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Pizza Day!
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Freedom to Be Me: The meanderings of a freed mind.
Tuesday 8 November 2016
Monday 7 November 2016
Tuesday 1 November 2016
Racism at EMU, Remember Aiyana
More racist graffiti was found on the campus of Eastern Michigan University. EMU students have been subjected to carious forms of racism.
Taylor Amari Little: "Stop treating these incidents like they are not forms of terrorism."
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Nikki CreativeMind Carson
"By definition, these are acts of terrorism and should be treated as such. Whoever is doing this does not seem to think that they will have to face any repercussions behind this, but that is far from the truth. It is time to be on administration's back like crazy.....phone calls, emails, whatever it takes for our demands to be met. We will get our changes and we will get justice."
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Alexcia Yelder:
"'We can talk about race and all that later, this is life threatening. Historically, when this stuff happens we know it's not just a conversation starter,' said Alexcia Yelder, EMU student. 'This is not the gateway for race related discussions. I want us to be safe. I was just at Ford Hall last night, and what if I walked by the person doing it? I can't even think,' she continued."
http://www.easternecho.com/article/2016/10/racial-slur-on-emus-ford-hall
Sierra Witcher at work.
Remember Aiyana: Detroit protesters to appear in court.
Image for FB visibility purposes. Sorry.
Taylor Amari Little: "Stop treating these incidents like they are not forms of terrorism."
.
Nikki CreativeMind Carson
"By definition, these are acts of terrorism and should be treated as such. Whoever is doing this does not seem to think that they will have to face any repercussions behind this, but that is far from the truth. It is time to be on administration's back like crazy.....phone calls, emails, whatever it takes for our demands to be met. We will get our changes and we will get justice."
.
Alexcia Yelder:
"'We can talk about race and all that later, this is life threatening. Historically, when this stuff happens we know it's not just a conversation starter,' said Alexcia Yelder, EMU student. 'This is not the gateway for race related discussions. I want us to be safe. I was just at Ford Hall last night, and what if I walked by the person doing it? I can't even think,' she continued."
http://www.easternecho.com/article/2016/10/racial-slur-on-emus-ford-hall
Sierra Witcher at work.
Remember Aiyana: Detroit protesters to appear in court.
Image for FB visibility purposes. Sorry.
Tuesday 25 October 2016
Thursday 20 October 2016
My Thoughts on Last Night's Debate
Image: Photo of Donald Trump, decorated with devil's horns, inside a border of spooky black trees and bats, with an approximation of the title of the movie "The Conjuring" just above Trump's photo.
Wednesday 19 October 2016
Tuesday 18 October 2016
The 36 Questions That Lead to Love
from the NYT
The 36 Questions That Lead to Love
DANIEL JONES JAN. 9, 2015
Mandy Len Catron’s Modern Love
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/11/fashion/no-37-big-wedding-or-small.html
Set I
1. Given the choice of anyone in the world, whom would you want as a dinner guest?
2. Would you like to be famous? In what way?
3. Before making a telephone call, do you ever rehearse what you are going to say? Why?
4. What would constitute a “perfect” day for you?
5. When did you last sing to yourself? To someone else?
The 36 Questions That Lead to Love
DANIEL JONES JAN. 9, 2015
Mandy Len Catron’s Modern Love
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/11/fashion/no-37-big-wedding-or-small.html
Set I
1. Given the choice of anyone in the world, whom would you want as a dinner guest?
2. Would you like to be famous? In what way?
3. Before making a telephone call, do you ever rehearse what you are going to say? Why?
4. What would constitute a “perfect” day for you?
5. When did you last sing to yourself? To someone else?
Monday 17 October 2016
Saturday 15 October 2016
On the Vanishing Cabinet in Harry Potter
Vanishing Cabinet
“We forced him headfirst into that Vanishing Cabinet on the first floor.”
The Vanishing Cabinet and its pair are among the many magical objects in the world of Harry Potter. They are well enough described in the series that I do not need to introduced. Where were they located, though? We know that one was in Borgin & Burkes, and eventually even the least observant of us are forced to acknowledge that one is at Hogwarts. But where in Hogwarts? Was it always in the Room of Requirement?
Dreams, by Dumbledore
After Siruis Black entered the castle in search of Peter-Pettigrew-cum-Scabbers and Dumbledore had relegated the students to the Great Hall to sleep, Snape entered into conversation with him.Eventually, the following line passed Dumbledore's lips: "In dreams we enter a world that is entirely our own. Let them swim in the deepest oceans or glide over the highest cloud." I overlaid that quote on the ceiling of the Great Hall, which that night was emblazoned more with galaxies than mere stars. Click the image to see it better.
