RHODE ISLAND RALLY ~ SOLIDARITY WITH WISCONSIN SAT FEB 26, 2011

We are all Wisconsin. We are all Americans. Rhode Island had two rallies to support the right to be in a union, freedom to bargain, Wisconsin Citizens and Wisconsin Democrats who have taken a stand to support "the right to exercise rights" wtihin a democracy. One rally was on Tuesday, February 22, 2011 and the other on Saturday, February 26, 2011. This video includes highlights of the Saturday Rally at the Rhode Island State House. Presented by Sandra Hammel

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Uploaded by me ~ ilovemylifesblog
Correction: Spelling on one side of my poster's last line...
Governor Walker. I was very much in a hurry when I did the sign.
I had to drive 45 minutes to get there and I was late in leaving by 10 minutes.

Notable ~ The organizer of the Rhode Island Saturday rally asked the attendees how many were Union members and almost all those attending were not Union members.

Rhode Island rally to support Wisconsin on Tuesday, February 22, 2011 ~ Photostream
More photos

Rights are called rights because they are rights.

Facebook.com/moveon

Twitter #WeAreWI

Comments will be moderated at my discretion. This is a support post for the cause expressed on this post. Those who differ may post their own posts on their own blogs or leave comments where they are accepted by the owner of the blog or website.

50 Photos from the 50 State Rallies to save the American Dream
(Saturday, February 26, 2011)

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Interview with Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker Sunday, February 27, 2011 with David Gregory on Meet the Press. Video of the interview at Meet the Press transcripts

Found the following at moveon.org

Posted by GabrieleSe

Original by Dietrich Bonhoeffer:

“First they came for the Communists, but I was not a Communist so I did not speak out.

Then they came for the Socialists and the Trade Unionists, but I was neither, so I did not speak out.

Then they came for the Jews, but I was not a Jew so I did not speak out.

And when they came for me, there was no one left to speak out for me.”

Then this posted by HollyandJohn ~

Perhaps the new version goes something like this:

First they came...

First they came for the car unions,
and I didn't speak out because I didn't work in Detroit.

Then they came for the air traffic controllers,
and I didn't speak out because I thought, yeah they are too entitled.

Then they came for the welfare mothers,
and I didn't speak out because I thought, yeah they are lazy, aren't they?

Then they came for the all the industrial workers,
and I didn't speak out because I thought, well, NAFTA could be good for me.

Then they came for the free press,
and I didn't speak out because I believed it was fair and balanced.

Then they came for everyone's savings and retirement money,
and I didn't speak out because I thought bubbles happen and deregulation will make me money.

Then they came for people with houses and predatory loans,
and I didn't speak out because they said greedy low-income people brought down the system.

Then they came for the right to an education,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a student or a teacher.

Then they came for those who organized to fight the rich,
and I didn't speak out because I believe them when they said it was about the budget.

Then they came for me
and there was no one left to speak out for me. show more

Then this posted by lillymouse ~

Then they came for the mentally ill
and I didn't speak out because I didn't have a problem and didn't know anyone who did.

Then they came for the sick, unable to afford treatment,
and I didn't speak out because I was healthy and had a job with what I thought was good health insurance.

Then they came for the old and disabled
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't either and I believed them when they said social security was broken and there was no way to fix it and we must all settle for less.

CARING FOR OTHERS IS THE RIGHT THING - VITRIOL IS NOT A STANDARD TO LIVE BY

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Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

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Vitriol appears all over the internet. Those who leave their vitriolic words in comments show what they carry around with them on the inside.

There are some on the internet who do the opposite and leave their words of love, compassion, empathy and joy. The energy that each of us puts out doesn't get stuck and dissipate - it continues to get passed on.

There are those who love to hate. Love to drop their anger here and there. Love to put on the outside what they have on the inside. And it doesn't take too many words to show what kind of life is going on inside. We have had "open season" with a lack of civility that goes into the realm of accepted hateful, bigoted, gun-loaded comments directed toward the President. I believe if someone assassinates President Obama, there will be gatherings of USA citizens who cheer.

Treating others the way you want to be treated~ the measuring standard to live by.

Vitriol is not a standard to live by.

Caring for others is the right thing.

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Video posted by a 72 year old of Hong Kong ~ ppmcsk

One comment left at Youtube with this video from shoretalk 55 year old from the USA:

Every single time that I see a video of Mary ... it hits that I won't ever see these three together again. Sadly, no one has stepped up to lead the next generation of bold freedom singers ... we are not about anger messages wrapped in hate rather than bold brave statements filled with love for all.

