Economic Crisis is Global... and decades old.

It is times like this that should cause us not to sit and sulk but to get up and get active. Now is the time that we can make a difference even if that difference is a simple conversation, a small donation or a helping hand to a brother or sister in need. While we watch our world seemingly crumble around us from the current economic crisis we must remember that a crisis a hundred fold greater has been pounding millions of people of this world for decades.

Global issues like poverty are extremely complex. There is no simple, clear answer. I've railed on and against American Politics, the Political system, the Financial Collapse of the Markets and a myriad of other things but sometimes there comes a time where we, the people, need to turn our attention away from our world and focus on THE World.

Once again we need to unite our voices and speak volumes about the world, our true world and her children. It is through raising our voices, united, that we can be heard and the world will listen.

A few facts and tidbits about 2008:

Poverty and Hunger run rampant in our world while we witnessed a monumental 1.8 TRILLION Dollar single day loss in the Stock market. Our government has bailed out the banking industry with hundreds if not Thousands of BILLIONs of Tax Dollars and seeks more while the executives of AIG and their "top sellers" partied on the posh, enjoyed undeserved bonuses and are now suing the IRS for some BS claim on their tax returns.

World governments now own portions of the banking industry, effectively Nationalizing the financial system, and taxpayers around the world have allowed their governments to use BILLIONS of dollars, Pounds, Euro's and other currencies to fight a war in the Middle East.

My point? We still live in a world where almost half of her population, over three billion people, live on less than $2.50 a day and over 26,500 children die each day. Every day. Year round. The killers of our children, the children of our world, are poverty, hunger and easily preventable diseases and illnesses. What will you do today to help prevent this?

Mister, can you spare a dime? Don't answer with the standard "you can't fix the problem by throwing money at it..." okay, we know that it's complex and the problems have very deep roots. But maybe that dime isn't in hard currency, maybe it's ten cents of your time. A moments worth of you talking to someone else about the problem. What if the whole world was talking about this at exactly the same time? Maybe your ten cents would be worth millions. Take a moment. Talk to someone. You were given a voice for a reason, use it.

Poverty Facts: These are not debate points, not opinions, FACTS. Plain, hard, cold and oh so real facts. When you read my opening and we look at all of the money that we've chased around in less than 2 months the FACT is that we are a wasteful money-centric global society that preys on those with less and forgets those who can not speak with the same volume and intensity that we can. We want our BMW's, Mercedes and our 4,000+ square foot Homes. We want gratification and satisfaction now and we don't care what it cost. We like to think that what we do does not impact anyone else. Continue with this approach to our world and we just might end up paying with more than our money.

26,500 children die each day at an astounding rate of one Child every three seconds, over 10 Million children die each year. One of those children could have been the scientist that cures cancer, saves a nation, makes the impossible possible. One of those children could have been a friend. Each of those children were fellow humans trying to inhabit the planet the we have been given stewardship over. Ask yourself: Am I a good steward for the children. Take a moment. Talk to someone. You were given a voice for a reason, use it. Statistics: At least 80% of humanity lives on less than $10 a day.

Worldwide. 2.2 million children die each year because they are not immunized while the United States spends 8 BILLION Dollars a year on Cosmetics, blush, lipstick, eyeliner, etc. every year. European countries and the United States combined spend 12 Billion Dollars a year on Perfumes. It would take 9 Billion to provide Water and Sanitation for ALL.

The list goes on. The world; US, Europe, Japan, and the rest spend enough on Perfume 4, Pet Food 4, Cigarettes 4, and Cosmetics 4 to provide Basic Education, Water and Sanitation and Basic health and nutrition to the WORLD and still have 3 BILLION left over. Speak up, speak out! Talk to someone. You have been given a voice for a reason, use it today.

You can help by contacting UNICEF, the International Red Cross Red Crescent, Your local Red Cross Chapter, OXFAM and other global organizations dedicated to eliminating poverty and providing basic human needs to the worlds populations. Play Robin Hood - donate, let your voice be heard.

You have been given a voice, use it. Go out and SCREAM! about something you care about.

