Thanksgiving Giving

Happy Thanksgiving to all. Today I call again for the readers of "SCREAMING at the TV!" to join Team SCREAM! at KIVA.

Let us give thanks by giving to those who are trying to improve their lot in life. Those making an effort to make a difference in their communities, neighborhoods and families. Loans at Team SCREAM! (a lending team at KIVA.ORG microfinancing ) can be as little as $25.00 (A burger and fries)

Novembers Team SCREAM! KIVA Loan:

Mukisa women’s group in Jinja. Jinja lies in the south east of Uganda, 54 miles northeast of the capital, Kampala. It is located on the shores of Lake Victoria.

Mukisa women's group is a "Group" loan. In a group loan, each member of the group receives an individual loan but is part of a group of individuals bound by a group guarantee. Under this arrangement, each member of the group supports one another and is responsible for paying back the loans of their fellow group members if someone is delinquent or defaults.

The person I have chosen from this group for this month is: Fatumah. Fatuma is a tailor with a business of making ladies’ wear, childen's and men’s clothes of all kinds.

The repayment terms of this loan is 3 months.

Join Team SCREAM! today and give thanks by giving hope.

Peace from a Grumpy Old Man.

You have been given a voice, use it, use it TODAY.

KIVA, Team SCREAM!, Humanitarian, Society

Humanitarian: Giving Thanks by Example

Thanksgiving preparations are underway. Turkey will be grilled, potatoes mashed and the table set with nice cloth and stoneware. The napkins will be banded by fancy little rings, the center piece will look impeccable. Our guest will arrive and we will celebrate.

It is during this celebration that we must remember those who aren't saddled with the burdens of our comforts, those who's only hope is a IDP camp someplace in a war torn countryside. We must remember those who fight for basic needs, immunizations, drinking water and medical assistance.

Take your position this Thanksgiving, not as the "Head Of The Table", but as the role model for the younger generations sitting with you (or at the kids table). Talk about those in need. The homeless, the less fortunate, those who have not. Be a voice and influence those around you to do the same.

A blessing for the Thanksgiving table:

"Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them. This fundamental precept can be found, in almost identical form, in all the great religions, Brahminism, Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism and Taoism." Jean Pictet, in his commentary on The Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross

Your voice can be heard through music if the world is willing to listen.... Ladies and Gentlemen, the band that taught me to SCREAM! at a very young age.



my undying thanks to Pink Floyd for their music


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

Humanitarian, Society

Ambassador Alberto Fernandez on Darfur

The top United States diplomat posted to Khartoum, Alberto Fernandez, has emphasized the U.S. commitment to guarding the peace agreement and the need for a solution to Sudan’s civil war in Darfur. Fernandez warned against “phantom agreements” that do not address the needs of “three million people living and suffering miserable lives in internally displaced persons (IDP's) camps in Darfur.” He noted that the U.S. had not yet seen evidence of the ceasefire declared unilaterally by Sudanese President Omer Al-Bashir on Nov. 12.

“There is still a need for action to be taken to correct this horrific historic record. That’s the way I see it. Something needs to change which hasn’t changed yet.”

I could not agree more. Something has to change for the “three million people living and suffering miserable lives in internally displaced persons camps in Darfur” the opportunity to live without fear, in their homes, to tend their farms, businesses and communities. The people of Darfur ask for nothing less than the what most of us take for granite.

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


Alberto Fernandez, Sudan, Darfur, Internally Displaced Persons, President Omer Al-Bashir, Politics, Humanitarian, Society

Sarah Palin IS a Cartoon Character!

A little humor to start your day... I know, just when you thought Sarah Palin had crawled back off to nowheresville.... I'm sorry... but it made me go "OH, NOW it all makes sense!"

Sarah Palin Is A Cartoon Character - Watch more Free Videos


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

Sarah Palin, Society

8 Year Old Murder Suspect: Update

Normally I would wait and publish this on Wednesday for my Arizona topic but given the interest in this case here's what we know currently about the boy accused of the murders in St. Johns, Arizona.

John Andreas, a Romans family spokesperson, says St. Johns detectives told them an 8-year-old fired 10 times during the shooting that claimed the lives of Vincent Romero, 29, and Tim Romans, 39, on November 6. St. Johns Police say they can’t confirm how many shots they think the 8-year-old fired due to a gag order.

Several news agencies are reporting that the St. Johns Police believe the murder weapon was a single shot .22-caliber rifle, meaning that if Mr. Andreas is correctly reporting what the detectives told him, the boy would have had to of reloaded the rifle after every shot.

- Somehow I am at odds to actually believe that an 8 year old boy is going to fire - hit - see the person get hit - reload and repeat this 10 seperate times. I just have an incredibly hard time rationalizing this in my own mind. 10 Times - I can't see it happening.

On top of it, it seems to me that the boy would have to had hit his target each and every time to the point of the victim becoming immobile - right? I mean, if I was shot and not immobilized I would certainly do everything in my power to get to the shooter and take the damned gun away - with, I'm sure, the intent to turn it on them in one fashion or another - so does this make sense?

I'm curious... was it...


• A) Not a single shot rifle or
• B) the boy didn't fire 10 times or
• C)The boy didn't do it.

A Wednesday Judge Michael Roca ruling will allow the boy to spend Thanksgiving at home with his mother. During a court hearing Judge Rosa told the boy's mother, "You're on the hook. If he doesn't make it back there's going to be a warrant for him and for you."

And finally; Over the weekend St. John's prosecutors moved to dismiss one of two murder charges against the boy according to the AP Apache County Attorney Criss Candelaria filed a one-paragraph motion in juvenile court to drop the murder charge accusing the boy of killing his father. The motion gave no reason for the request, saying only that "the state believes the interest of justice will be served by such a dismissal."

The motion broadened the mystery surrounding the case.

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

Arizona, St. Johns, Police, Judge Michael Roca, Politics, Humanitarian, Society

President-elect Obama's Weekly Address

It's time again for President-elect Obama's weekly address. This week the President-elect talks about the Economy. Do you ever wonder if GBA watches these? Can't you just see it - "Come on Dick, sit down and watch with me... hey, can you bring me some of those pretzels..."

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

President-elect Obama, Weekly Address, Politics, Humanitarian, Society