Beaufitul Ode to Books from Afghan Poet

Amplify’d from www.awwproject.org

Tomes You are my best friend You are my best pal When I am disappointed you make me hopeful When I am sad you make me happy When I am worried you pacify me When I have problems you show me the solutions In different parts, different sizes, With you I move closer to God Through you I see the real world I experience all realities You are open to all people You are there for all They only have to choose you When I find you I am happy You are wonderful My best friend, my pal Full of different subjects You are all my wonderful books By Rahela

See more at www.awwproject.org

 

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Expand your world a bit with Gaza Mom - Ramadan in Gaza

Amplify’d from www.gazamom.com

Ramadan in Gaza: its in the details

what I’ve increasingly noticed is that they here are finding ways to make ends meet, to “cope” if you will. Some food aid from here, some zakat from there, some relatives living abroad: many manage in a piecemeal fashion. But they resent being depicted as beggars or victims. Still, the situation takes its toll. You have to look for the signs.

See more at www.gazamom.com

 

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Vichy France on the Cheap - Returns

(The yellow star made mandatory by the Vichy regime in France. "Jews not admitted here". Sign outside a restaurant in Paris, rue de Choiseul...) No yellow star for Roma just a ticket home and 100 Euros in a see-through attempt to gain favor among far right in France. Shameful bot also hollow, since they can return if they wish since as EU citizens, they could return in 3 months. Also explains outlawing the Muslim veil in public - earlier.

Amplify’d from www.guardian.co.uk

France begins Roma deportations: 'They are trying to get rid of us all'

Nicolas Sarkozy's programme of expulsion gathers pace as fear and resignation spreads among Marseille's immigrants

As they held one-and-a-half month old Tabitha in their arms and waited for the knock at the door, the inhabitants of rue de Lyon spoke despondently of their adopted country. "They are trying to get rid of us all," said one woman, heavily pregnant, and fearful for the future.Read more at www.guardian.co.uk

 

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Fundamentalism, Afghan Follies Redux, Next Gen?

This poet fears Islamic fundamentalism - we need to overcome the fundamentalism that drives the fear/hate of Muslims in America, France, the Netherlands,,,

Amplify’d from www.awwproject.org

Have We Forgotten?

My heart beats, but not from excitement. From fear.

Islamism and fundamentalism are getting in fashion for our youth Whether Afghan, Turk, Arab or Pakistani.

I want to reach out and shout Have you forgotten the hungry Afghan orphans? Have you forgotten the tearful eyes of Afghan mothers? Have you forgotten the sight of a young mother burying her children, The children she thought would bury her?

See more at www.awwproject.org

 

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What the? US Troops to Costa Rica to fight drug cartels?

This really smells like an end run around public in US and Costa Rica! For the resons stated or as effort to pressure Venezuela? Need more info.

Amplify’d from www.cipamericas.org

The Lowest Form Of Military Aggression

On July 1, 2010, Costa Rica’s Legislative Assembly authorized the U.S. military to undertake policing duties in Costa Rica, based on an expired “Cooperation Agreement.” Just one small problem: Costa Rica abolished its army in 1949 and since then has had no national military forces.

Despite the legal limitations in the country, and despite a constitutional obligation to invest only civilian police with the duties of monitoring and enforcing our public order, the submissive legislative assembly–dominated by the ruling parties–is allowing the U.S. military to play war games on our sovereign land as if it were a game of chess. Read more at www.cipamericas.org

 

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We need more immigrant Muslims like this

Are you listening Nativists? - your fears have always been misplaced, never correct, and held you back. Time to rethink fear and embrace those who want to be here because of the American Dream.

Amplify’d from www.latimes.com

A Muslim's faith in America

An Afghan family who moved to the U.S. three decades ago marveled at the openness and welcoming nature of the American people and government. But things have changed after Sept. 11.

My children were born here, and they consider themselves as wholly American, but I fear that the current discourse about their faith and their houses of worship will have a devastating effect on them.