Politics, Humanitarian, Society


portions of this article have been previously published at http://screaming-at-the-tv.blogspot.com

Arrest Warrant Issued for Bashir

The following is an excerpt from The Invisible Children website. I could have gathered this clip from any news source on the net or print. I thought it important to give anyone visiting SCREAMING at the TV! an opportunity to visit the Invisible Children site and maybe, hopefully, get a new feel for this story. My thanks to the Invisible Children Network and all that they do.

The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir for his role in the death of 300,000 people in Darfur since 2003. Bashir has been indicted on seven counts of war crimes including crimes against humanity, murder, rape and torture. The Sudanese government responded by expelling ten of the largest western aid agencies operating in Sudan, including Medicines Sans Frontieres and Save the Children. Out of the 76 aid agencies operating in Sudan, these ten are estimated to contribute most of the aid to the Sudanese.

Does this worry you? It should. What would you suppose that Bashir will do? I've waited on writing anything about the warrant for Bashir because I knew that, while the intention was good the outcome could be tragic. I could feel it in my bones that Bashir would begin kicking out the aid agencies and doing what he could to minimize any UN presence in the region. I wonder how many will lose their homes, families, lives because of this? Don't get me wrong, something needed to be done. A warrant... okay, so we are the civilized world and we follow the rules of such a world - but for those who do not it only means that they will escalate their hate filled behaviors to new levels.

There's this small thing call a strategic surgical strike - maybe the age of everyone knowing everything is not good - maybe, just maybe a couple of heads of state should have sat down and decided that this fish is rotting from the head down and the head needed to be silently removed.

Maybe.

Peace.

You have been given a voice, use it. Go out and SCREAM! about something you care about.

Politics, Humanitarian, Society

Nadya Suleman... Your 15 Minutes are Up

All the talking heads of the world are bitching and complaining about the OctaMom, Nadya Suleman, they can't believe that her story is still alive. The mainstream media is outraged (the best they can be) that Nadya is still getting attention. Not from them, of course, but from the producers of reality TV, the tabloids and all the other rag mags out there.

Today, on the today show Anne Curry made a comment when NBC was running a story about the new supposed million dollar deal that Nadya has made; the comment was something along the lines of "this is a long 15 minutes..." no shit Sherlock but it's long because you clowns keep running her damned story. It doesn't matter if it's about the discussion between her and her mother or the nose job or some of the litter coming home from the hospital... you keep running the story - give it up already. OH! and get this... the lead in question... Is Nadya addicted to pregnancy? WTF!! Who the hell cares! That crap just chaps my backside...

Question for everyone; when was the last time that NBC or any station ran a story on the global issue of clean water, Somalian poverty crisis, Darfur, economic impacts to Mexico's border towns and the rise in violence because of it? When? When was the last time that any station ran a story on how unemployment benefits haven't increased in 20 years in some parts of our own country? When? We all hear about the poor rich SOB's but when have we heard about the real issues?

and finally, just a tidbit to chew on: I was talking to a friend of mine that was recently laid off directly because of the economy. He told me that he had received his first unemployment benefit deposit... the amount... 240.00 before taxes - 214.00 after!!! WTF!!! are you serious... Look..., not for nothing but 24 years ago when I was discharged from the service I decided to take a month or two off before I went in to the "real" world and I filed for unemployment benefits; guess what my benefit was..... yep $240.00!! I was pissed then, my God, I can't imagine what I would do now trying to live off of a total of 960.00 a month (before taxes) and feed my family, pay my mortgage or even rent for that matter, electric... good God - this is the help that we are given from our Department of Economic Security!! What I really want to know is who's economic security is it anyway...

Nadya... I hope you get your deal - not for your sake but for the sake of your children. I hope that whoever draws up your contract has stipulations dictating that a percentage of your deal goes into a trust fund for your children.

Okay, I'm done... Have a great day!

You have been given a voice, use it. Go out and SCREAM! about something you care about.

Politics, Humanitarian, Society

Nadya Suleman Seeks a Bailout

Nadya Suleman; a case study in what's wrong in America. Wow, that's a bit harsh...right? Nope--not at all, see from what I've witnessed Nadya Suleman represents what's wrong with our society.

Not that our society is near collapse or that we're so maladjusted that we can never course correct, no, in fact, I'm certain that we can--this is all about attitudes.

The attitude that allows some of us to think that it's okay to take taxpayer money and give out bonuses to the top performers, even though our company is about to shut down.

