America

How does impeachment work? A quick TED explainer

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IDEAS.TED.COM Sep 27, 2019 / Alex Gendler Confused about the process? Join the rest of us. Read this explainer, adapted from a TED-Ed lesson, and get up to speed on “articles of impeachment,” “supermajorities” and “managers” in a flash. For almost every job in the world, it’s understood that a person can be fired — whether for crime, incompetence or poor performance. But what if your job happens to be one of the most powerful positions in the country? Like president of the United States? Or vice president? Or justice of the Supreme Court? That’s where impeachment comes in. So, how does the process work? Despite how most people use the term, impeachment does not mean removing a person from office. Instead, impeachment refers to the formal accusation that launches a trial. When the US Constitution was written in 1787, impeachment was enshrined in Article 1 as a power of Congress that applied to any civil officers — up to and including the president. Although demands for impeachment can come from any member of the public, only the House of Representatives has the power to initiate the process. The House begins by referring the matter to a committee, usually the Committee on Rules and the Committee on the Judiciary. These committees review the accusations, examine the evidence, and issue a recommendation. If they find sufficient grounds to proceed, the House holds a separate vote on each of the specific charges, otherwise known as Articles of Impeachment. If one or more of […]

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Freedom of Speech

It’s not politics or religion separating humans from each other; it’s shame

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IDEAS.TED.com Feb 26, 2019 / Douglas Rushkoff   Excerpted from the new book Team Human by Douglas Rushkoff. Copyright © 2019 by Douglas Rushkoff. Reprinted by permission of W.W. Norton & Company. All rights reserved. Watch his TED Salon: Samsung talk here: https://embed.ted.com/talks/douglas_rushkoff_how_to_be_team_human_in_the_digital_future ABOUT THE AUTHOR Douglas Rushkoff is the host of the popular Team Human podcast. He has written 20 books, including the bestsellers “Present Shock” and “Program or Be Programmed,” as well as regular columns for Medium, CNN, Daily Beast and the Guardian. Rushkoff also made the PBS Frontline documentaries “Generation Like” and “Merchants of Cool.” He coined such concepts as “viral media” and “social currency,” and he’s been a leading voice for applying digital media toward social and economic justice. He is a research fellow of the Institute for the Future and founder of the Laboratory for Digital Humanism at CUNY/Queens, where he is a professor of media theory and digital economics.

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America

Happy Thanksgiving America

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I work hard to acknowledge the little things happening everyday. Many days it’s hard to take a minute to acknowledge and let the smile sink in.  I have many things to be grate full everyday but this past week it came in a big reminder. I fell eight stairs last weekend landing on my head and neck. When I came […]

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America

This Day In History

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1913 US Federal income tax signed into law (at 1%) by President Woodrow Wilson 1922 1st facsimile photo sent over city telephone lines, Washington, D.C. 1945 Elvis Presley‘s 1st public appearance at the age of 10 1849 American author Edgar Allan Poe is found delirious in a gutter in Baltimore, Maryland under mysterious circumstances; it is the last time he […]

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Freedom of Speech

Friday Quote

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Here is my advice as we begin the century that will lead to 2081. First, guard the freedom of ideas at all costs. Be alert that dictators have always played on the natural human tendency to blame others and to oversimplify. And don’t regard yourself as a guardian of freedom unless you respect and preserve the rights of people you […]

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Family

New Resources for LGBT Community

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New resourses for LGBT community provided by RAINN.org National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs: A coalition of programs that document and advocate for victims of anti-LGBT and anti-HIV/AIDS violence/harassment, domestic violence, sexual assault, police misconduct and other forms of victimization. Site has a list of local anti-violence programs and publications. Hotline: 212.714.1141 The Trevor Project: Help and suicide prevention for LGBTQ youth. Hotline: 866.488.7386 GLBT National Hotline: Call center that refers to over 15,000 resources across the country that support LGBTQ individuals. Hotline: 888.THE.GLNH (843.4564) pen pals, weekly LQB and T chatrooms for youth Association for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Issues in Counseling:Directory of LGBT-friendly mental health specialists across the United States. Specialists listed are verified members of AGLBTIC, a division of the American Counseling Association. FORGE (For Ourselves: Reworking Gender Expression): Home to the Transgender Sexual Violence Project. Provides services and publishes research for transgender persons experiencing violence and their loved ones.

