Friday, March 23, 2012

"Stand Your Ground," "Shoot First," "Make My Day" state laws—asserting an expansive right to self-defense—have come into focus after last month's killing of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.
While local prosecutors have not arrested the shooter, George Zimmerman, the case is now being investigated by the Department of Justice and a Florida state attorney. It's not clear whether Florida's self-defense law will be applied in the case. (The police report on the shooting refers to it as an "unnecessary killing to prevent unlawful act.")

Still, in not arresting Zimmerman, local officials have pointed to Florida's wide definition of self-defense. In 2005, Florida became the first state to explicitly expand a person's right to use deadly force for self-defense.

Deadly force is justified if a person is gravely threatened in the home or "any other place where he or she has a right to be."

In Florida, once self-defense is invoked, the burden is on the prosecution to disprove the claim.

Here's a rundown of the states with laws mirroring the one in Florida, where there's no duty to retreat in public places and where, in most cases, self-defense claims have some degree of immunity in court. (The specifics of what kind of immunity, and when the burden of proof lies on the prosecution, vary from state to state.)

Many of the laws were originally advocated as a way to address domestic abuse cases 2014 how could a battered wife retreat if she was attacked in her own home? Such legislation also has been recently pushed by the National Rifle Association and other gun-rights groups.
Click on the state to see its law.
Alabama
Arizona
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois (The law does not include a duty to retreat, which courts have interpreted as a right to expansive self-defense.)
Indiana
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Michigan
Mississippi
Montana
Nevada
North Carolina
Oklahoma
Oregon (Also does not include a duty to retreat.)
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Washington (Also does not include a duty to retreat.)
West Virginia

Obama: "If I had a son, he'd look like Trayvon"

President Obama spoke out for the first time on Friday about the fatal shooting of an unarmed 17-year-old African-American boy in Florida named Trayvon Martin, calling it a "tragedy."

"I can only imagine what these parents are going through," Mr. Obama said from the White House Rose Garden, "and when I think about this boy, I think about my own kids, and I think every parent in America should be able to understand why it is absolutely imperative that we investigate every aspect of this and that everybody pulls together, federal, state and local, to figure out how this tragedy happened."

Mr. Obama said he is glad the Justice Department is investigating the shooting and that Florida Gov. Rick Scott formed a task force in response to the incident as well. The president suggested he was sympathetic to suspicion that the shooting may have been racially motivated.

"You know, if I had a son, he'd look like Trayvon," Mr. Obama said.

"All of us have to do some soul-searching to figure out how does something like this happen," he continued.

"And that means that we examine the laws and the context for what happened as well as the specifics of the incident."

Facebook: Password requests 'undermine' privacy

Senator: Ban bosses from asking for Facebook passwords

Facebook speaks out against employers asking for passwords

Facebook forbids employers from asking job seekers for passwords

Bobby Brown's Sister Blames Ray J For Whitney Houston's Cocaine Use

NC, SC state line isn't where folks thought it was

93 properties suddenly find themselves in another state

BofA: Families facing foreclosure can rent

Whitney Houston drowned, but how?

Ray J Rep Says He Had No Idea Whitney Houston Was Using Cocaine

Rep for Ray J said he was upset about claims that he was Houston's enabler.

Whitney Houston's family 'saddened' by toxicology report

White People, You Will Never Look Suspicious Like Trayvon Martin! by Michael Skolnik

Trayvon Martin's father: "He saved my life"

Author of "stand your ground" law: George Zimmerman should probably be arrested for killing Trayvon Martin

Michael Jackson’s House For Sale

http://www.linktv.org/linkasia/linkasia2012032013/yul-kwon-explains-linkasia

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

South Carolina House plan would make poorest pay more in taxes

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/03/21/2705497/south-carolina-house-plan-would.html#storylink=cpy

South Carolina’s poorest residents would pay more in state income taxes while all others would pay less or no more than they do now, according to a Republican tax plan approved by a House panel Tuesday.

