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'
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