The type of attitude that allows some people to think it's okay to fly on a personal jet to Washington DC to beg for money to save their corporations from financial collapse.

The type of attitude that allows some people to dream... if I have them they will come; the home builders, the diaper companies, the formula manufacturers, the clothing suppliers, the local stores who want a feel good story about helping a mom in need...

The type of attitude that allows some of us to believe that "we are entitled" to do what ever the hell we want damned the consequences to anyone else--and in this case it's the kids that will bear those consequences so that little miss collegen lips and nose job... (no... I didn't have anything done to my lips... no I'm not trying to look like Angelina Jolie... I'm paraphrasing from an interview with NBC's Anne Curry)... can live the twisted dream that she's "always had."

How's she going to provide for FOURTEEN children? She has a plan... a bailout of sorts... oh, and she has a website asking for your money or comments... I personally left her the latter--she'll get nary a dime from me directly.

Nadya is currently accepting Food Stamps, now there's nothing wrong with that on the surface -- the program is there for those in need.... that's where the problem starts... in need, not in desire, not in "it's a lifelong dream come true," not as in It's what my selfish self-centered self wanted... no In NEED. Subtle difference I know but one that she needs to understand.

And for God's sake Nadya, when you're doing an interview be honest. Don't tell us that you are not receiving any welfare and then go on and state that your receiving food stamps temporarily (whatever) and three of your current six children are receiving governmental disability checks, to which she added "temporarily". Excuse me for just a moment while I throw the penalty flag for excessive bullshit. Honey, that's called welfare.

What's wrong with America? We live in a swamp of delusional people that believe they are entitled to do what ever they want when ever they want it damned the consequences and when the proverbial shit hits the fan each and every one of them cry for a bailout in their own twisted way. They arrive in their private jets, limos, and via the airways on the Today Show. Each with their hand out hoping that we believe them just enough this one last time.

And if that fails? You can always pack up the fourteen kids and move in with Mom.

You have been given a voice, use it. Go out and SCREAM! about something you care about.


Nadya, Nadya Suleman, Octuplets, Multiple Births, bailout, Politics, Humanitarian, Society

Guantanamo... Seven Years Too Late

Ettarose, a long time reader of SCREAMING and an avid supporter of the humanitarian efforts and causes in this world recently left a comment regarding my post "Guantanamo Suspended: Thank You Mr. President."

Etta, like many of us, has questions. I wonder if we stop and think could we come up with the answers?

Ettarose wrote:

Hi, my concern is those who are guilty. Where will these prisoners end up? I do NOT agree with the torture of them, but I would like to see justice done swiftly.

If I may....

"... those who are guilty." I would propose that first we get to the point of finding out ARE they guilty?

Now, we may all answer yes but there is a process--DUE PROCESS--that needs to be followed and that many of us have been SCREAMING for it for 7 years. Bush's government chose to detain these suspects and NOT give them their access to DUE PROCESS. In fact the Bush administration chose to hold them hostage (prisoner--enemy combatant--hostage...all about the same in this case), without trial, to suit and fit their own political needs and then when they didn't fit the administrations needs they didn't know what to do with them...

ummm---leave them for the next guy!

Now it's time to give the detainee's (prisoners) their day in court--Military Court.

Ettarose then asks "... where will these prisoners end up?"

I propose JAIL and I'm not trying to be a smart-ass but honestly, we have some of the very best maximum security prisons in the world. We house Manson, Menendez, Dahmler, and a few thousand of the worlds most violent criminals. I'm certain we could house some lowly enemy combatant for the rest of their natural lives. After all, it's not like we're going to give them weapons or anything - lock-down baby, lock-down!... I personally think our prisons are secure enough for these people.

Finally, my friend closes with "... but I would like to see justice done swiftly."

AMEN!

We all would. I'm afraid that as a Nation we have missed that boat. Seven years of detention without the case ever being tried in a Military court, National or International, is anything but swift.

Peace.




You have been given a voice, use it. Go out and SCREAM! about something you care about.

Politics, Humanitarian, Society

Kiva - Kiva Lending Team: SCREAMING at the TV!

Update for our Loans at KIVA: Team SCREAMING at the TV!