My reply to shoretalk ~

I appreciate your expression so well putting words to use for your thoughts: "we are not about anger messages wrapped in hate rather than bold brave statements filled with love for all". It is little gems like this thought that came from your heart onto this little comment box that keep the hope alive that good people saying positive things will hold the candle to all those who drop their little hate-filled and bigoted statements on the internet in places such as Youtube.

My Soapbox

Please watch the video and listen to Mary's little speech prior to the Bob Dylan song. Rep. Paul_Broun (R) of Georgia, who has called Obama a socialist, didn't immediately condemn a question asked at a town hall meeting: Who is going to shoot Obama? A response of silence is irresponsible. Leadership requires more than ignoring in the atmosphere that Broun has contributed to. The man would have reasonably believed that Broun would not admonish him. And "we" have turned our backs, "selective deaf" ears and "blind"eyes to “other” people's crisis-type of human rights being denied, such as in Darfur."We" are all we have to make a difference on this relatively little planet. What kind of person puts a head on your pillow every night? Justice doesn't take care of itself. Justice needs us to stand for justice. Stepping down now.

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Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

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PRETTY MARY ❧ SANDRA HAMMEL

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My advice ❧
Have many pictures of yourself taken when you are young,
because when you are old you will appreciate those pictures.

I uploaded this same video at three places: Facebook, Vimeo and Youtube.

I haven't had a video compress right for months at Youtube.
I uploaded this video twice and then removed it from Youtube. It is one thing to compress a whole minute off the original video, but to cut off the ending of the song is unacceptable outright.

Videos upload corrrectly at Facebook (the place for the best compression). Best screen size to view video by going to Facebook.
Second best is at Vimeo but this time the audio has glitches in the video even at Vimeo.

What I created, actually uploads correctly at Facebook every time. Youtube compresses the videos so much that any attention to the timing gets defeated here. Youtube cut off the ending entirely and overall cut one full minute out by bunching together the single jpegs at a much faster tempo than the original. This is no masterpiece, but still it would have been nice to get what was created. To add to my complaining: Youtube's limited choice of the display picture leaves a lot to be wanted. Facebook and Vimeo give you many choices for the display picture of your video.

Pretty Mary
Yes, there are ONLY 2 chords - F and B flat - in the original song of "Pretty Mary" and mostly only the F chord. I added C in the coda. Anybody can play this song.

Raw title: Sandra Pretty Mary without descant #1 720x480 4,3.mov

Update
I have "tricked" Youtube's compression software into including the song to the end by adding more visual on the end of my previously finished video. Youtube still compressed the original and subtracted two full minutes from the video. If you want to see the altered version...
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Uploaded by ilovemylifesblog

Raw title: Sandra w Beauty Once Known.mov ~ This is just for my sake.

MYBLOGLOG IS CLOSING AS OF MAY 24, 2011 ~ LOOKING FOR A BLOG FREE TRACKING SERVICE?

I am looking for a free blog tracking service that can do what MyBlogLog did, which basically is daily letting me know how many viewers I have on each post. Do you know what service is best? MyBlogLog sends you to YahooPlus. BUT YahooPlus does NOT offer blog tracking service.

Rarely does anyone leave me a comment, so I post and put the question out and will continue to look on my own.

I have found these three
www.google.com/analytics
statcounter.com
www.sitemeter.com

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I have pasted the following from the respective websites of these service providers ~

About ~ www.google.com/analytics

www.google.com/analytics/tour.html

(the video tutorial)

Enterprise-class web analytics made smarter, friendlier and free.

Google Analytics is the enterprise-class web analytics solution that gives you rich insights into your website traffic and marketing effectiveness. Powerful, flexible and easy-to-use features now let you see and analyze your traffic data in an entirely new way. With Google Analytics, you're more prepared to write better-targeted ads, strengthen your marketing initiatives and create higher converting websites.

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statcounter.com

What is STATCOUNTER?

A free yet reliable invisible web tracker, highly configurable hit counter and real-time detailed web stats. Insert a simple piece of our code on your web page or blog and you will be able to analyse and monitor all the visitors to your website in real-time!

· Free, Fast, Responsive, Quick loading and Reliable Service. (Why is it free?)

· Invisible Tracking - no ads on your website.

· Accurate real-time website statistics with detailed visitor tracking and analysis.

Register Now - It's Free (We promise!)