What do I tell my 10-year old daughter, Hanan, and my 8-year-old son, Rayyan, when they ask me why fear-mongers in Tennessee, New York, Florida and California don't want a mosque or Muslims as their neighbors?

I will refuse to allow the voices of fear to minimize my father's experiences and degrade the America he fell in love with. My children deserve better. We all do.Read more at www.latimes.com

 

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Yo! Doc, Patient X Needs Check on Heart! - Vodaphone Message

About time - grin. Possible for several years - next step? Implanted GPS/Medtrak transponders to monitor all life signs and problems.

Amplify’d from current.com

Mobile phone which can monitor heart problems and send data to your doctor goes on sale in UK

A new mobile phone could help millions of people who suffer from heart-related medical problems monitor their conditions.The H'andy Sana is a touch-screen phone that also includes an application called Heart Suite, which allows users to measure, record and send vital Electrocardiograms (ECGs). Read more at current.com

 

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Facts? Who Needs Facts? We are trying to scare people into voting for fear instead of interests and real values!

Do you think the use of Japanese cameras to photograph the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor should be banned out of respect? Is four blocks away still too close? Do you think someone is trying to create an issue so you take your eyes off of policies and decisions that put us into recession?

Amplify’d from immigration.change.org

The "Ground Zero Mosque" That's Already There

four blocks from the site of the 9/11 attacks, there's already a mosque. And the Masjid Manhattan has existed there for decades without being the subject of this level of media frenzy.

Now, people might try to argue this fine point, but I don't think two blocks away and around the corner versus four blocks away makes a significant difference when you're talking geography. In Manhattan, two blocks can lead to a complete neighborhood change — we pack a lot of diversity close together here in the Big Apple.Read more at immigration.change.org

 

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Editor of Daily Star in Lebanon on Planned Islamic Center in NYC

Amplify’d from www.dailystar.com.lb

Fathom the faith at Ground Zero By Jamil K. Mroue

the last thing that Islam needs is another mosque.

Islam would benefit far more from the $100 million slated for the project if the amount would create an Islamic culture center, opening the heritage, scientific discoveries, manuscripts, history and artifacts of the religion to a wide public. Read more at www.dailystar.com.lb

 

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Global Culture? US Hip Hop and Michael

Amplify’d from www.youtube.com

Oishi dance ngay chợ Bến Thành Read more at www.youtube.com

 

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Charter Schools, Profiteering, and Self-Delusion

It's shameful that there are so many who are willing to traffic in the hopes and fears of parents who want the best for their children to make a profit and probably do little other than fatten their bank accounts. Parents want so badly to do right by their kids that they will delude themselves into believing that money and the claims of charter schools will help their children.



Money and accepted false promises instead of effort to be involved in the education of their children and the children of the community is a common, all too common mistake being made in Ohio as much as in Massachusetts.



If you want better schools, work for better public schools by taking your time that your children need - not your money and a false profiteering charter school fool!

Amplify’d from www.boston.com

Surge in charter school requests

The state this year has seen a surge in applications for new charter schools, most targeted for the neediest urban districts, following the passage of legislation last winter that loosened longstanding limitations on their expansion. Read more at www.boston.com

 

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Ground Zero - Sacred in General or Particular?

No mosque near ground zero because it is sacred ground some say and scream. Does that mean no Suni, Sufi, or Shia mosques? If no mosque, does that mean all other religions would be OK there?



During American Civil War people from all the major "Christian" sects attacked and killed people from New York City. The same applies during the American Revolution and World Wars One and Two. Would any of those churches not be appropriate?



Let's make this easier: Would you say yes or no to:



A synagogue from Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Hasidic, Kabbalah Jewish groups? A Hindu Temple? Jehovah's Witnesses?  Society of Friends? Church of Religious Science? Latter Day Saints? Universal Unitarian? Unity, Roman Catholic, Easter Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, Jain Temple, Sikh Temple, Shinto Shrine, Church of Scientology? Unification Church? Theravada, Mahayana, Zen, Pure Land, Tendai and Nichiren, Vajrayana Buddhism? Baha'i? Native American Church? African Methodist Episcopalian? Westboro Baptist Church? The Dove World Outreach Center?



