Read this story of a young African boy who brought electricity to his village because he was curious about the nature of things. His ingenuity has brought him a little fame and big universities are now courting him. An inspiring story
African Leadership Academy - William Kamkwamba
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Check out your Horoscope for 2010 - Fun but true
This is the real deal. Try ignoring it, and the first thing you'll notice is having a horrible day starting tomorrow morning . . . and it only gets worse from there.
ARIES - The Aggressive
Outgoing. Lovable. Spontaneous. Not one to mess with. Funny.. Excellent kisser EXTREMELY adorable. Loves relationships, and family is very important to an aries. Aries are known for being generous and giving. Addictive. Loud. Always has the need to be 'Right'. Aries will argue to prove their point for hours and hours. Aries are some of the most wonderful people in the world.. 16 years of bad luck if you do not forward.
TAURUS - The Tramp
Aggressive. Loves being in long relationships. Likes to give a good fight. Fight for what they want. Can be annoying at times, but for the love of attention. Extremely outgoing. Loves to help people in times of need. Good kisser. Good personality. Stubborn. A caring person. They can be self centered and if they want something they will do anything to get it. They love to sleep and can be lazy. One of a kind. Not one to mess with. Are the most attractive people on earth! 15 years of bad luck if you do not forward.
GEMINI - The Twin
Nice. Love is one of a kind. Great listeners. Very Good at confusing people... Lover not a fighter, but will still knock you out. Geminis will not take any crap from anyone. Geminis like to tell people what they should do and get offended easily. They are great at losing things and are forgetful. Geminis can be very sarcastic and childish at times and are very nosey. Trustworthy. Always happy. VERY Loud. Talkative. Outgoing. VERY FORGIVING. Loves to make out. Has a beautiful smile. Generous. Strong. THE MOST IRRESISTIBLE. 9 years of bad luck if you do not forward.
CANCER - The Beauty
MOST AMAZING KISSER. Very high appeal. A Cancer's Love is one of a kind.. Very romantic.. Most caring person you will ever meet in your life. Entirely creative Person, most are artists and insane, respectfully speaking. They perfected sex and do it often. Extremely random. An Ultimate Freak. Extremely funny and is usually the life of the party. Most Cancers will take you under their wing and into their hearts where you will remain forever. Cancers make love with a passion beyond compare. Spontaneous. Not a Fighter, But will kick your ass good if it comes down to it. Someone you should hold on to! 12 years of bad luck if you do not forward.
LEO - The Lion
Great talker. Attractive and passionate. Laid back. Usually happy but when unhappy tend to be grouchy and childish. A Leo's problem becomes everyone's problem. Most Leos are very predictable and tend to be monotonous. Knows how to have fun.. Is really good at almost anything. Great kisser. Very predictable. Outgoing. Down to earth. Addictive. Attractive. Loud. Loves being in long relationships. Talkative. Not one to mess with. Rare to find. Good when found. 7 years of bad luck if you do not forward.
VIRGO - The One that Waits
Dominant in relationships. Someone loves them right now. Always wants the last word. Caring. Smart. Loud. Loyal. Easy to talk to. Everything you ever wanted. Easy to please. A pushover. Loves to gamble and take chances. Needs to have the last say in everything.. They think they know everything and usually do. Respectful to others but you will quickly lose their respect if you do something untrustworthy towards them and never regain respect. They do not forgive and never forget. The one and only. 7 years of bad luck if you do not forward.
LIBRA - The Lame One
Nice to everyone they meet. Their love is one of a kind. Silly, funny and sweet. Have own unique appeal. Most caring person you will ever meet! However, not the kind of person you want to mess with...you might end up crying. Libras can cause as much havoc as they can prevent. Faithful friends to the end. Can hold a grudge for years. Libras are someone you want on your side. Usually great at sports and are extreme sports fanatics. Very creative. A hopeless romantic. 9 years of bad luck if you do not forward.
SCORPIO - The Addict
EXTREMELY adorable. Loves to joke. Very Good sense of humor. Will try almost anything once. Loves to be pampered. Energetic. Predictable. GREAT kisser. Always get what they want.. Attractive. Loves being in long relationships. Talkative. Loves to party but at times to the extreme. Loves the smell and feel of money and is good at making it but just as good at spending it! Very protective over loved ones. HARD workers. Can be a good friend but if is disrespected by a friend, the friendship will end. Romantic. Caring.. 4 years of bad luck if you do not forward.
SAGITTARIUS - The Promiscuous One
Spontaneous. High appeal. Rare to find. Great when found.. Loves being in long relationships. So much love to give. A loner most of the time. Loses patience easily and will not take crap. If in a bad mood stay FAR away. Gets offended easily and remembers the offense forever. Loves deeply but at times will not show it, feels it is a sign of weakness. Has many fears but will not show it. VERY private person. Defends loved ones with all their abilities. Can be childish often. Not one to mess with. Very pretty. Very romantic. Nice to everyone they meet. Their Love is one of a kind. Silly, fun and sweet. Have own unique appeal. Most caring person you will ever meet! Amazing in bed..!!! Not the kind of person you want to mess with- you might end up crying. 4 years of bad luck if you do not forward.
CAPRICORN - The Passionate Lover
Love to bust. Nice. Sassy. Intelligent. Sexy. Grouchy at times and annoying to some. Lazy and love to take it easy. But when they find a job or something they like to do they put their all into it. Proud, understanding and sweet.
Irresistible. Loves being in long relationships. Great talker. Always gets what he or she wants. Cool. Loves to win against other signs especially Gemini's in sports. Likes to cook but would rather go out to eat at good restaurants.
Extremely fun. Loves to joke. Smart. 24 years of bad luck if you do not forward.
AQUARIUS - Does It In The Water
Trustworthy. Attractive. Great kisser. One of a kind, loves being in long-term relationships. Can be clumsy at times but tries hard. Will take on any project. Proud of themselves in whatever they do. Messy and unorganized. Procrastinators. Great lovers, when they're not sleeping. Extreme thinkers. Loves their pets usually more than their family. Can be VERY irritating to others when they try to explain or tell a story. Unpredictable. Will exceed your expectations. Not a Fighter but will Knock your lights out.. 2 years of bad luck if you do not forward
PISCES - The Partner for Life
Caring and kind. Smart. Likes to be the center of attention. Very organized. High appeal to opposite sex. Likes to have the last word. Good to find, but hard to keep. Passionate, wonderful lovers. Fun to be around. Too trusting at times and gets hurt easily. VERY caring. They always try to do the right thing and sometimes gets the short end of the stick. They sometimes get used by others and get hurt because of their trusting. Extremely weird but in a good way. Good sense of humor!!! Thoughtful. Loves to joke. Very popular. Silly, fun and sweet. Good friend to other but needs to be choosy on who they allow their friends to be. 5 years of bad luck if you do not forward.
ARIES - The Aggressive
Outgoing. Lovable. Spontaneous. Not one to mess with. Funny.. Excellent kisser EXTREMELY adorable. Loves relationships, and family is very important to an aries. Aries are known for being generous and giving. Addictive. Loud. Always has the need to be 'Right'. Aries will argue to prove their point for hours and hours. Aries are some of the most wonderful people in the world.. 16 years of bad luck if you do not forward.
TAURUS - The Tramp
Aggressive. Loves being in long relationships. Likes to give a good fight. Fight for what they want. Can be annoying at times, but for the love of attention. Extremely outgoing. Loves to help people in times of need. Good kisser. Good personality. Stubborn. A caring person. They can be self centered and if they want something they will do anything to get it. They love to sleep and can be lazy. One of a kind. Not one to mess with. Are the most attractive people on earth! 15 years of bad luck if you do not forward.
GEMINI - The Twin
Nice. Love is one of a kind. Great listeners. Very Good at confusing people... Lover not a fighter, but will still knock you out. Geminis will not take any crap from anyone. Geminis like to tell people what they should do and get offended easily. They are great at losing things and are forgetful. Geminis can be very sarcastic and childish at times and are very nosey. Trustworthy. Always happy. VERY Loud. Talkative. Outgoing. VERY FORGIVING. Loves to make out. Has a beautiful smile. Generous. Strong. THE MOST IRRESISTIBLE. 9 years of bad luck if you do not forward.
CANCER - The Beauty
MOST AMAZING KISSER. Very high appeal. A Cancer's Love is one of a kind.. Very romantic.. Most caring person you will ever meet in your life. Entirely creative Person, most are artists and insane, respectfully speaking. They perfected sex and do it often. Extremely random. An Ultimate Freak. Extremely funny and is usually the life of the party. Most Cancers will take you under their wing and into their hearts where you will remain forever. Cancers make love with a passion beyond compare. Spontaneous. Not a Fighter, But will kick your ass good if it comes down to it. Someone you should hold on to! 12 years of bad luck if you do not forward.