Right now, anyone with taxable income of $2,800 or less pays no state income tax. That covers at least 267,000 of the 2.1 million S.C. taxpayers who file state income tax returns, according to the state Board of Economic Advisors.

But a proposal that lawmakers unanimously approved Tuesday calls on those low-income residents to pay 3 percent of their taxable income to the state. That is an increase of up to $84 for those residents, depending on their taxable income.

Meanwhile, South Carolina taxpayers who now pay 4 percent, 5 percent or 6 percent of their taxable incomes would see their taxes cut to 3 percent, a savings of up to $84. That move would affect at least 185,000 people, according to the board.

State Rep. Tommy Stringer, R-Greenville and the principal author of the tax proposal, said a person with taxable income of $2,800 could make as much as $35,000 a year.

The state’s highest-taxed earners – those with taxable incomes of $14,000 or more – would continue to pay 7 percent. (Taxable income is how much money you make in a year, minus all federal and state tax credits and deductions.)

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/03/21/2705497/south-carolina-house-plan-would.html#storylink=cpy

Gut Infections Are Growing More Lethal

Gastrointestinal infections are killing more and more people in the United States and have become a particular threat to the elderly, according to new data released last week.

Deaths from the infections more than doubled from 1999 to 2007, to more than 17,000 a year from 7,000 a year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported. Of those who died, 83 percent were over age 65.

Two thirds of the deaths were caused by a bacterium, Clostridium difficile, which people often contract in hospitals and nursing homes, particularly when they have been taking antibiotics. The bacteria have grown increasingly virulent and resistant to treatment in recent years.

Ron Paul calls Secret Service protection a ‘form of welfare’

Republican presidential candidate and staunch libertarian Ron Paul says he has rejected protection from the Secret Service because he believes charging taxpayers for his personal security is a “form of welfare.”

“You know, you’re having the taxpayers pay to take care of somebody,” Paul told late night talk show host Jay Leno on Tuesday. “And I’m an ordinary citizen and I would think I should pay for my own protection, and it costs, I think, more than $50,000 a day to protect those individuals.”

“It’s a lot of money,” he added.

The twelve-term congressman, who has decided to not seek re-election, did appear to put some thought into what his codename would have been had he accepted federal protection.

“Bulldog,” he told Leno. “I’d go after the Fed, and all that big spending.”

10 Reasons the Rest of the World Thinks the U.S. Is Nuts

Will You Age Well? 7 Signs to Tell You Now

France shootings suspect says he'll surrender

Updated 4:55 a.m. Eastern
(CBS/AP) TOULOUSE, France - French police officers raided a house in the southern city of Toulouse early Wednesday morning, cornering a suspect in the killing three Jewish schoolchildren, a rabbi and three paratroopers in three separate attacks.

Interior Minister Claude Gueant, speaking at the scene, said the suspect was "talking a lot about his involvement in the jihadist cause," claiming to be a member of the al Qaeda terror network who wanted to "avenge Palestinian children" and attack French troops for their actions abroad.

The suspect, named by French police as Mohammed Merah, a French national of Algerian origin, told police he would surrender later on Wednesday afternoon, according to Gueant. The Interior Minister said he was "certain" that Merah was the man responsible for the recent spate of shootings.

SC ponders turning buses over to school districts

Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/2012/03/20/2200919/sc-ponders-turning-buses-over.html#storylink=cpy

The primary sponsor of a bill that would turn over South Carolina's state-run school bus system to local districts is asking opponents to look over his changes to the proposal that he says alleviates concerns the districts will be left with huge costs.
A House panel listened to two hours of testimony Tuesday before Rep. Jim Merrill asked to delay a vote on his bill, which would allow school districts to either run the buses themselves or turn operation and maintenance over to a private firm.
Representatives of several school districts across the state, both in rural and urban areas, came to the subcommittee meeting to oppose the bill or at least ask for more time to discuss their concerns.

Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/2012/03/20/2200919/sc-ponders-turning-buses-over.html#storylink=cpy

Lawyer: Girl on phone with Trayvon Martin cuts shooter's self-defense claim

A girl who overheard part of an incident involving Florida teenager Trayvon Martin can help prove he was killed "in cold blood" by George Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer, an attorney for Martin's family said Tuesday.

The girl, who was dating the 17-year-old, "completely blows Zimmerman's absurd self-defense claim out of the water," lawyer Benjamin Crump told reporters.

The girl -- who he said does not wish to be identified -- "connects the dots" about what happened that day when she lays out what she overheard while on the phone with him, he said.

7.4 quake hits Mexico, but apparently spares lives

A powerful earthquake that shook Mexico from its massive capital to its resort-studded southern coast damaged hundreds of homes and sent thousands of panicked people fleeing from swaying office buildings, yet apparently didn't cause a single death.

As of early Wednesday, there were still no reports of deaths from Tuesday's magnitude-7.4 quake centered near the border between the southern states of Oaxaca and Guerrero, even after 10 aftershocks. Interior Secretary Alejandro Poire said Tuesday night that nine people were injured in Oaxaca and two in Mexico City.

Heart-Healthy Chocolate: Dark and Bitter Treat

"The higher the percentage of cocoa, the higher the flavanol content, the higher the antioxidant content and thus we believe the greater positive health benefit," says Washington, D.C., nutritionist Joy Dubost, a spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, a trade group.

'Aspirin Drug Cuts Cancer Deaths By Half'

A daily aspirin tablet costing little more than a penny could prove to be a potent treatment for cancer.

Research has shown for the first time that the drug cuts the risk of cancer spreading around the body by 36%. And deaths due to cancer were reduced by around a half.
Professor Peter Rothwell, of Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, said the new finding is highly significant.
He told Sky News: "If you have cancer, your main risk of dying is from that spread rather than from the growth of the cancer itself.
"So if you find a treatment that reduces the spread it has a real potential as an additional treatment for people with cancer."
New cancer drugs typically cost several thousand pounds a month. But a bottle of 100 75mg aspirin tablets can be bought for as little as £1.35.
Professor Rothwell said further trials of aspirin as a treatment for cancer are urgently needed.

Arm blood pressure differences 'predict death risk'

A large difference between the blood pressure in each arm suggests a bigger risk of dying early, researchers claim.

A study of 230 high blood pressure patients found those with big differences in systolic pressure were more likely to die from heart attack, stroke or other causes.

More heart health checks may be needed in those with different readings, says the British Heart Foundation.
Not all medics follow national guidance to measure blood pressure in both arms.

Highlight app may tell others too much about you

Why Bilinguals Are Smarter

SPEAKING two languages rather than just one has obvious practical benefits in an increasingly globalized world. But in recent years, scientists have begun to show that the advantages of bilingualism are even more fundamental than being able to converse with a wider range of people. Being bilingual, it turns out, makes you smarter. It can have a profound effect on your brain, improving cognitive skills not related to language and even shielding against dementia in old age.

Monday, March 19, 2012

Video: Danilo Gallinari fires the fastest behind-the-back pass we’ve seen in a while

Video

Drug-resistant "white plague" lurks among rich and poor

Tuberculosis is often seen in the wealthy West as a disease of bygone eras - evoking impoverished 18th or 19th century women and children dying slowly of a disease then commonly known as "consumption" or the "white plague".

But rapidly rising rates of drug-resistant TB in some of the wealthiest cities in the world, as well as across Africa and Asia, are again making history.

London has been dubbed the "tuberculosis capital of Europe", and a startling recent study documenting new cases of so-called "totally drug resistant" TB in India suggests the modern-day tale of this disease could get a lot worse.