Back in November and December I asked you to join me in making a microfinancing loan in the amount of $25.00. Thank you, to those that have. Some may have seen this as a bit risky. Maybe, but I'll take that risk. Some may have seen this as a bit too much in the time of financial crisis in America -- this is exactly the time we should be reaching out, helping others, helping those less fortunate than we are. I ask again, join me at Team SCREAMING at the TV! you can find the link on the left hand side under the "Your Action, News & Resource Center" menu.

Here are how our three loans have performed to date:

Total Amount Loaned $75 Kiva average = $134.00
Total Amount Repaid $19 Kiva average = $81.00
Amount of Ended Loans Not Repaid In Full $0.00 Kiva average = $1.28
Amount of Ended Loans $0.00 Kiva average = $50.50
Default Rate 0.00% Kiva average = 2.56%
Delinquency Rate 0.00% Kiva average = 2.84%



You have been given a voice, use it. Go out and SCREAM! about something you care about.

Politics, Humanitarian, Society

Guantanamo Suspended: Thank You Mr. President

President Obama,

Thank you for taking the first steps toward closing the Guantanamo detention facilities and ending the military commissions. Your order declaring a 120-day suspension of the trials at Guantanamo shows this country and the world that America will once again hold sacred the rights of all humans.

Thank you for taking action on your first day in office. Thank you for beginning to free America from the human rights abuses and the stigmas of the Bush era.

I look forward to the end of this national shame and restoration of America's leadership in the world.

Sincerely,

SCREAMING At The TV!

You have been given a voice, use it. Go out and SCREAM! about something you care about.

Politics, Humanitarian, Society

Captain Sullenberger's Water Landing: US Airways Flt 1549

We, I, so often scream about the mountains of crap that pile up in this world, not today. Today I have the honor not to scream, but to shout about the heroics of Capt. Chesley B 'Sully' Sullenberger III, Age 57, from Danville, California and his crew for the superior job that they did during the crash of US Airways Flight 1549. Capt. Sullenberger is a former Air Force fighter pilot and has been with US Airways 29 years.

Capt. Sullenberger's actions saved the lives of 155 passengers and crew. His actions are directly responsible for impacting thousands of lives - if not more.

Families, today, arose to a new day - together. Husbands kissed their wives, fathers and mothers hugged their children. Any and all that wanted, had the opportunity to talk about their ordeal. Many were on radio, some on TV, and I am certain, all talked with, prayed with, and rejoiced in the miracle on the Hudson with family and friends.


You have been given a voice, use it. Go out and SCREAM! about something you care about.

Politics, Humanitarian, Society

Video Game Defense is Defenseless: Game Over!

AP: A teenager kills his mother and wounds his father in revenge for taking away his video game.

I could start with "ARE YOU F'ING SERIOUS!" or a great big WTF, but that wouldn't do my astonishment, amazement and bewilderment any justice. So we'll start with this simple observation:

Some people are just bad.

Yes I know that we should look for the good in people, but when there's some scumbag, like this one, sharing our air and taking up space, I have to wonder if it's really worth my effort to find the good in all. Screw that, let him find the good. Flipping Pac-man murder freak--what kind of good should I find in that?

"Dude, like, you have really fast thumbs... and a quick temper too, probably makes you a good gamer huh?"

Why make the effort? Why exert my energy trying to find out why this waste-oid should be sharing this planet with the rest of us.

Daniel Petric is this "Game-over" shitballs name, he is 17, and is addicted to the Halo 3 game. His defense--playing the game made him insane.

Okay you slimey little f-stick, here's the deal. You are not addicted to video games. Your lazy, spoiled, and pathetic but you are not an addict. I know addicts and buddy they'd kick your ass for using the name addict in this fashion.

Fortunately the judge in this case rejected his defense, saying he had planned revenge for weeks. "game over", of Ohio, was tried as an adult and faces a maximum possible penalty of life in prison without parole.


And this is how this little spoiled brat did his dead: On the night of the shooting in October 2007, he used his father's key to open a lock-box and remove a 9mm handgun and the game. Twisted. His father was shot in the head and survived. Testified that his son came into the room and asked: "Would you guys close your eyes? I have a surprise for you."

Life is prison is too good for this slime.