LEO - The Lion
Great talker. Attractive and passionate. Laid back. Usually happy but when unhappy tend to be grouchy and childish. A Leo's problem becomes everyone's problem. Most Leos are very predictable and tend to be monotonous. Knows how to have fun.. Is really good at almost anything. Great kisser. Very predictable. Outgoing. Down to earth. Addictive. Attractive. Loud. Loves being in long relationships. Talkative. Not one to mess with. Rare to find. Good when found. 7 years of bad luck if you do not forward.
VIRGO - The One that Waits
Dominant in relationships. Someone loves them right now. Always wants the last word. Caring. Smart. Loud. Loyal. Easy to talk to. Everything you ever wanted. Easy to please. A pushover. Loves to gamble and take chances. Needs to have the last say in everything.. They think they know everything and usually do. Respectful to others but you will quickly lose their respect if you do something untrustworthy towards them and never regain respect. They do not forgive and never forget. The one and only. 7 years of bad luck if you do not forward.
LIBRA - The Lame One
Nice to everyone they meet. Their love is one of a kind. Silly, funny and sweet. Have own unique appeal. Most caring person you will ever meet! However, not the kind of person you want to mess with...you might end up crying. Libras can cause as much havoc as they can prevent. Faithful friends to the end. Can hold a grudge for years. Libras are someone you want on your side. Usually great at sports and are extreme sports fanatics. Very creative. A hopeless romantic. 9 years of bad luck if you do not forward.
SCORPIO - The Addict
EXTREMELY adorable. Loves to joke. Very Good sense of humor. Will try almost anything once. Loves to be pampered. Energetic. Predictable. GREAT kisser. Always get what they want.. Attractive. Loves being in long relationships. Talkative. Loves to party but at times to the extreme. Loves the smell and feel of money and is good at making it but just as good at spending it! Very protective over loved ones. HARD workers. Can be a good friend but if is disrespected by a friend, the friendship will end. Romantic. Caring.. 4 years of bad luck if you do not forward.
SAGITTARIUS - The Promiscuous One
Spontaneous. High appeal. Rare to find. Great when found.. Loves being in long relationships. So much love to give. A loner most of the time. Loses patience easily and will not take crap. If in a bad mood stay FAR away. Gets offended easily and remembers the offense forever. Loves deeply but at times will not show it, feels it is a sign of weakness. Has many fears but will not show it. VERY private person. Defends loved ones with all their abilities. Can be childish often. Not one to mess with. Very pretty. Very romantic. Nice to everyone they meet. Their Love is one of a kind. Silly, fun and sweet. Have own unique appeal. Most caring person you will ever meet! Amazing in bed..!!! Not the kind of person you want to mess with- you might end up crying. 4 years of bad luck if you do not forward.
CAPRICORN - The Passionate Lover
Love to bust. Nice. Sassy. Intelligent. Sexy. Grouchy at times and annoying to some. Lazy and love to take it easy. But when they find a job or something they like to do they put their all into it. Proud, understanding and sweet.
Irresistible. Loves being in long relationships. Great talker. Always gets what he or she wants. Cool. Loves to win against other signs especially Gemini's in sports. Likes to cook but would rather go out to eat at good restaurants.
Extremely fun. Loves to joke. Smart. 24 years of bad luck if you do not forward.
AQUARIUS - Does It In The Water
Trustworthy. Attractive. Great kisser. One of a kind, loves being in long-term relationships. Can be clumsy at times but tries hard. Will take on any project. Proud of themselves in whatever they do. Messy and unorganized. Procrastinators. Great lovers, when they're not sleeping. Extreme thinkers. Loves their pets usually more than their family. Can be VERY irritating to others when they try to explain or tell a story. Unpredictable. Will exceed your expectations. Not a Fighter but will Knock your lights out.. 2 years of bad luck if you do not forward
PISCES - The Partner for Life
Caring and kind. Smart. Likes to be the center of attention. Very organized. High appeal to opposite sex. Likes to have the last word. Good to find, but hard to keep. Passionate, wonderful lovers. Fun to be around. Too trusting at times and gets hurt easily. VERY caring. They always try to do the right thing and sometimes gets the short end of the stick. They sometimes get used by others and get hurt because of their trusting. Extremely weird but in a good way. Good sense of humor!!! Thoughtful. Loves to joke. Very popular. Silly, fun and sweet. Good friend to other but needs to be choosy on who they allow their friends to be. 5 years of bad luck if you do not forward.
The Humane Society of the United States:
It's two days before Christmas, and I wanted to share this story of hope with you. It's about a dog named Fay, a dogfighting survivor whom The Humane Society of the United States helped save this year during one of their biggest raids ever. Watch Fay's inspiring story. If you can, then please make a holiday donation to help The HSUS keep up the good fight against animal cruelty.
This is sent on behalf of Alternet. It is wrong to be cruel to any animal. We are their guardians and they provide a valuable service to all mankind. How could any human treat animals so poorly.
This is sent on behalf of Alternet. It is wrong to be cruel to any animal. We are their guardians and they provide a valuable service to all mankind. How could any human treat animals so poorly.
Community Places Grant Available - Kerri Irvin-Ross
December 23, 2009
PROVINCE ANNOUNCES COMMUNITY PLACES GRANT APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE
Grant applications for Manitoba’s popular Community Places program will be available today and will be accepted until Feb. 15, Housing and Community Development Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross said.
“By continuing to expand and improve the facilities that provide leisure, recreation and wellness initiatives across the province, this government is continuing to improve the quality of life for Manitobans,” said Irvin-Ross.
The Community Places initiative provides funding and planning assistance to non-profit community organizations for facility construction, upgrading, expansion or acquisition projects. Eligible projects must provide sustainable recreational and wellness benefits to communities, the minister said.
Non-profit organizations can apply for assistance for critical building repairs, energy-saving initiatives and user-related improvements.
Eligible projects can receive up to 50 per cent of the first $15,000 of total project costs and up to
one-third of costs over that amount; the maximum grant is $50,000. Applicants must contribute to project costs by providing additional resources from local fundraising, grants from local governments and other sources, and donated labour and materials.
In 2009, the provincial government invested $4.5 million in Community Places grants to support 306 neighbourhood construction projects provincewide in both rural and urban communities ranging in size from $1,757 to $9.6 million, Irvin-Ross said. These grants have leveraged $46.8 million in infrastructure improvements. Examples of projects approved in 2009 include:
· $40,000 to construct a skateboard, BMX and in-line skate park in Gimli;
· $40,000 to expand the Anola Community Club;
· $36,000 to reconstruct an old Winnipeg street car for display at the Winnipeg Railway Museum; and
· $22,000 to convert the heating system to geothermal in the Brunkild Memorial Recreation Centre,
To receive a grant application or for more information on the Community Places program, contact the program office in Winnipeg at 945‑0502 or 1-800-894-3777 (toll‑free), e-mail mcpp@gov.mb.ca or visit www.gov.mb.ca/chc/grants.
- 30 -
PROVINCE ANNOUNCES COMMUNITY PLACES GRANT APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE
Grant applications for Manitoba’s popular Community Places program will be available today and will be accepted until Feb. 15, Housing and Community Development Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross said.
“By continuing to expand and improve the facilities that provide leisure, recreation and wellness initiatives across the province, this government is continuing to improve the quality of life for Manitobans,” said Irvin-Ross.
The Community Places initiative provides funding and planning assistance to non-profit community organizations for facility construction, upgrading, expansion or acquisition projects. Eligible projects must provide sustainable recreational and wellness benefits to communities, the minister said.
Non-profit organizations can apply for assistance for critical building repairs, energy-saving initiatives and user-related improvements.
Eligible projects can receive up to 50 per cent of the first $15,000 of total project costs and up to
one-third of costs over that amount; the maximum grant is $50,000. Applicants must contribute to project costs by providing additional resources from local fundraising, grants from local governments and other sources, and donated labour and materials.
In 2009, the provincial government invested $4.5 million in Community Places grants to support 306 neighbourhood construction projects provincewide in both rural and urban communities ranging in size from $1,757 to $9.6 million, Irvin-Ross said. These grants have leveraged $46.8 million in infrastructure improvements. Examples of projects approved in 2009 include:
· $40,000 to construct a skateboard, BMX and in-line skate park in Gimli;
· $40,000 to expand the Anola Community Club;
· $36,000 to reconstruct an old Winnipeg street car for display at the Winnipeg Railway Museum; and
· $22,000 to convert the heating system to geothermal in the Brunkild Memorial Recreation Centre,
To receive a grant application or for more information on the Community Places program, contact the program office in Winnipeg at 945‑0502 or 1-800-894-3777 (toll‑free), e-mail mcpp@gov.mb.ca or visit www.gov.mb.ca/chc/grants.
