise functions - the multi-ethnic, multicultural peoples of our 15-member regional integration movement, the mass of whom continues to be at the bottom of the social scale of preference, irrespective of ethnicity, nationality or religious perspective.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Within recent months there has been a virtual explosion of bitterness among Barbadians over what they perceive as an unrestricted flow of nationals from other countries, particularly Guyanese, whose presence, legal or otherwise, negatively impact on the country's demographic structure and threatens to drain their health and education benefits."
Jamaica Observer
Caricom enterprise in danger
ANALYSIS
RICKY SINGH
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Passions are running high in Barbados on an issue of fundamental importance to the Caribbean Community's future - intra-regional freedom of movement of Caricom nationals. It is also the subject of concern in some other Caricom states, including Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica.
The respite that Caricom nationals experienced during Cricket World Cup 2007 in so-called "hassle-free" intra-regional travel was commendable. But in real terms, the arrangement had a not insignificant component of what's desirable for "cooperation" by our extra-regional partners - superpower USA, for example.
RICKY SINGH
In relation, that is, to "security" priorities which do not really address specific problems being faced by those in whose name the Caricom enterprise functions - the multi-ethnic, multicultural peoples of our 15-member regional integration movement, the mass of whom continues to be at the bottom of the social scale of preference, irrespective of ethnicity, nationality or religious perspective.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Within recent months there has been a virtual explosion of bitterness among Barbadians over what they perceive as an unrestricted flow of nationals from other countries, particularly Guyanese, whose presence, legal or otherwise, negatively impact on the country's demographic structure and threatens to drain their health and education benefits."
JG - Haitian haul - Trafficking flourishes
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Gleaner
Haitian haul - Trafficking flourishes
published: Sunday June 22, 2008
Haiti, because of its porous borders, has become the preferred route from which to ship ganja to the United States. A source, knowledgeable about the illicit business, discloses that when the ganja is to be sent to Haiti, contact is made with local fishermen to transport the weed.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"(T)he trick to eluding law enforcement authorities is to leave Jamaican coastline late at nights and ending up in Haitian waters by midmorning."
Jamaica Gleaner
Haitian haul - Trafficking flourishes
published: Sunday June 22, 2008
Haiti, because of its porous borders, has become the preferred route from which to ship ganja to the United States. A source, knowledgeable about the illicit business, discloses that when the ganja is to be sent to Haiti, contact is made with local fishermen to transport the weed.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"(T)he trick to eluding law enforcement authorities is to leave Jamaican coastline late at nights and ending up in Haitian waters by midmorning."
Friday, February 27, 2009
re: "Consular Corner: February 2009"
Liam Schwartz, Esq., at Immigration Law Weekly ("the leading immigration law publisher") has quoted from and linked back to one of CAA's earlier posts.
re: "The world is not high school, Mr Obama"
Pundita ("US foreign policy for the 21st Century") has some advice for our new president.
Money quote(s):
"The goal for the U.S. President is not popularity. The goal is to act in the best interests of the United States, which is the economic engine of the world. No amount of U.S. popularity will save the world if the U.S. falls.
But since the rise of the EU, every time a U.S. administration doesn't do exactly what the EU leaders want, suddenly all over Western Europe half the population turns into streets and shouts Down with the USA.
And the BBC is always on the spot to record the protests for the evening's broadcast, which is global.
Then -- and this is the part I love -- they send armies of Talking Heads to appear on U.S. TV shows, to explain to Americans what steps we can take to stem the tide of anti-Americanism sweeping the world.
Get used to it, Mr President. "
"(T)here needs to be an international, coordinated approach to dealing with the crisis, and yes we know that Europe is being hit even harder by the economic crisis than the United States.
But this 'hurry up and sign on the dotted line because the sky is falling' -- c'mon guys.
If there was ever a time for a U.S. President to invoke the raw power of America's hyperpower status, the G20 summit is it. This should be a working summit, a discussion summit, and not the place to agree to regulations that will have a profound affect on the entire world for many decades to come."
She also slips into snarkiness:
"The definition of "low-information American" is "Democrat politician." So I'll cut President Obama slack and assume he really doesn't know that if only we'd had an unforgiving and chaotic capitalism, the global economic crisis would have been over by now."
But then continues, somewhat more helpfully:
"There has been so much government intervention in financial markets here and abroad that it'll be a miracle if the world pulls out of the worst part of the economic crisis by the start of the next decade."
&
"Looking at our map of the world we see that Italy, France, Germany and the United Kingdom are in Europe and the EU. That means the EU Big Three are twice represented at the G20 summit, which gives them tremendous clout.
If you say, 'Hey, no fair' -- there is no 'fair' from the EU point of view when it comes to wringing concessions from a hyperpower. That's their excuse and they're sticking to it: the USA is a hyperpower and so we need to eke out a little patch of bipolarity in the world.
The EU viewpoint studiously overlooks the fact that the big bad hyperpower has made it possible for Western Europe to recover from two world wars in relative peace and raise a very powerful trading bloc that is America's biggest trade competitor."
Don't get me wrong. I love Europe and I love Europeans; but I love America just a wee bit more.
Money quote(s):
"The goal for the U.S. President is not popularity. The goal is to act in the best interests of the United States, which is the economic engine of the world. No amount of U.S. popularity will save the world if the U.S. falls.
But since the rise of the EU, every time a U.S. administration doesn't do exactly what the EU leaders want, suddenly all over Western Europe half the population turns into streets and shouts Down with the USA.
And the BBC is always on the spot to record the protests for the evening's broadcast, which is global.
Then -- and this is the part I love -- they send armies of Talking Heads to appear on U.S. TV shows, to explain to Americans what steps we can take to stem the tide of anti-Americanism sweeping the world.
Get used to it, Mr President. "
"(T)here needs to be an international, coordinated approach to dealing with the crisis, and yes we know that Europe is being hit even harder by the economic crisis than the United States.
But this 'hurry up and sign on the dotted line because the sky is falling' -- c'mon guys.
If there was ever a time for a U.S. President to invoke the raw power of America's hyperpower status, the G20 summit is it. This should be a working summit, a discussion summit, and not the place to agree to regulations that will have a profound affect on the entire world for many decades to come."
She also slips into snarkiness:
"The definition of "low-information American" is "Democrat politician." So I'll cut President Obama slack and assume he really doesn't know that if only we'd had an unforgiving and chaotic capitalism, the global economic crisis would have been over by now."
But then continues, somewhat more helpfully:
"There has been so much government intervention in financial markets here and abroad that it'll be a miracle if the world pulls out of the worst part of the economic crisis by the start of the next decade."
&
"Looking at our map of the world we see that Italy, France, Germany and the United Kingdom are in Europe and the EU. That means the EU Big Three are twice represented at the G20 summit, which gives them tremendous clout.
If you say, 'Hey, no fair' -- there is no 'fair' from the EU point of view when it comes to wringing concessions from a hyperpower. That's their excuse and they're sticking to it: the USA is a hyperpower and so we need to eke out a little patch of bipolarity in the world.
The EU viewpoint studiously overlooks the fact that the big bad hyperpower has made it possible for Western Europe to recover from two world wars in relative peace and raise a very powerful trading bloc that is America's biggest trade competitor."
Don't get me wrong. I love Europe and I love Europeans; but I love America just a wee bit more.
re: "Ambassador Nominees Get Richer, if Not More Professional"
TSB at The Skeptical Bureaucrat ("Giving my fellow Americans the view from my cubicle") relays some rumor and speculation in the ambassadorial sweepstakes.
Money quote(s):
"(I)t's still possible that Obama will appoint no one but stone cold professional diplomats to fill all those vacancies created when the Bush administration's ambassadors were dismissed, just like his admirers in the foreign affairs community (such as here and here) expect he will."
I rather like the sound of that phrasing:
"stone cold professional diplomats."
It'd make a great name for a diploblog, or even for an in-house State Dept. rock band.
