Derrie-Air Exposed
And it's not even in Nor'n Ireland! :-D
(I don't know what random ads you get when you view it.. 2 out of the 3 I got were for weight loss programs :-D)
Saturday, June 07, 2008
The odds on beating cancer
An odd mix of information here.
I'm very sad to see that a delightful man I was pleased to meet in January has been diagnosed with cancer, and I wish him all the best for his treatment and hopeful recovery.
Blue Collar Scientist
I have a lovely photo of myself with him after I regaled him with bizarre stories of corn-dogs, Corn Gods and law suits. A genuinely nice guy.
The odd mix I mentioned comes from seeing this story:
Cancer victim beats the bookies, and the odds
I'm very sad to see that a delightful man I was pleased to meet in January has been diagnosed with cancer, and I wish him all the best for his treatment and hopeful recovery.
Blue Collar Scientist
I have a lovely photo of myself with him after I regaled him with bizarre stories of corn-dogs, Corn Gods and law suits. A genuinely nice guy.
The odd mix I mentioned comes from seeing this story:
Cancer victim beats the bookies, and the odds
Doctors told Mr Matthews if he lived until June 1 - he would beat the longest survival time for killer cancer Mesothelioma.
The Bedfordshire punter put down £100 at 50/1 that he would live until June 1.
William Hill's spokesperson Graham Sharpe said: "We had never been asked to accept a bet of this nature before.
"But as Jon approached us directly and was adamant that it would give him an additional incentive to battle his illness, we decided to offer him the bet he wanted.
"Never, in thirty years in the business, have I been so pleased to pay a winning client £5000."
Not only did he win, Mr Matthews has already placed a bet he will still be around this time next year.
He plans on giving half to cancer charity Macmillan.
Friday, June 06, 2008
I wonder how much she paid for it....
Painting returned to UK on sale for £95k
A canny purchase, it would seem. ;-)
An unknown painting by a celebrated 19th century Scottish artist has gone on sale for £95,000 after being discovered in America.
The Shepherd, by Edward Arthur Walton, was returned to the UK after a city art dealer found it in the US.
...
Miss Walsh said: "I was on the internet casually looking for deals to buy at auction houses when I first saw a painting by someone called Walton.
"I thought it could be by E A Walton, so made some inquiries and hopped on the first plane to the States.
"I travelled to a small backwater town on the east coast of America and I couldn't believe it when I finally saw the painting because I knew it was one of his works."
A canny purchase, it would seem. ;-)
Superstition amusement
Roger Whittaker banned
hehehe
hehehe
A superstitious coastal town has imposed a month-long ban on whistling in an attempt to ensure good weather for its annual boating festival.
Portsoy, in Banffshire, has revived an ancient maritime belief that whistling at sea brings ill winds.
The tongue-in-cheek ban was imposed by the organisers of the port's Scottish Traditional Boat Festival.
The event, which runs from 20 to 22 June, fell victim to poor weather last year.
Festival chairman Roger Goodyear told BBC Scotland that everyone from dog walkers to over-enthusiastic builders admiring the town's young ladies had been asked to observe the ban.
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Great news - Program helped find 17 people - Back on TV
Missing Live
What a wonderful testimony to the efforts of Missing People, the BBC and viewers.
I watched every episode of this series on BBC iPlayer and found it interesting and informative. I'd encourage everyone to give it a view if possible - you never know who you might be able to help, or what you might learn.
Following a hugely successful first series, in which 17 missing people featured in the programme have been found, Liam Keelan, Controller BBC Daytime, has recommissioned BBC One’s Daytime series Missing Live. Presented by Louise Minchin (BBC Breakfast) and Rav Wilding (Crimewatch and former Metropolitan Police Detective), the series is a live studio programme, based on the previous BBC Daytime documentary series Missing. The series follows the work of the police and the charity, Missing People, in their efforts to discover the whereabouts of just some of the 200,000 people who are reported missing each year.
What a wonderful testimony to the efforts of Missing People, the BBC and viewers.
I watched every episode of this series on BBC iPlayer and found it interesting and informative. I'd encourage everyone to give it a view if possible - you never know who you might be able to help, or what you might learn.