View Live Demo

Some of the stats and features we offer

Invisible Counter Option, Configurable Counter, Configurable Summary Stats, Magnify User, Drill Down, Popular Pages, Entry Pages, Exit Pages, Came From, Keyword Analysis, Recent Keyword Activity, Search Engine Wars, Visitor Paths, Visit Length, Returning Visits, Recent Pageload Activity, Recent Visitor Activity, Country/State/City Stats, Recent Visitor Google Map, ISP Stats, Browser Stats, O.S. Stats, Resolution Stats, JavaScript Stats, Email Reports, Multiple Site Management, User Access Management, Public Stats, Blocking Cookie

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www.sitemeter.com

This has a free account, but also accounts that charge monthly

www.sitemeter.com/flash

(tour - not audio)

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I found the information at this link: groups

A FAVORITE BAND - RICARDO LEMVO & MAKINA LOCA

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Mambo Yoyo
Congo - Angola
Uploaded by idamawatu

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Manuela
Uploaded by jessuatwork

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Samba Luku Samba
Note this song is not on the CD pictured for this video (Isabela), but on Ay Valeria!
Uploaded by CuidaoCuidao

I have another of their songs on my sidebar >

Check out their CD's and free listens to samples of many of their songs as mp3s at makinaloca
I love this one ~ Isabela
I own four of their CD's and have seen them live a couple of times. But they haven't come locally to Rhode Island for a few years now. They are based in LA.

USA NEEDS SEPARATION OF CORPORATE RICH AND GOVERNMENT ~ SIMILAR TO SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker

Pretending to be a Koch brother (David and Charles Koch finance Tea Party candidates and elected politicians), Ian Murphy talked to Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker today. Walker admits that his GOAL is to break the unions. That caller will be on The Last Word (MSNBC) tonight at 8:00 p.m. Source of the following: thelastword.msnbc.msn.com

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The phone conversation of the Koch/Murphy and Governor Scott Walker phone call February 22, 2011
Uploaded by TheBeastvideos

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The continuation of the Koch/Murphy and Governor Scott Walker phone call February 22, 2011
Uploaded by TheBeastvideos

When the embed of the interview is available, I will post here.

You may check videos of the show The Last Word: msnbc.msn.com

Scott Walker is the victim of an old-fashioned prank. Buffalo Beast editor Ian Murphy called the Wisconsin Governor on the phone yesterday, posing as conservative billionaire David Koch, a successful businessman and heavy financier of Republican causes.

He then coaxed Walker into a 20-minute chat in which he described his plans to bust state unions. The tape was secretly recorded and posted on the Buffalo Beast’s site.

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Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker reveals his secret standoff strategy in prank call

Firstread msnbc Walker-in-prank-call-this-is-our-moment

CONTACT Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker

Facebook
www.facebook.com/governorscottwalker
Twitter
@GovWalker
twitter.com/#!/govwalker

Email
govgeneral@wisconsin.gov

Mail
Office of Governor Scott Walker
115 East Capitol
Madison WI 53702

Phone
(608) 266-1212

Website:
walker.wi.gov

Wisconsin governor pranked by Koch brother impersonator

Source: firstread msnbc news/2011/02/23 Wisconsin-governor-pranked-by-koch-brother-impersonator

Domenico Montanaro writes:Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R), embroiled in a battle over public workers’ collective bargaining rights, was pranked by someone posing as conservative money man David Koch. The person, as identified by Mother Jones is Ian Murphy, works for the Web site Buffalo.Beast.com (which was down at last check, but Mother Jones also posted the audio.)

The Washington Post’s Greg Sargeant reports that he confirmed with the governor’s office that the call is, in fact, real, that Walker is the person on the call.

Walker reveals his strategy for dealing with Democrats in the state, including a plan to try and lure the 14 Democratic-state legislators back to the state, to talk at the state Capitol in an effort to move the legislation forward.

“But I’m not negotiating,” Walker says. The fake Koch and Walker joke about bringing a baseball bat to the meeting. "I have one in my office,” Walker says, “you'd be happy with that. I've got a slugger with my name on it."

Walker’s not the only politician to be pranked. Remember, Sarah Palin took a call from someone she thought was French President Nicolas Sarkozy. The caller was really from a Canadian morning show. (Audio here.)

*** UPDATE *** NBC News has also confirmed with Gov. Walker's office that the prank call is authentic. It is Walker. Here's a statement from his office:

The Governor takes many calls everyday. Throughout this call the Governor maintained his appreciation for and commitment to civil discourse. He continued to say that the budget repair bill is about the budget. The phone call shows that the Governor says the same thing in private as he does in public and the lengths that others will go to disrupt the civil debate Wisconsin is having.

Walker in prank call: 'This is our moment'

Source: firstread msnbc news 2011/02/23 Walker-in-prank-call-this-is-our-moment

From NBC's Michael Isikoff: Thinking he was talking to one of his major campaign backers, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker yesterday compared his stand against Wisconsin public employee unions to Ronald Reagan’s 1981 firing of the air traffic controllers, saying that it was a moment that changed the course of history and led to the fall of communism.