Money quote(s):
"(I)t's still possible that Obama will appoint no one but stone cold professional diplomats to fill all those vacancies created when the Bush administration's ambassadors were dismissed, just like his admirers in the foreign affairs community (such as here and here) expect he will."
I rather like the sound of that phrasing:
"stone cold professional diplomats."
It'd make a great name for a diploblog, or even for an in-house State Dept. rock band.
re: "Tough Decisions"
The Hegemonist ("a personal weblog touching on international relations, foreign policy, and diplomacy") notes a recent State telegram dealing with "social media."
One thing that caught my eye when reading the cable he discusses has to do with any blog posting that contains information "of official concern" having to be cleared.
The exception is that this doesn't appear to apply when the the post is being referenced "from existing publicly available information."
Or am I reading this wrong?
_____
Digger at Life After Jerusalem ("The adventures and musings of an American Indian, Public Diplomacy-coned Foreign Service Officer") also discusses this at greater length.
Money quote(s):
"I don't talk about foreign policy issues. I knew when I signed onto the Foreign Service that my job was to defend our foreign policy whether I agreed with it or not. That is the price I pay to serve, the price I pay for the paycheck, and I can deal with that. But we were told from the beginning that domestic policy was fair game. So I figured blogging about life in the Foreign Service, and specifically about life for LGBT folks in the foreign service, is permissible. I don't kid myself...the definition in the post above places what I blog on firmly within the realm of "official concern." But of the hundred or so FS blogs I follow, I don't know a single one that gets clearance for their posts. And I know that if all of us did, there would be no way to post anything in a timely manner.
Plus, I know the Foreign Service is of a mixed mind on blogs. I agree with DS that you have to be cautious not to create security risks (which is why I sanitized what I did). But like the folks in Public Affairs, I consider a blog to be a great recruiting tool. And I think it is important to get the word out. I love serving my country. I want others to join me. But I want them to do it with open eyes." (Bolding added for emphasis. - CAA)
One thing that caught my eye when reading the cable he discusses has to do with any blog posting that contains information "of official concern" having to be cleared.
The exception is that this doesn't appear to apply when the the post is being referenced "from existing publicly available information."
Or am I reading this wrong?
_____
Digger at Life After Jerusalem ("The adventures and musings of an American Indian, Public Diplomacy-coned Foreign Service Officer") also discusses this at greater length.
Money quote(s):
"I don't talk about foreign policy issues. I knew when I signed onto the Foreign Service that my job was to defend our foreign policy whether I agreed with it or not. That is the price I pay to serve, the price I pay for the paycheck, and I can deal with that. But we were told from the beginning that domestic policy was fair game. So I figured blogging about life in the Foreign Service, and specifically about life for LGBT folks in the foreign service, is permissible. I don't kid myself...the definition in the post above places what I blog on firmly within the realm of "official concern." But of the hundred or so FS blogs I follow, I don't know a single one that gets clearance for their posts. And I know that if all of us did, there would be no way to post anything in a timely manner.
Plus, I know the Foreign Service is of a mixed mind on blogs. I agree with DS that you have to be cautious not to create security risks (which is why I sanitized what I did). But like the folks in Public Affairs, I consider a blog to be a great recruiting tool. And I think it is important to get the word out. I love serving my country. I want others to join me. But I want them to do it with open eyes." (Bolding added for emphasis. - CAA)
re: "Chump Change"
Baron Bodissey at Gates of Vienna ("At the siege of Vienna in 1683 Islam seemed poised to overrun Christian Europe. We are in a new phase of a very old war.") has an excellent explanation of currency and fractional reserves.
At least, from what I remember from my econ and finance classes that is.
Money quote(s):
"Today’s system of commercial and consumer credit is made possible by the practice of fractional reserve banking. Until the late 18th or early 19th century, banks did not lend out their cash reserves of depositors’ money. The advent of fractional reserve banking made it legal for a bank to lend out a portion of its deposits, and required it to keep only a fraction of those deposits — in modern times, typically 20% — as an actual cash reserve.
This means that when Joe Consumer deposits $1000 into his bank account, the bank can lend up to $800 of it and keep $200 of the deposit as a fractional reserve, maintaining the loan on its books as an asset. At this point the initial $1000 in cash has morphed into $1800 in cash assets and credit — in effect, $800 worth of money has been created.
When the borrower deposits the $800 into another bank, that bank in turn can loan out $640. And so the process continues, forming a geometric progression of assets which cannot exceed $5000 (500% of the original deposit), $4000 of that in loans listed as assets on the books of the respective banks.
This practice seems bizarre and imprudent at first glance, but it was absolutely essential during the expansion of our industrial economies. Industrialization created wealth where none existed before, but without a way to extend the money supply to match the added wealth, the capitalization of industry would have lagged, and growth would have been much slower. Fractional reserve lending allowed credit to be extended to industrial entrepreneurs, and as long as loans were made prudently and repaid on time, and banks retained their depositors’ confidence, the system functioned well."
At least, from what I remember from my econ and finance classes that is.
Money quote(s):
"Today’s system of commercial and consumer credit is made possible by the practice of fractional reserve banking. Until the late 18th or early 19th century, banks did not lend out their cash reserves of depositors’ money. The advent of fractional reserve banking made it legal for a bank to lend out a portion of its deposits, and required it to keep only a fraction of those deposits — in modern times, typically 20% — as an actual cash reserve.
This means that when Joe Consumer deposits $1000 into his bank account, the bank can lend up to $800 of it and keep $200 of the deposit as a fractional reserve, maintaining the loan on its books as an asset. At this point the initial $1000 in cash has morphed into $1800 in cash assets and credit — in effect, $800 worth of money has been created.
When the borrower deposits the $800 into another bank, that bank in turn can loan out $640. And so the process continues, forming a geometric progression of assets which cannot exceed $5000 (500% of the original deposit), $4000 of that in loans listed as assets on the books of the respective banks.
This practice seems bizarre and imprudent at first glance, but it was absolutely essential during the expansion of our industrial economies. Industrialization created wealth where none existed before, but without a way to extend the money supply to match the added wealth, the capitalization of industry would have lagged, and growth would have been much slower. Fractional reserve lending allowed credit to be extended to industrial entrepreneurs, and as long as loans were made prudently and repaid on time, and banks retained their depositors’ confidence, the system functioned well."
re: "Jihad Watch and Dhimmi Watch combining"
Big news for those trying to follow the struggle against Islamofascim.
But the consolidation makes more sense to me than Mr. Spencer maintaining the two blogs separately ever did.
But the consolidation makes more sense to me than Mr. Spencer maintaining the two blogs separately ever did.
LAT - Foreigners hope to teach South Korea dangers of bias. English instructors say they are tired of being pegged as routine drug users and criminals
Los Angeles Times
Foreigners hope to teach South Korea dangers of bias. English instructors say they are tired of being pegged as routine drug users and criminals.
By John M. Glionna
February 24, 2009
Reporting from Seoul -- In three years of teaching English in South Korea, Tony Hellmann says he's seen discrimination both in and out of the classroom.
He knows teachers, he says, who are harassed for having Korean girlfriends. He's met only three black instructors in his time. And he's been denied service in Korean bars.
Read the whole article here.
Foreigners hope to teach South Korea dangers of bias. English instructors say they are tired of being pegged as routine drug users and criminals.
By John M. Glionna
February 24, 2009
Reporting from Seoul -- In three years of teaching English in South Korea, Tony Hellmann says he's seen discrimination both in and out of the classroom.
He knows teachers, he says, who are harassed for having Korean girlfriends. He's met only three black instructors in his time. And he's been denied service in Korean bars.
Read the whole article here.
GDN - Crackdown on visa conmen
Gulf Daily News
Crackdown on visa conmen
By BEGENA P PRADEEP
Vol XXXI NO. 326 Monday 9th February 2009
AUTHORITIES have launched a crackdown on conmen who sell fake visas to foreigners.
Read the whole article here.