Something positive... almost
Web Crime Kids
Normally I can find very little to say that is positive, when it comes to sites like MySpace, Bebo, and so on; particularly in the matters of children using them. As a parent I know there's a terrible difficulty in balancing your child's safety through anonymity with their need to fit in with their social peers who all interact on these sites. The ease of access to thesse sites, and lack of verification of members is a serious concern.
Recently a story caught my eye that made me think for a moment that the sites could be good for something.
I think this was a good project, and all the children were interviewed about their activities in the presence of their parent - many of which were unaware of the children's activities. While it's tempting to tut and shake our heads, and think they may be terrible or neglectful parents, just think for a moment about how this can be changed. Children have access to the internet at school, at their mates' houses, on their phones, at cafes ... the list is huge and there is no legitimate way that even the most vigilant parent can monitor or allow for them all.
Peer pressure to undertake the same activities is rampant among young teens, and this is hard for kids to ignore. It can also be seen in the horrible trend of 'happyslapping' that we often see reported - and may also be behind some of these incidents recorded for the social network sites.
I was glad to see that evidence of crimes was being uncovered and used appropriately. That was my positive take from this story. If these social sites didn't exist, the videos and photos may have been harder to trace, and may not have accompanied the boastful confessions apparently accompanying them. However, I wonder how much the existence of these sites has to do with the lure toward becoming such proud little criminals in the first place.
Normally I can find very little to say that is positive, when it comes to sites like MySpace, Bebo, and so on; particularly in the matters of children using them. As a parent I know there's a terrible difficulty in balancing your child's safety through anonymity with their need to fit in with their social peers who all interact on these sites. The ease of access to thesse sites, and lack of verification of members is a serious concern.
Recently a story caught my eye that made me think for a moment that the sites could be good for something.
Police swooped on the homes of more than 180 youths and children as young as 12 who use internet sites such as Bebo to exchange information about drugs and alcohol and boast about violent crimes.
Officers visited 183 young people – 80 in Falkirk, 37 in Clackmannanshire and 66 in the Stirling district – in an operation described by police as “intrusive and robust", and which lasted several weeks.
Central Scotland Police said many were forced offline at once by their “shocked and horrified" parents. Several were reported to the fiscal and the children's panel for offences, including assault, theft and breaking bail.
Nearly 70 children and a number of adults with learning difficulties were formally reported to social workers and the children's panel as being potentially at risk.
In all cases, officers identified young people aged 12 to 18 from their photos and videos posted on Bebo and other sites. It is understood some had posted videos showing them committing serious crimes.
I think this was a good project, and all the children were interviewed about their activities in the presence of their parent - many of which were unaware of the children's activities. While it's tempting to tut and shake our heads, and think they may be terrible or neglectful parents, just think for a moment about how this can be changed. Children have access to the internet at school, at their mates' houses, on their phones, at cafes ... the list is huge and there is no legitimate way that even the most vigilant parent can monitor or allow for them all.
Peer pressure to undertake the same activities is rampant among young teens, and this is hard for kids to ignore. It can also be seen in the horrible trend of 'happyslapping' that we often see reported - and may also be behind some of these incidents recorded for the social network sites.
I was glad to see that evidence of crimes was being uncovered and used appropriately. That was my positive take from this story. If these social sites didn't exist, the videos and photos may have been harder to trace, and may not have accompanied the boastful confessions apparently accompanying them. However, I wonder how much the existence of these sites has to do with the lure toward becoming such proud little criminals in the first place.
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
‘Deed, ye’re no doctor; ye’re just a wumman.’
A story that caught my eye today was this one:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7432094.stm
It initially intrigued me because I wondered why "Scotland's Florence Nightingale" was being honoured all the way over in France. I was delighted to find a wonderful story about a woman who seems to have been not only intelligent and innovative, but also warm and humourous. She was an advocate for women's rights from a young age establishing the first female-run maternity hospital in Scotland, and helping to found the Scottish Women's Suffrage Federation. She also did much to improve the welfare of soldiers and availability of care for them in the war.