“This is our moment, this is our time to change the course of history,” Walker says, talking about his fight with the unions in a phone call that was secretly taped by a Buffalo man posing as billionaire oilman David Koch.

Walker’s office today confirmed that it was indeed the governor’s voice on the taped phone call.

In the conversation, the man posing as Koch — Buffalo Gonzo journalist Ian Murphy — says he’s got a “vested interest" in the success of the governor’s efforts and, when its all over, offers to fly Walker out to California and “show you a good time.”

“All right, that would be outstanding,” Walker says in response. “Thanks for all your support.”

Here are some excerpts from the closing portions of their 20 minute conversation, as transcribed by NBC News:

Walker recounts to Koch/Murphy a dramatic talk he gave to his Cabinet over dinner on the evening of Feb. 6, the Monday night after the Green Pay Packers victory over the Super Bowl. It was, Walker, says, the “last hurrah before we were going to drop the bomb.”

Walker notes that 30 years ago, Ronald Reagan — “whose hundredth birthday we just celebrated the day before — had one of the most defining moments of his political career when he fired the air traffic controllers. …That was the first crack in the Berlin Wall and the fall of communism because from that moment forward the Soviets and the Communists knew that Ronald Reagain wasn’t a pushover.”

“And I said, ‘this may not have as broad world implications, but in Wisconsin’s history, little did I know how big it would be nationally. This is our moment , this is our time to change the course of history.’”

Walker continues: “I had a cabinet meeting this morning. I reminded them of that – for those who thought I was being melodramatic."

At that point, Murphy posing as Koch says: “I tell you what Scott. Once you crush these bastards, I’ll fly you out to Cali and really show you a good time.”

“Allright, that would be outstanding," Walker replies. "Thanks for all the support and help ... moving the ball forward and we appreciate it. … We’re doing the just and right thing for the right reasons. Its all about getting our freedom back."

Murphy/Koch: “Absolutely, and you know, we have a little bit of vested interest as well” (he then laughs).

Walker: “That’s just it. The bottom line is were going to get the world moving here because it’s the right thing to do…Thanks a million.”

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Why Americans need unions now more than ever by Robert Creamer

IT'S HARD TO RALLY AN UPRISING ON FACEBOOK WHEN YOU LIVE IN REFUGEE CAMPS WITH NO COMPUTERS - SUCH AS IT IS FOR DARFURIS

INGREDIENTS OF A GENOCIDE:
PERPETRATORS, UNARMED CITIZENS,
A WORLD THAT TURNS THE OTHER WAY
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I made this video January 1, 2010
Things have not gotten better for the Darfuri people. President Obama gave us all indications that he would do better than he has regarding Darfur and genocidal regimes. His US Special Envoy Gration to Sudan has been nothing short of a disaster. Gration is slated to leave his Sudan post to be Obama's Envoy to Kenya.

It is unthinkable what President Obama has done regarding Darfur. How does he define terrorism? I believe genocide by a government on its own people is terrorism. But Obama has decided to remove Sudan and its President Omar al-Bashir from the state-sponsored terrorist list of the USA. Bashir is indicted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity. And Obama decides to reward him.

Before and following the Southern Sudan referendum (January 2011) to vote to become a separate country, the escalation of bombing of Darfur villages is ignored by Obama, as well as by the media.

It is hard to rally an uprising on Facebook when you live in makeshift camps with no running water, no electricity, no computers.

Since 2003, the world has turned its deaf ears and blind eyes to Darfuris.

"We can't say 'Never again' and then allow it to happen again." You know who said that? Answer: Barack Obama

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"CHANGE" and "HOPE" words Obama ran on for his candidacy of President. Imagine that. The Darfuris renamed their makeshift schools after him in the refugee camps. They believed him. Once.

Notice all the countries being reported on in the news recently on this map.
Sudan is next to Egypt which we have had news coverage on. Also in the news and on this map are Yemen, Jordan, Libya, Iran, Bahrain, Saudi Arabi and nearby, but not on this map: Tunisia.

Sudan is in this picture and NOT being reported on by our USA media.

COMMON FENCE MUSIC ~ PORTSMOUTH, RI ~ RUMBAFRICA ~ MUSIC FROM THE CONGO

Rumbafrica ♫ Saturday night, February 19, 2011.
Congo music at Common Fence Music (schedule)
Portsmouth, Rhode Island

I took my neighbor, who Tom was kind enough to give me a complimentary ticket for.