Crackdown on visa conmen
By BEGENA P PRADEEP
Vol XXXI NO. 326 Monday 9th February 2009
AUTHORITIES have launched a crackdown on conmen who sell fake visas to foreigners.
Read the whole article here.
S&S - Base commanders issue new restrictions on travel to Mexico
From my archive of press clippings:
Stars and Stripes
Base commanders issue new restrictions on travel to Mexico
By Leo Shane III, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Saturday, January 24, 2009
James B. Hoke/Courtesy of the U.S. Marine Corps
A Marine at the Entertainment Ticket Office looks over brochures that give tips on how to stay safe while visiting border towns in Mexico like Tijuana.
WASHINGTON — Weekend trips across the Mexican border might be a thing of the past for servicemembers stationed in the southwest.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Over the last month, military bases along the United States’ southern border have issued new rules regarding travel into Mexico, requiring their personnel to get advance written permission to make the trip.
Defense Department officials said there is no force-wide ban on vacations into Mexico by military personnel, but they noted commanders at those southwest bases have issued new restrictions on their own because of increased violence and drug activity in border towns.
Those include a number of units that have recently returned from Iraq and Afghanistan. Marines and sailors stationed in California — at posts such as Camp Pendleton, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and Twentynine Palms — and those at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma in Arizona were informed of the changes over the last few weeks."
"Since 2000 all Marines E-3 and below have been required to get permission to travel into Mexico. Now, Evans said, all personnel must get a liberty chit signed by an O-5 or higher before crossing the border.
Commanders at Fort Huachuca in Arizona issued similar restrictions in December."
&
"Commanders at Fort Bliss in Texas have designated eight Mexican border towns as off-limits to their troops, except in cases where leadership allows visits for personal or family emergencies.
Last fall, the State Department issued new travel warnings regarding escalating battles between police and drug cartels in Mexican border towns."
Stars and Stripes
Base commanders issue new restrictions on travel to Mexico
By Leo Shane III, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Saturday, January 24, 2009
James B. Hoke/Courtesy of the U.S. Marine Corps
A Marine at the Entertainment Ticket Office looks over brochures that give tips on how to stay safe while visiting border towns in Mexico like Tijuana.
WASHINGTON — Weekend trips across the Mexican border might be a thing of the past for servicemembers stationed in the southwest.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Over the last month, military bases along the United States’ southern border have issued new rules regarding travel into Mexico, requiring their personnel to get advance written permission to make the trip.
Defense Department officials said there is no force-wide ban on vacations into Mexico by military personnel, but they noted commanders at those southwest bases have issued new restrictions on their own because of increased violence and drug activity in border towns.
Those include a number of units that have recently returned from Iraq and Afghanistan. Marines and sailors stationed in California — at posts such as Camp Pendleton, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and Twentynine Palms — and those at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma in Arizona were informed of the changes over the last few weeks."
"Since 2000 all Marines E-3 and below have been required to get permission to travel into Mexico. Now, Evans said, all personnel must get a liberty chit signed by an O-5 or higher before crossing the border.
Commanders at Fort Huachuca in Arizona issued similar restrictions in December."
&
"Commanders at Fort Bliss in Texas have designated eight Mexican border towns as off-limits to their troops, except in cases where leadership allows visits for personal or family emergencies.
Last fall, the State Department issued new travel warnings regarding escalating battles between police and drug cartels in Mexican border towns."
JO -Law-abiding citizens want guns
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Observer
Law-abiding citizens want guns
Wignall's World
Mark Wignall
Sunday, July 20, 2008
In the mid-1970s when Jamaica was number 10 on the list of the most murderous countries in the world, it used to be said of persons who were shot dead by gunmen that they 'were at the wrong place at the wrong time'. Then the 'terrorist gunman' with his high-powered rifle was introduced by the politics of the times and just as 1980 was ushered in, it seemed that all hell had broken loose.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"In the election campaign of that year there were certain areas like Olympic Gardens and most of the Kingston West Police Division (Arnett Gardens, Matthews Lane, Fletchers Land, Denham Town, Jones Town, Tivoli Gardens) that were off limits to all sensible people.
If you were in any political garrison that you did not belong to after 6:00 pm or were travelling across political boundaries, your chances of being shot dead were increased significantly.
If you lived in any of those areas, you would be fodder for the political marauders as they carried out their murderous raids in the hours before daybreak.
When they came, men, women, children and the dogs were all fair targets."
"While most who left in the times prior to the 1960s and on the cusp of Independence did so because Jamaica was seen as having nothing to offer them economically, many of those who travelled to foreign shores in the 1970s and after named security concerns as one of the main reasons for leaving their homeland.
In 2008 those personal and national security concerns are very much a part of our daily diet.
We live, sleep and eat the fear that if the high prices don't get us, the gunman will."
"At present only business persons who have applied for and met the stringent requirements are in possession of legally held firearms.
Elected politicians travel with security details while we who supported them and voted for them in the hope of us building a better and safer Jamaica are forced to face the criminal gunman empty-handed."
&
"The criminal gunman knows that no witnesses will come forward, so he has about a 90% chance of making it to the next killing.
In this scenario the state has failed to protect us, continues to fail us and when our elected officials speak, it is mainly to sell us another fairy tale about our safety.
I say to the state, give us guns to protect ourselves because the mechanisms which exist to do so are patently not working."
Jamaica Observer
Law-abiding citizens want guns
Wignall's World
Mark Wignall
Sunday, July 20, 2008
In the mid-1970s when Jamaica was number 10 on the list of the most murderous countries in the world, it used to be said of persons who were shot dead by gunmen that they 'were at the wrong place at the wrong time'. Then the 'terrorist gunman' with his high-powered rifle was introduced by the politics of the times and just as 1980 was ushered in, it seemed that all hell had broken loose.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"In the election campaign of that year there were certain areas like Olympic Gardens and most of the Kingston West Police Division (Arnett Gardens, Matthews Lane, Fletchers Land, Denham Town, Jones Town, Tivoli Gardens) that were off limits to all sensible people.
If you were in any political garrison that you did not belong to after 6:00 pm or were travelling across political boundaries, your chances of being shot dead were increased significantly.
If you lived in any of those areas, you would be fodder for the political marauders as they carried out their murderous raids in the hours before daybreak.
When they came, men, women, children and the dogs were all fair targets."
"While most who left in the times prior to the 1960s and on the cusp of Independence did so because Jamaica was seen as having nothing to offer them economically, many of those who travelled to foreign shores in the 1970s and after named security concerns as one of the main reasons for leaving their homeland.
In 2008 those personal and national security concerns are very much a part of our daily diet.
We live, sleep and eat the fear that if the high prices don't get us, the gunman will."
"At present only business persons who have applied for and met the stringent requirements are in possession of legally held firearms.
Elected politicians travel with security details while we who supported them and voted for them in the hope of us building a better and safer Jamaica are forced to face the criminal gunman empty-handed."
&
"The criminal gunman knows that no witnesses will come forward, so he has about a 90% chance of making it to the next killing.
In this scenario the state has failed to protect us, continues to fail us and when our elected officials speak, it is mainly to sell us another fairy tale about our safety.
I say to the state, give us guns to protect ourselves because the mechanisms which exist to do so are patently not working."
JG - Airports swamped by drug couriers
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Gleaner
Airports swamped by drug couriers
published: Sunday June 22, 2008
Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator
Local narcotics police are expressing concern about what they have described as a breakdown in the security system at the country's two international airports, especially the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston.
Read the whole article here.
Jamaica Gleaner
Airports swamped by drug couriers
published: Sunday June 22, 2008
Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator
Local narcotics police are expressing concern about what they have described as a breakdown in the security system at the country's two international airports, especially the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston.
Read the whole article here.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
The Surf at Playa del Rey
Taken during post-OIF1 terminal leave in Playa del Rey, California, on May 1, 2004.
JG - Awaiting the ruling: West Portland not tuned in to Dabdoub
Jamaica Gleaner
Awaiting the ruling: West Portland not tuned in to Dabdoub
Published: Sunday February 22, 2009
Daraine Luton, Staff Reporter
FROM THE fledgling sea-coast towns to the rustic hills of West Portland, residents appear to be speaking in one voice.