My blog entry title comes from a story told here:
http://www.martinfrost.ws/htmlfiles/gazette/elsie_inglis.html
Reading about Elsie Inglis was a delight. She was not militant, and yet achieved so much for the things she believed in. She seems to have been a wonderful, caring and warm woman who pushed herself to her limits. Even while held captive in Serbia she was able to see beauty, writing: "Never shall we forget the beauty of the sunrises, and the glory of the sunsets, with cool clear sunlit days between, and wonderful starlit nights."
A fine role model.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7432094.stm
It initially intrigued me because I wondered why "Scotland's Florence Nightingale" was being honoured all the way over in France. I was delighted to find a wonderful story about a woman who seems to have been not only intelligent and innovative, but also warm and humourous. She was an advocate for women's rights from a young age establishing the first female-run maternity hospital in Scotland, and helping to found the Scottish Women's Suffrage Federation. She also did much to improve the welfare of soldiers and availability of care for them in the war.
Elsie was undeterred by opposition from the War Office, who told her to stay home and knit, and despatched two units of the Scottish Women's Hospitals to France. Within months of the war breaking out, her Abbaye de Royaumont hospital, containing some 200 beds, was in place.
My blog entry title comes from a story told here:
http://www.martinfrost.ws/htmlfiles/gazette/elsie_inglis.html
Her next bit of experience was in a well-known hospital in Dublin, the Rotunda. From that she wrote to her father humorous accounts of quaint Irish ways and words. When an old woman, having sent for a doctor, was faced by Dr. Inglis, she said, ‘Deed, ye’re no doctor; ye’re just a wumman.’
Reading about Elsie Inglis was a delight. She was not militant, and yet achieved so much for the things she believed in. She seems to have been a wonderful, caring and warm woman who pushed herself to her limits. Even while held captive in Serbia she was able to see beauty, writing: "Never shall we forget the beauty of the sunrises, and the glory of the sunsets, with cool clear sunlit days between, and wonderful starlit nights."
A fine role model.
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Supporting the 'home' entrepreneurs - I've been redefined!
chill
:-)
I've been wandering around the interwebz a bit more than usual, and from my dad's blog (Wind, Sand and Stars) I found an interesting article on one of his linked NI blogs (alaninbelfast)
To quote AlaninBelfast:
"Not sure if it's a bid to pay off student loans, but a couple of enterprising students have come up with a wheeze that will surely make their bank managers smile all the way to the swimming pool showroom."
Intrigued, I had a look at the site, and I purchased chill! :-D
The creators claim: "The project is aimed at changing definitions and creating a new tapestry of words, meaning altogether different things."
Now, I'm not sure about that, but £2.52 to support a few students from the home country didn't seem like a big ask.
:-)
I've been wandering around the interwebz a bit more than usual, and from my dad's blog (Wind, Sand and Stars) I found an interesting article on one of his linked NI blogs (alaninbelfast)
To quote AlaninBelfast:
"Not sure if it's a bid to pay off student loans, but a couple of enterprising students have come up with a wheeze that will surely make their bank managers smile all the way to the swimming pool showroom."
Intrigued, I had a look at the site, and I purchased chill! :-D
The creators claim: "The project is aimed at changing definitions and creating a new tapestry of words, meaning altogether different things."
Now, I'm not sure about that, but £2.52 to support a few students from the home country didn't seem like a big ask.
Surviving without the JREF Forum - and - Project Jason in Second Life
So, the forum has been down for a few days, and may be down for a few more.
Now what am I supposed to do? Get a life or something? :-O
I've read all the excellent entries at xkcd
I've levelled up a WoW warrior character to level 14 (I know... I'm slow)
I've read through most of the threads at the UK Skeptics site.
I've got up to date on all the articles on the brilliant StopSylviaBrowne website.
I've checked up a few articles I'd missed on the SkepChicks site.
(I'm delighted to report that the Skepchick calendar will be out shortly, featuring a few of my friends as well as yours truly - book your copy next week!)
So, now what?
Well, something I neglected to mention above was the time I also spent in Second Life, learning about a very worthwhile project. Now, although I play and enjoy World of Warcraft, I'm not actually that keen on the concept of most online gaming, and particularly Second Life. I wouldn't have created an account there but for Project Jason, and due to the interface I wouldn't have returned much either but for the project I'm about to tell you about.