- 30 -
Communism threat to St. Vincent - Wade Kojo
WAKE UP VINCENTIANS
In the December 18 Dominica General elections, Prime Minister Skerrit and his Dominica Labour Party raced home to victory and trouncing the UWP (3 seats) and Dominica Freedom Party (o seats) 18 seats to 3 seats. Both opposition leaders lost their seats.
So while Son Mitchell - who himself received an honour from Cuba - continue to scare Vincentian voters into thinking that "Communism taking over" under Dr. Ralph Gonsalves because of his progressive foreign policy and ties with countries like Cuba, Venezuela, etc., Dominicans see that type of scaremongering as dotishness, political fraud and intellectual dishonesty on the part of Son Mitchell, Eustace, Leacock and the rest of the NDP.
Dominicans continue to embrace Prime Minister Skerrit and his Labour government, Dominicans continue to choose progress over backwardness. Dominicans value the benefits of their country's participation in the ALBA, PetroCaribe Agreement, Vision Now Eye Programme, as well as the other developmental assistance realised from their close relationship with countries like Cuba and Venezuela.
Wake up Vincentians!!! Communism died a long time ago. Comrade CANNOT resurrect it.
Cde. T. Wade Kojo Williams, Sr.
Phone/Fax: (204) 487-2407;
Mobile: (204) 296-1781
In the December 18 Dominica General elections, Prime Minister Skerrit and his Dominica Labour Party raced home to victory and trouncing the UWP (3 seats) and Dominica Freedom Party (o seats) 18 seats to 3 seats. Both opposition leaders lost their seats.
So while Son Mitchell - who himself received an honour from Cuba - continue to scare Vincentian voters into thinking that "Communism taking over" under Dr. Ralph Gonsalves because of his progressive foreign policy and ties with countries like Cuba, Venezuela, etc., Dominicans see that type of scaremongering as dotishness, political fraud and intellectual dishonesty on the part of Son Mitchell, Eustace, Leacock and the rest of the NDP.
Dominicans continue to embrace Prime Minister Skerrit and his Labour government, Dominicans continue to choose progress over backwardness. Dominicans value the benefits of their country's participation in the ALBA, PetroCaribe Agreement, Vision Now Eye Programme, as well as the other developmental assistance realised from their close relationship with countries like Cuba and Venezuela.
Wake up Vincentians!!! Communism died a long time ago. Comrade CANNOT resurrect it.
Cde. T. Wade Kojo Williams, Sr.
Phone/Fax: (204) 487-2407;
Mobile: (204) 296-1781
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
End of Year Soul Work
There comes a point in your life when you realize:
Who matters,
Who never did,
Who won't anymore...
And who always will.
So, don't worry about people from your past,
There's a reason why they didn't make it to your future.
Give these flowers to everyone you don't want to lose in 2010
Including me, if that's what is in your heart.
Family: Brittany Murphy was ill days before death - USATODAY.com
Everyone is talking about the sudden death of Brittany Murphy whom we all learned to love in her "Clueless" role and coining of the term "whatever".
How sad. It is only hoped that there was no foul play or any of that stuff involved. Her parents have enough to worry about. May God rest her soul. What a loss.
Family: Brittany Murphy was ill days before death - USATODAY.com
How sad. It is only hoped that there was no foul play or any of that stuff involved. Her parents have enough to worry about. May God rest her soul. What a loss.
Family: Brittany Murphy was ill days before death - USATODAY.com
Happy Winter Solstice!
An email gem I thought I'd share with you
Welcome Winter Solstice—The picture below was taken this morning on Lake Winnipeg at sun rise. The little black specks in the distance are fishing shacks. There were several underground thunderings as the lake cracked in the cold. Enjoy the shortest day of the year. However you celebrate this “Saturnalian” season, may it be the best!
Rose
Manitoba serious about climate change
MANITOBA, WISCONSIN PARTNER ON CLIMATE CHANGE: SELINGER, DOYLE
Expert Climate-change Workshops to Focus on Green Jobs, Economic Growth in Low-carbon Economy, Bioenergy and Agriculture, and Watershed Management
COPENHAGEN, Denmark—Premier Greg Selinger and Wisconsin’s Gov. Jim Doyle agreed to next steps in their partnership on climate change at the United Nations Climate Change Conference here today.
In October, Wisconsin and Manitoba formalized their strong economic and energy relationship by signing a memorandum of understanding to enhance skills, technology transfer and research partnerships in common key sectors such as renewable energy and environmental industries, water treatment and management, biosciences and life sciences, agricultural and human-health research and development, and transportation.
“Gov. Doyle and I have agreed that, as a first step in implementing our co-operation agreement, we will host a series of workshops involving experts from within the Midwest region in an effort to increase private- and public-sector relationships and to maximize opportunities for growth,” said Selinger.
“Today’s agreement builds upon Wisconsin’s and Manitoba’s leading efforts to promote new technologies in agriculture and clean energy,” Doyle said. “Our continued commitment to collaboration will lead the future innovation and grow our economies.”
The workshops will address topics of shared importance to Manitoba and Wisconsin including green jobs and green economy, regional climate economic modelling, agricultural economics, and watershed consequences.
Manitoba and Wisconsin share many perspectives in common related to climate change and renewable energy measures and work together as partners in the Midwestern Greenhouse Gas Accord.
Both Selinger and Doyle are in Copenhagen with other sub-national leaders to participate in the Climate Leaders Summit. They are encouraging world leaders to reach a political agreement on climate change and to recognize the role of sub-national governments in climate-change actions.
Expert Climate-change Workshops to Focus on Green Jobs, Economic Growth in Low-carbon Economy, Bioenergy and Agriculture, and Watershed Management
COPENHAGEN, Denmark—Premier Greg Selinger and Wisconsin’s Gov. Jim Doyle agreed to next steps in their partnership on climate change at the United Nations Climate Change Conference here today.
In October, Wisconsin and Manitoba formalized their strong economic and energy relationship by signing a memorandum of understanding to enhance skills, technology transfer and research partnerships in common key sectors such as renewable energy and environmental industries, water treatment and management, biosciences and life sciences, agricultural and human-health research and development, and transportation.
“Gov. Doyle and I have agreed that, as a first step in implementing our co-operation agreement, we will host a series of workshops involving experts from within the Midwest region in an effort to increase private- and public-sector relationships and to maximize opportunities for growth,” said Selinger.
“Today’s agreement builds upon Wisconsin’s and Manitoba’s leading efforts to promote new technologies in agriculture and clean energy,” Doyle said. “Our continued commitment to collaboration will lead the future innovation and grow our economies.”
The workshops will address topics of shared importance to Manitoba and Wisconsin including green jobs and green economy, regional climate economic modelling, agricultural economics, and watershed consequences.
Manitoba and Wisconsin share many perspectives in common related to climate change and renewable energy measures and work together as partners in the Midwestern Greenhouse Gas Accord.
Both Selinger and Doyle are in Copenhagen with other sub-national leaders to participate in the Climate Leaders Summit. They are encouraging world leaders to reach a political agreement on climate change and to recognize the role of sub-national governments in climate-change actions.
Speeding is going to cost you more money in Winnipeg
The new year will bring changes to the way fines for speeding are calculated in Manitoba, Attorney General Andrew Swan announced today.
Rather than slotting ranges of speed into one of 10 set fine categories, people will be charged a base fine of $7.70 for every kilometre they speed over the posted limit.
“The change will make every ticket better reflect the actual offence and provide greater incentive for individuals to slow down,” said Swan.
Fines for extreme cases of speeding require a court appearance for the fine to be assessed and the threshold for that will drop to 100 from 120 km over the limit.
The majority of the base fine goes to municipalities that issue the tickets to support their policing costs. It is one of four components of the amount paid on such tickets. The other three parts are court costs, the justice services surcharge and the victim surcharge. Starting in January, the court cost portion of tickets will increase to 45 per cent from 35 per cent of the fine to better reflect the expense of administering these tickets by the courts.
Manitoba Justice expects to recover roughly 14 per cent of its expenditures from fees and fines due to these changes.
“Those who break the law should bear more of the cost to taxpayers for administering the law,” said Swan. “Speeding costs our communities more than dollars and cents, and I hope this change will encourage safer behaviour, preventing tragic events and saving lives.”
Rather than slotting ranges of speed into one of 10 set fine categories, people will be charged a base fine of $7.70 for every kilometre they speed over the posted limit.