The sound is a bit distorted in the videos that domperro uploaded due the camera being too close to the speaker. They sounded much better at the venue....lots of fun.

Prior to the concert, in the afternoon, we had a dance workshop taught by the dancers of the band.

A few of us from the audience danced every chance we got, while others watched and listened.

Please support your local music venues. They won't make it without our support - our showing up.

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Uploaded by domperro

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Uploaded by Sandy McGee
portsmouth.patch
2:38

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Rumbafrica members are introduced
Uploaded by domperro

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Roderick Camelia's band - he is playing guitar in this video. Roderick played guitar at Common Fence Music, Portsmouth, Rhode Island with the band ~ Rumbafrica.
Uploaded by rcamelia

UPDATE February 24, 2011
The Portsmouth Patch - online news website - photos by Jennifer Balch
has posted 16 pictures from the Rumbafrica Common Fence Music night of music and dance.

Photos by Jennifer Balch

See all the photos at ~ rumbafrica-sounds-of-the-congo-come-to-common-fence-point

DARFUR, SUDAN ~ THE STORY THE MEDIA NEGLECTS DAY AFTER DAY ~ FEB 22, 2011

THE STORY MEDIA and PRESIDENT OBAMA NEGLECT DAY AFTER DAY. A story untold, news unreported STILL GOES ON and on and on.....since 2003. Eight years and counting. The holocaust lasted 12 years. Four years to go at this rate and Darfur will be the longer genocide.

On a Whitehouse conference call within the last two weeks, it was confirmed that President Obama is removing the genocide-supporting government of Sudan from the USA state-sponsored terrorist list. He has changed. "Change" with Obama has turned out to be nothing like he said he would be.

As I said in my letter to him (Dear President Obama - Defing Terrorism in Terms of Genocide and Darfur ):

Obama has betrayed the Darfur people, including most recently waiving the protection for Darfuris created in an agreement ~ The Darfur Peace and Accountability Act- DPAA (Darfur_Peace_and_Accountability_Act explained) (H.R. 3127/S. 1462). This apparently has been done so that the USA can remove Sudan from a USA list of state sponsors of terrorism. This is WHILE the Sudan government bombs Darfur civilians because of their ethnicity, which amounts to a state sponsored terrorism all by itself. Rightly so, Senator Obama complained that Bush was selling out Darfur. And at that time, Senator Obama was proud of forcing linkage via DPAA to justice being done regarding Darfur. Obama, as President, is waiving the requirements within the DPAA to protect Darfuris.

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Darfur Liberation Forces continue to report ongoing bombing

By Radio Dabanga

22 Feb 2011

Darfur rebels claim that bombing is ongoing in central Darfur. The alliance of the Liberation factions (Sudan Liberation Movement - Abdel Wahid, Sudan Liberation Movement – Minni Minawi, and Karbino) said that bombing is still ongoing in areas of Jebel East and around Shangil Tobaya. The aerial attacks have been reported for weeks now.

Ibrahim Suleiman Abdullah, speaking from the field behalf of the alliance of Liberation Forces, told Radio Dabanga that the air strikes targeted the civilian populations in Wadi Mora and some of the villages there. They also caused death among the livestock and caused thousands flee.

Ibrahim described the situation of civilians who fled the bombing as very bad, noting that some fled from areas of Jebel East into Wadi Mora. They are awaiting the arrival of UNAMID and humanitarian organizations to save them, Ibrahim told Radio Dabanga.

Meanwhile, the UNAMID peacekeepers reported aerial bombardment near Sortony, approximately 110km west of El Fasher, North Darfur, Sunday at around 1730hrs.

UNAMID sent an assessment mission to Wadi Mora. The Mission “continues to evaluate the findings” of the Mission. The peacekeeping mission has not made any of its reports public, but it disclosed in a press statement yesterday that the team found “a number of villages were abandoned, and a large number of their inhabitants have moved to Tawilla and Zamzam camps.”

Rebels warn UN against using Darfur airfields

31000 new arrivals at Zamzam Camp following Darfur bombing

Bombing east of Jebel Marra kills 3 women, 2 children

Antonov drops bomb near Darfur village; no casualties

Radio Dabanga

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31,000 new arrivals at Zamzam Camp following Darfur bombing

By Radio Dabanga

ZAMZAM CAMP

21 Feb 2011

About 31.000 displaced people arrived at Zamzam Camp during the past days, fleeing from Shangil Tobaya Camp and the surrounding villages following aerial bombardment there on 17 and 18 February.

A witness in Zamzam described the conditions of the thousands of newly displaced people as “very bad”. He said there is no process to record their arrival or provide them with any food or tents for shelter.