I've spoken before about Project Jason and the wonderful work they do to assist families of the missing. Well, now they have created an online presence in what I consider an innovative resource to reach out to people and spread information.
Unfortunately I missed the grand opening due mainly to time differences and too many hours at work (yes - I cram all that stuff mentioned above into weekends and a few hours in the evenings ... maybe a lunch hour as well! I am the world's best multitasker.). I'm told the opening was a great success with a wonderful music event, with bands playing live, and all sorts of presentations.
I have however been in and visited the Project Jason house, and the Garden for the Missing. I am in the SL Project Jason group, and will be glad to meet you there (as Chillzero Dawner) if you happen to be there at the same time I am. There is a lot of information available and ways for you to donate to the Project to help them continue to help others. Last month they announced the passage of the Jennifer Kesse and Tiffany Sessions Missing Persons Act in the state of Florida, which is scheduled to go into effect on July 1, 2008. Florida joins CT, IN, NJ, and OR in passing this law. It's about increasing the flow and availability of information, and you can read more about it here:
http://www.flsenate.gov/data/session/2008/Senate/bills/billtext/pdf/s0502.pdf
I look forward to meeting you in SL, and would encourage everyone to consider donating to Project Jason if you can.
Now what am I supposed to do? Get a life or something? :-O
I've read all the excellent entries at xkcd
I've levelled up a WoW warrior character to level 14 (I know... I'm slow)
I've read through most of the threads at the UK Skeptics site.
I've got up to date on all the articles on the brilliant StopSylviaBrowne website.
I've checked up a few articles I'd missed on the SkepChicks site.
(I'm delighted to report that the Skepchick calendar will be out shortly, featuring a few of my friends as well as yours truly - book your copy next week!)
So, now what?
Well, something I neglected to mention above was the time I also spent in Second Life, learning about a very worthwhile project. Now, although I play and enjoy World of Warcraft, I'm not actually that keen on the concept of most online gaming, and particularly Second Life. I wouldn't have created an account there but for Project Jason, and due to the interface I wouldn't have returned much either but for the project I'm about to tell you about.
I've spoken before about Project Jason and the wonderful work they do to assist families of the missing. Well, now they have created an online presence in what I consider an innovative resource to reach out to people and spread information.
Project Jason is honored to be one of 44 nonprofit organizations and the first missing persons’ assistance organization to be selected as part of a new area of Nonprofit Commons, a section within the virtual world, Second Life.
The Project Jason office in Second Life has three purposes. One is to disseminate general information about the epidemic of missing persons – how many are missing and how difficult a situation it is for the families of missing persons. Another is to deliver presentations and other educational events and materials to participants within Second Life. Finally, Project Jason also developed a special theme for the office called “Every Face Tells a Story” and the site exhibits special posters of missing persons. These posters contain articles written exclusively for Project Jason in Second Life, and they are contributed by the families of each missing person featured.
Joining Second Life is free. To do so, go to http://secondlife.com/ and download the program. You will need to register your account and choose an inworld “name,” which is a nickname you will use when you are logged in to Second Life.
The address for Project Jason in Second Life is http://slurl.com/secondlife/Aloft%20Nonprofit%20Commons/246/25/26
Unfortunately I missed the grand opening due mainly to time differences and too many hours at work (yes - I cram all that stuff mentioned above into weekends and a few hours in the evenings ... maybe a lunch hour as well! I am the world's best multitasker.). I'm told the opening was a great success with a wonderful music event, with bands playing live, and all sorts of presentations.
I have however been in and visited the Project Jason house, and the Garden for the Missing. I am in the SL Project Jason group, and will be glad to meet you there (as Chillzero Dawner) if you happen to be there at the same time I am. There is a lot of information available and ways for you to donate to the Project to help them continue to help others. Last month they announced the passage of the Jennifer Kesse and Tiffany Sessions Missing Persons Act in the state of Florida, which is scheduled to go into effect on July 1, 2008. Florida joins CT, IN, NJ, and OR in passing this law. It's about increasing the flow and availability of information, and you can read more about it here:
http://www.flsenate.gov/data/session/2008/Senate/bills/billtext/pdf/s0502.pdf
I look forward to meeting you in SL, and would encourage everyone to consider donating to Project Jason if you can.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Missing People on TV
I enclose below part of an email I was delighted to receive today, about the UK charity Missing People. I hope this program helps some families get information about their loved ones.