“The change will make every ticket better reflect the actual offence and provide greater incentive for individuals to slow down,” said Swan.
Fines for extreme cases of speeding require a court appearance for the fine to be assessed and the threshold for that will drop to 100 from 120 km over the limit.
The majority of the base fine goes to municipalities that issue the tickets to support their policing costs. It is one of four components of the amount paid on such tickets. The other three parts are court costs, the justice services surcharge and the victim surcharge. Starting in January, the court cost portion of tickets will increase to 45 per cent from 35 per cent of the fine to better reflect the expense of administering these tickets by the courts.
Manitoba Justice expects to recover roughly 14 per cent of its expenditures from fees and fines due to these changes.
“Those who break the law should bear more of the cost to taxpayers for administering the law,” said Swan. “Speeding costs our communities more than dollars and cents, and I hope this change will encourage safer behaviour, preventing tragic events and saving lives.”
Friday, December 18, 2009
(Re-) Introducing Maiko Watson | Soul Sessions
Check out what critics are saying about Winnipeg's own Maiko Watson
(Re-) Introducing Maiko Watson Soul Sessions: "Re-) Introducing Maiko Watson
Published by L"
(Re-) Introducing Maiko Watson Soul Sessions: "Re-) Introducing Maiko Watson
Published by L"
Always Controversial Cornel West Disses Obama, Survives Cancer and Almost Spent His Life in Prison | Rights and Liberties | AlterNet
Cornel West, one of the leading Black Philosophers, speaks his mind and about his new book. Check him out
Always Controversial Cornel West Disses Obama, Survives Cancer and Almost Spent His Life in Prison Rights and Liberties AlterNet
Always Controversial Cornel West Disses Obama, Survives Cancer and Almost Spent His Life in Prison Rights and Liberties AlterNet
Thursday, December 17, 2009
BBC NEWS | Africa | South African rapist: 'Forgive me'
Dumisani Rebombo and his friend raped a young girl in their village in South
Africa when they were teenagers.
Years later, he returned to the same village to find the woman he attacked
and begged for her forgiveness.
Mr Rebombo, 49, is one of thousands of men in South Africa who admit to
having carried out a sexual assault - one in four, according to a recent
survey.
He told BBC News why he feels so many young men in his homeland engage in
the ill-treatment of women.
When I was 15 years old, I took part in a gang rape.
Before the incident, I was constantly jeered for not being man enough.
At the time I was not ready to have a girlfriend when all my friends did.
I did not tend the cattle or sheep, nor did I attend the initiation school
[where South African teenagers are circumcised in traditional rites of
passage].
This fuelled my daily jeers.
" My friends sang and clapped as if we had done something right "
Dumisani Rebombo
A friend and my cousin pressured me to prove that I was man enough, by
taking part in the rape of a teenage girl in the village.
This was termed "straightening her up", since she did not want to go out
with any of the local boys.
I succumbed to this daily pressure and on the day of the incident, when they
saw me trembling with fear, they ordered me to take marijuana and beer to
defeat my fears.
I did just that and the two of us [my friend and I] proceeded to rape the
girl.
Guilty and scared
Afterwards, I was terrified.
I felt guilty but also scared that the news could reach my mother who had a
high standing in the community.
The following day, when we went for our soccer practice, this incident was
reported to all the other football players.
On hearing the news, they sang and clapped as if we had done something
right.
This helped to stop the jeering somewhat and I was allowed to associate with
the other boys.
I still felt guilty, at least partially so, especially when I saw the girl
in the village. Sometimes I tried to avoid meeting her.
But slowly, over time, I began to think less and less about the incident.
I left my village in Limpopo Province and went to live in the city and
joined a religious group from which I learned a lot about love and respect
for all.
Strangely, I did not think much of the incident - I just went on with my
life.
I started work with an NGO (non-governmental organisation) where I mostly
worked with unemployed mothers.
Every Monday morning, the women reported incidents of abuse in different
forms.
" Every time I heard of a negative act by a man, I was forced to go back to
my own incident "
Dumisani Rebombo
As they did this, I could not help it but give way to introspection.
It was as if every time I heard of a negative act by a man, I was forced to
go back to my own incident.
I then asked my employers to train us in a methodology which would target
boys and men.
They did this and very soon, I felt challenged, self-consciously, to set an
example to the men I was teaching.
Seeking forgiveness
I took a decision to go back to find the woman I raped.
I realised that the woman needed justice.
But also, I wanted to ask for forgiveness, now that I understood the effects
and consequences for someone who has been raped.
I went to my pastor about this. His response was: "You are saved now, you
were once in the mud, but now you know the truth and you are therefore OK."
He also asked me if I was ready to go to jail. He said: "What if the woman
went to the authorities?"
My answer was: "If I go to jail, that would be justice for that woman."
I therefore took the journey to the north.
I wanted her to know that I felt bad about what I had done to her, that I
was a changed man and I was working with other men to prevent rape.
When we met, she showed a wry smile on her face.
Since we were at a public clinic, she thought I was a doctor or someone from
the Ministry of Health.
I related my story to her. She looked at me and revealed that she had since
been raped on two other occasions.
" She told me how she often cringes when her husband touches her "
Dumisani Rebombo
She started crying. She told me how she often cringes when her husband
touches her.
She told me that her life was never the same emotionally following these
incidents.
Worse still, she was not ready to tell her husband of what had happened.
Finally, she said that she forgave me, and thought that I had meant well
with all that I had said.
I left that room with a new burden - to do something about rape in my
community and my country.
Machismo feelings
If you asked me: "What motivates so many men in South Africa to engage in
un-consensual sex?" I would say that it is the machismo feelings and
beliefs, coupled with patriarchal processes and tendencies.
I think that we raise boys in the wrong way, but later on in their lives we
want to see them as different men who care and love.
My advice to young men who feel under pressure to rape, is to surround
yourselves with good friends.
Learn to talk to someone about what is going on inside.
For with this, one can teach the young men to have other means of solving
conflict.
And above all, to grow up respecting girls.
Dumisani Rebombo is a community development worker and public speaker,
working for the Olive Leaf Foundation, in Johannesburg.
Share your thoughts with us: What do you think about this story and what it says about manhood
BBCPreview and purchase Maiko Watson's new album "Sweet Vibration" here:http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/maiko-watson/id316648191
NEWS Africa South African rapist: 'Forgive me'
Africa when they were teenagers.
Years later, he returned to the same village to find the woman he attacked
and begged for her forgiveness.
Mr Rebombo, 49, is one of thousands of men in South Africa who admit to
having carried out a sexual assault - one in four, according to a recent
survey.
He told BBC News why he feels so many young men in his homeland engage in
the ill-treatment of women.
When I was 15 years old, I took part in a gang rape.
Before the incident, I was constantly jeered for not being man enough.
At the time I was not ready to have a girlfriend when all my friends did.
I did not tend the cattle or sheep, nor did I attend the initiation school
[where South African teenagers are circumcised in traditional rites of
passage].
This fuelled my daily jeers.
" My friends sang and clapped as if we had done something right "
Dumisani Rebombo
A friend and my cousin pressured me to prove that I was man enough, by
taking part in the rape of a teenage girl in the village.
This was termed "straightening her up", since she did not want to go out
with any of the local boys.
I succumbed to this daily pressure and on the day of the incident, when they
saw me trembling with fear, they ordered me to take marijuana and beer to
defeat my fears.
I did just that and the two of us [my friend and I] proceeded to rape the
girl.
Guilty and scared
Afterwards, I was terrified.
I felt guilty but also scared that the news could reach my mother who had a
high standing in the community.
The following day, when we went for our soccer practice, this incident was
reported to all the other football players.
On hearing the news, they sang and clapped as if we had done something
right.
This helped to stop the jeering somewhat and I was allowed to associate with
the other boys.
I still felt guilty, at least partially so, especially when I saw the girl
in the village. Sometimes I tried to avoid meeting her.
But slowly, over time, I began to think less and less about the incident.
I left my village in Limpopo Province and went to live in the city and
joined a religious group from which I learned a lot about love and respect
for all.
Strangely, I did not think much of the incident - I just went on with my
life.
I started work with an NGO (non-governmental organisation) where I mostly
worked with unemployed mothers.
Every Monday morning, the women reported incidents of abuse in different
forms.
" Every time I heard of a negative act by a man, I was forced to go back to
my own incident "
Dumisani Rebombo
As they did this, I could not help it but give way to introspection.
It was as if every time I heard of a negative act by a man, I was forced to
go back to my own incident.
I then asked my employers to train us in a methodology which would target
boys and men.
They did this and very soon, I felt challenged, self-consciously, to set an
example to the men I was teaching.
Seeking forgiveness
I took a decision to go back to find the woman I raped.