Was it a good idea or not that the 1st Amendment of the US Constitution guarantees freedom of religion?

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Anchors Away, My Friend - When Nativism Gets Crazy, Hateful and Funny!

Amplify’d from news.feetintwoworlds.org

Wong Kim Ark: One of the Original “Anchor Babies” and Decidedly a U.S. Citizen

Wong Kim Ark, subject of a federal immigration investigation case conducted under the Chinese Exclusion Act (1882-1943) of the United States.

The evolving fracas swirling around illegal immigration is currently focused on the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the young people disparagingly called “anchor babies.” It’s not the first time the birthright citizenship clause of the 14th amendment has been in dispute. 112 years ago, the Supreme Court took on the case of United States vs. Wong Kim Ark. Read more at news.feetintwoworlds.org

 

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Afghanistan: It Hurts so Bad, She is Not Sure She or It Can Get Better

When you love your country and it is killing itself - it hurts so bad.

Amplify’d from www.awwproject.org

I Wish My Country Was Not My Love

I wish Afghanistan was not a country But instead a dry land And no one lived in it. I wish my country was not my love I suffer from its pains. Every problem grows in my country Economy Social Terror Bomb I wish my country was only mountains Without people Or that it had a magic border So I could close the doors So terrorists could not come For suicide attacks. By Tabasom Read more at www.awwproject.org

 

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Super Resistant Bacteria: We have met the enemy - and it is us.

Grim grin - medical tourism. Get your facelift and go on safari too or relax after gastric-bypass at mountain top or beach front resort. So now we have a new bacteria to spread around hospitals to do us in - we are a strange species -eh?

Amplify’d from www.superbugtheblog.com

NDM-1: Novel, global, complex and a serious threat

resistant bacteria,

It already has been found in India and Pakistan, Sweden, the Netherlands, Australia, Canada and the US, and has been distributed not just by travel but specifically by medical tourism. It has the potential to become an extremely serious global threat.Read more at www.superbugtheblog.com

 

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Pizza Party at Patsy's in NYC - 60 cent pizza!

Amplify’d from gothamist.com

Patsy's Incredible 77th Anniversary Special

Pizza is 60¢, 20 times cheaper than the regular $12,Read more at gothamist.com

 

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Looking out the Window « Afghan Women's Writing Project

http://www.awwproject.org/2010/08/looking-out-the-window/#

With the corner of my eyes, a woman of not older than 18-19 years caught my attention outside. I turned myself to see her better. She had on a long dress with little flowers on it. Her face was full of dust, looked grey and super tired like she had been through so much since morning. She had her bag on her shoulder. Her hair was all tangled like she had not washed or brushed it for days.



Across the street she knocked at a house and waited. I couldn’t tell what she was thinking about, but I could tell she had so much to think about as she waited for someone to answer the door. An old man opened the door as she was raising her hand to ring the bell. He looked at the girl, and without even letting her talk, he knew that she was a beggar. He raised his hand and said some sentences that I was not able to hear but the girl seemed to be very discouraged and stepped backward. The man’s face was harsh, full of anger; his expression seemed to say, “I am tired of the people like you.” He closed the door right after he finished talking.

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Afghan Truths - First, listen to each person's story

Captain Cat re-emerges with a story that must be read if you want to understand what it can take to leave Afghanistan with honor and a chance for the Afghan people to finally be free to be all they might be. The important point for me is that each person coming to the NATO forces with a tale of who is against them, should listen well and talk to more people before killing more people and chances for a just end to the killing of the future.