*****
I just wanted to let you know that if you or any of your colleagues want to get more of a flavour for Missing People, we will be featured daily on a month-long BBC One series, Missing Live, starting from next Monday (21 April) which is aired from 09:15 to 10:00 (so set those video recorders!).
The BBC has been delighted with the previous success of Missing (achieving the largest ever audience share for this time slot) and have now made the decision to go live. Each day there will be appeals for the missing provided by the charity, interviews with families and experts on the issue, as well as highlighting historic cases. A Missing People representative will be featured daily. Monday’s programme also kicks off with Missing People supporter Bob Geldof being interviewed.
There is a feature in today’s Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/portal/main.jhtml?xml=/portal/2008/04/18/ftmissing118.xml) about the series and you can also click here(http://www.missingpeople.org.uk/news-and-events/press/detail.asp?dsid=1406) to read full details about the series.
*****
I hope you will support the efforts of this charity and families of the missing, if you can.
*****
I just wanted to let you know that if you or any of your colleagues want to get more of a flavour for Missing People, we will be featured daily on a month-long BBC One series, Missing Live, starting from next Monday (21 April) which is aired from 09:15 to 10:00 (so set those video recorders!).
The BBC has been delighted with the previous success of Missing (achieving the largest ever audience share for this time slot) and have now made the decision to go live. Each day there will be appeals for the missing provided by the charity, interviews with families and experts on the issue, as well as highlighting historic cases. A Missing People representative will be featured daily. Monday’s programme also kicks off with Missing People supporter Bob Geldof being interviewed.
There is a feature in today’s Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/portal/main.jhtml?xml=/portal/2008/04/18/ftmissing118.xml) about the series and you can also click here(http://www.missingpeople.org.uk/news-and-events/press/detail.asp?dsid=1406) to read full details about the series.
*****
I hope you will support the efforts of this charity and families of the missing, if you can.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Like a Bride
I mentioned "The Butterfly Ball" before, well, this time it's "The Peacock Party". How beautiful is that creature, peeking demurely over his shoulder like a bride displaying her wedding dress and train to the gathered guests?I have a copy of "The Butterfly Ball", but unfortunately not "The Peacock Party" since a fire destroyed many of my favourite books a few years back. I can't even find the words online, which is a shame - I very much remember the image of the Eagle, which I drew a few times as a kid. It was a bit spooky, but not as much so as Old Blind Mole in "The Butterfly Ball" - he was creepy.
Monday, February 18, 2008
The cutest little guy I've ever seen
Isn't he just adorable? I was fascinated by the markings on the beak, which was already an unusual colour without the markings. What a sweet little duckling, and if that doesn't make you all go "aaaahhhhhh" then you are heartless. ;-)
Friday, February 08, 2008
Hail to the Pelican Paparazzi!
At the end of January I visited Florida, and saw my first pelicans, among other animals I will no doubt display here shortly.
I had a few friends with me, some of them photographers, and a funny sight we must have made as we crowded round one poor pelican, each waiting for 'the perfect pose'. My daughter laughed aloud to see this particular one, so I thought I'd share it.
Dedicated to all the Pelican Paparazzi - you know who you are, and I love you all.
I had a few friends with me, some of them photographers, and a funny sight we must have made as we crowded round one poor pelican, each waiting for 'the perfect pose'. My daughter laughed aloud to see this particular one, so I thought I'd share it.
Dedicated to all the Pelican Paparazzi - you know who you are, and I love you all.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
For my US Friends - Happy Thanksgiving
The Eagle
He clasps the crag with crooked hands;
Close to the sun in lonely lands,
Ring'd with the azure world, he stands.
The wrinkled sea beneath him crawls;
He watches from his mountain walls,
And like a thunderbolt he falls.
Alfred Tennyson
I took this photograph last year, and thought it might be appropriate to post it up for Thanksgiving, for my American buddies. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season.
"The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), our national bird, is the only eagle unique to North America. The bald eagle's scientific name signifies a sea (halo) eagle (aeetos) with a white (leukos) head. At one time, the word "bald" meant "white," not hairless."