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America

Special Times to Fly Your American Flag

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Honor Our Flag is written with the assistance of the National Flag Foundation to ensure accuracy of the content. These are special days beyond flying everyday. There are a few surprises and questions.  M New Years Day, January 1 Martin Luther King’s Birthday, (third Monday in January) Inauguration Day, January 20th Lincoln’s Birthday, February 12th Washing’s Birthday, February 22nd Presidents Day, […]

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Celebrate Life

Triple Shot Thursday *New Tunes*

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I love each artist picked this week. James Bay’s “Pink Lemonade” is a great example of transformation of music style. Imagine Dragons never disappoint, the are worth watching on YouTube to watch the live shows. One Republic is a breath of fresh air, they play many style of music and their in my top one hundred. Have a great weekend. […]

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Bullying

Don’t Want Your Post Reblogged?

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What happens when my posts get reblogged? An excerpt will be published on the re bloggers site (with a link back to your original post), and you’ll receive a reblog notification in the post comments ( you might need to approve comments first). You’ll also receive an email notification of the reblog. You’ll also receive an email notification of the […]

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America

See Charity Navigator Before You Donate

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Charity Navigator will guide you to Charities who are physically responsible. The information provided is enough to make a sound decision on how much of your donation will go to people supported by the Charity. It was and eye opener when I started researching charities to support, some were spending 85% on the CEO salary and administrative cost. Your money […]

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Advocacy

Change.org Petition: Equifax Breach

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Change.org IMPORTANT PETITION   Regardless of where or when a data breach occurs, it leaves people feeling powerless and helpless; confused and angry.  The ITRC has been tracking data breaches for more than a decadeand we hear from the victims of these breaches on a near-daily basis. Breaches of really sensitive personal information like social security numbers are nothing new, […]

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America

Why are Books Banned or Burned?

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At the end of September, libraries and bookstores everywhere will be celebrating “Banned Books Week.” This got us thinking: why do people ban books (or, in extreme cases, burn them)? Literature is such a fundamental part of human life, and yet time and time again throughout history there have been concerted efforts to suppress or destroy certain books. These days, […]

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America

Keep Students Safe From Sexual Assault & Enforce Title IV

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Change.org Petition   Ask Betsy DeVos to keep students safe and enforce Title IX This petition will be delivered to: U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos Senator Lamar Alexander The current Administration is planning to weaken the enforcement of Title IX, a move that would be devastating for students especially those who are LGBT and of color. Survivors and our allies across the country are coming together to ask Education Secretary DeVos to listen to survivors, keep students safe, and enforce protections Title IX has long provided. Join Know Your IX and End Rape on Campus and ask DeVos to commit to the following : Maintain the Department of Education’s guidance documents clarifying schools’ legal responsibilities to prevent and address sexual harassment under Title IX Continue to recognize preponderance of evidence (i.e. “more likely than not”) as the appropriate standard of proof in campus sexual harassment investigations; Maintain federal transparency in Title IX enforcement by continuing to publish lists of schools under investigation for Title IX violations and those who have claimed religious exemptions allowing them to discriminate against LGBT, pregnant, and parenting students DeVos will have the power to enforce Title IX protections and ensure that every student is able to attend school without fear of violence. It’s up to us to make sure that she does. Mahroh Jahangiri Executive Director, Know Your IX https://www.change.org/p/dearbetsy-keep-students-safe-and-enforce-title-ix

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America

Support Parents Efforts to Save Baby *Let Parents Decide on Critical Illness, Not Judge*