They say Daryl Vaz was elected member of Parliament (MP) by the majority of voters in the September 2007 general election and he should be allowed to continue the job he has started.
The Court of Appeal is expected to rule soon on whether Vaz should remain in the seat, or if Abe Dabdoub should take over.
Read the whole article here.
Awaiting the ruling: West Portland not tuned in to Dabdoub
Published: Sunday February 22, 2009
Daraine Luton, Staff Reporter
FROM THE fledgling sea-coast towns to the rustic hills of West Portland, residents appear to be speaking in one voice.
They say Daryl Vaz was elected member of Parliament (MP) by the majority of voters in the September 2007 general election and he should be allowed to continue the job he has started.
The Court of Appeal is expected to rule soon on whether Vaz should remain in the seat, or if Abe Dabdoub should take over.
Read the whole article here.
S&S - Fiscal crisis snips GI Bill’s ‘Yellow Ribbon’
From my archive of press clippings:
Stars and Stripes
Fiscal crisis snips GI Bill’s ‘Yellow Ribbon’
By Tom Philpott
Pacific edition, Saturday, January 24, 2009
The worldwide financial crisis has hit private colleges hard enough that relatively few are likely to participate in the Post-9/11 GI Bill’s “Yellow Ribbon” initiative when it begins this fall, says Keith M. Wilson, director of education service for the Veterans Benefits Administration.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Under the Yellow Ribbon program, private colleges and universities can enter into agreements with the Department of Veterans Affairs to waive up to half of tuition and fees charged above the most costly state-run school. The VA, in turn, will match the waived amount, thereby enhancing school reimbursements and the value of the new GI Bill."
"Sen. John Warner (R-Va.), who retired this month, insisted last year that the Yellow Ribbon re be part of the new GI Bill as a condition for winning his support. Warner said he wanted to be sure that qualified veterans could afford to attend the best schools just as veterans did following World War II."
Stars and Stripes
Fiscal crisis snips GI Bill’s ‘Yellow Ribbon’
By Tom Philpott
Pacific edition, Saturday, January 24, 2009
The worldwide financial crisis has hit private colleges hard enough that relatively few are likely to participate in the Post-9/11 GI Bill’s “Yellow Ribbon” initiative when it begins this fall, says Keith M. Wilson, director of education service for the Veterans Benefits Administration.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Under the Yellow Ribbon program, private colleges and universities can enter into agreements with the Department of Veterans Affairs to waive up to half of tuition and fees charged above the most costly state-run school. The VA, in turn, will match the waived amount, thereby enhancing school reimbursements and the value of the new GI Bill."
"Sen. John Warner (R-Va.), who retired this month, insisted last year that the Yellow Ribbon re be part of the new GI Bill as a condition for winning his support. Warner said he wanted to be sure that qualified veterans could afford to attend the best schools just as veterans did following World War II."
&
"The new GI Bill will pay tuition and fees at any college, up to the cost of attending the most expensive state-run school. Students also will get a monthly living allowance, set to equal basic allowance for housing locally for pay grade E-5, plus up to $1000 a year for books and school supplies.
Veterans attending degree-granting schools where tuition exceeds the state-run school ceiling will have to pay the higher costs themselves unless the schools offer further discounts through a Yellow Ribbon agreement.
Schools can waive whatever portion of the tuition disparity they choose, from 50 percent down the difference down to one percent. The government will raise GI Bill reimbursements by an equal amount.
VA rules will mandate that waivers be offered on a first-come, first-served basis, and they cannot be offered only to students in select fields of study. Yellow Ribbon colleges, for example, will not be able to target tuition waivers, for example, only at students who major in math."
JG - Zimbabweans need hope
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Gleaner
Zimbabweans need hope
published: Sunday July 20, 2008
Louis Michel, Contributor
Michel
Robert Mugabe recently fired a shot at the international community, saying its members "could shout as loud as they like", but that it wouldn't make a blind bit of difference to election plans in the country, since it was for the people to decide.
Read the whole article here.
Jamaica Gleaner
Zimbabweans need hope
published: Sunday July 20, 2008
Louis Michel, Contributor
Michel
Robert Mugabe recently fired a shot at the international community, saying its members "could shout as loud as they like", but that it wouldn't make a blind bit of difference to election plans in the country, since it was for the people to decide.
Read the whole article here.
S&S - Gay servicemembers urged to remain silent
From my archive of press clippings:
Stars and Stripes
Gay servicemembers urged to remain silent
By Teri Weaver, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Sunday, June 22, 2008
TOKYO — As the military considers its options in the latest round of court action surrounding its "don’t ask, don’t tell" policy regarding gays, some servicemembers are considering theirs. In her uniform, on an Army base far from home, "Stacy" searched the headlines in late May and wondered if the results of a U.S. appeals court ruling in Washington state meant she could come out as a lesbian.
Read the whole article here.
Stars and Stripes
Gay servicemembers urged to remain silent
By Teri Weaver, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Sunday, June 22, 2008
TOKYO — As the military considers its options in the latest round of court action surrounding its "don’t ask, don’t tell" policy regarding gays, some servicemembers are considering theirs. In her uniform, on an Army base far from home, "Stacy" searched the headlines in late May and wondered if the results of a U.S. appeals court ruling in Washington state meant she could come out as a lesbian.
Read the whole article here.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
A Herborn Tower
One of the towers which were once part of the city defenses.
Taken in Herborn, Germany, on August 26, 2006.
Bloomberg - Tourists Spent $13.3 Billion in Mexico in 2008
Bloomberg
Tourists Spent $13.3 Billion in Mexico in 2008
By Hugh Collins
Feb. 22 (Bloomberg) -- Foreign tourists spent $13.3 billion in Mexico last year, an increase of 3.4 percent compared with 2007.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Yesterday, the U.S. State Department warned U.S. citizens that gun battles and kidnappings have become more frequent in Mexico, especially in border areas such as Ciudad Juarez and Tijuana. Border tourism increased 11 percent in 2008, the tourism ministry said. "
Tourists Spent $13.3 Billion in Mexico in 2008
By Hugh Collins
Feb. 22 (Bloomberg) -- Foreign tourists spent $13.3 billion in Mexico last year, an increase of 3.4 percent compared with 2007.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Yesterday, the U.S. State Department warned U.S. citizens that gun battles and kidnappings have become more frequent in Mexico, especially in border areas such as Ciudad Juarez and Tijuana. Border tourism increased 11 percent in 2008, the tourism ministry said. "
J - Dubai Arrests Man Over U.S. Consulate Hoax Call. The consulate reopened on Thursday after closing to the public for security reasons on Wednesday.
From my archive of press clippings:
Javno
Dubai Arrests Man Over U.S. Consulate Hoax Call. The consulate reopened on Thursday after closing to the public for security reasons on Wednesday.
Published: January 23, 2009 12:06h
Police in the Gulf trading hub of Dubai have arrested a man over a hoax phone call that led to the one-day closure of the U.S. consulate for security reasons, newspapers said on Friday.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"The Lebanese-American was held on suspicion of calling police from a public phone to say that a Sudanese man, whom he accused of swindling him of 700,000 dirhams ($191,000), was "planning to do something" against the consulate, police chief Dhahi Khalfan was quoted as saying by Gulf News."
Javno
Dubai Arrests Man Over U.S. Consulate Hoax Call. The consulate reopened on Thursday after closing to the public for security reasons on Wednesday.
Published: January 23, 2009 12:06h
Police in the Gulf trading hub of Dubai have arrested a man over a hoax phone call that led to the one-day closure of the U.S. consulate for security reasons, newspapers said on Friday.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"The Lebanese-American was held on suspicion of calling police from a public phone to say that a Sudanese man, whom he accused of swindling him of 700,000 dirhams ($191,000), was "planning to do something" against the consulate, police chief Dhahi Khalfan was quoted as saying by Gulf News."