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
URGENT appeal for help - Particularly USA Readers
There's not much I can say to add to what Kelly explains in her blog today. Please take a few minutes to send an email, or write a letter, to help this incredibly important organisation to survive.
http://voice4themissing.blogspot.com/2006/07/71006-matter-of-urgency.html
[Quote]
To Family Members and Friends of the Missing,
Monday, November 5th, 2007, might be remembered by those involved in the missing persons cause as a day in which a huge step backwards was taken. Unless something major breaks in the way of funding, this will be the day in which the National Center for Missing Adults (NCMA) will close their doors. Thousands of families will be affected, now and in the future.
Why is this happening?
The answer is complex, but in summary:
· The NCMA stepped up and assisted over 13,000 victims of Hurricane Katrina and was to be reimbursed for those expenditures, which were close to $250,000. At this time, the NCMA has only received $50,000 to cover the work they did at the request of the Dept. of Justice.
· The 2007 re-authorization of Kristen’s Law, (HR 423) which would provide the NCMA with up to $4 million per year in funding for 10 years, continues to remain in the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security committee, with no action taken to help the center. This re-authorization effort has been in the works unsuccessfully since 2005.
· As experienced not only by the NCMA, but by other national organizations, including ours, the public does not generally consider missing adults’ assistance nonprofits as a part of their charitable giving plans. Corporations are also hesitant to provide funding, and grant makers don’t seem responsive, either. This lack of support has also contributed to the problem.
What will save the NCMA at this late hour?
If an “angel” company or person comes forward who can help keep the center operating until the Kristen’s Law Re-authorization funds are released.
AND/OR
The DOJ immediately releases the funds owed to the NCMA from their work related to Hurricane Katrina.
What Can I Do?
I spent time talking with Kym Pasqualini, founder of the NCMA, late last night, and based upon the conversation, this is what she asks of you if you feel moved to help with a final effort.
· Kym feels that, out of all the national media, the person who could best help with exposure and a push for action is Larry King of CNN’s Larry King Live Show. She says that Larry’s show is watched by many members of congress and that he is not afraid to step on toes to get something accomplished. If she could get a spot on his show as soon as possible, she plans to talk candidly about the situation. If you can help with this step, please write to Larry King at larrykinglive@cnn.com and ask him to have Kym on as a guest immediately. Keep in mind that even if a spot on the show is not successful at moving congress or getting the Katrina reimbursement, it could reach the “angel” company or person as mentioned above.
· Contact Peter D. Keisler, acting Attorney General, and let him know how you feel about missing adults losing their national clearinghouse and resource. Mention the 2007 re-authorization of Kristen’s Law, (HR 423) You can also write to Vice President Dick Cheney at vice_president@whitehouse.gov The White House fax is 202-456-2461. Use AskDOJ@usdoj.gov to send correspondence to the Attorney General’s office.
· The webpage for the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security is http://judiciary.house.gov/committeestructure.aspx?committee=6 Once there, click on the names of the various members and be redirected to their own websites with contact information. You can also write to your congressman.
Time is quickly running out for this year’s session, so please send your letters right away.
[/quote]
http://voice4themissing.blogspot.com/2006/07/71006-matter-of-urgency.html
[Quote]
To Family Members and Friends of the Missing,
Monday, November 5th, 2007, might be remembered by those involved in the missing persons cause as a day in which a huge step backwards was taken. Unless something major breaks in the way of funding, this will be the day in which the National Center for Missing Adults (NCMA) will close their doors. Thousands of families will be affected, now and in the future.
Why is this happening?
The answer is complex, but in summary:
· The NCMA stepped up and assisted over 13,000 victims of Hurricane Katrina and was to be reimbursed for those expenditures, which were close to $250,000. At this time, the NCMA has only received $50,000 to cover the work they did at the request of the Dept. of Justice.
· The 2007 re-authorization of Kristen’s Law, (HR 423) which would provide the NCMA with up to $4 million per year in funding for 10 years, continues to remain in the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security committee, with no action taken to help the center. This re-authorization effort has been in the works unsuccessfully since 2005.