I realised that the woman needed justice.
But also, I wanted to ask for forgiveness, now that I understood the effects
and consequences for someone who has been raped.
I went to my pastor about this. His response was: "You are saved now, you
were once in the mud, but now you know the truth and you are therefore OK."
He also asked me if I was ready to go to jail. He said: "What if the woman
went to the authorities?"
My answer was: "If I go to jail, that would be justice for that woman."
I therefore took the journey to the north.
I wanted her to know that I felt bad about what I had done to her, that I
was a changed man and I was working with other men to prevent rape.
When we met, she showed a wry smile on her face.
Since we were at a public clinic, she thought I was a doctor or someone from
the Ministry of Health.
I related my story to her. She looked at me and revealed that she had since
been raped on two other occasions.
" She told me how she often cringes when her husband touches her "
Dumisani Rebombo
She started crying. She told me how she often cringes when her husband
touches her.
She told me that her life was never the same emotionally following these
incidents.
Worse still, she was not ready to tell her husband of what had happened.
Finally, she said that she forgave me, and thought that I had meant well
with all that I had said.
I left that room with a new burden - to do something about rape in my
community and my country.
Machismo feelings
If you asked me: "What motivates so many men in South Africa to engage in
un-consensual sex?" I would say that it is the machismo feelings and
beliefs, coupled with patriarchal processes and tendencies.
I think that we raise boys in the wrong way, but later on in their lives we
want to see them as different men who care and love.
My advice to young men who feel under pressure to rape, is to surround
yourselves with good friends.
Learn to talk to someone about what is going on inside.
For with this, one can teach the young men to have other means of solving
conflict.
And above all, to grow up respecting girls.
Dumisani Rebombo is a community development worker and public speaker,
working for the Olive Leaf Foundation, in Johannesburg.
Share your thoughts with us: What do you think about this story and what it says about manhood
BBCPreview and purchase Maiko Watson's new album "Sweet Vibration" here:http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/maiko-watson/id316648191
NEWS Africa South African rapist: 'Forgive me'
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Be wary of something that looks too good to be true
Protect your computer and your company's computer from being hacked or compromised by viruses and hackers: Here are some things that might help you:
Why viruses are created
Most of today's viruses are created by cyber-criminals for profit. Many viruses are designed to steal or copy your personal data for financial gain. The goal may be to access passwords or credit card details; to use your Internet connection to host scams or to send spam from your computer.
Virus attacks via the Internet
E-mail attachments are not the only method of attack for virus writers. Criminals have quickly realized that search engines like Google, AOL, or Yahoo, can be used to reach large pools of potential victims.
For example, if you search for the term "lyric," nearly 15 out of 100 search results would take you to risky web sites.
The 20 most dangerous words to search for on the Internet (reported by McAfee – 2008 Report)word unscrambler
lyrics
myspace
free music downloads
phelps, weber-gale, jones and lezak win 4x100m relay
free music
game cheats
printable fill in puzzles
free ringtones
solitaire
miniclip
make money
viva la vida (coldplay) lyrics
touch my body lyrics
love song lyrics
lollipop lyrics
my life (lil wayne) lyrics
weather.com
lowes
the price is right
Other dangerous search term categories are online games, screensavers and "work from home".
Search terms involving online games are among the riskiest because online games often prompt you to install plug-ins or register with a name or e-mail address.
How to protect your computer from dangerous Internet searches
Although the security restrictions on government desktops and network security systems protect the majority of government computers from web based viruses; users should still be aware of the dangers and be cautious when using the Internet at work and at home.
Advice for Home Computer Users
Keep your computer’s operating system, anti-virus software and other programs up to date to fix any flaws that hackers could exploit
Adjust your Internet browser settings to Medium or Medium-High
Stay away from suspicious web sites, and only download files from trusted sources
Be suspicious of anything that sounds too good to be true. If a link promises free downloads of the all the latest hit songs, chances are it's leading you to a risky Web site
Security Software for Home Users
Some security software includes an Internet filter that warns you of suspicious web sites. An example of this kind of program is McAfee Site Advisor http://www.siteadvisor.com/.
SiteAdvisor software adds small site rating icons to your search results as well as a browser button and optional search box. Together, these alert you to potentially risky sites and help you find safer alternatives. The program is free and is simple to use. When you search the Internet you will see ratings for each search result (see screen shot below). The ratings indicate Safe, Caution, Warning, and Unknown.
Why viruses are created
Most of today's viruses are created by cyber-criminals for profit. Many viruses are designed to steal or copy your personal data for financial gain. The goal may be to access passwords or credit card details; to use your Internet connection to host scams or to send spam from your computer.
Virus attacks via the Internet
E-mail attachments are not the only method of attack for virus writers. Criminals have quickly realized that search engines like Google, AOL, or Yahoo, can be used to reach large pools of potential victims.
For example, if you search for the term "lyric," nearly 15 out of 100 search results would take you to risky web sites.
The 20 most dangerous words to search for on the Internet (reported by McAfee – 2008 Report)word unscrambler
lyrics
myspace
free music downloads
phelps, weber-gale, jones and lezak win 4x100m relay
free music
game cheats
printable fill in puzzles
free ringtones
solitaire
miniclip
make money
viva la vida (coldplay) lyrics
touch my body lyrics
love song lyrics
lollipop lyrics
my life (lil wayne) lyrics
weather.com
lowes
the price is right
Other dangerous search term categories are online games, screensavers and "work from home".
Search terms involving online games are among the riskiest because online games often prompt you to install plug-ins or register with a name or e-mail address.
How to protect your computer from dangerous Internet searches
Although the security restrictions on government desktops and network security systems protect the majority of government computers from web based viruses; users should still be aware of the dangers and be cautious when using the Internet at work and at home.
Advice for Home Computer Users
Keep your computer’s operating system, anti-virus software and other programs up to date to fix any flaws that hackers could exploit
Adjust your Internet browser settings to Medium or Medium-High
Stay away from suspicious web sites, and only download files from trusted sources
Be suspicious of anything that sounds too good to be true. If a link promises free downloads of the all the latest hit songs, chances are it's leading you to a risky Web site
Security Software for Home Users
Some security software includes an Internet filter that warns you of suspicious web sites. An example of this kind of program is McAfee Site Advisor http://www.siteadvisor.com/.
SiteAdvisor software adds small site rating icons to your search results as well as a browser button and optional search box. Together, these alert you to potentially risky sites and help you find safer alternatives. The program is free and is simple to use. When you search the Internet you will see ratings for each search result (see screen shot below). The ratings indicate Safe, Caution, Warning, and Unknown.
Tis the season to be happy
This picture is about the colorful life in the tropics. I love it. May our spirits maintain its brilliance over the season so that it may shine on others.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Twelve Days of Christmas - The real meaning
I just found out through an email that was circulated to me, I thought I should share it with the world of course:
12 Days of Christmas
If you did not already know this you may find it quite interesting.
There is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me. What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won't come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas?
This week, I found out.
From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were
not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone
during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics.
It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning
plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each
element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality
which the children could remember.
-The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
-Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.
-Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.
-The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.
-The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
-The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
-Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
-The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
-Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness,
Gentleness, and Self Control.
-The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.
-The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
-The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.
So there is your history for today. This knowledge was shared with me and I found it interesting and enlightening and now I know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol...so pass it on if you wish.'
Merry (Twelve Days of) Christmas Everyone
12 Days of Christmas
If you did not already know this you may find it quite interesting.
There is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me. What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won't come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas?
This week, I found out.
From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were
not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone
during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics.
It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning
plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each
element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality
which the children could remember.
-The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
-Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.
-Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.
-The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.
-The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
-The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
-Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
-The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
-Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness,
Gentleness, and Self Control.
-The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.
-The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
-The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.
So there is your history for today. This knowledge was shared with me and I found it interesting and enlightening and now I know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol...so pass it on if you wish.'
Merry (Twelve Days of) Christmas Everyone
Monday, December 14, 2009
Guyanese Banditos in Bajan territory
Somwattie Persaud, Lemme Michael Cambell, Rohan Shastri Rambarran
Dianne Bacchus and Gavin green
These five crimminals will be spending the rest of their lives in a jail for committing the most heinous crime in Barbados's history ever and it took a Guyanese to break the record.
Guyanese commit egregious crimes in Barbados
Drugs-in-logs Guyanese sentenced to 428 years
Posted By Stabroek staff On December 12, 2009 @ 5:30 am In Local News | 56 Comments
Six Guyanese, convicted in the biggest drug bust in Barbados’ history, were yesterday collectively sentenced to a historic 428 years in prison for the 28 drug offences for which they were found guilty earlier this year.