JO - A look at Caricom
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Observer
A look at Caricom
Anisha Khemlani
Saturday, July 19, 2008
The Caribbean Community was established on August 1, 1973 by the Treaty of Chaguaramas. The main countries that initiated the treaty were Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago as they were among the first five countries to sign in Chaguaramas, Trinidad. As of 2007, the member states include Antigua, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Montserrat, St Kitts and Nevis, Anguilla, St Lucia, St Vincent and Trinidad and Tobago. Some objectives of this organisation include "(consolidating) and (strengthening) the bonds which have historically existed among their peoples"; "sharing a common determination to fulfil the hopes and aspirations of their peoples for full employment and improved standards of work and living" and "establishing and utilising institutions designed to enhance the economic, social and cultural development of their peoples". However, Jamaica's economy has experienced negative effects such as increased unemployment, a marginal growth in the GDP, a reduction in revenues and a trade imbalance.
Read the whole article here.
Jamaica Observer
A look at Caricom
Anisha Khemlani
Saturday, July 19, 2008
The Caribbean Community was established on August 1, 1973 by the Treaty of Chaguaramas. The main countries that initiated the treaty were Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago as they were among the first five countries to sign in Chaguaramas, Trinidad. As of 2007, the member states include Antigua, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Montserrat, St Kitts and Nevis, Anguilla, St Lucia, St Vincent and Trinidad and Tobago. Some objectives of this organisation include "(consolidating) and (strengthening) the bonds which have historically existed among their peoples"; "sharing a common determination to fulfil the hopes and aspirations of their peoples for full employment and improved standards of work and living" and "establishing and utilising institutions designed to enhance the economic, social and cultural development of their peoples". However, Jamaica's economy has experienced negative effects such as increased unemployment, a marginal growth in the GDP, a reduction in revenues and a trade imbalance.
Read the whole article here.
JG - Why they want a Patois Bible
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Gleaner
Why they want a Patois Bible
published: Sunday June 22, 2008
Yorke (left) and Popjes
Mark Dawes, Religion Editor
The people at the Bible Society of the West Indies and Wycliffe Bible Translators Caribbean have been beside themselves with glee. Why? They have never had it so good. Their Patois Bible project is getting a lot of publicity in the news media. That's publicity these faith-based organisations could never pay for. The Patois Bible project began in the early 1990s. It was spearheaded by the Bible Society of the West Indies. Partners in the project included Wycliffe Bible Translators Caribbean and the University of the West Indies.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"The main concern of opponents of the project is that there has been a severe deterioration in the average Jamaican's ability to speak proper English, and the promotion of Patois will not help that process.
Some of those opposed to the Patois Bible project feel that there are enough understandable English translations of the Bible - accordingly, there is no need for another version - especially the scriptures in Patois."
Jamaica Gleaner
Why they want a Patois Bible
published: Sunday June 22, 2008
Yorke (left) and Popjes
Mark Dawes, Religion Editor
The people at the Bible Society of the West Indies and Wycliffe Bible Translators Caribbean have been beside themselves with glee. Why? They have never had it so good. Their Patois Bible project is getting a lot of publicity in the news media. That's publicity these faith-based organisations could never pay for. The Patois Bible project began in the early 1990s. It was spearheaded by the Bible Society of the West Indies. Partners in the project included Wycliffe Bible Translators Caribbean and the University of the West Indies.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"The main concern of opponents of the project is that there has been a severe deterioration in the average Jamaican's ability to speak proper English, and the promotion of Patois will not help that process.
Some of those opposed to the Patois Bible project feel that there are enough understandable English translations of the Bible - accordingly, there is no need for another version - especially the scriptures in Patois."
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
re: "Appointments: What's taking so long?"
Laura Rozen at The Cable ("Reporting inside the foreign policy machine") anwers the question, "what's taking so long?"
Money quote(s):
"People going into second, third and fourth tier posts at the State Department, Pentagon and other agencies are expected to remain incommunicado until the appointees above them are confirmed and in position. But maintaining such secrecy while continuing to work at other jobs in the meantime surrounded by people aware of their impending move can be difficult."
&
"(S)hortly before the inauguration, the Obama transition asked many under secretaries and assistant secretaries at both the Pentagon and State Department who had been expected to depart with the outgoing Bush administration to stay on indefinitely during the transition, rather than promote other career people to serve as acting heads in the interim. "What the hell do you want these people around for," the former official said. "How many holdovers from the Republicans are staying? It deprives the Democrats in the bureaucracy of the promotions to acting assistant secretary or acting DAS, which when they get that rank, they can parlay into jobs. What you have at best is paralysis."" (Bolding added for emphasis. - CAA)
This undoubtedly points to an uncharming naivete on my part, but I was under the impression that within the bureaucracy (of career Civil Service and Foreign Service personnel) at State, there was no requirement that one be a member of one or another political party in order to serve.
Money quote(s):
"People going into second, third and fourth tier posts at the State Department, Pentagon and other agencies are expected to remain incommunicado until the appointees above them are confirmed and in position. But maintaining such secrecy while continuing to work at other jobs in the meantime surrounded by people aware of their impending move can be difficult."
&
"(S)hortly before the inauguration, the Obama transition asked many under secretaries and assistant secretaries at both the Pentagon and State Department who had been expected to depart with the outgoing Bush administration to stay on indefinitely during the transition, rather than promote other career people to serve as acting heads in the interim. "What the hell do you want these people around for," the former official said. "How many holdovers from the Republicans are staying? It deprives the Democrats in the bureaucracy of the promotions to acting assistant secretary or acting DAS, which when they get that rank, they can parlay into jobs. What you have at best is paralysis."" (Bolding added for emphasis. - CAA)
This undoubtedly points to an uncharming naivete on my part, but I was under the impression that within the bureaucracy (of career Civil Service and Foreign Service personnel) at State, there was no requirement that one be a member of one or another political party in order to serve.
Saddam's Palace overlooking the walls of Ancient Babylon
Taken at Ancient Babylon, Iraq, on March 5, 2004.
JO - Arm the nation
Jamaica Observer
Arm the nation
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Dear Editor,
I have read with interest the ongoing discussion regarding a number of pastors' call to allow people to own guns for their protection. Many well-intentioned people I am sure have set out to roast these pastors at the stake, condemning them for making such a faithless and unchristian declaration.
Read the whole letter here.
Arm the nation
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Dear Editor,
I have read with interest the ongoing discussion regarding a number of pastors' call to allow people to own guns for their protection. Many well-intentioned people I am sure have set out to roast these pastors at the stake, condemning them for making such a faithless and unchristian declaration.
Read the whole letter here.
KPAX - Washington Farm Bureau wants visa for peak workers
KPAX
Washington Farm Bureau wants visa for peak workers
Associated Press - February 9, 2009 9:35 AM ET
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - The Washington Farm Bureau wants the state to ask Congress for permission to create a visa for essential workers.
Read the whole article here.
Washington Farm Bureau wants visa for peak workers
Associated Press - February 9, 2009 9:35 AM ET
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - The Washington Farm Bureau wants the state to ask Congress for permission to create a visa for essential workers.
Read the whole article here.
LAC - Passports available at fair at Page Field
From my archive of press clippings:
Leehigh Acres Citizen
Passports available at fair at Page Field
POSTED: January 23, 2009
The last phase of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative is fast approaching.
Effective June 1, 2009 a passport, passport card or other acceptable documentation is needed for land border crossings and sea travel, said Debra Mitchell, customer relations spokeswoman with the U.S. Postal Service.
Read the whole article here.
Leehigh Acres Citizen
Passports available at fair at Page Field
POSTED: January 23, 2009
The last phase of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative is fast approaching.
Effective June 1, 2009 a passport, passport card or other acceptable documentation is needed for land border crossings and sea travel, said Debra Mitchell, customer relations spokeswoman with the U.S. Postal Service.
Read the whole article here.