Wednesday 12 October 2016
Tuesday 11 October 2016
Monday 10 October 2016
The Economic and Impact of Slavery on the North: Reading Eric Foner's Texts
The Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery
On the strength of its control of the transatlantic trade in cotton, New York City rose to commercial dominance. Even the abolition of the slave trade from Africa in 1808, a year before Lincoln’s birth, did not slow slavery’s growth. A flourishing domestic slave trade replaced the importation of slaves. By the eve of the Civil War, the slave population in the United States had reached nearly four million. The economic value of these men, women, and children when considered as property exceeded the combined worth of all the banks, railroads, and factories in the United States. In geographical extent, population, and the institution’s economic importance, the South was home to the most powerful slave system the modern world has known.Foner, Eric (2011-09-26). The Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery (Kindle Locations 582-587). W. W. Norton & Company. Kindle Edition.
hrpls
Sunday 9 October 2016
Black Lives Matter Khutba Ideas
BLM Khutba Ideas
Finally: The Integral role of Black Americans in Islamic revival
In the post-colonial era, the Muslim world became characterized by immense corruption, ritualism, and poverty. Gone was the era of the Islamic golden age in places such as Islamic Spain in which Muslims commanded universal respect and admiration. In light of this, numerous Muslim intellectuals from Abul ala Maududi, Ali Shariati, Abul ala Maududi, and many others have devoted themselves to how the Islamic world could achieve a revival. What role to Black Americans played in this?
Finally: The Integral role of Black Americans in Islamic revival
In the post-colonial era, the Muslim world became characterized by immense corruption, ritualism, and poverty. Gone was the era of the Islamic golden age in places such as Islamic Spain in which Muslims commanded universal respect and admiration. In light of this, numerous Muslim intellectuals from Abul ala Maududi, Ali Shariati, Abul ala Maududi, and many others have devoted themselves to how the Islamic world could achieve a revival. What role to Black Americans played in this?
Saturday 8 October 2016
Ringwood Forest, Friday 07 October 2016
A peaceful sort of presence - just being with Nature. To see each photo in its full glory and splendour, click on the photo itself.
Friday 7 October 2016
07 October 2016 Taize Service at First United Methodist Church in Saginaw, MI
Here, experience some of the sounds of FUMC-Saginaw's Taize service, and enjoy some photos of the same. Clicking each photo takes one to the absolutely gorgeous full-sized picture.
Thursday 6 October 2016
Local Photographer Wins Award
"Autumn Sunset in Saginaw," by Howard Sharper, won an award. Check it out!
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When Are You Not in My Mind?
When are you not in my mind,
or your hand not in mine?
I am grateful that none of my nights
I am now away from you.
If things are that difficult there,
sell the heart, give up life,
Don't such conditions exist, my friends,
in my lover's neighborhood?
The swagger with which one enters
the execution chamber - that hubris
lives on; life comes and goes,
this life is not such a big deal!
Faith's arena is not a palace,
no one cares for the name or genealogy;
no one is named Lover,
love is not the caste of anyone.
If this is a contest for love,
lay down what you can, without fear
wonderful if you win,
If you lose, it is not a defeat.
-Faiz Ahmed Faiz
Wednesday 5 October 2016
15 Unexpected Quotes from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. By Yanique Dawkins
15 Unexpected Quotes from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
By Yanique Dawkins - September 26, 2014
http://atlantablackstar.com/2014/09/26/15-unexpected-quotes-from-dr-martin-luther-king-jr/3/
“I knew that I could never again raise my voice against the violence of the oppressed in the ghettos without having first spoken clearly to the greatest purveyor of violence in the world today – my own government.”
“There is a magnificent new militancy within the Negro community all across this nation. And I welcome this as a marvelous development. The Negro of America is saying he’s determined to be free and he is militant enough to stand up.”
“You can’t talk about solving the economic problem of the Negro without talking about billions of dollars. You can’t talk about ending the slums without first saying profit must be taken out of the slums. You’re really tampering and getting on dangerous ground because you are messing with folk then. You are messing with captains of industry. Now this means that we are treading in difficult water, because it really means that we are saying that something is wrong with capitalism.”
“It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked ‘insufficient funds.’”