Cases of diarrhea have emerged among children of the new arrivals, the witness at Zamzam told Radio Dabanga.

One of the leaders of Zamzam Camp appealed to international organizations and the United Nations to immediately intervene and provide humanitarian and medical aid to the tens of thousands of newly displaced people in the camp. In remarks broadcast today on Radio Dabanga, the leader described the situation of the new arrivals as grave.

Last Saturday, UN-African Union peacekeeping mission said there was a “recrudescence” (worsening) of violence in the areas where these 31.000 people have fled from. The UNAMID chief issued a statement saying he was “particularly disturbed about reports of the most recent recrudescence of violence between Government of the Sudan soldiers and a combined group of elements from several rebel movements, in the region of Shangil Tobaya, 66 kilometers south west of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur.”

Darfur Liberation Forces continue to report ongoing bombing

Rebels warn UN against using Darfur airfields

Militias loot village and new IDP camps near Shangil Tobaya

Bombing east of Jebel Marra kills 3 women, 2 children

Radio Dabanga

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South Sudan clashes force 20,000 to flee: official

Source: afp

Thu Feb 17, 2011

JUBA, Sudan (AFP) – Over 20,000 people fled clashes last week between rebels and the army in south Sudan's troubled Jonglei state in which over 200 people died, a senior official said on Thursday.

"People have run from the fighting, and 20,000 people have been displaced," said Stephen Kuol, Jonglei's state education minister, releasing the findings of an assessment mission to the devastated Fangak region in which he took part...

...Many of the victims -- the majority of them civilians -- reportedly drowned in a river as they tried to escape the two days of fighting.

Kuol, who comes from the area and who helped to bury some of the victims in mass graves, said he witnessed "floating corpses" following the violence last week, which he described as "mass butchery."

Several officials in the county administration died, as well as the deputy head of both the prison and army based in the area, Kuol said.

Followers of the renegade southern general George Athor are accused of carrying out the attacks, which broke a ceasefire many had hoped would end the conflict.

They came just days after formal confirmation of the results of the January 9-15 referendum on southern independence, in which almost 99 percent of southerners voted to split with the north...

...Analysts have said that maintaining security in the fledgling southern nation, which is due to win international recognition in July, will be a major challenge. Read the full article: Source: afp

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Noteworthy

Official date January 30, 1933 - the Beginning of the Holocaust.

The lead up and the ending

After the 1932 elections it became clear to the Nazi leaders that they would never be able to secure a majority of the votes and that they would have to rely on other means to gain power. Leading up to the 1933 elections, the Nazis began intensifying acts of violence to wreak havoc among the opposition. At the same time, with cooperation from local authorities, they set up camps as concentration centers within Germany. One of the first was Dachau, which opened in March 1933. These early camps were meant to hold, torture, or kill only political prisoners, such as Communists and Social Democrats. Eventually, the Nazis imprisoned Jews, Gypsies, Jehovah's Witnesses, homosexuals, critical journalists, and other undesirables.

These early prisons, usually basements and storehouses, were eventually consolidated into full-blown, centrally run camps outside of the cities and somewhat removed from the public eye. By 1942, six large extermination camps, located in Nazi-occupied Poland, had been established.After 1939, with the beginning of the Second World War, the concentration camps increasingly became places where the non-political enemies of the Nazis, including Jews and POWs, were either killed or forced to act as slave laborers, and kept undernourished and tortured.

The holocaust ended in specific places when the Allies liberated the camps in 1944-1945. The official end to the holocaust did not come until the end of WWII and all German troops surrendered.

The holocaust ended in specific places when the Allies liberated the camps in 1944-1945. The official end to the holocaust did not come until the end of WWII and all German troops surrendered.

December 28 1945

"We heard a loud voice repeating the same words in English and in German: "Hello, hello. You are free. We are British soldiers and have come to liberate you." These words still resound in my ears." Hadassah Rosensaft, inmate of Bergen-Belsen.

CARY GRANT and DEBORAH KERR ~ AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER

I like this movie very much. This is a remake of Love Affair the 1939 release and it was remade again after this version. I have only seen this one and the third one called Love Affair with Annette Bening and Warren Beatty.

According to TCM, Turner Classic Movies, this is the favorite version of the three versions. Starring Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr.
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An Affair to Remember (1957) - Ending scene 1/2
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An Affair to Remember (1957) - Ending scene 2/2
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This is a romantic movie, with no sex, and the most sensual scene with a kiss. we only see fully clothed people standing on a staircase and only see their legs, arm and hand movement momentarily. And yet it is a scene that leaves me fully satisfied and thrilled.