JO - Air Jamaica has a broken wing
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Observer
Air Jamaica has a broken wing
Raulston Nembhard
Saturday, July 19, 2008
That Air Jamaica is experiencing troubled times is an understatement. The airline is undergoing yet another reorganisation plan where the government is hoping to have it divested and hopefully off the national budget by March 2009. We have gone that route before and we have nothing to show for it but a mountain of debt and growing disenchantment with the airline.
Read the whole article here.
Jamaica Observer
Air Jamaica has a broken wing
Raulston Nembhard
Saturday, July 19, 2008
That Air Jamaica is experiencing troubled times is an understatement. The airline is undergoing yet another reorganisation plan where the government is hoping to have it divested and hopefully off the national budget by March 2009. We have gone that route before and we have nothing to show for it but a mountain of debt and growing disenchantment with the airline.
Read the whole article here.
JG - Haitian women pawns in trade
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Gleaner
Haitian women pawns in trade
published: Sunday June 22, 2008
File
A group of Haitians living here in Jamaica hide their faces from our cameras. Human trafficking involving Haitians is reported as part of the drugs-for-guns trade between the two Caribbean neighbours.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Poorly maintained informal communities on the island's north and south coasts have been providing a safe haven for illegal immigrants, mostly Haitian women, many of whom come via boats returning from Haiti with guns.
According to Operation Kingfish, many of these immigrants are involved with the narcotics and illegal guns trade - as well as trafficking of other illegal immigrants (mostly women) into the country."
"On arrival in Jamaica, they establish ties with local residents in villages that rim the fishing beaches.
These include Treasure Beach, Rocky Point and Old Harbour Bay.
The closed nature of these communities makes it fairly easy for them to live relatively secure.
By Jamaican law, if discovered, they will be arrested and deported."
"Starting a new life in Jamaica, Haitians operate bars or shops, or work in the construction industry, settling for meagre salaries.
There have been reports that some are being paid wages as low as $250 per day."
&
"A Sunday Gleaner visit to one of the island's oldest and largest fishing villages - Old Harbour Bay - recently, confirms that human trafficking activities are rampant in this port and is linked to an active drugs-for-guns trade."
Jamaica Gleaner
Haitian women pawns in trade
published: Sunday June 22, 2008
File
A group of Haitians living here in Jamaica hide their faces from our cameras. Human trafficking involving Haitians is reported as part of the drugs-for-guns trade between the two Caribbean neighbours.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Poorly maintained informal communities on the island's north and south coasts have been providing a safe haven for illegal immigrants, mostly Haitian women, many of whom come via boats returning from Haiti with guns.
According to Operation Kingfish, many of these immigrants are involved with the narcotics and illegal guns trade - as well as trafficking of other illegal immigrants (mostly women) into the country."
"On arrival in Jamaica, they establish ties with local residents in villages that rim the fishing beaches.
These include Treasure Beach, Rocky Point and Old Harbour Bay.
The closed nature of these communities makes it fairly easy for them to live relatively secure.
By Jamaican law, if discovered, they will be arrested and deported."
"Starting a new life in Jamaica, Haitians operate bars or shops, or work in the construction industry, settling for meagre salaries.
There have been reports that some are being paid wages as low as $250 per day."
&
"A Sunday Gleaner visit to one of the island's oldest and largest fishing villages - Old Harbour Bay - recently, confirms that human trafficking activities are rampant in this port and is linked to an active drugs-for-guns trade."
JO - USAID setting the record straight on community policing assistance
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Observer
USAID setting the record straight on community policing assistance
Karen R Hilliard
Saturday, May 31, 2008
The United States Agency for International Development wishes to correct a number of erroneous statements and misleading information provided in the last two weeks through the news media about USAID's support for community-based policing (CBP) in Jamaica.
Read the whole article here.
_____
Karen R Hilliard is mission director, USAID/Jamaica.
Jamaica Observer
USAID setting the record straight on community policing assistance
Karen R Hilliard
Saturday, May 31, 2008
The United States Agency for International Development wishes to correct a number of erroneous statements and misleading information provided in the last two weeks through the news media about USAID's support for community-based policing (CBP) in Jamaica.
Read the whole article here.
_____
Karen R Hilliard is mission director, USAID/Jamaica.
Monday, February 23, 2009
JG - First-class and second-class Caricom citizens?
Jamaica Gleaner
First-class and second-class Caricom citizens?
Published: Sunday February 22, 2009
Norman Girvan, Contributor
Norman Girvan
I must confess to being conflicted by the news that Schengen visa requirements are soon to be lifted for four Caricom countries (as reported on the Caribbean Netnews website). Like many others who have had to apply for a Schengen visa for even the shortest of visits, I find the procedures onerous, intrusive and demeaning.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"I wonder whether the measure is not a further step towards the establishment of first- and second-class citizens, and even of first- and second-class countries, within Caricom. There is a sense in which such a situation already exists de jure with respect to Haiti (whose citizens are required to have visas to visit many other Caricom states) and de facto with respect to Guyanese, who are regularly hassled when attempting to exercise their Treaty rights to travel freely within the region."
First-class and second-class Caricom citizens?
Published: Sunday February 22, 2009
Norman Girvan, Contributor
Norman Girvan
I must confess to being conflicted by the news that Schengen visa requirements are soon to be lifted for four Caricom countries (as reported on the Caribbean Netnews website). Like many others who have had to apply for a Schengen visa for even the shortest of visits, I find the procedures onerous, intrusive and demeaning.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"I wonder whether the measure is not a further step towards the establishment of first- and second-class citizens, and even of first- and second-class countries, within Caricom. There is a sense in which such a situation already exists de jure with respect to Haiti (whose citizens are required to have visas to visit many other Caricom states) and de facto with respect to Guyanese, who are regularly hassled when attempting to exercise their Treaty rights to travel freely within the region."
S&S - Stray animals remain a problem in Naples
Stars and Stripes
Stray animals remain a problem in Naples
By Sandra Jontz, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Sunday, February 8, 2009
Sandra Jontz / S&S
A group of stray or abandoned dogs available for adoption gather at a gate of the Lega Pro Animale veterinary clinic and shelter in Mondragone, Italy.
Sandra Jontz / S&S
One of the stray or abandoned dogs available for adoption from the Lega Pro Animale veterinary clinic and shelter in Mondragone is this German Shepherd mix, which was microchipped and registered to a U.S. Navy servicemember who had been stationed in Naples, Italy. The dog likely was abandoned after the member left, said Dr. Dorothea Friz, adding the Navy said it was unable to locate the individual.
Sandra Jontz / S&S
Petty Officer 2nd Class Steve Dockendorff plays with Russell, one of several dogs the Naples, Italy-based sailor has fostered. Over the years and between duty stations in Italy and Bahrain, Dockendorff has adopted or fostered roughly 17 stray dogs.
NAPLES, Italy — Marcella Falco loves her job. But each morning, she dreads going to work.
Will this be another morning when she finds a dog chained to the gates of the animal shelter?
"It just breaks my heart. Every week, we find one dog, two dogs, just left outside the shelter," Falco said. "Sometimes they are just running around outside the gate. Sometimes they are chained. What choice do we have? We give them a home."
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"In Italy, animal shelters too often become the final home for thousands of abandoned or stray dogs, including the 550 dogs and puppies that reside at the privately run Rifugio San Francesco in Ischitella, a suburb of Naples. "
&
"Some are abandoned by U.S. servicemembers when they leave their duty stations, although the number of pets left behind by the military is not available. Most, however, are from the country’s rampant stray population.
Italy has nearly 150,000 stray dogs and nearly 2.6 million stray cats, according to Ministry of Health data."
Stray animals remain a problem in Naples
By Sandra Jontz, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Sunday, February 8, 2009
Sandra Jontz / S&S
A group of stray or abandoned dogs available for adoption gather at a gate of the Lega Pro Animale veterinary clinic and shelter in Mondragone, Italy.