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This family is having their most difficult times spread across the news. The British government has ruled in favor of the hospital to keep baby on life support and not allow parents to come to America for an experimental drug. I think it’s a sad day when government over rides parents in the welfare of their baby. People are so supportive of the family, having rally’s outside the hospital, American hospitals have offered to treat him free of charge. With the out pouring of support, it’s mind numbing to think government and the hospital have more rights than the parents. They want the best for their son. It breaks my heart to see the parents plea and cry. M https://www.aol.com/article/news/2017/07/10/british-judge-looks-for-new-evidence-in-case-of-critically-ill-b/23024052/

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Freedom of Speech

Triple Shot Thursday*From Reguest Line*

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Today’s awesome tunes requested by good friend Charly Priest. He may have a rough exterior at times, he’s made of sugar. Leave request in my comments box for next weeks entertainment.  Get ready for a musical treat. 🙂 M 3 tunes that I like in different times during the day 1 – in the morning https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLhN__oEHaw&list=RDMMhLhN__oEHaw 2-afternoon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TR3Vdo5etCQ 3- late https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MnF6tonFY4atnight  

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Advocacy

Supreme Court Turns Away Challenge to Conversion Therapy Ban

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May 01, 2017 Supreme Court Turns Away Challenge to Conversion Therapy Ban The Supreme Court today left standing a lower court decision that the conversion therapy ban in California is legal.  By declining to consider that case, the Court allowed the state ban to stay on the books, and by extension, the bans in five other states as well.  The lead plaintiff, an ordained minister and licensed family therapist in San Diego, sued the State of California on the grounds that the state law violates his freedom of religion and therefore is unconstitutional. The Supreme Court chose not to review that case.  The plaintiff was joined a psychiatrist and a man who underwent conversion therapy and now aspires to perform it on others.  The plaintiff had previously sued California on the grounds that its conversion therapy ban violated his freedom of speech, and that challenge also failed. By upholding California’s ban, the Supreme Court protected the bans in Oregon, Illinois, Vermont, New Jersey, and New Mexico from the same type of challenge.  A dozen other states have been considering bans this year in their state legislatures. The process of enacting a ban in every state would be drawn-out and in some states, a long shot at best.  Members of Congress have just introduced bills in the House and Senate that would make it illegal to accept payment for conversion therapy or to advertise that service, on the grounds that it […]

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Advocacy

Friday Psychotic Break

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Tom Petty incapsulates everything Rock & Roll. I hadn’t seen this version, WOW.  Feel his rage, drugs, possibilities are endless.   Breakdown  Tom Petty & Heartbreakers  12/30/1978-Winterland, San Francisco.  I’m feeling front stage today.  Like version? How about suggestions. I always enjoy you’re thoughts & feedback.  😎M https://youtu.be/G1cmOq9MSo

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Celebrate Life

Throw Back Thursday *Bay, Bay and Bay*

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Do you see the resemblance in style or sound of the Bay Brothers, my buddies assure me they are brothers. I followed James Bay and team so long, I’m a member of TeamBay. I love seeing my name on Tweets. This is far better than the Donny Osmond Fan Club. James Arthur found success with his first album, something held him back. He has a new album and a growing fan base. On the charts now is “Say You Won’t Let Go”. Alex Francis Bay, his style is a multiple genre. I like the upbeat, hair up and grooving style myself. He is not on guitar. What a talented family, blessed by music. Let me know what you think.  Xx  M    

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Abuse

CDC Provides School Violence Resources

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A Division of the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention Injury Prevention & Control : Division of Violence Prevention Published August 2016 Resource links updated August 2016 Edwin R. Gerler, Ed.D., North Carolina State University In the United States, an estimated 50 million students are enrolled in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Another 15 million students attend colleges and universities across the country. While U.S. schools remain relatively safe, any amount of violence is unacceptable. Parents, teachers, and administrators expect schools to be safe havens of learning. Acts of violence can disrupt the learning process and have a negative effect on students, the school, and the broader community. Much of the information contained in this document can be located at http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/youthviolence/schoolviolence/   https://www.counseling.org/knowledge-center/practice-briefs/articles/school-violence   Content source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Division of Violence Prevention