“We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed. Frankly I have never yet engaged in a direct action movement that was ‘well timed,’ according to the timetable of those who have not suffered unduly from the disease of segregation. For years now I have heard the word ‘Wait!’ It rings in the ear of every Negro with a piercing familiarity. This ‘wait’ has almost always meant ‘never.’ We must come to see with the distinguished jurist of yesterday that ‘justice too long delayed is justice denied.'”
“The question is not whether we will be extremists, but what kind of extremists will we be? Will we be extremists for hate or for love? Will we be extremists for the preservation of injustice or the extension of justice?”
“If America does not use her vast resources of wealth to end poverty and make it possible for all of God’s children to have the basic necessities of life, she too will go to hell.”
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
“If our economic system is to survive, there has to be a better distribution of wealth … we can’t have a system where some people live in superfluous, inordinate wealth, while others live in abject deadening poverty.”
“The hope of a secure and livable world lies with disciplined nonconformists, who are dedicated to justice, peace and brotherhood. The trailblazers in human, academic, scientific and religious freedom have always been nonconformists. In any cause that concerns the progress of mankind, put your faith in the nonconformist!”
“Somebody told a lie one day. They couched it in language. They made everything Black ugly and evil. Look in your dictionaries and see the synonyms of the word Black. It’s always something degrading and low and sinister. Look at the word White, it’s always something pure, high and clean. Well I want to get the language right tonight. I want to get the language so right that everyone here will cry out: ‘Yes, I’m Black, I’m proud of it. I’m Black and I’m beautiful!’”
“Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.”
“I must confess that over the past few years I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate. I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro’s great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen’s Counciler or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to ‘order’ than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says: ‘I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action’; who paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man’s freedom; who lives by a mythical concept of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait for a ‘more convenient season.’”
“Never, never be afraid to do what’s right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society’s punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way.”
“No one really knows why they are alive until they know what they’d die for.”
There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, "When will you be satisfied?" We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality. (I Have a Dream)
By Yanique Dawkins - September 26, 2014
http://atlantablackstar.com/2014/09/26/15-unexpected-quotes-from-dr-martin-luther-king-jr/3/
“I knew that I could never again raise my voice against the violence of the oppressed in the ghettos without having first spoken clearly to the greatest purveyor of violence in the world today – my own government.”
“There is a magnificent new militancy within the Negro community all across this nation. And I welcome this as a marvelous development. The Negro of America is saying he’s determined to be free and he is militant enough to stand up.”
“You can’t talk about solving the economic problem of the Negro without talking about billions of dollars. You can’t talk about ending the slums without first saying profit must be taken out of the slums. You’re really tampering and getting on dangerous ground because you are messing with folk then. You are messing with captains of industry. Now this means that we are treading in difficult water, because it really means that we are saying that something is wrong with capitalism.”
“It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked ‘insufficient funds.’”
“We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed. Frankly I have never yet engaged in a direct action movement that was ‘well timed,’ according to the timetable of those who have not suffered unduly from the disease of segregation. For years now I have heard the word ‘Wait!’ It rings in the ear of every Negro with a piercing familiarity. This ‘wait’ has almost always meant ‘never.’ We must come to see with the distinguished jurist of yesterday that ‘justice too long delayed is justice denied.'”
“The question is not whether we will be extremists, but what kind of extremists will we be? Will we be extremists for hate or for love? Will we be extremists for the preservation of injustice or the extension of justice?”
“If America does not use her vast resources of wealth to end poverty and make it possible for all of God’s children to have the basic necessities of life, she too will go to hell.”
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
“If our economic system is to survive, there has to be a better distribution of wealth … we can’t have a system where some people live in superfluous, inordinate wealth, while others live in abject deadening poverty.”
“The hope of a secure and livable world lies with disciplined nonconformists, who are dedicated to justice, peace and brotherhood. The trailblazers in human, academic, scientific and religious freedom have always been nonconformists. In any cause that concerns the progress of mankind, put your faith in the nonconformist!”
“Somebody told a lie one day. They couched it in language. They made everything Black ugly and evil. Look in your dictionaries and see the synonyms of the word Black. It’s always something degrading and low and sinister. Look at the word White, it’s always something pure, high and clean. Well I want to get the language right tonight. I want to get the language so right that everyone here will cry out: ‘Yes, I’m Black, I’m proud of it. I’m Black and I’m beautiful!’”
“Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.”
“I must confess that over the past few years I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate. I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro’s great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen’s Counciler or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to ‘order’ than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says: ‘I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action’; who paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man’s freedom; who lives by a mythical concept of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait for a ‘more convenient season.’”