Sandra Jontz / S&S
One of the stray or abandoned dogs available for adoption from the Lega Pro Animale veterinary clinic and shelter in Mondragone is this German Shepherd mix, which was microchipped and registered to a U.S. Navy servicemember who had been stationed in Naples, Italy. The dog likely was abandoned after the member left, said Dr. Dorothea Friz, adding the Navy said it was unable to locate the individual.
Sandra Jontz / S&S
Petty Officer 2nd Class Steve Dockendorff plays with Russell, one of several dogs the Naples, Italy-based sailor has fostered. Over the years and between duty stations in Italy and Bahrain, Dockendorff has adopted or fostered roughly 17 stray dogs.
NAPLES, Italy — Marcella Falco loves her job. But each morning, she dreads going to work.
Will this be another morning when she finds a dog chained to the gates of the animal shelter?
"It just breaks my heart. Every week, we find one dog, two dogs, just left outside the shelter," Falco said. "Sometimes they are just running around outside the gate. Sometimes they are chained. What choice do we have? We give them a home."
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"In Italy, animal shelters too often become the final home for thousands of abandoned or stray dogs, including the 550 dogs and puppies that reside at the privately run Rifugio San Francesco in Ischitella, a suburb of Naples. "
&
"Some are abandoned by U.S. servicemembers when they leave their duty stations, although the number of pets left behind by the military is not available. Most, however, are from the country’s rampant stray population.
Italy has nearly 150,000 stray dogs and nearly 2.6 million stray cats, according to Ministry of Health data."
ST - Visa waiver program not affected by federal regs freeze
From my archive of press clippings:
Saipan Tribune
Visa waiver program not affected by federal regs freeze
Friday, January 23, 2009
By Kristi Eaton Reporter
Regulations relating to the impending federalization law, including the Guam-CNMI visa waiver program, will not be affected by President Barack Obama's decision to freeze all pending federal regulations until further review, several government officials said yesterday.
Read the whole article here.
Saipan Tribune
Visa waiver program not affected by federal regs freeze
Friday, January 23, 2009
By Kristi Eaton Reporter
Regulations relating to the impending federalization law, including the Guam-CNMI visa waiver program, will not be affected by President Barack Obama's decision to freeze all pending federal regulations until further review, several government officials said yesterday.
Read the whole article here.
USA-T - More border states plan to ease travel with enhanced licenses
From my archive of press clippings:
USA Today
More border states plan to ease travel with enhanced licenses
By Paul Sancya, AP
Customs officer Nick Ligerakis hands back a Michigan drivers license and information pamphlet to a driver coming from Canada to Detroit this January. Several border states are working to issue enhanced drivers' licenses that would allow people to enter and leave the U.S. with ease and without other identification.
Read the whole article here.
USA Today
More border states plan to ease travel with enhanced licenses
By Paul Sancya, AP
Customs officer Nick Ligerakis hands back a Michigan drivers license and information pamphlet to a driver coming from Canada to Detroit this January. Several border states are working to issue enhanced drivers' licenses that would allow people to enter and leave the U.S. with ease and without other identification.
Read the whole article here.
S&S - Air Force investigators: Most European bases with nukes lacking in security
From my archive of press clippings:
Stars and Stripes
Air Force investigators: Most European bases with nukes lacking in security
By Scott Schonauer, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Saturday, June 21, 2008
KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — An internal Air Force investigation has found that most military bases in Europe that store nuclear bombs do not meet the most basic Defense Department security regulations.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"The report reveals some startling deficiencies in nuclear security in Europe in the wake of nuclear safety concerns and a historic Air Force leadership shake-up.
The report stated that each site had "unique security challenges." "
Inconsistencies in personnel, facilities, and equipment provided to the security mission by the host nation were evident as the team traveled from site to site," the study reads. "
Examples of areas noted in need of repair at several of the sites include support buildings, fencing, lighting, and security systems."
"At some places, the duty of protecting nuclear weapons fell upon foreign conscripts with as little as nine months of military experience, the report said."
&
"Defense Secretary Robert Gates fired the Air Force’s top uniformed and civilian leaders for allowing nuclear safety to slip."
Stars and Stripes
Air Force investigators: Most European bases with nukes lacking in security
By Scott Schonauer, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Saturday, June 21, 2008
KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — An internal Air Force investigation has found that most military bases in Europe that store nuclear bombs do not meet the most basic Defense Department security regulations.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"The report reveals some startling deficiencies in nuclear security in Europe in the wake of nuclear safety concerns and a historic Air Force leadership shake-up.
The report stated that each site had "unique security challenges." "
Inconsistencies in personnel, facilities, and equipment provided to the security mission by the host nation were evident as the team traveled from site to site," the study reads. "
Examples of areas noted in need of repair at several of the sites include support buildings, fencing, lighting, and security systems."
"At some places, the duty of protecting nuclear weapons fell upon foreign conscripts with as little as nine months of military experience, the report said."
&
"Defense Secretary Robert Gates fired the Air Force’s top uniformed and civilian leaders for allowing nuclear safety to slip."
CHE - U.S. Visa Problems Still Hamper Foreign Students, Survey Suggests
From my archive of press clippings:
The Chronicle of Higher Education
U.S. Visa Problems Still Hamper Foreign Students, Survey Suggests
May 30, 2008
Washington — The number of foreign students enrolled at American colleges and universities appears to be on the rebound, but the results of a study presented today at an international-education conference here suggest that the more-restrictive visa policies put in place after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks still may have a dampening effect on students and scholars coming to the United States.
Read the whole article here.
The Chronicle of Higher Education
U.S. Visa Problems Still Hamper Foreign Students, Survey Suggests
May 30, 2008
Washington — The number of foreign students enrolled at American colleges and universities appears to be on the rebound, but the results of a study presented today at an international-education conference here suggest that the more-restrictive visa policies put in place after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks still may have a dampening effect on students and scholars coming to the United States.
Read the whole article here.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
ES - Vietnamese orphans for sale
Eureka Street
Vietnamese orphans for sale
Sarah Nichols February 20, 2009I
It was another humid day at the orphanage when we noticed a van pull up outside. We were playing with the children in the cement playground, an enclosed area protecting us from the sun. Through the dimness into the bright light of the entrance we saw that a group of Americans had arrived to collect their adoptive Vietnamese babies.
Read the whole article here.
Vietnamese orphans for sale
Sarah Nichols February 20, 2009I
It was another humid day at the orphanage when we noticed a van pull up outside. We were playing with the children in the cement playground, an enclosed area protecting us from the sun. Through the dimness into the bright light of the entrance we saw that a group of Americans had arrived to collect their adoptive Vietnamese babies.
Read the whole article here.
ST - Passport requests drop, but new ID rules begin June 1
Seattle Times
Passport requests drop, but new ID rules begin June 1
Originally published Sunday, February 8, 2009 at 12:00 AM
By Jane Engle
With the recession choking foreign travel, applications for passports are plunging and the workload at the U.S. State Department, which issues the documents, is easing enough that those applying are getting the documents in three weeks or less.
Read the whole article here.
Passport requests drop, but new ID rules begin June 1
Originally published Sunday, February 8, 2009 at 12:00 AM
By Jane Engle
With the recession choking foreign travel, applications for passports are plunging and the workload at the U.S. State Department, which issues the documents, is easing enough that those applying are getting the documents in three weeks or less.
Read the whole article here.
S&S - Calif. lawmakers want Medal of Honor for Peralta
From my archive of press clippings:
Stars and Stripes
Calif. lawmakers want Medal of Honor for Peralta
By Leo Shane III, Stars and Stripes
Online edition, Friday, January 23, 2009
WASHINGTON — A group of California lawmakers has asked the White House to reconsider posthumously awarding Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta the Medal of Honor, calling it an appropriate honor for his actions.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"In a letter sent to the White House on Friday, the seven members of Congress request that President Obama upgrade the Navy Cross already given to Peralta’s family, or give a better explanation why the fallen Marine’s actions do not meet the criteria for the military’s highest honor."
