All posts by nedhamson

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

US: California extends citrus pest program

The California Department of Food and Agriculture extended a program aimed at slowing the onslaught of an insect and bacteria that are devastating US citrus plants.

The State will extend by four years the California Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Program, established in 2009 largely to guard against the advance of the Asian citrus psyllid.

The tiny bug is believed to carry a bacterial disease called huanglongbing, or greening disease, that is already responsible for causing $1.3 billion in damages to citrus crops in Florida. Experts know of no cure.

So far, California’s $2-billion citrus industry has yet to be hit. Growers hope to stop the pests in their tracks by coordinating with the State, reporting any outbreaks and agreeing to quarantines. To help efforts, citrus producers are expected to contribute $15 million this year to the prevention program.

The Asian citrus psyllid has been found in nine California counties, but huanglongbing has been detected only once. That was on a residential property in Hacienda Heights.

“We do not have the disease now, but we believe it’s just a matter of time,” said Steve Lyle, a spokesman for the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

via US: California extends citrus pest program.

The U.S. Visa Cancellation of Lebanese Citizens

Some mindless junk of excluding people by whim? White House will hear about this.

A Separate State of Mind | A Blog by Elie Fares

It’s a joyful moment for many when they get that American embassy employee to smile at them and tell them their visa request has been finally approved. I wouldn’t know since I’ve never had that happen to me.

For many, it is believed the struggle to get into the United States is almost done – what can go wrong now that you’ve got the paper work? Nothing, right?

Wrong.

For 3000 Lebanese, visiting the United States has become an impossibility for reasons no one knows. The people whose visas got cancelled belong to different Lebanese sects and religions: Christian, Muslim, Sunni, Shiites. They belong to different societal strata: businessmen and regular joes.

The U.S. Embassy in Lebanon has denied such numbers  (link), asserting that it is within the authority of the American State Department to cancel visas if information came to light after their issuance that would make the…

View original post 436 more words

Immigration Talk with a Mexican American: Republican George Will Says Detroit Go Bankrupt! It’s Your Fault! & Begins the Republican War on Minorities!

Let Detroit Go Bankrupt, but only the Black inner city, not the rich, white suburbs. The lines were drawn by Republican Governor Rick Snyder’s appointed Emergency City Financial Manager. The lines were carefully drawn, creating an island, similar to the island drawn by the broken levies around New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina.

The people of inner-city Detroit are crying, reaching out for help. Retirees who were the Brave Firefighters, Police and Teachers — are having their pensions ripped away with Hurricane-like forces, and we see these retirees pleading with their Republican Governor, begging him NOT to steal their promised pensions.

Yet, Republicans across America are patting Governor Snyder on the back and urging him to say NO. Don’t help Detroit. NO. Rip away their Pensions. Let them Suffer. Let them starve! It’s their own DAMN fault. They are greedy. They were in Unions. They voted for the wrong city leaders. Cut them off. That’s what they get. That’s what they deserve.

via Immigration Talk with a Mexican American: Republican George Will Says Detroit Go Bankrupt! It’s Your Fault! & Begins the Republican War on Minorities!.

Children Used on the Front-line of Islamist Demonstrations

Speechless at how extreme this appears to be

Egyptian Streets

Shocking footage has emerged of Egyptian children being dressed in white ‘death shrouds’ in preparation for their ‘martyrdom’ by pro-Morsi families in a large demonstration at Rabaa al-Adaweya.

The children were heard chanting pre-rehearsed lines and were seen carrying posters that say “I am ready to die!” during a short march.

This is not the first time that such images have emerged, however media and government attention over the issue remains spotty, as debates over politics have quickly overshadowed social problems plaguing Egypt.

Under both international and local law, using children under 18 years as a tool for politics and placing these children at severe risk of death or injury is illegal.

With an impending dispersion by the government of the pro-Morsi demonstration at Rabaa al-Adaweya, it is evident that the lives of hundreds, if not thousands, of children will be put at severe risk.

The National Council for Childhood…

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Children Used on the Front-line of Islamist Demonstrations | Egyptian Streets شوارع مصر

Shocking footage has emerged of Egyptian children being dressed in white ‘death shrouds’ in preparation for their ‘martyrdom’ by pro-Morsi families in a large demonstration at Rabaa al-Adaweya.

The children were heard chanting pre-rehearsed lines and were seen carrying posters that say “I am ready to die!” during a short march.

via Children Used on the Front-line of Islamist Demonstrations | Egyptian Streets شوارع مصر.

Weekend Gun Report: July 26-28, 2013 – NYTimes.com

An 8-year-old girl was wounded after someone inside her Stockton, Calif., home fired a sawed-off shotgun belonging to her mother, who was arrested Thursday night. A 9-year-old girl was wounded after her 5-year-old brother picked up a .22-caliber rifle and accidentally shot her in the chest in Oakdale, Minn., Friday night. A 13-year-old boy is on life support after being shot by a friend in Wickenburg, Ariz., Friday night; his father had left the gun with the kids while he went shopping.

A 14-year-old boy was shot in the head and critically wounded by a homeowner who mistook him for an intruder in the Marigny neighborhood of New Orleans La.

via Weekend Gun Report: July 26-28, 2013 – NYTimes.com.

Imported USA Stone fruit available for the first time in Australia

Following approval of a protocol in Australia, Fresh Produce Group have secured the rights to import stone fruit from California for the first time ever.This will be the first time shoppers in Australia will be able to buy peaches and nectarines in the winter period when they are out of season locally and can’t be grown.The approval couldn’t have come at a better time for Australian consumers with the fruit from California being in peak season with exceptional eating quality and appearance.

via Imported USA Stone fruit available for the first time in Australia.