[1]
Lemme Michael Campbell
Their sentences will run concurrently and two men from the group, deemed to be ‘the brains behind the operation,’ will spend 30 and 25 years, respectively, at HMP Dodds while their four compatriots will each serve 15 years.
Justice Kaye Goodridge, in handing down her sentence in the No. 5
[2]
Rohan Shastri Rambarran
Supreme Court yesterday morning, said that illegal narcotics wreaked such havoc that could lead to the erosion of the social fabric as well as the creation of a myriad of social problems.
Anyone caught will feel the full weight of the law, she warned.
Lemme Michael Campbell, 45, his wife Somwattie Persaud, 40, both of 106 New Garden Street, Queenstown, Georgetown; Christopher Bacchus, 43, and his wife Dianne Bacchus, 37, both of Bay Gardens, Bayland, St Michael; Wayne Gavin Green, 38, of North Ruimveldt, Georgetown and Bridgefield, St Thomas; and Rohan Shastri Rambarran, a 43-year-old businessman of Georgetown, Guyana, were convicted of six counts relating to a police seizure of hundreds of kilos of both cannabis and cocaine at a house in Bay Gardens, St Michael on June 4, 2009.
[3]
Somwattie Persaud
All six had denied possession and trafficking in 91.3 kilos of cannabis and 119.4 kilos of cocaine on November 30, 2005, while Campbell and Rambarran had denied importing both cannabis and cocaine on November 29, 2005.
The sentences, all of which started from yesterday, are as follows:
•Campbell, whom Justice Goodridge said played a “major role” in the incident was sentenced to 115 years in prison – 15 years for importing, 15 years for possession and 20 years for trafficking in cannabis; 20 years for importing, 20 years for possession, and 25 years for trafficking in cocaine.
•Persaud, whom the judge said played a “subordinate role” in the
[4]
Christopher Bacchus
incident and who was told that “immediate release was not an option” was sentenced to 47 years in prison – ten years for possession of cannabis, 12 years for trafficking of cannabis; ten years for possession and trafficking in cocaine 15 years.
•Christopher Bacchus was sentenced to 47 years in prison – ten years for possession of cannabis; ten years for possession of cocaine; 12 and 15 years for trafficking in cannabis and cocaine respectively.
•Diane Bacchus was sentenced to 47 years in prison – ten years for possession of cannabis; ten years for possession of cocaine; 12 and 15 years for trafficking of cannabis and cocaine respectively.
•Green was sentenced to 47 years in prison – ten years for possession of cannabis; ten years for possession of cocaine; 12 and 15 years for trafficking of cannabis and cocaine respectively.
•Rambarran was sentenced to 125 years in prison – 15 years for the importation, 15 years for possession and 25 years for trafficking cannabis; 20 years for importation, 20 years for possession and 30 years for trafficking of cocaine.
[5]
Dianne Bacchus
The judge told Rambarran he was the “mastermind behind getting the illegal drugs” and making sure they were shipped to Barbados and noted the high level of sophistication involved. She also told him that he would have profited greatly from the deal and that he was motivated by greed and therefore the custodial sentences were justified.
Because the sentences will run concurrently, Campbell will serve 25 years, Persaud 15 years, Christopher and Diane Bacchus 15 years each, Green 15 years and Rambarran 30 years in prison.
The sentencing brought to a close the longest trial in recent history in a case that started on February 23.
There was also a marathon four-day summation and more than 5,000 pages of evidence, submissions, arguments and defences which were taken during the trial.
Lawmen, who testified, said they got a tip and started surveillance at a construction site in Rowans Park, St George, where they saw a container of logs being off-loaded.
They then secretly followed a truck, after some of the logs were loaded onto it, to a house at Bay Gardens, St Michael.
When they raided that house, they said, they caught Campbell, Green, and Christopher Bacchus
[6]
Gavin Green
unpacking parcels from hollowed-out logs and the women packing those parcels into suitcases.
Drugs were also on the kitchen table and by the backdoor.
They then picked up Rambarran from Hilton, Barbados after Campbell called his name as the ring leader.
In their defences, Rambarran, Green, Campbell and Persaud denied any knowledge of the drugs, but Christopher and Dianne Bacchus said they were used and set up by Campbell, and tied him, Rambarran and Green to the drugs at their house.
Director of Public Prosecutions Charles Leacock, QC, led the prosecution’s team of Principal Crown Counsel Anthony Blackman and Principal Crown Counsel Wanda Blair.
Sir Richard Cheltenham, QC, and Shelly-Ann Seecharan appeared for Rambarran; Vonda Pile represented Christopher and Dianne Bacchus; Vincent Watson and Desmond Sands appeared for Green; while Ralph Thorne, QC, and Arthur Holder represented Campbell and Persaud. (Barbados Nation)
Posted By Stabroek staff On December 12, 2009 @ 5:30 am In Local News | 56 Comments
Six Guyanese, convicted in the biggest drug bust in Barbados’ history, were yesterday collectively sentenced to a historic 428 years in prison for the 28 drug offences for which they were found guilty earlier this year.
[1]
Lemme Michael Campbell
Their sentences will run concurrently and two men from the group, deemed to be ‘the brains behind the operation,’ will spend 30 and 25 years, respectively, at HMP Dodds while their four compatriots will each serve 15 years.
Justice Kaye Goodridge, in handing down her sentence in the No. 5
[2]
Rohan Shastri Rambarran
Supreme Court yesterday morning, said that illegal narcotics wreaked such havoc that could lead to the erosion of the social fabric as well as the creation of a myriad of social problems.
Anyone caught will feel the full weight of the law, she warned.
Lemme Michael Campbell, 45, his wife Somwattie Persaud, 40, both of 106 New Garden Street, Queenstown, Georgetown; Christopher Bacchus, 43, and his wife Dianne Bacchus, 37, both of Bay Gardens, Bayland, St Michael; Wayne Gavin Green, 38, of North Ruimveldt, Georgetown and Bridgefield, St Thomas; and Rohan Shastri Rambarran, a 43-year-old businessman of Georgetown, Guyana, were convicted of six counts relating to a police seizure of hundreds of kilos of both cannabis and cocaine at a house in Bay Gardens, St Michael on June 4, 2009.
[3]
Somwattie Persaud
All six had denied possession and trafficking in 91.3 kilos of cannabis and 119.4 kilos of cocaine on November 30, 2005, while Campbell and Rambarran had denied importing both cannabis and cocaine on November 29, 2005.
The sentences, all of which started from yesterday, are as follows:
•Campbell, whom Justice Goodridge said played a “major role” in the incident was sentenced to 115 years in prison – 15 years for importing, 15 years for possession and 20 years for trafficking in cannabis; 20 years for importing, 20 years for possession, and 25 years for trafficking in cocaine.
•Persaud, whom the judge said played a “subordinate role” in the
[4]
Christopher Bacchus
incident and who was told that “immediate release was not an option” was sentenced to 47 years in prison – ten years for possession of cannabis, 12 years for trafficking of cannabis; ten years for possession and trafficking in cocaine 15 years.
•Christopher Bacchus was sentenced to 47 years in prison – ten years for possession of cannabis; ten years for possession of cocaine; 12 and 15 years for trafficking in cannabis and cocaine respectively.
•Diane Bacchus was sentenced to 47 years in prison – ten years for possession of cannabis; ten years for possession of cocaine; 12 and 15 years for trafficking of cannabis and cocaine respectively.
•Green was sentenced to 47 years in prison – ten years for possession of cannabis; ten years for possession of cocaine; 12 and 15 years for trafficking of cannabis and cocaine respectively.
•Rambarran was sentenced to 125 years in prison – 15 years for the importation, 15 years for possession and 25 years for trafficking cannabis; 20 years for importation, 20 years for possession and 30 years for trafficking of cocaine.
[5]
Dianne Bacchus
The judge told Rambarran he was the “mastermind behind getting the illegal drugs” and making sure they were shipped to Barbados and noted the high level of sophistication involved. She also told him that he would have profited greatly from the deal and that he was motivated by greed and therefore the custodial sentences were justified.
Because the sentences will run concurrently, Campbell will serve 25 years, Persaud 15 years, Christopher and Diane Bacchus 15 years each, Green 15 years and Rambarran 30 years in prison.
The sentencing brought to a close the longest trial in recent history in a case that started on February 23.
There was also a marathon four-day summation and more than 5,000 pages of evidence, submissions, arguments and defences which were taken during the trial.
Lawmen, who testified, said they got a tip and started surveillance at a construction site in Rowans Park, St George, where they saw a container of logs being off-loaded.
They then secretly followed a truck, after some of the logs were loaded onto it, to a house at Bay Gardens, St Michael.