"We can't afford this genie to get out of the bag. Because once it has, I don't know how we'll control TB," said Ruth McNerney, an expert on tuberculosis at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

UPDATE 1-New Jersey (no kidding) is among best corruption fighters

WASHINGTON, March 19 (Reuters) - Despite a well-deserved
reputation for scandals, New Jersey is a mong the state leaders
in the fight ag ainst official corruption, with most states doing
a poor job, according to a wide-ranging study released on
Monday.

Five states received a "B" grade for accountability and
transparency and eight got an "F" in the investigation by the
nonprofit groups Center for Public Integrity, Global Integrity
and Public Radio International. No state got an "A."

The 18-month project is the most comprehensive study of
state laws and practices that bolster openness and deter
corruption, the investigators said.

The five states receiving "B" grades were New Jersey,
Connecticut, Washington, California and Nebraska. The eight
failing states were North Dakota, Michigan, South Carolina,

Report: South Carolina government is ripe for corruption

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/03/19/3500190/report-south-carolina-government.html#storylink=cpy

WASHINGTON — Government is ripe for corruption, according to 50-state assessment.
South Carolina is among the states most ripe for corruption because of government secrecy, weak ethics enforcement, little disclosure of legislators' finances and low accountability for legislative and executive branch members, according to a nationwide analysis to be released today.

The report gives South Carolina failing grades in nine of 14 key categories, with the state faring especially poorly in public access to information and executive accountability.

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/03/19/3500190/report-south-carolina-government.html#storylink=cpy

Wall Street Keys On Landlord Business

Some of the biggest names on Wall Street are lining up to become landlords to cash-strapped Americans by bidding on pools of foreclosed properties being sold by Fannie Mae.

The idea is that the new owners would rent out the homes at first rather than reselling—potentially aiding a housing-market recovery by reducing the number of properties clogging the market. The fact that big-name investors are interested also suggests they anticipate sizable future profits in housing.

Gunman kills four at French Jewish school

Three children among four people shot dead in Toulouse attack described by Nicolas Sarkozy as "national tragedy".

At least four people, including three children, have been killed in a shooting outside a Jewish school in the southwestern French city of Toulouse, officials say.
Monday's incident occurred as children and their parents were arriving at the Ozar Hatorah school, in the northeast of the city, for the start of the school day.
The gunman drove away on a scooter, a national police officer said.

Georgia Rep Wants To Force Women To Carry Stillborn Fetuses…Like Cows Do

In today’s news about more men who want to control women’s bodies, Georgia’s state representative, Terry England, wants to force us to carry stillborn fetuses to term–just like cows and pigs do, he says. Because, you know, women are just like barnyard animals.

Fatal U.S. shooting of black teen stokes anger, raises suspicion

Tragically, a black male teenager killed by a gunshot is hardly news in America.

So, it was perhaps no surprise that the killing of Trayvon Martin, a 17-year-old, shot at a close-range by George Zimmerman, a crime-watch volunteer in a gated community in north Orlando, attracted little initial attention.

NetZero's Free Wireless Broadband Service Announced

United Online Inc. announced Monday that it will offer free wireless Internet service under its NetZero brand, the one that started the free dial-up phenomenon in 1998. The company is backing up the plan with TV, print and online advertisements.

Whigham Sources: Raffles Van Exel Responsible For Whitney’s Enquirer Photo

Man Accused Of Taking Casket Picture Of Whitney Speaks Out!

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Harlem Churches See A Boom Of Tourists Seeking Gospel Music, But Congregants Bristle At Rudeness

NEW YORK -- The stern warning issued from the pulpit was directed at the tourists – most of whom had arrived late – a sea of white faces with guidebooks in hand. They outnumbered the congregation itself: a handful of elderly black men and women wearing suits and dresses and old-fashioned pillbox hats.

"We're hoping that you will remain in place during the preaching of the Gospel," a church member said over the microphone at this Harlem church on a recent Sunday morning. "But if you have to go, go now. Go before the preacher stands to preach."

No one left then. But halfway through the sermon, a group of French girls made their way toward the velvet ropes that blocked the exit. An usher shook his head firmly, but they ignored him and walked out.

