Category Archives: human rights

Crazy Talk at the Republican Debate – The New York Times

It felt at times as if the speakers were no longer living in a fact-based world where actions have consequences, programs take money and money has to come from somewhere. Where basic laws — like physics and the Constitution — constrain wishes. Where Congress and the public, allies and enemies, markets and militaries don’t just do what you want them to, just because you say they will.

Source: Crazy Talk at the Republican Debate – The New York Times

“I got evicted from my apartment in the summer of 2011. I was…

“I got evicted from my apartment in the summer of 2011. I was working on commission as a real estate broker, and I hadn’t made a deal in a long time. I had master keys to a bunch of vacant apartments, so I slept in those for a while. But that came to an end when two prospective tenants walked in on me buck-naked at a unit in Harlem. I got out of the shower, and the superintendent was standing there with two African guys. Luckily they didn’t report me. After that I tried sleeping in the office. That worked for a couple years. My colleagues saw me so much that they joked about me sleeping there. They had no idea it was true. But they fired me for good in 2013 and deactivated my entry card. That’s when I started sleeping outside. I bought a gym membership so at least I’d have a place to shower. Last winter was the worst. The cold would get through the sleeping bag and I’d wake up feeling like somebody had hit my hands with a hammer. All night I’d pray for 6 AM because that’s when my gym would open.”

Source: “I got evicted from my apartment in the summer of 2011. I was…

Republican candidate Carson says Muslims unfit to be U.S. president | Reuters

Speaking to NBC on Sunday, Trump was asked whether he’d accept a Muslim president, and replied: “Some people have said it already happened.”

Source: Republican candidate Carson says Muslims unfit to be U.S. president | Reuters

German, Austrian political leaders call on EU for billions in refugee aid

German and Austrian political leaders have urged the EU to allocate billions in refugee aid to Syria’s neighbors to stem the exodus to Europe. Chancellor Angela Merkel’s interior minister wants stricter EU asylum rules.

Source: German, Austrian political leaders call on EU for billions in refugee aid

Nebraska’s Attempt to Import Execution Drug Halted in India | Death Penalty Information Center

A shipment of sodium thiopental, an anesthetic once widely used in executions, was recently stopped in India before it could reach Nebraska. The Indian distributor sold more than $50,000 worth of sodium thiopental to the state in May, but the shipment was stopped before leaving the country because of “improper or missing paperwork.” FedEx said it halted the shipment because it did not have Food And Drug Administration clearance: “As with any international importation of a drug, data about that shipment is transmitted to federal agencies in advance, including U.S. Customs and the Food and Drug Administration. If the shipment is authorized, we will deliver it to the recipient; if it is not, we will return it to the foreign shipper.” Nebraska purchased the drugs despite the FDA’s warning that importation of sodium thiopental for executions violates federal law. The FDA has consistently said that it will not allow execution drugs into the U.S. because the producers are not FDA-credited and the drugs are not approved for that purpose.Nebraska spent $54,400 to purchase enough drugs for 300 executions from the overseas supplier. After the shipment was halted, a state spokesperson confirmed that it does not have a usable supply of lethal injection drugs. Ten people are on death row in Nebraska, though the legality of their death sentences is being challenged based upon the legislature’s repeal of the state’s death penalty in May.

Source: Nebraska’s Attempt to Import Execution Drug Halted in India | Death Penalty Information Center

Dodger Icon Fernando Valenzuela Appointed Special POTUS Ambassador : LAist

President Obama appointed former Dodgers pitcher and current broadcaster Fernando Valenzuela to a position as “Presidential Ambassador for Citizenship and Naturalization” on Thursday.The appointment is part of the Obama administration’s new Stand Stronger program that aims to promote the rights and opportunities for lawful, permanent residents, and will help these eligible immigrants and refugees become U.S. citizens, the L.A. Times reports. Of the approximately 13.3 million lawful permanent residents living in the United States, 8.8 million of them are eligible to apply for citizenship, says the program’s fact sheet. Stand Stronger was just announced today on “Constitution and Citizenship Day,” a holiday that commemorates the signing of the Constitution on this day in 1787, has a really beautiful website to boot. Among the other celebrity ambassadors appointed by Obama are chef José André, actress Diane Guerrero, and musician Dave Matthews.

Source: Dodger Icon Fernando Valenzuela Appointed Special POTUS Ambassador : LAist

Japan’s parliament approves controversial security bill

Japan’s upper parliament has approved a contentious law that removes post-World War II curbs on troops fighting overseas. The issue has sparked protests from pacifists who question the need to join global conflicts.

Source: Japan’s parliament approves controversial security bill

So, who will die for Japan’s wannabe deja vu “warriors?”

CENSORED NEWS: Photos Navajo in Palestine: ‘Ethnic Cleansing: The Apartheid Wall’

By Dineh (Navajo) Farmer in Palestine Roberto NutlouisCensored News”They built a wall to try to keep terrorists out                                   And it becomes symbolic what terrorism’s about” (h. Salam)Spent the day taking with various communities impacted by the apartheid wall. They explained it as ‘Ethnic Cleansing’ by making their lives severely difficult and many communities have becomes ghost towns. The Beduin communities have collective decided to resist relocation. It demonstrates indigenous peoples deep connection to their lands are not easily uprooted.Beduin elders remind us this struggle is not isolated but rather part of the continued colonization.”The British brought settlers to your lands and they also sent them to our lands” — Roberto Nutlouis, Dineh in Palestine

Source: CENSORED NEWS: Photos Navajo in Palestine: ‘Ethnic Cleansing: The Apartheid Wall’

Census Data Show the Value of the Safety Net | National Women’s Law Center

Both the official poverty measure and the Supplemental Poverty Measure show there is still much more work to be done. As poverty rates remain high, especially for single mothers, women and children of color, elderly single women, and women with disabilities safety net programs continue to be essential. Programs like SNAP, Social Security, and tax credits for low-income families all help lift women and their children out of poverty and must be protected. However, if Congress doesn’t act to end the sequester, many already under-funded programs will face further cuts. Yesterday’s Census data confirm that investing in programs that help low-income families and children works, but that these programs need to be strengthened, not cut, as we continue to work to ensure that everyone has a way out of poverty.

Source: Census Data Show the Value of the Safety Net | National Women’s Law Center