Category Archives: Viva!

Living in Spain: Whether from Romania, Peru or Morocco, which way will the new Spaniards vote? | In English | EL PAÍS – Left!

Moroccans make up the bulk of the applicants who successfully obtain Spanish citizenship – 19,904 last year. Annas Merabet, a 43-year-old translator who works at the Madrid Superior Court of Justice and has been living in Spain for 24 years, says that Moroccans tend to vote left. “The more-educated ones lean toward Podemos, and the less-educated ones toward the Socialist Party, which they identify with Morocco’s Socialist Union of Popular Forces, while the PP to them is the equivalent of the Islamist parties, from the moderate ones all the way to DAESH,” she explains. Merabet also adds a thought about Islamist terrorism: “Nations’ involvement in the Syrian conflict makes them a target, and Spain is selling weapons. As long as Islam is not disassociated from Saudi Arabia, as long as Spain does not take Islamic religion seriously and control the training of imams, there will be jihadists.” Meanwhile, Bolivians, Peruvians, Ecuadorans and Latinos in general feel closer to Podemos and the Indignados movement, says José Luis Salvatierra, editor of Ocio Latino magazine. “We are more active, we’ve made many revolutions, we’re accustomed to taking streets and squares,” he says. But not everyone is convinced. “We can’t arrive here and start asking for homes, cars and a paid education; nor can we believe that we’ll get those things just because Podemos is promising it,” says a worker at the Colombian Chamber of Commerce in Madrid who declined to give her name. “What is happening here has already happened in Colombia: [Álvaro] Uribe won because the country was sick and tired of the narcs and corrupt liberalism. He made promises and he won. People here are sick of corruption and of the crisis, and they will vote with their gut.”

Source: Living in Spain: Whether from Romania, Peru or Morocco, which way will the new Spaniards vote? | In English | EL PAÍS

WitnessLA.com » Blog Archive » Bribery-Taking LA County Deputy Gets a Surprise Sentence, Causing Some to Ask What it Means for High Profile Sentences Still to Come

On Monday morning, after everyone else had finished speaking, and it was time for the Anderson to hand down a sentence, Anderson’s expression was grave. He spoke of“the seriousness of this offense,” the bribery itself, and “the fact that the offense involved repeated” behavior. And, then, although Michel wasn’t charged with anything more than the single count of bribery, Anderson brought up the physical abuse visited on inmates, that Michel had testified about twice in his courtroom, (Anderson presided over all four of the obstruction of justice trials.)The defendant was a law enforcement officer, said Anderson. “He broke his solemn vow to uphold the law…victimized those he was sworn to protect… abused the public trust….Not only did he bring shame on the sheriff’s department, but on law enforcement in general.”Then after a long pause Anderson got to the point. “The court finds that the defendant’s conduct does require a period of incarceration.”Physical abuse of inmates, Anderson said, was “rampant and unchecked” and “went all the way to the top of the department.”Department members “behaved no better than the inmates they were assigned to guard.”Thus, due to the “need for deterrence,” and for “a sentence that reflects the seriousness of the offenses….six months of incarceration is appropriate.”Anderson gave Michel a little over a month to get his affairs in order, telling him he must self-surrender by noon on July 26.

Source: WitnessLA.com » Blog Archive » Bribery-Taking LA County Deputy Gets a Surprise Sentence, Causing Some to Ask What it Means for High Profile Sentences Still to Come

Video: Tearful Lady Gaga Calls Orlando Shooting ‘An Attack On Humanity Itself’: LAist

Lady Gaga told the crowd gathered: “I can’t help but feel that this level of hatred, like all prejudicial crimes, this is an attack on humanity itself. This is an attack on everyone. “Tonight I gather humbly with you as a human being in peace and sincerity, in commitment and solidarity, to take a real moment and mourn the tragic loss of these innocent, beautiful people. Let’s all today pledge an allegiance of love to them and to their families who are suffering so deeply.” “But tonight I will not allow my anger and outrage over this attack to overshadow our need to honor those who are grieving truly for their lost ones. Lost members of the LGBT community. I hope you know that myself and so many are your allies. Not only me, but everyone here. We represent the compassion and the loyalty of millions of people that believe in you. You are not alone. You are not alone. “Tomorrow I hope that we all race thoughtfully and loudly toward solutions. But tonight and right now, Orlando we are united with you. And we are here to remember.”