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America

Wapama Falls on Hetch Hetchy Trail, Yosemite

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  Wapama Falls (1,400 feet) Flows: all year, with peak flow in May. Relatively few people visit Hetch Hetchy Valley to see this roaring waterfall. In some springs, the water from this fall flows over the footbridges near its base. You can see this waterfall from the parking lot at O’Shaughnessy Dam or you can hike on an uneven trail to near its base (see a list of Hetch Hetchy day hikes).

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America

Happy Birthday Gramps *You’re my Hero*

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Gramps loved playing scratch off Lottery Tickets. Looking at photo, this was shortly after Granny died. Emotions sent me to the highest high, I saw the smallest smile. He loved my Granny until the end. Gramps grew up in a time, large parts of the USA where out of work and hungry. Focusing on making money or food for a meal. Gramps mother had sixteen children.  Gramps, you set the bar high, I reach for you everyday to feel your strength. Fort McArthur – Became Tactical base-in 1939  

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America

Nevada Falls & Vernal Fall Yosemite National Park

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Classified as one of the Strenuous Hikes. I had the pleasure, sweating, beyond thirsty and pain of hiking Nevada Falls and Verna Falls. Vernal Falls is the highest and the longest hike for me. It’s brutal. Suggestion: Lightweight weight clothes and hat covers back neck, Hiking gloves, walking stick, broken-in hiking boots, and carry as much water as you can. Conserve. Very few amenities along the route. In the summer one good wind and you’re covered in sand. Hand wipes are a portable doctor in a box. I had a few brushing, up or down the trail. Hiking Verna is straight up, “Natures Giant Spiral Staircase.”  I was on top of the world. I’m working on this photo. The Jacked up version is on my “About Me” page. Hope you enjoy.   Xx  M  Vernal Falls   Climb Verna Falls is nature’s giant staircase. Where you are rewarded with close-up views of two waterfalls and numerous geologic features (depending on how far you choose to hike). Powerful and turbulent, these two waterfalls will soak you in spring and entice you year-round. Vernal Fall Footbridge Distance: 1.6 mi (2.6 km) round trip Elevation gain: 400 ft (120 m) Difficulty: Moderate Time: 1-1.5 hours Top of Vernal Fall Distance: 2.4 mi (3.9 km) round trip (via Mist Trail) Elevation gain: 1000 ft (300 m) Difficulty: Strenuous Time: 3 hours Top of Nevada Fall Distance: 5.4 mi (8.7 km) round trip (via Mist Trail) Elevation gain: […]

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America

Yosemite National Park: Half Dome

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  Wild Wild West by Melinda https://www.nps.gov/media/video/view.htm?id=6F8A61D7-E3B5-F2FD-0E7E5921833F1954 The summit of Half Dome is a dangerous place during a lightning storm. Check the weather forecast before your hike and try to reach the summit early in the day to avoid thunderstorms, which are more common in the afternoon (but can occur at any time). If a storm appears nearby, do not continue to the summit and, if in the summit area, leave the area (while still using caution when descending the cables and steps). The summit is typically 15°F (8°C) to 20°F (11°C) cooler than Yosemite Valley and windy conditions are common. Be prepared for cool temperatures and rain showers. Black bears frequent Yosemite’s Wilderness and are adept at grabbing backpacks from hikers and campers–during both day and night. Always keep your food within arm’s reach (or on your back); never leave it unattended. If you see a bear, act immediately to scare it away: make as much noise as possible by yelling. If there is more than one person, stand together to present a more intimidating figure, but do not surround the bear. Squirrels, Steller’s jays, chipmunks, and other animals also live along the trail; never feed them or allow them to get your food. Do not leave your pack unattended (e.g., at the base of the cables or while you take a swim or nap). Keep wildlife wild: respect them from a distance. Improper food storage and feeding of […]