Amplify’d from captaincat.typepad.com

Exile and the Kingdom*

There are so many people out there who have known the humiliation of arrest at the hands of people who didn’t understand or respect their culture, whose dignity was ritually stripped from them through torture or any other means. In a country where honour is one of people’s most valued possessions, many are trying to live with memories of shame and mistreatment. A simple gesture by ISAF, by the Afghan Government, a genuine recognition of suffering and past injustices, an apology or two… I believe these could make the world of difference here.

I’ve come to learn that people here have many pasts, and one person may give you an entirely different account of the same event, seen from the other side of the fence. Whatever people’s backgrounds, everyone deserves a chance to tell their stories.Read more at captaincat.typepad.com

 

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NYC Gassed Fly-by Terroristic Canadian Geese - Have Your Say Now!

Did Canadian geese actually contribute to plane crash or was someone taking advantage of flight fears to cut down on Canadian Goose poop? Have your say tell the Mayor what you think about gassing Canadians!

Amplify’d from gothamist.com

Canada Geese Protest Planned Outside Bloomberg's Mansion

Not happy about all of those Canada geese getting sent to the gas chamber? This Monday (from 6 to 8 p.m.) activists will rally around Mayor Bloomberg's mansion (17 East 79th Street) declaring their disgust for the mass slaughter and demanding protection for urban wildlife.

See more at gothamist.com

 

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Cannot see no oil - no problem? Grin - no way!

There is no away - as in the oil fouling the Gulf has gone away. Away is not another land, planet, or black hole for problems. Somewhere, sometime, you learned that noting every goes away, energy-stuff does not go away. When you breath in, you take in and "eat" oxygen, then you breath out CO2. Oil that cannot be seen in in sea life, in the sand, marshes, reefs, etc and will have an effect but what effect - we do not know as yet but it has not gone magically away!

Amplify’d from bravenewfilms.org

As you read this, BP is already working to create their next disaster. What they are presently creating is even more dangerous and devastating than what they did in the Gulf, and even less regulated.

BP’s Next Disaster: Are You Going to Stop it Before it Starts?

As you read this, BP is already working to create their next disaster. What they are presently creating is even more dangerous and devastating than what they did in the Gulf, and even less regulated.

See more at bravenewfilms.org

 

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Border Razor Wire or Love One Another, As I Have Loved You?

Amplify’d from www.youtube.com

Pistolera debut video for "Cazador". Anti-Minutemen song

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Life is confusing these days - two headlines: U.S. detains and questions WikiLeaks researcher, and Editor who covered Argentina’s Dirty War granted honorary citizenship 30 years later.Sometimes an overload of irony makes you sick to your stomach. http://amplify.com/u/8a0p

Asia honors its Magsaysay 2010 Winners

Who has done most for peace and climate recently in Asia?

Amplify’d from www.straitstimes.com

Magsaysay awardees announced

three-term mayor of Hiroshima

photographer who documented river pollution in his native China

Ramon Magsaysay Awards

Asia's equivalent of the Nobel Prize

As a Japanese lawmaker and later Hiroshima mayor, Mr Akiba painfully recognised that his city had the moral obligation to warn the world of the nuclear danger, the Magsaysay Award organisers said. He led a movement called 'Mayors for Peace' that includes more than 4,000 cities in 144 countries.Read more at www.straitstimes.com

 

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Lady Gaga to Arizona: Alto! Stop your wretched law against humanity!

So that's what she meant - grin - not what she said. Go Lady Gaga! I will yell and I will scream louder. I will hold you, and we will hold each other, and we will peaceably protest this state."

Amplify’d from immigration.change.org

Lady Gaga Denounces Arizona SB 1070 at Sold-Out Concert

When Lady Gaga raised her forearm at her concert in Phoenix, Arizona, yesterday, everyone could see the words "STOP SB 1070" written in block letters

"We have to be active. We have to protest.  . . . I will yell and I will scream louder. I will hold you, and we will hold each other, and we will peaceably protest this state."Read more at immigration.change.org

 

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