You have been given a voice, use it. Go out and SCREAM! about something you care about.

halo 3, halo 3 murder, video murder, Politics, Humanitarian, Society

SCREAM for What?

I have spent this holiday season doing a great deal of reflecting. I lost my Mother-in-law at the beginning of December, she was 88. Shortly after the Today Show ran the story covering the beating of Mrs. Vinge, she is in her 70's. My MIL was the last of the parents for my wife and I, Mrs. Vinge reminds me a great deal of her. These two events caused me to pause and take a look around at my life and I seem to have found myself in a funk. Hard and fast... wondering why should I scream.

Does it matter that I am but one man with impacts equal to that of a single ant in the great forest.

Tell me why do any of us put out the energy--when we rarely, if ever, see the result.

Why scream, why? We've screamed for years and the world has muted our voices.

Why?

No matter how often or loudly I bang the drum the rhythms are seemingly absorbed by the world. Why must I keep banging?

Why?

Because that is what I believe.

I wish the readers of "SCREAMING at the TV!", all of those who may be impacted by the bass notes from the beating of the drum, a peaceful and healthy new year.

You have been given a voice, use it. Go out and SCREAM! about something you care about.

Politics, Humanitarian, Society

Kidnapping and Beating of Mrs. Vinge

A 75-year old grandmother says she'll never open her door to strangers again.

Who is raising the children of this world? Who in their right mind would do this? What type of upbringing must one have to think that 1. This is funny or no big deal (based on the kids reactions during the court proceedings). and 2. It's okay, by any stretch of the imagination!

Sandy Vinge was beaten and kidnapped from her home last week. California police say 3 teenagers sold her a vacuum cleaner and then came back and asked to use her phone.

"I showed him where the phone was and then as I turned to walk away, that's when he chocked me from behind," Vinge explained.

COWERED! YOU COWERED! You're going to take down a 75 year old woman with your big old fat-assed tough-guy self and you have to wait for her to turn her back!! Damn! I bet your Daddy's proud! If you were my kid I would come through the cell bars to whoop your ass.

Think about this... this makes me so damned mad that I can't even see straight. What the hell were these kids thinking? Hey, Grandma can't hurt us let's do her in. What kind of devil has crawled up their backsides and taken over their minds...

Police say the teens used duct tape to tie her up, beat her, then lock her in the trunk of a stolen car. They refused to give her water, allow her to use the toilet, or offer her anything to eat. WTF! Officers stopped the car 26-hours later for a traffic violation and found Vinge in the trunk.

I SCREAM about a lot of things in this world. Some are more outrageous than others. Some need more than just me screaming. Some, make every fiber of my being twitch with anger - this is one of those.

This lady, Mrs. Vinge, is a kind, open soul. One of the very few that may be left in this world. One that is of a fabric woven from years gone by; trusting and giving.

The most honest statement that I have seen on TV lately was given by Mrs. Vinge's son on the "Today Show." He was asked, I think by Matt Lauer, if he had attended the Court proceedings. His response; I didn't think it was wise. I didn't want to end up like one of those guy's climbing the fence to get to these kids.

I applaud his self control. I would have gone... and ended up on TV as one of those guy's climbing the fence to get to these kids.

This is one of those cases that makes me want to believe in "an eye for an eye" punishment.

You have been given a voice, use it. Go out and SCREAM! about something you care about.

kidnapping, Sandy Vinge, Politics, Humanitarian, Society

Fifty People, One Question: New Orleans

Benjamin Reece is by his description "A filmmaker and creative entrepreneur hoping to expand horizons, while unfolding humanity with others." This is a very cool attempt to "unfold humanity"

Ask yourself one question:

Fifty People, One Question: New Orleans from Benjamin Reece on Vimeo.

Politics, Humanitarian, Society

National Auto Insurance with every Gallon of Gas

What if you paid for Auto Insurance with every gallon of fuel that you bought--a pay-as-you-go/pay-as-you-use system. We would immediately eliminate every uninsured and under insured driver on the road.

The average annual miles driven is someplace between 12 - 15,000. What if you only drove 5,000 and you paid insurance only on the miles driven?