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Celebrate Life

Throw Back Thursday *The Disco Ball Is Turning*

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The Disco period was great for Free Spirits, drugs flowed freely, a smell of change in the air. The music was alive, the dance floor had a rhythm like no other, leave your troubles behind and escape under the shiny ball. I started going to clubs with my father before my 10th birthday. When you have a parent with a mental illness, life can take unexpected turns. I hope you enjoy a couple of my favorites, if not pick up the request line and leave a request. Let’s Boogie!     Xx  M    

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Abuse

Chelsea Manning may receive Nine Years added to her 35 year sentence

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URGENT PLEASE READ NEW CHARGES AGAINST CHELSEA MANNING At this time, Chelsea Manning is not receiving adequate Psychological Counseling. Chelsea is a Trans being forced to serve out her sentence in an ALL-MALE Maximum Security Prison. Although Chelsea tries to stay focus on her writing and advocacy, being a woman in an all-male prison is dehumanizing and exhausting emotionally, according to ACLU. The post in long but worth reading, someday it could be you. The next post is short.    Outraged,  Melinda    Chelsea Manning faces new charges, indefinite solitary confinement, related to suicide attempt Posted 17:08 EDT on July 28, 2016 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, July 28, 2016 Contact: Christina DiPasquale, christina@balestramedia.com, 202.716.1953   U.S government has systematically abused imprisoned whistleblower, continues to deny access to gender related health care LEAVENWORTH, KS––Imprisoned whistleblower Chelsea Manning reported to attorneys and friends that she received a document from Army officials today informing her that she is being investigated for serious new charges related to her July 5th, 2016 attempt to take her own life. If convicted of these bizarre “administrative offenses,” she could be placed in indefinite solitary confinement for the remainder of her sentence. Chelsea has been systematically mistreated by the U.S. government since she was first taken into custody in 2010, including long stretches of solitary confinement (which the UN considers to be a form of torture), which she was subjected to for 9 months, even before she had ever been […]

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Abuse

US Government abusing Whistleblower Chelsea Manning, Columnist for The Guardian

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Urgent Please Read, Chelsea Manning needs your help Please read the critical information on Chelsea Manning, the Whistleblower who uncovered some of the Governments worst abuses. Chelsea is a Transgender woman being forced to serve out her sentence in an all-male prisonI have two additional post on Chelsea Manning including the Charge Sheet The Military Police Investigators. The additional charges are related to Chelsea trying to commit suicide on July 5, 2016. The organizations Fight For The Future and ACLU are urgently working to inform the public.      Outraged,  Melinda  URGENT: The U.S. government systematically abused whistleblower Chelsea Manning until she tried to take her own life. Now they’re trying to charge her for it. Sign the petition to stop this inhumane punishment. After years of extreme mistreatment, having been held in conditions that the UN considers to be torture, Chelsea Manning, the Guardian columnist and whistleblower who has been in prison for years serving a 35 year sentence for exposing some of the U.S. government’s worst abuses, attempted to take her own life July 5th, 2016. Now, Army officials have informed her that she is facing serious new charges directly related to her suicide attempt. This is an outrage. Click here to sign the petition telling the government not to charge Chelsea Manning with a crime for her own suicide attempt. Chelsea called supporters on the phone to inform us of the new charges. They include: 1) Resisting the […]

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America

Texas Senator John Cornyn: ISIS Must Be Stopped

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Share your thoughts with Senator John Cornyn at http://cornyn.senate.gov/. Contact him whether you live in Texas or not. He is a Senior lawmaker and serves the lead on several committees. THE LONESTAR WEEKLY This week we mourn the victims of the horrific terrorist attack in Orlando and their families and friends, and express our appreciation for the first responders who bravely responded to this tragedy. As a country, we now must come to terms with the reality we face: the attack in Orlando was not a random act of violence, but a calculated act of terror. And, the risks of future attacks on American soil are rising, not falling. It’s not enough to just stop terrorists from buying guns; we must give law enforcement the tools they need to thwart an attack before it happens and take those suspects off the streets. Too often, the FBI and other law enforcement officers have to operate with one hand tied behind their backs because they can’t access key pieces of information in a timely manner. The President and his national security team think the threat posed by ISIS is something they can merely contain. But ISIS must be destroyed, and it’s long past time the Obama Administration presented a credible, aggressive strategy to do so and prevent future terror attacks on American soil.