· As experienced not only by the NCMA, but by other national organizations, including ours, the public does not generally consider missing adults’ assistance nonprofits as a part of their charitable giving plans. Corporations are also hesitant to provide funding, and grant makers don’t seem responsive, either. This lack of support has also contributed to the problem.
What will save the NCMA at this late hour?
If an “angel” company or person comes forward who can help keep the center operating until the Kristen’s Law Re-authorization funds are released.
AND/OR
The DOJ immediately releases the funds owed to the NCMA from their work related to Hurricane Katrina.
What Can I Do?
I spent time talking with Kym Pasqualini, founder of the NCMA, late last night, and based upon the conversation, this is what she asks of you if you feel moved to help with a final effort.
· Kym feels that, out of all the national media, the person who could best help with exposure and a push for action is Larry King of CNN’s Larry King Live Show. She says that Larry’s show is watched by many members of congress and that he is not afraid to step on toes to get something accomplished. If she could get a spot on his show as soon as possible, she plans to talk candidly about the situation. If you can help with this step, please write to Larry King at larrykinglive@cnn.com and ask him to have Kym on as a guest immediately. Keep in mind that even if a spot on the show is not successful at moving congress or getting the Katrina reimbursement, it could reach the “angel” company or person as mentioned above.
· Contact Peter D. Keisler, acting Attorney General, and let him know how you feel about missing adults losing their national clearinghouse and resource. Mention the 2007 re-authorization of Kristen’s Law, (HR 423) You can also write to Vice President Dick Cheney at vice_president@whitehouse.gov The White House fax is 202-456-2461. Use AskDOJ@usdoj.gov to send correspondence to the Attorney General’s office.
· The webpage for the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security is http://judiciary.house.gov/committeestructure.aspx?committee=6 Once there, click on the names of the various members and be redirected to their own websites with contact information. You can also write to your congressman.
Time is quickly running out for this year’s session, so please send your letters right away.
[/quote]
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
How to be helpful
We can all do a little bit for helping others, with minimal effort.
I have written before about Project Jason, and am doing so again. They have joined an initiative for fundraising, where all you need to do is use a different search screen from your usual google page.
Read about it here:
http://voice4themissing.blogspot.com/2007/10/102107-no-cost-way-to-help-project.html
and support it here:
http://www.goodsearch.com/?charityid=857029
I have written before about Project Jason, and am doing so again. They have joined an initiative for fundraising, where all you need to do is use a different search screen from your usual google page.
Read about it here:
http://voice4themissing.blogspot.com/2007/10/102107-no-cost-way-to-help-project.html
and support it here:
http://www.goodsearch.com/?charityid=857029
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Probably a few years too late...
I should have bought one of these:
This post is to commiserate with the one person who has tried to handle the various personalities of a person regularly in pain. From the anger, the fear, the frustration and the resentment, to the intermittent highs and lows, G - I know you did your best.
This post is to commiserate with the one person who has tried to handle the various personalities of a person regularly in pain. From the anger, the fear, the frustration and the resentment, to the intermittent highs and lows, G - I know you did your best.
Monday, July 30, 2007
A rose, for romance.
I could go with the obvious Shakespeare quotation here, but decided not to.This rose is for romance, for beauty, and for memories.
This rose is for the one who sends me roses every day. Thank you.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Very Disappointing
I have long been a fan of the Foo Fighters, among other rock bands. They created one of my all time favourite songs with the beautiful "Walking After You", and have a wonderful sense of humour in many of their videos.
However, this week I learned something really tragic, that makes me view this group in a whole new light; a light that is less than flattering. On their website, the Foo Fighters promote the HIV denial website 'Alive and Well' (http://www.aliveandwell.org/)
This website presents "information that raises questions about the accuracy of HIV tests, the safety and effectiveness of AIDS drug treatments, and the validity of most common assumptions about HIV and AIDS." They give information such as "In a contagious epidemic, healthcare professionals working among the ill usually run the highest risk of contracting a disease. During the entire AIDS epidemic however, only 25 cases of AIDS have been reported among healthcare workers who claim occupational exposure as their only risk, and none of these 25 cases have been described in the medical literature. " (ignoring the reduction of risk of infection when these healthcare professionals can engage certain safe practices, such as safe sex, and protective wear when handling blood, etc).