Cary Grant was born Archibald Alexander Leach (January 18, 1904 – November 29, 1986) was an English-American actor. Apparently he was more romantically successful in his career than in real life. He was married five times.

According to wikipedia ~
Archibald Alexander Leach was born in Horfield, Bristol, to Elsie Maria Kingdon (1877–1973) and Elias James Leach (1873–1935). An only child, he had an unhappy childhood, attending Bishop Road Primary School. His mother had suffered from depression since the death of a previous child. Her husband placed her in a mental institution, and told his nine-year-old son only that she had gone away on a "long holiday"; it was not until he was 31 that Grant discovered her alive, in an institutionalized care facility. For more from wikipedia click on the post title.

Cary Grant (articles about Cary Grant at this link) and previews of two books coming out, one by his only child, Jennifer Grant (released May 3, 2011) and one by Jennifer's mom and Cary's fourth wife, Dyan Cannon (released September 13, 2011).

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An Affair to Remember fan tribute ~ Face to Face
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THE JOY OF THE GIFT OF A VOICE ~ BRIAN STOKES MITCHELL

THE JOY OF EXPERIENCING THIS VOICE IS BEYOND THE COMMON

Often, I need moments that touch my soul deeply while lifting me.

Every day, if possible, I need moments like I get while listening to Brian Stokes Mitchell singing,"sculpting", making art out of this song. And the lyrics are great even without his delivery. However, Mr. Stokes takes this composition and turns it into musical, soulful art.

Thank goodness, he chose to be a singer.

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This song is special, but I have never heard it done better than by Brian Stokes Mitchell and it is delivered anew each time I have heard him sing The Impossible Dream.
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The Impossible Dream as sung at Ted Kennedy's Celebration Ceremony August 28, 2009 at the Kennedy Library.
This misses the first three lines ~
To dream the impossible dream
To fight the unbeatable foe
To bear with unbearable sorrow
Uploaded by OhTheBill

To see and hear the entire song as Mr. Mitchell sang it at Edward "Ted" Kennedy's memorial service, you may click on this link and slide it to the 2:20:40 mark: tedkennedy.org/pages/video_celebration_of_life_memorial_service

The Impossible Dream

To dream the impossible dream
To fight the unbeatable foe
To bear with unbearable sorrow
To run where the brave dare not go

To right the unrightable wrong
To love pure and chaste from afar
To try when your arms are too weary
To reach the unreachable star

This is my quest
To follow that star
No matter how hopeless
No matter how far

To fight for the right
Without question or pause
To be willing to march into Hell
For a heavenly cause

And I know if I'll only be true
To this glorious quest
That my heart will lie peaceful and calm
When I'm laid to my rest

And the world will be better for this
That one man, scorned and covered with scars
Still strove with his last ounce of courage
To reach the unreachable star.

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Brian Stokes Mitchell, when speaking at a college on the Northeast, displays how The Impossible Dream, from the Broadway show Man of La Mancha, is musically written with peaks and valleys, just as the character sings about. Uploaded by Smilez6711

For more information ~ Brian Stokes Mitchell

COLIN FIRTH ~ TOM FORD'S A SINGLE MAN ~ USES THE VISUAL MEDIUM IN A MOST ARTFUL WAY

I saw The King's Speech during the Christmas holidays and I did like it very much. But it seems good things can be talked about so much that they lose some of their vitality just because they are over exposed.

Then there are other gems, that don't get the attention that they deserve...are under-appreciated by the "masses". A Single Man is one of those movies.

Awards

Synopsis

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"A few times in my life I've had moments of absolute clarity, when for a few brief seconds the silence drowns out the noise and I can feel rather than think, and things seem so sharp and the world seems so fresh. I can never make these moments last. I cling to them, but like everything, they fade. I have lived my life on these moments. They pull me back to the present, and I realize that everything is exactly the way it was meant to be."

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Piers Morgan tonight asked Colin Firth if The King's Speech is his favorite movie that he has been in....and not really wanting to lock himself in, especially because he has more movies in the future....he said, maybe, then he mentioned A Single Man as perhaps the other movie that stands out for him.

It is beautifully done...Tom Ford's directorial debut. A Single Man is based on the novel of the same name by Christopher Isherwood. The film stars Colin Firth, Julianne Moore, Nicholas Hoult and Matthew Goode. The screenplay was adapted by Tom Ford and David Scearce.

Kenny and George talk and go swimming in A Single Man
Kenny: So all your experience is useless?
George: No, I wouldnt say that. As our friend Mr. Huxley says: Experience is not what happens to a man; it is what a man does with what happens to him.