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Freedom of Speech

Throw Back Thursday * Sweet Memories From The Past*

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Throw Back Thursday started over two years ago. Thank you for following me and leaving comments. I enjoy the comments, it’s also an education as I look for tunes each week. The 24 hour request line is open. I’m dedicating  “Don’t Let Me Down” to Tangled Up In Music (by Ovidio Boar). We met today and his blog is awesome, most everything you want to know about music. Check him out. Time to get down and loud!  Xx  M

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America

Zika Virus Spreads to 20 Latin American Countries and The Caribbean

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Travelers Take Note  XxM JAN 22 2016, 7:03 PM ET Zika Virus Spreads to 20 Latin American Countries by MAGGIE FOX The Zika virus has now spread to 20 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, including some popular tourist destinations, and it’s likely to spread farther, international health officials said. And evidence is strengthening that the virus may cause a serious birth defect called microcephaly. The virus can be expected to spread more, as the mosquitoes that carry it can be found across the region. It’s now spreading locally in Barbados, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Saint Martin, Suriname, and Venezuela. Samoa, in the south Pacific, is also reporting Zika for the first time. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday repeated its recommendation that pregnant women avoid travel to affected countries until more is known about whether it can infect unborn babies. But a team of Brazilian researchers published early results of a study of 35 babies affected in Brazil last year that strengthen the evidence. The babies were born in August through October and all had confirmed microcephaly, which causes underdeveloped heads and brains. Microcephaly can be caused by a range of factors and two other babies were found to have other causes of their microcephaly — one had a virus called cytomegalovirus, and the other had a genetic disorder […]

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Freedom of Speech

NBC29 News Story On Cat Dissection

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NBC29 News Story on Cat Dissection—Thanks to our Petition-Signers! Tamira Thayne Amissville, VA Jan 14, 2016 — Thanks to the overwhelming support of Americans on the petition against cat dissection in the high school classroom—now at 103,000 signatures—Brynnan and I were invited to discuss our position on a Charlottesville, VA NBC 29 news station. We are grateful to our signers who have made this possible—on behalf of those cats who cannot speak for themselves, and the students who are too afraid to speak out against this kind of traumatic experimentation in our school systems. As I made clear in the TV interview, “This [cutting up of cats by high school students] engenders a lack of respect for companion animals, and that’s the complete opposite of what we should be telling our students.” My daughter Brynnan further drives home the point in the interview: “We can’t dissect these cats, they are our companions…they are what we love, what we come home to, what we care about.” In speaking to a reporter from Culpeper County, VA yesterday, I was asked how many signatures will be enough to create change? I told her that was exactly the question, isn’t it? If 103,000 people are telling a school district that the practice is morally wrong, yet the school district is still passing out rhetoric like “We are following all guidelines set forth by the state of Virginia” instead of taking the concerns of parents, […]

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Freedom of Speech

I saw Mommy kissing Santa Clause, under the misletoe last night

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TOYS FOR TOTS CHARITY RUN Yes, that’s a Corona at 9:00 AM, Santa doesn’t seem to mind. It’s an incredible feeling riding down the freeway with up to 1,000 bikes. People are standing on bridges as you pull into Arlington, Texas. They’re holding signs, American Flags and waving. Whole families on bridge after bridge. Helping the Marines Toys of Tots program is deeply rewarding and tons of fun.   Wishing everyone around the world a safe Holiday and peace for all.  Xx M 

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