Source: Video: Tearful Lady Gaga Calls Orlando Shooting ‘An Attack On Humanity Itself’: LAist

Pablo Iglesias: “After I am prime minister, I’ll walk away from politics”

Pablo Iglesias’ office, located on Madrid’s Princesa street, seems more suited to an administrative assistant than to the secretary general of Podemos, Spain’s second party according to the latest opinion polls. It is unclear whether he’s just moved in – it’s almost as though the provisional look of this place were an allegory for his own political situation. Iglesias is a leader in a state of flux who heads a party of morphing ideology.<a href=”http://elpais.com/elpais/2016/06/14/inenglish/1465897947_663542.html

Source: Pablo Iglesias: “After I am prime minister, I’ll walk away from politics”

Thinking About Hillary — A Plea for Reason — Medium

My current conviction is that the main fuel that powers the anti-Hillary crowd is sexism. And yes I’m serious. So go ahead and roll your eyes. Get it over with. But I think the evidence supports my view, and I’ve seen no other plausible explanation. And just to be clear, I don’t think it’s ONLY sexism. But I do think that this is the primary force that has generated and maintained most of the negative narratives about Hillary.

Source: Thinking About Hillary — A Plea for Reason — Medium

yuck – frankenfood recall – let us eat bad food not!

Class I Recall 048-2016 Health Risk: High Jun 13, 2016 Congressional and Public Affairs  Richard J. McIntire (202) 720-9113   WASHINGTON, June 13, 2016 — Asian Jade Customs Brokerage, a Springfield Gardens, N.Y. firm, is recalling approximately 762 pounds of imported sausage products that were not presented at the U.S. point of entry for inspection, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. Without the benefit of full inspection, a possibility of adverse health consequences exists. The heat-treated, shelf-stable, ready-to-eat dried pork sausage items were imported on June 3, 2016. The following products are subject to recall: [View Labels (PDF Only)] 5.29-lb. cases containing 4.23-oz. plastic wrapped packages of “SOKOLOW PORK KABANOS/ KABANOSY FRANCUSKLE.” The products subject to recall bear the Polish establishment number PL 30090201 WE, and lists the use by date “18/08/2016” and “Lot No. 61391  61411  13,” on the back of the package. The products subject to recall were produced between May 18 and 20, 2016 in Poland. These items were shipped to a distributor and retail locations in New Jersey and New York.                                  The problem was discovered by FSIS personnel during routine failure to present shipment monitoring activities and subsequent investigation. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about a reaction should contact a healthcare provider.   Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

Highlights From Hillary Clinton’s Speech – The New York Times

Here are the highlights: • Mrs. Clinton, invoking a “nightmare that’s become mind-numbingly familiar,” said it was “not a day for politics.” The shooter may be dead, she said, “but the virus that poisoned his mind remains very much alive.” • Mrs. Clinton said that despite some progress in combating Islamic State forces on the ground in Iraq and Syria, the group would “seek to stage more attacks” wherever it could. She pledged to make the targeting of “lone wolves” a top priority as president. • Noting that the shooter in Orlando, Fla., had been on the F.B.I.’s radar, Mrs. Clinton said the country required “more resources for this fight” and called for the removal of “weapons of war” from the streets. • Mrs. Clinton, noting the acrimonious national debate over guns, said everyone should be able to agree that “If the F.B.I. is watching you for suspected terrorist links, you shouldn’t be able to just go buy a gun.” • Mrs. Clinton said it was “long past time” for the governments of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait to stop allowing their citizens to finance extremists. • Mrs. Clinton, observing that the shooting targeted a gay nightclub, said that “an attack on any American is an attack on all Americans.” Addressing gay Americans, she said, “You have millions of allies who will always have your back. And I am one of them.” • Seeking to contrast her approach with the self-promotional impulses of Donald J. Trump, Mrs. Clinton said America was “not a land of winners and losers,” calling it “a country of ‘we,’ not ‘me.’” • Mrs. Clinton called to mind the sense of national unity after the Sept. 11 attacks, reminding voters that President George W. Bush quickly “sent a message of unity and solidarity” to Muslims. “It is time to get back to the spirit of those days,” she said, “the spirit of 9/12.”