Another A Single Man clip can be found by clicking the post title.

PRESIDENT OBAMA IS OFF IN THE DITCH REGARDING DARFUR ~ FEBRUARY 2011

The House of Representatives is expected to vote TOMORROW on unprecedented humanitarian aid and disaster assistance cuts.

Just how much is at stake? $1.7 billion of life-saving humanitarian aid are on the chopping block -- funding that directly impacts the lives of millions of Sudanese and Darfuri people.

Contact your representative TODAY and urge him or her to vote against these drastic cuts.

My email to my Congressman ~

February 16, 2011

Dear US RI Representative Cicilline,

I organized the Rhode Island Torch Relay which was one of many around the country and the world. The Rhode Island Torch Relay took place October 27, 2007. I was grateful that you as Mayor of Providence agreed to and spoke at this event in the Ceremony portion that took place at the Rhode Island State House on a rainy afternoon. The t-shirts for that day were made and read “I Carry the Torch for Darfur”. I have posted some of this Ceremony on youtube. I know your heart is in the right place regarding preventing and ending genocide and ask you to vote against the cuts of humanitarian aid that assist in saving lives of Darfuri people that have lived in refugee camps since 2003 trying to escape a Sudanese government-sponsored genocide against the unarmed people of the Darfur region. This aid impacts lives of millions of Sudanese, Darfuri people.

Violence in Darfur is on the rise. We simply cannot afford to cut aid for millions of refugees in one of the world’s most volatile regions at this time.

Proposed cuts in programs that provide life-saving aid to Darfur and all of Sudan include:

$431,000,000 in International Disaster Assistance
$582,000,000 in Migration and Refugee Assistance
$687,000,000 in the Food for Peace Program

These severe reductions run counter to the United States’ commitment to peace in Darfur and Sudan. Funding should be restored to these critical accounts that support Sudan. I ask you, US RI Representative Cicilline, to vote NO on passage of House Bill 1.

Thank you for your making decisions based upon principle.

I look forward to your reply and would like to sit down to talk with you about this defining issue.

Sandra Hammel

Use Your Voice to Stop Genocide RI

Genocide will only stop with us demanding it - Our leaders have taught us this

"The most important things belong first, not last or never."

Words of the Earth by Cedric Wright

If you want peace, work for justice
إذا كنت تريد السلام ، أعمل من أجل العدالة

President Obama: 202-456-1111 or 1-800-GENOCIDE

Another action you can easily

take:

Join me in urging the Obama administration to ramp up its effort in support of peace in Darfur.

Read Sudan Now’s Roadmap for Peace in Darfur.

Third action - a VERY important action:

Targeting: The President of the United States
Started by: Operation Broken Silence

The information about this petition ~

The White House announced on February 10, 2011 that U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan Scott Gration has been elected to become the new U.S. Ambassador to Kenya. The removal of Gration from Sudan will leave the special envoy post vacant. Seeing a dramatic rise in violence and genocidal attacks against civilians in Darfur as well as months worth of work remaining in south Sudan to ensure a democratic, secure, and peaceful transition for the world's newest nation, a seasoned diplomat needs to...

The White House announced on February 10, 2011 that U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan Scott Gration has been elected to become the new U.S. Ambassador to Kenya.

The removal of Gration from Sudan will leave the special envoy post vacant. Seeing a dramatic rise in violence and genocidal attacks against civilians in Darfur as well as months worth of work remaining in south Sudan to ensure a democratic, secure, and peaceful transition for the world's newest nation, a seasoned diplomat needs to immediately replace current Special Envoy Gration to help put Sudan back on the road towards peace.

This petition calls for the following:

1. President Obama to appoint a new, U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan, one who is seasoned diplomat experienced in conflict prevention/resolution, African affairs, as well as Sudan itself.

2. The new U.S. Special Envoy to enforce the abandoned U.S. Sudan policy of a balanced approach regarding pressures and incentives. Implementation has been largely incentives-based and rewarded a regime which is guilty of genocide.

3. The new U.S. Special Envoy to immediately focus on ensuring peace negotiations for Darfur take place outside of Sudan, reinvigorating Darfur peace negotiations, engaging civil society in both south Sudan and Darfur so that their voices may be heard concerning peace efforts and the issues which plague them, fight to empower UNAMID to better protect civilians in Darfur, and heavily push for a democratic, secure, and peaceful transition of southern Sudan into a sovereign state.

Sign the petition to tell President Obama to appoint the right diplomat to Sudan who will implement the right policy

Spread the word, post to Facebook/Twitter, and help speak out for those in Sudan who should be oppressed no more.

Click the post title for Our Humanity in the Balance website