When they raided that house, they said, they caught Campbell, Green, and Christopher Bacchus
[6]
Gavin Green
unpacking parcels from hollowed-out logs and the women packing those parcels into suitcases.
Drugs were also on the kitchen table and by the backdoor.
They then picked up Rambarran from Hilton, Barbados after Campbell called his name as the ring leader.
In their defences, Rambarran, Green, Campbell and Persaud denied any knowledge of the drugs, but Christopher and Dianne Bacchus said they were used and set up by Campbell, and tied him, Rambarran and Green to the drugs at their house.
Director of Public Prosecutions Charles Leacock, QC, led the prosecution’s team of Principal Crown Counsel Anthony Blackman and Principal Crown Counsel Wanda Blair.
Sir Richard Cheltenham, QC, and Shelly-Ann Seecharan appeared for Rambarran; Vonda Pile represented Christopher and Dianne Bacchus; Vincent Watson and Desmond Sands appeared for Green; while Ralph Thorne, QC, and Arthur Holder represented Campbell and Persaud. (Barbados Nation)
Upcoming Events - Ghanian Union of Winnipeg - December
Ghanaian Idol 2009
Date: Tuesday December 22, 2009
Time: 6:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Next reminder: The next reminder for this event will be sent in 6 days, 23 hours, 46 minutes.
Location: Deaf Center 285 Pembina Hwy, Winnipeg
Street: 285 Pembina Hwy, Winnipeg
City State Zip: Winnipeg
Phone: 918-8453 (Kwesi)
Notes: The FIRST EVER Ghanaian Idol 2009 is going to be a healthy competition to find the most talented Ghanaian youth singer in Peg City. It will be an enjoyable evening that simulates reality TV's American & Canadian Idols, respectively. The only thing different is that there will be no audition ... so, WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET, for fairplay :) !!!
Date: Tuesday December 22, 2009
Time: 6:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Next reminder: The next reminder for this event will be sent in 6 days, 23 hours, 46 minutes.
Location: Deaf Center 285 Pembina Hwy, Winnipeg
Street: 285 Pembina Hwy, Winnipeg
City State Zip: Winnipeg
Phone: 918-8453 (Kwesi)
Notes: The FIRST EVER Ghanaian Idol 2009 is going to be a healthy competition to find the most talented Ghanaian youth singer in Peg City. It will be an enjoyable evening that simulates reality TV's American & Canadian Idols, respectively. The only thing different is that there will be no audition ... so, WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET, for fairplay :) !!!
Friday, December 11, 2009
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
Monday, December 07, 2009
Friday, December 04, 2009
Thursday, December 03, 2009
MAIKO GOT RAVE REVIEWS IN THE UPTOWN MAGAZINE - WINNIPEG
Sweet Vibration A
(Independent)
Website: http://maikowatson.com/ Who says you can't do R&B and soul in Winnipeg? Recorded and produced here by several of the Moses Mayes crew (Mark Penner, Julian Bradford, Ben Reimer and Nathan Reimer), Sweet Vibration is a profound showcase of Maiko Watson's singing and writing skills. Unlike most contemporary 'urban' albums, which feature walls of sound produced by committees, this is a living, breathing document of rootsy, classic soul performances, pure and simple. Maiko wrote nine of these 10 songs on her own (the 10th is a co-write with her former husband, Remy Shand) and, to paraphrase her own song, everything should be lookin' up for her with this release.
— John Kendle
I think John Kendell gave an accurate assessment of the Album. It is a great album as you will see. Every song could stand on its own. It's not like some CD
Get your copy of Maiko's CD at HMV - if not available ask them to get it for you asap.
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
November 30, 2009
2009 THRONE SPEECH HIGHLIGHTS
The Economy
· Organizing a 2010 economic summit to focus on skills, training and investment.
· Saying no to a harmonized sales tax (HST) due to $400-million impact on Manitoba families.
· Anticipating Manitoba’s economic performance to decline slightly, but still outperform the rest of the country.
· Increasing stimulus spending by more than 50 per cent over the previous year, supporting 1,500 projects and creating more than 12,000 direct and 10,000 indirect jobs.
· Eliminating both the corporation capital tax and the small business tax in 2010.
· Investing in new projects such as the Polar Bear Conservation Centre and Exhibit to launch the Assiniboine Park Arctic Attraction.
· Investing $545 million in roads and 28 bridges in 2010.
·
Education and Training
· Providing portions of tuition rebate up front for post-secondary education students.
· Extending the Co-op Tax Credit to include high-school students.
· Investing $310-million in the schools capital program for new schools and needed renovations.
· Investing in capital projects at the University of Manitoba, University of Winnipeg, Brandon University, Collège universitaire de Saint-Boniface, University College of the North, Assiniboine Community College and Red River College.
· Committing to work with federal government and First Nations leadership to assist students on First Nations.
Health Care
· Committing to proceed on important health capital projects including:
- building a new women’s hospital at the Health Science Centre site,
- building a new birthing centre for the south end of Winnipeg,
- providing access centres for St. James and northwest Winnipeg,
- building a new cancer centre for Brandon and the Westman Lab in Brandon,
- building a new emergency medical service station at West St. Paul, and
- expanding dialysis capability in Gimli and Russell, and Berens River and Peguis First Nations.
· Proceeding on suing tobacco companies in the upcoming year in co-operation with other provinces.
· Establishing a new tax credit for women receiving fertility treatment.
Families and Communities
· Phasing in an adult fitness tax credit.
· Establishing a consumer protection action plan.
· Introducing legislation to establish Upper Fort Garry as historic site.
· Offering more cottage lots.
· Introducing legislation to assist cottage owners facing assessment increases.
· Providing capital improvements to mark 50th anniversary of provincial parks system.
· Establishing a new strategy to help older Manitobans re-enter the workforce.
Justice
· Committing to assist the Winnipeg Police Service to acquire a helicopter.
· Hiring gang prosecutors.
· Introducing new legislative tools to stop gangs such as giving the province a stronger role in denying or revoking licences of businesses that are a front for gangs, creating a list of known gangs to simplify court proceedings and preventing the introduction of gang armoured vehicles in Manitoba.
· Increasing maximum fines for workplace, safety and health violations.
· Providing tools to help parents prevent teens from getting involved in gangs.
· Improving maintenance enforcement.
· Increasing protection for victims of domestic violence.
· Expanding Tracia’s Trust to stop sexual exploitation of children.
· Continuing leadership on the tragedy of murdered and missing Aboriginal women.
Environment
· Establishing new protected areas.
· Restoring Netley and Delta marshes.
· Introducing legislation to establish Pimachiowin Aki World Heritage Site Trust Fund.
· Modernizing the Sustainable Development Act.
· Instituting methane capture at Manitoba’s large landfills.
· Enhancing building codes to improve water and energy efficiency.
· Adding recycling of electronics and hazardous waste to program for recycling of paper and packaging.
Rural and Northern Manitoba
· Extending the successful organics incentive program and supporting farmers’ markets.
· Investing in a buy local program to support quality Manitoba food.
· Streamlining services to municipalities.
· Providing support for municipalities on water and waste-water projects.
· Committing further to an East Side permanent road.
· Investing $42 million to rehabilitate 18 orphaned mines.
2009 THRONE SPEECH HIGHLIGHTS
The Economy
· Organizing a 2010 economic summit to focus on skills, training and investment.
· Saying no to a harmonized sales tax (HST) due to $400-million impact on Manitoba families.
· Anticipating Manitoba’s economic performance to decline slightly, but still outperform the rest of the country.
· Increasing stimulus spending by more than 50 per cent over the previous year, supporting 1,500 projects and creating more than 12,000 direct and 10,000 indirect jobs.
· Eliminating both the corporation capital tax and the small business tax in 2010.
· Investing in new projects such as the Polar Bear Conservation Centre and Exhibit to launch the Assiniboine Park Arctic Attraction.
· Investing $545 million in roads and 28 bridges in 2010.
·
Education and Training
· Providing portions of tuition rebate up front for post-secondary education students.
· Extending the Co-op Tax Credit to include high-school students.
· Investing $310-million in the schools capital program for new schools and needed renovations.
· Investing in capital projects at the University of Manitoba, University of Winnipeg, Brandon University, Collège universitaire de Saint-Boniface, University College of the North, Assiniboine Community College and Red River College.
· Committing to work with federal government and First Nations leadership to assist students on First Nations.
Health Care
· Committing to proceed on important health capital projects including:
- building a new women’s hospital at the Health Science Centre site,
- building a new birthing centre for the south end of Winnipeg,
- providing access centres for St. James and northwest Winnipeg,
- building a new cancer centre for Brandon and the Westman Lab in Brandon,
- building a new emergency medical service station at West St. Paul, and
- expanding dialysis capability in Gimli and Russell, and Berens River and Peguis First Nations.