Here is my suggestion: Insurance tax on a per gallon of gas, bio-diesel, diesel or propane. I'm not sure how it would work for Electric or Solar but we have a few years to figure that one out. What happens when you buy a gallon of gas is you are also buying insurance for that amount of driving. If you drive a high MPG car then you get more bang for your buck. If you drive a gas sucking SUV then you'll pay more based on the fact that it will take you more gallons of gas to drive the same distance. If you drive 5,000 miles a year then you'll pay for 5,000 miles of insurance -- if you drive 50,000 miles a year then you'll pay for 50,000.

A driver who spends 8 hours a day on the road should pay more of the cost of insurance than a mom or dad who simply run to the store and to drop-off or pickup kids from a music lesson.

Just a thought.

You have been given a voice, use it. Go out and SCREAM! about something you care about.

Auto Insurance, Politics, Society

Speeding Through The School Zone

My recent post on Photo-radar in the valley has me thinking that the state is misusing the technology and equipment that they have available. Not misusing in the sense that there shouldn't be photo-radar, if the result is drivers slow down to somewhere near the posted speed and it reduces accidents then so-be-it.

I'm thinking that it is being misused through incorrect placement--why not use it in school zones? I live a block away from a school zone that is placed on a very busy road. The posted speed limit during non-school hours is 45mph, the average speed I would bet is 55 or 60mph.

When the lights are flashing in the school zones drivers are required to slow to 35mph. I would bet that nearly 80% don't. I would also venture to say that the average speed doesn't change very much from when the lights aren't flashing.

We've taken security at school to all new levels from the time I was attending. Now our schools are fenced, gated and many are policed. All for the safety and security of the student body. Why don't we take the next step and protect the kids on their way to school? Put photo-radar up in every school zone that is intersected by a road with a posted speed limit of greater than 35mph. Costly, sure--but based on the habits of drivers on the freeway I would suggest that it will pay for itself in short order.

The cost for speeding and getting caught by photo-radar is $180.00. Why not make it double that if your picture is snapped exceeding the school zone speed limit of 35?

Just a thought.

You have been given a voice, use it. Go out and SCREAM! about something you care about.

photo-radar, school zone, speed limits, kids safety, Society

SCREAM Bloody Murder

Christiane Amanpour by far is one of my favorite reporters. I've watched her pretty much from her first assignments when she was reporting on the famines of Africa.

Here is the making of the Documentary that played on CNN - Scream Bloody Murder

Big thanks goes to An Unforgivable Hell on Earth for the heads up on this Documentary.

You have been given a voice, use it. Go out and SCREAM! about something you care about.

Christiane Amanpour, CNN, Scream Bloody Murder, Documentary, Politics, Humanitarian, Society

Political Rape: "It was against my will..."

"It was against my will and he did not use any protection"

"I was taken hostage by Zanu-PF youths who are being led by a major and war veteran, one of them said I had to renounce my allegiance to opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC)."

Barack Obama was freely elected in the United States. We griped about voter oppression, we watched with our cell phones ready for polling booth irregularities, we never worried about what opposition to the ruling party would mean to us physically - it's not part of what or who we are. While we worry that elections are held on the up-and-up. That all play by the rules. That elections are truly free - we do not worry that the political party we affiliate with will get us raped or beaten or... killed.

"I had to give in to his demands as he said I could be beaten. It was against my will and he did not use any protection." Before the first round of the election in March, Maidei, like many other young people fed up with Zimbabwe's economic crisis, was not afraid to make her support for the opposition known.

We drive, take a cab and walk to our polling places. We cast our ballots and we return to our homes, safe, secure and we never think twice about the freedom we have just exercised. The freedom that so many in this country have given their lives for and so many in other countries continue to fight to obtain.

A local Zanu-PF official explained that the pungwes, used during the war of independence, were still necessary as "political re-orientation" exercises to warn people "against the opposition which is backed by the West".

Asked about the allegations that men were raping women and girls forcibly at the meetings, he replied matter-of-factly: "We have to share in comradeship as we have the same aim to get rid of the opposition here." His reply glossed over the dangers of sexually transmitted diseases, especially HIV/Aids which has wreaked havoc in Zimbabwe.

Life expectancy is down to 37 years from a life span of 60 years back in 1990. This is largely due to the HIV/Aids pandemic.

You have been given a voice, use it. Go out and SCREAM! about something you care about.

Politics, Humanitarian, Society