All posts by nedhamson

Activist, writer, researcher, addicted to sharing information and facts.

Americans, Europeans oppose Syria intervention -poll | News , Middle East | THE DAILY STAR

The poll found 62 percent of Americans and 72 percent of Europeans believed their countries should avoid military intervention in Syria’s civil war, which has killed more than 100,000 people.

Only 30 percent of Americans and 22 percent of Europeans felt their countries should intervene in Syria.

In Turkey, which borders Syria, 72 percent said their country should stay out, while 21 percent favoured intervention.

In all regions, the survey found a hardening of attitudes against outside intervention, compared with last year.

via Americans, Europeans oppose Syria intervention -poll | News , Middle East | THE DAILY STAR.

Walgreen sending employees to insurance exchanges – Chicago Business Journal

Walgreen Co. is expected to announce on Wednesday that will provide payments to eligible employees for the subsidized purchase of health insurance beginning in 2014.

The Wall Street Journal said Walgreen’s (NYSE: WAG) plan would require employees to shop for coverage on a private health-insurance marketplace.

The move would make Walgreen’s one the largest employers yet to make major changes to its health insurance coverage for employees. Walgreen’s plan would affect roughly 160,000 employees, the Journal said.

Walgreen joins such companies as International Business Machines (NYSE: IBM), Time Warner Inc. (NYSE: TWX), Sears Holding Co. and Darden Restaurants Inc. (NYSE: DRI) in sending workers to private health insurance exchanges.

via Walgreen sending employees to insurance exchanges – Chicago Business Journal.

Israel closes al-Aqsa mosque to worshipers | Maan News Agency

Israeli troops forcibly entered the al-Aqsa mosque compound on Wednesday and deployed heavily around the entrances, preventing Palestinian worshipers from accessing the area, locals said.

Israeli troops entered the compound through the Moroccan Gate and the Chain Gate and denied all Palestinians, including women and chidlren, entry to the area.

Around 500 students who study at religious schools in the al-Aqsa compound were also denied access to their schools, witnesses said.

Meanwhile, a group of ultra-orthodox Jews were allowed entry to the area at around 8 a.m. through the Moroccan Gate. Dozens of Palestinian worshipers who were in the mosque hurled stones at the group, before being chased by Israeli forces.

via Israel closes al-Aqsa mosque to worshipers | Maan News Agency.

What an investigation of Racism in Lebanon revealed

Racism seems to exist all over the world, as does feeling inferior and afraid which often leads one to try and find something that makes you feel equal or superior – even if only superficially…

Hummus For Thought

France24 lead an investigation in Lebanon to try and find out whether domestic workers suffer abuse in Lebanon. I’m sure you already know the answer.

View original post 1,543 more words

Twelve thoughts I had while watching pro women’s beach volleyball this weekend

Fit and Feminist

This past weekend was about as perfect as weekends get when you are a feminist-minded fitness junkie like myself.  On Saturday, I ran my favorite 10K loop around a nearby lake, then went to a pole tricks class, which I enjoy not only for the way the class challenges me but also because of the fun, positive environment at the studio (which I will have to write about one day).  On Sunday, I finally hit my first 50-mile bike ride, the last 10 miles of which I did on my tri bike on the indoor trainer while watching episodes of “Roseanne” on TV Land.  It was a good weekend.

These were all wonderful, wonderful things, but the pinnacle of my weekend came Saturday afternoon, when Brian and I went to the AVP St. Pete Open, which was being held in Vinoy Park in downtown St. Petersburg.  The pro beach…

View original post 1,895 more words

Victor Jara: Music In Search of Justice 40 Years After His Murder · Global Voices

On the night of September 15, 1973, Victor Jara was picked out of a line of prisoners being led out from the Chile Stadium to the National Stadium, another detention centre, in the days following Pinochet’s coup. It was the last time he was seen alive by anyone except the military. On the morning of September 16, his bullet-ridden body appeared alongside those of six other victims just outside Santiago’s Cementerio General.

It took three decades for the Chilean justice system to identify the eight soldiers involved, and it is now requesting the extradition of one of them from the government of the United States.

It was weapons in the hands of members of Chile’s military that discharged the 44 bullets that killed Victor Jara. But the folk-singer became a legend in his homeland; and today, 40 years after the massacre, he is a major icon for musicians and their fans around the world.

Just last week, in his first concert in Chile, rocker Bruce Springsteen interrupted his usual repertoire to sing “Manifiesto”, one of Jara’s most emblematic songs. It was a tribute from one creative force to another, sealing once and for all the universal importance of the Chilean artist’s work. “If you are an activist and a musician, Victor Jara continues to be a great inspiration”, said Springsteen.

via Victor Jara: Music In Search of Justice 40 Years After His Murder · Global Voices.

The Gun Report: September 17, 2013 – NYTimes.com

25-year-old Debra Martin and her 3-year-old son were accidentally shot and wounded in Chilton County, Ala., Saturday night. Charles Martin, 27, the child’s father, told a police dispatcher he had just finished cleaning his handgun and was in the process of reloading it when it went off. No arrests will be made.

via The Gun Report: September 17, 2013 – NYTimes.com.