· Proceeding on suing tobacco companies in the upcoming year in co-operation with other provinces.
· Establishing a new tax credit for women receiving fertility treatment.
Families and Communities
· Phasing in an adult fitness tax credit.
· Establishing a consumer protection action plan.
· Introducing legislation to establish Upper Fort Garry as historic site.
· Offering more cottage lots.
· Introducing legislation to assist cottage owners facing assessment increases.
· Providing capital improvements to mark 50th anniversary of provincial parks system.
· Establishing a new strategy to help older Manitobans re-enter the workforce.
Justice
· Committing to assist the Winnipeg Police Service to acquire a helicopter.
· Hiring gang prosecutors.
· Introducing new legislative tools to stop gangs such as giving the province a stronger role in denying or revoking licences of businesses that are a front for gangs, creating a list of known gangs to simplify court proceedings and preventing the introduction of gang armoured vehicles in Manitoba.
· Increasing maximum fines for workplace, safety and health violations.
· Providing tools to help parents prevent teens from getting involved in gangs.
· Improving maintenance enforcement.
· Increasing protection for victims of domestic violence.
· Expanding Tracia’s Trust to stop sexual exploitation of children.
· Continuing leadership on the tragedy of murdered and missing Aboriginal women.
Environment
· Establishing new protected areas.
· Restoring Netley and Delta marshes.
· Introducing legislation to establish Pimachiowin Aki World Heritage Site Trust Fund.
· Modernizing the Sustainable Development Act.
· Instituting methane capture at Manitoba’s large landfills.
· Enhancing building codes to improve water and energy efficiency.
· Adding recycling of electronics and hazardous waste to program for recycling of paper and packaging.
Rural and Northern Manitoba
· Extending the successful organics incentive program and supporting farmers’ markets.
· Investing in a buy local program to support quality Manitoba food.
· Streamlining services to municipalities.
· Providing support for municipalities on water and waste-water projects.
· Committing further to an East Side permanent road.
· Investing $42 million to rehabilitate 18 orphaned mines.
Canadian Human Rights Museum Needs your Stories
Greetings,
The Canadian Museum for Human Rights will be holding public roundtable sessions and they would like to invite you to participate. The purpose of these sessions is to gather Canadian human rights stories, perspectives and ideas that can be used to develop the content of the Museum.
The public roundtables which will be held on the evening of December 1, from 7pm-9pm at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and December 2, from 7pm-9pm at Burroughs Hall in Scarborough. You may have already received an invitation to this event- and we encourage you to extend the invitation to others in your networks.
There are subsequent meetings across Canada.
Upcoming meetings are on December 3rd- Thunder Bay, December 7th- Vancouver; January 11- Quebec City; January 13- Chicoutimi; January 14-Montreal; January 26- Winnipeg; February 2, Moncton and February 4-Charlottetown.
If you or any other members you think should attend these events, please ask them to contact the Museum at rsvp@humanrightsmuseum.ca, or 1-877-295-6639 and they'll make sure to get in touch with them.
Spread the Word
Invite your friends, family members, colleagues and members of your community to this public roundtable session. This is an opportunity to contribute to the development of Canada's fifth national museum, due to open in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 2012.
To attend, please RSVP to rsvp@humanrightsmuseum.ca, call 1-877-295-6639, or register online at www.humanrightsmuseum.ca/share-your-story.
Visit www.humanrightsmuseum.ca for more information.
In solidarity
Vinay Sharma
The Canadian Museum for Human Rights will be holding public roundtable sessions and they would like to invite you to participate. The purpose of these sessions is to gather Canadian human rights stories, perspectives and ideas that can be used to develop the content of the Museum.
The public roundtables which will be held on the evening of December 1, from 7pm-9pm at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and December 2, from 7pm-9pm at Burroughs Hall in Scarborough. You may have already received an invitation to this event- and we encourage you to extend the invitation to others in your networks.
There are subsequent meetings across Canada.
Upcoming meetings are on December 3rd- Thunder Bay, December 7th- Vancouver; January 11- Quebec City; January 13- Chicoutimi; January 14-Montreal; January 26- Winnipeg; February 2, Moncton and February 4-Charlottetown.
If you or any other members you think should attend these events, please ask them to contact the Museum at rsvp@humanrightsmuseum.ca, or 1-877-295-6639 and they'll make sure to get in touch with them.
Spread the Word
Invite your friends, family members, colleagues and members of your community to this public roundtable session. This is an opportunity to contribute to the development of Canada's fifth national museum, due to open in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 2012.
To attend, please RSVP to rsvp@humanrightsmuseum.ca, call 1-877-295-6639, or register online at www.humanrightsmuseum.ca/share-your-story.
Visit www.humanrightsmuseum.ca for more information.
In solidarity
Vinay Sharma
The Army Cadet League of Canada (Manitoba)
NEWS RELEASE
LOCAL ARMY CADET HITS DOUBLE GOLD
November 30, 2009
WINNIPEG, Manitoba: A Winnipeg Army Cadet from St. Norbert has earned two of the top honours bestowed by the Army Cadet movement in Canada.
Cadet Chief Warrant Officer Dallas Buhr of the 2701 Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry Cadet Corps has been awarded the President’s Trophy, presented annually to the top cadet in Manitoba. Cadet Dallas Buhr, age 18 is a first year student at the University of Winnipeg and has been an Army Cadet for 5 years.
To be considered for the President’s Trophy a cadet must have achieved Master Cadet status, hold the rank of at least Master Warrant Officer, achieved success in academic standing and completed volunteer service in his/her community, among many other criteria.
If that was not big enough news she also received official notification that she is one of only 16 Army Cadets from across Canada that will participate in a two-week long expedition in the backcountry of New Zealand along with cadets from other nations.
Dallas will spend Christmas day with her family but will fly to New Zealand on Boxing Day. This year’s International Expedition will take place in New Zealand from December 27, 2009 to January 10, 2010.
The Expedition will take participating Cadets and civilian instructors from Auckland (the country’s largest city) to the Southern tip of the North Island to the capital city of Wellington and on to various areas around the country. The Expedition will include Tramping, known elsewhere as hiking or bushwalking, off-road cycling, and rock climbing, as well as the chance to observe the exotic local wildlife. Cadets will also have the opportunity to interact with the New Zealand cadet Forces and experience the rich and vibrant Maori culture from New Zealand’s indigenous population.
Each year exceptional Army Cadets from across the country are selected to take the International Expedition. This adventure-based activity has previously been held in several locations such as the French and Spanish Pyrenees, Italy, Costa Rica, South Korea, New Hampshire and Morocco.
-30-
For further information, or to arrange an interview with Cadet Buhr, please contact:Brian Koshul, Director, Army Cadet League of Canada (Manitoba)Telephone: 770-3574
NEWS RELEASE
LOCAL ARMY CADET HITS DOUBLE GOLD
November 30, 2009
Cadet Chief Warrant Officer Dallas Buhr of the 2701 Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry Cadet Corps has been awarded the President’s Trophy, presented annually to the top cadet in Manitoba. Cadet Dallas Buhr, age 18 is a first year student at the University of Winnipeg and has been an Army Cadet for 5 years.
To be considered for the President’s Trophy a cadet must have achieved Master Cadet status, hold the rank of at least Master Warrant Officer, achieved success in academic standing and completed volunteer service in his/her community, among many other criteria.
If that was not big enough news she also received official notification that she is one of only 16 Army Cadets from across Canada that will participate in a two-week long expedition in the backcountry of New Zealand along with cadets from other nations.
Dallas will spend Christmas day with her family but will fly to New Zealand on Boxing Day. This year’s International Expedition will take place in New Zealand from December 27, 2009 to January 10, 2010.
The Expedition will take participating Cadets and civilian instructors from Auckland (the country’s largest city) to the Southern tip of the North Island to the capital city of Wellington and on to various areas around the country. The Expedition will include Tramping, known elsewhere as hiking or bushwalking, off-road cycling, and rock climbing, as well as the chance to observe the exotic local wildlife. Cadets will also have the opportunity to interact with the New Zealand cadet Forces and experience the rich and vibrant Maori culture from New Zealand’s indigenous population.
Each year exceptional Army Cadets from across the country are selected to take the International Expedition. This adventure-based activity has previously been held in several locations such as the French and Spanish Pyrenees, Italy, Costa Rica, South Korea, New Hampshire and Morocco.
-30-
For further information, or to arrange an interview with Cadet Buhr, please contact:Brian Koshul, Director, Army Cadet League of Canada (Manitoba)Telephone: 770-3574
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