The clash between tourists and congregants plays out every Sunday at Mother African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, the oldest black church in New York state. It's one of many Harlem churches that have become tourist attractions for visitors from all over the world who want to listen to soulful gospel music at a black church service. With a record number of tourists descending upon New York City last year, the crowds of foreigners are becoming a source of irritation among faithful churchgoers.

Opinion

The Go-Nowhere Generation

Christians have no right to wear cross at work, says Government

Christians do not have a right to wear a cross or crucifix openly at work, the Government is to argue in a landmark court case.

In a highly significant move, ministers will fight a case at the European Court of Human Rights in which two British women will seek to establish their right to display the cross.

It is the first time that the Government has been forced to state whether it backs the right of Christians to wear the symbol at work.

Santorum supports Puerto Rico statehood with English language condition

Campaigning on this island U.S. territory Wednesday, Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum spoke out in favor of statehood for Puerto Rico but said he also favored requiring it to adopt English as its official language. Puerto Ricans generally speak both Spanish and English.

Throughout the day, the former Pennsylvania senator was asked repeatedly about his position on the territory becoming the 51st state.

"I would support the people of Puerto Rico if they make the decisive decision to move forward with that, I would support it," he told a group of about 50 people at a town hall meeting. "But that's a decision the people of Puerto Rico have to make and so far they've chosen not to make it. And so talk to your friends, and see if you can work that out."

NOAA changes hurricane categories scale

Stronger hurricanes have been given a statistical nudge starting this year. The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, the Category 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 designation of the tropical cyclones, has been adjusted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Category 3 hurricanes (formerly 111 mph to 130 mph) 111 mph to 129 mph.
Category 4 (131-155 mph) 130 mph to 156 mph.

LinkedIn is a Hacker's Dream Tool

If you use LinkedIn, you've probably told the site where you work, what you do and who you work with. That's a gold mine for hackers, who are increasingly savvy in using that kind of public -- but personal -- information for pinpoint attacks.

It's called "spear phishing," and it paid off last year in two especially high-profile security breaches: a Gmail attack that ensnared several top U.S. government officials and a separate attack on RSA, whose SecurID authentication tokens are used by millions.

Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/2012/03/14/2192360/noaa-changes-hurricane-categories.html#storylink=cpy

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

What You Lose When You Sign That Donor Card

Giving away your organs sounds noble, but have doctors blurred the line between life and death?

The Best Natural Foods that Unclog Your Arteries Naturally 84

There are natural ways to unclog your arteries to prevent a heart attack or stroke...

Your arteries are the rivers within your body that continually transport essential nutrients and oxygen from your heart to the rest of your body.

A big part of staying healthy and also keeping your arteries clean and clear is related to your diet and what you eat. There’s no joke in the popular saying that says: “You are what you eat.” It just makes good sense that what you put in your body is what will reflect out in all aspects of your health.

Monday, January 16, 2012

Congratulations Ms. Octavia Spencer on winning the 'Best Supporting Actress' at the 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards on Sunday, January 15, 2012 in your role as "Minny" in the film "The Help!"

Monday, January 2, 2012

Happy Bless New Year To All of You!

written by Miriam G. Aw

It's now Year 2012, a number #5 year that depicts freedom of movement, partaking in joyful events, exercising patience by avoiding hasty and impulsive use of words and actions, but equally important, this is the year to think and act "outside-the box" when it comes to seeking employment, starting a business, or revamping your existing business model in order to generate lucrative income!

Granted, most folks will read this and believe that what I say has no validity, nor reason, due to the many decades of hype portrayed in mainstream media that seemingly dictates what you should, or should not do based on what so-called experts in their field of expertise have to say about what to wear, eat, or relationships, just to mention a few.

For far too long, our society have been duped into believing mainstream media reports about the economy, and how it continues to either decline, or rebound, despite what we think or believe what's really going on - especially since it is us who are feeling the brunt of the country's economic woes.