Source: Highlights From Hillary Clinton’s Speech – The New York Times

Bougainville Women Turn Around Lives of ‘Lost Generation’ | Inter Press Service

Nowadays, youths struggle to improve their lives and find a job because they are traumatised. During the Crisis, young people grew up with arms and knives and even today they go to school, church and walk around the village with knives,” Tagu explained. Tens of thousands of children were affected by the decade-long conflict, which erupted after demands for compensation for environmental damage and inequity by landowners living in the vicinity of the Panguna copper mine in the mountains of central Bougainville were unmet. The mine, majority-owned by Rio Tinto, a British-Australian multinational, opened in 1969 and was operated by its Australian subsidiary, Bougainville Copper Ltd, until it was shut down in 1989 by revolutionary forces. The conflict raged on for another eight years after the Papua New Guinea Government blockaded Bougainville in 1990 and the national armed forces and rebel groups battled for control of the region. Many children were denied an education when schools were burnt down and teachers fled. They suffered when health services were decimated, some became child soldiers and many witnessed severe human rights abuses. Tagu was in fifth grade when the war broke out. “There were no schools, no teachers and no services here and we had no food to eat. I saw people killed with my own eyes and we didn’t sleep at night, we were frightened,” he recalled. Trauma is believed to contribute to what women identify as a youth sub-culture today involving alcohol, substance abuse and petty crime, which is inhibiting some to participate in positive development.

Source: Bougainville Women Turn Around Lives of ‘Lost Generation’ | Inter Press Service

My Father is an Indian, My Mother a Nepali, and I’m a ‘Stateless’ Child: Apsana – The Ladies Finger – “Racism, sexism, religious bias have no boundaries!”

I am twenty-six now, which is a common age for a girl to get married in my community. I might marry soon. And once I get married to a Nepali guy, I know I will be qualified enough to apply for the citizenship of this country. This constitution gives more credentials to a Nepali man than a Nepali woman despite holding the same citizenship certificates. My husband, a Nepali man, will be the person who will liberate me from this crisis.Though this might be a way out for me, I wonder how my brothers are going to fight for it. Also Read:  How We Make Our Way in Dilli Sheher I have fought lots of battles which I have lost. But I still feel independent and am able to face numerous upcoming fights for my rights. If I ever get a citizenship through my to-be-husband, I am sure I would consider myself a humiliated Nepali throughout my life.

Source: My Father is an Indian, My Mother a Nepali, and I’m a ‘Stateless’ Child: Apsana – The Ladies FingerThe Ladies Finger

To the man who asked me if I swallow. | Rebelle Society

If we can’t recognize the links between any kind of sexual harassment and more grave sexual assault, then there is a disconnect. If you think Brock Turner’s behavior is despicable, but see no issue with harmless catcalls, then there is a disconnect. Is every man who catcalls a woman in the street a potential rapist? No. But, every man who catcalls a woman is demonstrating a belief that women exist for men’s viewing pleasure, that they are fair game for foul comments. And that line of thinking is dangerous. When we shrug off street harassment and sexual innuendo, when we minimize indecent behavior and sexist jibes, we are advocating for a world where women are oppressed and objectified. As Ann Voskamp said, “When the prevailing thinking is that boys will be boys, girls will be garbage.” We owe it to ourselves, as women, to stand up and speak out. Remember, silence is often misconstrued as acquiescence.

Source: To the man who asked me if I swallow. | Rebelle Society