Stars and Stripes
Calif. lawmakers want Medal of Honor for Peralta
By Leo Shane III, Stars and Stripes
Online edition, Friday, January 23, 2009
WASHINGTON — A group of California lawmakers has asked the White House to reconsider posthumously awarding Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta the Medal of Honor, calling it an appropriate honor for his actions.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"In a letter sent to the White House on Friday, the seven members of Congress request that President Obama upgrade the Navy Cross already given to Peralta’s family, or give a better explanation why the fallen Marine’s actions do not meet the criteria for the military’s highest honor."
JO - Looking to cassava
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Observer
Looking to cassava
HENLEY MORGAN
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
In Jamaica and other countries not able to produce economically large quantities of grain and cereal, crops like wheat, rice and corn cannot remain staples in the diet of poor people. These foods are too costly and are no longer affordable to the masses. Facing the threat of food riots, governments from Haiti to Egypt have responded by imposing price controls, consumer subsidies, export restrictions and lower tariffs. Our own minister of agriculture is pushing locally produced cassava as an alternative to imported grain and cereal.
Read the whole article here.
Jamaica Observer
Looking to cassava
HENLEY MORGAN
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
In Jamaica and other countries not able to produce economically large quantities of grain and cereal, crops like wheat, rice and corn cannot remain staples in the diet of poor people. These foods are too costly and are no longer affordable to the masses. Facing the threat of food riots, governments from Haiti to Egypt have responded by imposing price controls, consumer subsidies, export restrictions and lower tariffs. Our own minister of agriculture is pushing locally produced cassava as an alternative to imported grain and cereal.
Read the whole article here.
JO - Sex workers happy with tax proposal
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Observer
Sex workers happy with tax proposal
Saturday, June 21, 2008
THE Sex Workers Association (SWA) on Thursday welcomed a proposal to decriminalise and tax commercial sex work.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Dr Kevin Harvey, senior medical officer in the Ministry of Health with responsibility for the National HIV/STI programme, said the government could earn up to $3 billion a year if it taxed prostitution."
Jamaica Observer
Sex workers happy with tax proposal
Saturday, June 21, 2008
THE Sex Workers Association (SWA) on Thursday welcomed a proposal to decriminalise and tax commercial sex work.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Dr Kevin Harvey, senior medical officer in the Ministry of Health with responsibility for the National HIV/STI programme, said the government could earn up to $3 billion a year if it taxed prostitution."
USA-T - Adoption inquiries soar after China quake orphans children
From my archive of press clippings:
USA Today
Adoption inquiries soar after China quake orphans children
By Wendy Koch and Calum MacLeod, USA TODAY
Adoption agencies are receiving a surge in phone calls from people who want to adopt children orphaned by the earthquake in China.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Last May, China tightened its eligibility rules, barring foreign applicants who are single, gay, obese, older than 50, low-income or have a history of mental illness.
China had been the No. 1 foreign country for adoptions by people in the USA since 2000. Now it is sending fewer orphans: 5,453 in 2007, down from 7,906 in 2005, according to the State Department."
USA Today
Adoption inquiries soar after China quake orphans children
By Wendy Koch and Calum MacLeod, USA TODAY
Adoption agencies are receiving a surge in phone calls from people who want to adopt children orphaned by the earthquake in China.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Last May, China tightened its eligibility rules, barring foreign applicants who are single, gay, obese, older than 50, low-income or have a history of mental illness.
China had been the No. 1 foreign country for adoptions by people in the USA since 2000. Now it is sending fewer orphans: 5,453 in 2007, down from 7,906 in 2005, according to the State Department."
Saturday, February 21, 2009
DFP - Border requirements changing
Detroit Free Press
Border requirements changing
BY ELLEN CREAGER • FREE PRESS TRAVEL WRITER • February 8, 2009
For now, American citizens need only a driver's license and birth certificate to cross back into the United States at land borders from Canada. Soon, that won't be good enough.
Read the whole article here.
Border requirements changing
BY ELLEN CREAGER • FREE PRESS TRAVEL WRITER • February 8, 2009
For now, American citizens need only a driver's license and birth certificate to cross back into the United States at land borders from Canada. Soon, that won't be good enough.
Read the whole article here.
WVN-JO - Patriotism, sense of belonging rewards of citizenship journey
From my archive of press clippings:
West Volusia News-Journal Online
Patriotism, sense of belonging rewards of citizenship journey
January 22, 2009
By PATRICIO G. BALONA Staff writer
ORLANDO -- "I pledge allegiance to U.S. flag and the country. . ."
"Daddy, you are not saying it right," my daughter interrupted.
Her tiny hand over her heart, my daughter, Josee, recited the 31-word pledge so naturally.
I repeated after her, memorizing the verse as I drove to the Orlando office of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to become a U.S. citizen.
West Volusia News-Journal Online
Patriotism, sense of belonging rewards of citizenship journey
January 22, 2009
By PATRICIO G. BALONA Staff writer
ORLANDO -- "I pledge allegiance to U.S. flag and the country. . ."
"Daddy, you are not saying it right," my daughter interrupted.
Her tiny hand over her heart, my daughter, Josee, recited the 31-word pledge so naturally.
I repeated after her, memorizing the verse as I drove to the Orlando office of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to become a U.S. citizen.
Read the whole article here.
MT - 2 Adoption Agencies Barred After Boy's Death
From my archive of press clippings:
Moscow Times
2 Adoption Agencies Barred After Boy's Death
15 July 2008
By Svetlana Osadchuk
Two U.S. adoption agencies have been barred from operating in Russia, but authorities denied Monday that the decision was linked to the recent death of an adopted baby in the United States.
Read the whole article here.
Moscow Times
2 Adoption Agencies Barred After Boy's Death
15 July 2008
By Svetlana Osadchuk
Two U.S. adoption agencies have been barred from operating in Russia, but authorities denied Monday that the decision was linked to the recent death of an adopted baby in the United States.
Read the whole article here.
Boomberg - Microsoft, Intel Firings Stir Resentment Over Visas
Bloomberg
Microsoft, Intel Firings Stir Resentment Over Visas
By Dina Bass
Feb. 20 (Bloomberg) -- Microsoft Corp.’s plan to eliminate U.S. workers after lobbying for more foreigner visas is stirring resentment among lawmakers and employees.
As many as 5,000 employees are being shown the door at Microsoft, which uses more H1-B guest-worker visas than any other U.S. company. Some employees and politicians say Microsoft should get rid of foreigners first.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Across the technology industry, some of the biggest users of H1-B visas are cutting jobs, including Intel Corp., International Business Machines Corp. and Hewlett-Packard Co. The firings at Microsoft, the world’s largest software maker, came less than a year after Chairman Bill Gates lobbied Congress for an expansion of the visa program.
Even before Microsoft announced the cuts, its first-ever companywide layoffs, comments on a blog run by an anonymous Microsoft worker angrily debated getting rid of guest workers first. The author of the Mini-Microsoft blog eventually had to censor and then completely block all arguments about visas, after the conversation “got downright nasty.” "
Microsoft, Intel Firings Stir Resentment Over Visas
By Dina Bass
Feb. 20 (Bloomberg) -- Microsoft Corp.’s plan to eliminate U.S. workers after lobbying for more foreigner visas is stirring resentment among lawmakers and employees.
As many as 5,000 employees are being shown the door at Microsoft, which uses more H1-B guest-worker visas than any other U.S. company. Some employees and politicians say Microsoft should get rid of foreigners first.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Across the technology industry, some of the biggest users of H1-B visas are cutting jobs, including Intel Corp., International Business Machines Corp. and Hewlett-Packard Co. The firings at Microsoft, the world’s largest software maker, came less than a year after Chairman Bill Gates lobbied Congress for an expansion of the visa program.
Even before Microsoft announced the cuts, its first-ever companywide layoffs, comments on a blog run by an anonymous Microsoft worker angrily debated getting rid of guest workers first. The author of the Mini-Microsoft blog eventually had to censor and then completely block all arguments about visas, after the conversation “got downright nasty.” "
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