These people encourage HIV sufferers to ignore medical advice, and abandon conventional medical treatments. The owner of the site is HIV positive, and since diagnosis has become pregnant twice. When asked for advice by a person whose partner's ex has been diagnosed, she advises "I think it’s important to clarify that AIDS is not passed from one person to another. Rather than being a disease, AIDS is a category of 26 conditions only some of which are contagious." .
Now, I completely understand that the Foo Fighters are nothing more than human, but I admit to falling into that easy trap of building a mental image of those we respect. When I listen to their music and lyrics, and watch the way they put a show together on stage, I imagine them to be intelligent, rational people. I built an image in my mind of a group of people who respect their fans, and who are literate enough to read and understand informative information about such issues as AIDS.
The discovery that they could be so ignorant of facts and irresponsible to their fanbase has been a cold wake up for me. They actually distribute "Alive and Well" leaflets at their gigs.
Finding this out a few nights ago was combined with another shock - that Matt Bellamy, the singer for Muse, believes that both 9/11 and 7/7 were not the work of terrorists, but rather actioned by the governments to create a false flag to support their desire for war. I can understand that people sometimes feel things don't quite add up, and feel suspicious about events as they unfurl. However, to ignore the vast amount of detailed information that exists, not least on the web, and promote that conclusion, is a disgrace. (Matt Bellamy was interviewed by leading 9/11 conspiracy theorist Alex Jones on this issue).
People in such public positions, with fanbases who may choose to take their words at face value, should really take that as a serious responsibility, and endeavour to check the facts of the case before promoting anything. I fail to see how either of these cases have been appropriately researched, because certainly the evidence to the contrary of what they suggest is massively overwhelming.
However, this week I learned something really tragic, that makes me view this group in a whole new light; a light that is less than flattering. On their website, the Foo Fighters promote the HIV denial website 'Alive and Well' (http://www.aliveandwell.org/)
This website presents "information that raises questions about the accuracy of HIV tests, the safety and effectiveness of AIDS drug treatments, and the validity of most common assumptions about HIV and AIDS." They give information such as "In a contagious epidemic, healthcare professionals working among the ill usually run the highest risk of contracting a disease. During the entire AIDS epidemic however, only 25 cases of AIDS have been reported among healthcare workers who claim occupational exposure as their only risk, and none of these 25 cases have been described in the medical literature. " (ignoring the reduction of risk of infection when these healthcare professionals can engage certain safe practices, such as safe sex, and protective wear when handling blood, etc).
These people encourage HIV sufferers to ignore medical advice, and abandon conventional medical treatments. The owner of the site is HIV positive, and since diagnosis has become pregnant twice. When asked for advice by a person whose partner's ex has been diagnosed, she advises "I think it’s important to clarify that AIDS is not passed from one person to another. Rather than being a disease, AIDS is a category of 26 conditions only some of which are contagious." .
Now, I completely understand that the Foo Fighters are nothing more than human, but I admit to falling into that easy trap of building a mental image of those we respect. When I listen to their music and lyrics, and watch the way they put a show together on stage, I imagine them to be intelligent, rational people. I built an image in my mind of a group of people who respect their fans, and who are literate enough to read and understand informative information about such issues as AIDS.
The discovery that they could be so ignorant of facts and irresponsible to their fanbase has been a cold wake up for me. They actually distribute "Alive and Well" leaflets at their gigs.
Finding this out a few nights ago was combined with another shock - that Matt Bellamy, the singer for Muse, believes that both 9/11 and 7/7 were not the work of terrorists, but rather actioned by the governments to create a false flag to support their desire for war. I can understand that people sometimes feel things don't quite add up, and feel suspicious about events as they unfurl. However, to ignore the vast amount of detailed information that exists, not least on the web, and promote that conclusion, is a disgrace. (Matt Bellamy was interviewed by leading 9/11 conspiracy theorist Alex Jones on this issue).
People in such public positions, with fanbases who may choose to take their words at face value, should really take that as a serious responsibility, and endeavour to check the facts of the case before promoting anything. I fail to see how either of these cases have been appropriately researched, because certainly the evidence to the contrary of what they suggest is massively overwhelming.
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