There are statistics being thrown at us left and right with adamant tones that are design to make us believe that whatever is being said regarding anything that affect us, as a whole, should be taken as 'gospel.' But you and I know that we need to have honesty in reporting.

How many times have you learned about pertinent information that is beneficial for us to know at a later time when such information was available for us to get at an earlier time? Especially when such information was already revealed by a so-called friend, relative, congregant member, neighbor, etc., but somehow you got it through 'the grapevine.'

If no one else told you, please allow me to share with you on what I've been observing for at least 7 to 10 years, and what I've just learned about last week.

If you are seeking employment, or if you are interested in attending medical school, for example, it will behoove you to check outside the U.S.A., for employment and/or schooling.

Yes, the opportunities of employment and schooling are out there for you to partake in, whether you are single or married with, or without children!

Last Monday (day after Christmas), I met a nice young man in the hospital emergency room. My husband took ill, and this lovely fella took my husband's EKG. As always, and at the risk of sounding bias because I love seeing young people, especially young black males, working in the medical profession in any capacity, I asked him which school did he graduate from, and whether if he aspired to go higher in the medical profession.

Come to find out that this young man, whose name is Germaine, attended and graduated from South Carolina State University, which is located in Orangeburg, S.C., and he further his education in Aruba! Yes child, Aruba! Well, I was taken back a bit when he went on more about how much he learned, and that there myriad of schools that provide great education, but only if you are up to the task of really wanting to learn without being spoon-fed everything like some spoil rich kid!

In other words, you have to work for what you want, and ask questions if you don't know the answers by using your God-given common sense. And besides, who cannot learn anything in an environment that provides great weather every step of the way?!?

Out of curiosity, I asked him if he happen to convince, or at best, inform other youngsters who are in his peer group about attending medical school, or any other type of school in Aruba, or in any other part of the Caribbean, and much to my surprise, his answer astounded me, to say the least.

He stated that the majority of the people whom he shared his information with did not express any interest of doing the same, yet they continue to struggle with schools that they are unhappy with as a result of their teachers not giving enough 'instruction' on their class courses, and their extreme displeasure on the cost of books needed for their courses.

Unfortunately, paying through the nose for college books is a normal complaint. And if you are receiving a grant, most of your grant money goes to paying for the books and tuition, thus leaving practically nothing else for the remaining semester to use for much needed things (i.e., food, gas, apartment, etc.).

Although I cannot provide hard evidence of statistical data for your reading pleasure, I assure you that what I say here is a national problem . . . well, at least that is the problem here in the State of South Carolina.

Personally, it would behoove every young male and female to get their four-year degree at their local, regional, or national college/university, and then further their field of interest in the Caribbean, or some other country that offers superlative education. There are a host of great schools that offer a lot giving more bang to your buck. After all, this is a GLOBAL world, and no longer can any of us afford to remain isolated, or ignorant, to facts.

In fact, you can learn a lot about other countries, and what they can offer you by watching one of my favorite programs "House Hunter International," which is a HGTV program (Channel 229 on Directv). On this program, you will see how so many Americans left their home state, and home town, to live abroad to become gainfully employed, and/or attend school.

Also, Google Search "Caribbean Medical Schools," where you will find a list of schools in this part of the world. You must do your research. No one else can do it for you. Take the initiative, and start anew, or renew what you already know.

And if you decide that leaving the States is not your cup-of-tea, then you prepare yourself to undergo a major overhaul in your priorities regarding employment, school, money, family, comfortability, and so forth, that will allow you the freedom to enjoy life the way you want it.

With that said, may you have a Happy Bless New Year 2012, and may all of you aspirations are fulfilled, and your dreams realized with good spirits.

Peace & Blessings,

Miriam
BCD21CGN

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Please "DEMAND" This Comedic Genius To Perform in Your City/Town!

Upcoming Movie Trailers 2012

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Caribbean News and More: Keeping Up with Family Across the Way!

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