“Never, never be afraid to do what’s right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society’s punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way.”
“No one really knows why they are alive until they know what they’d die for.”
There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, "When will you be satisfied?" We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality. (I Have a Dream)
Tuesday 27 September 2016
PRAYER, by Langston Hughes
Prayer
Gather up
In the arms of your pity
The sick, the depraved,
The desperate, the tired,
All the scum
Of our weary city
Gather up
in the arms of your pity.
Gather up
In the arms of your love -
Those who expect
No love from above.
Text inside a meme containing a photo of young Langston Hughes and a book description as follows: The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes; by Langston Hughes; ed Arnold Rampersad; copyright 1994 by Estate of Langston Hughes; pub Vintage Books, a division of Random House, NY. Meme is bordered by a thicker black-line border on the outer edge and a thinner black-line border just to the inside of the thicker one.
Gather up
In the arms of your pity
The sick, the depraved,
The desperate, the tired,
All the scum
Of our weary city
Gather up
in the arms of your pity.
Gather up
In the arms of your love -
Those who expect
No love from above.
Text inside a meme containing a photo of young Langston Hughes and a book description as follows: The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes; by Langston Hughes; ed Arnold Rampersad; copyright 1994 by Estate of Langston Hughes; pub Vintage Books, a division of Random House, NY. Meme is bordered by a thicker black-line border on the outer edge and a thinner black-line border just to the inside of the thicker one.
Monday 26 September 2016
Tao of Now: Kabir's "The Breath Inside the Breath"
Are you looking for me? I am in the next seat. My shoulder is against yours.
You will not find me in Stupas, not in Indian shrine rooms, nor in synagogues, nor in cathedrals:
Not in masses, nor in kirtans, not in legs winding about your own neck, nor in eating nothing but vegetables.
When you really look for me, you will see me instantly -
You will find me in the tiniest house of time.
Kabir says: Students, tell me, what is God?
He is the breath inside the breath.
Sunday 25 September 2016
Woe to the Complacent!
God the Socialist Declares
(via Prophet Amos)
AM 6:1A, 4-7
Thus says the LORD the God of hosts:
Woe to the complacent in Zion!
Lying upon beds of ivory,
stretched comfortably on their couches,
they eat lambs taken from the flock,
and calves from the stall!
Improvising to the music of the harp,
like David, they devise their own accompaniment.
They drink wine from bowls
and anoint themselves with the best oils;
yet they are not made ill by the collapse of Joseph!
Therefore, now they shall be the first to go into exile,
and their wanton revelry shall be done away with.
(via Prophet Amos)
AM 6:1A, 4-7
Thus says the LORD the God of hosts:
Woe to the complacent in Zion!
Lying upon beds of ivory,
stretched comfortably on their couches,
they eat lambs taken from the flock,
and calves from the stall!
Improvising to the music of the harp,
like David, they devise their own accompaniment.
They drink wine from bowls
and anoint themselves with the best oils;
yet they are not made ill by the collapse of Joseph!
Therefore, now they shall be the first to go into exile,
and their wanton revelry shall be done away with.
Thursday 22 September 2016
22 September 2016 Sunrise (Orange)
Want to see the bird better? Click the photo.
2016.09.22. 2120 Orange Sunrise with Bird
Tuesday 20 September 2016
Love Like an Ocean in My Soul
I've got love like an ocean in my soul.
(Song: "I've got peace like a river in my soul.")
God is Ever Watchful over You
Quran 33:52
A reminder that God loves you that much.
Tell That Bully
Multilingual Bully Posts
Did I make an error? I am particularly curious about the French poster. Let me know!
* you are not good looking.
* you are unintelligent.
* you do not deserve companionship.
* you are always a bother.
* you are unworthy.
Tell that bully to shut it. Even if it is the voice in your head.
Si en algún momento alguien intenta decirte que
* no eres de aspecto bueno.
* no eres inteligente.
* no mereces compañerismo.
* eres siempre una molestia.
* eres indigno.
Di a ese montiroso matón que se calle. Aún cuando es la voz en tu cabeza.
Si à chaque fois que suelqu un essaie de le dire que
* tu n'est pas beau/lle.
* tu n'es pas intelligent.
* tu ne méerite pas la compagnie.
* tu es toujours une nuisance.
* tu es indigne.
Dis-tu à ce couché tyran qu'il se taise. Même s'il est la voix dans ton tête.
Images Related to Being Free
Your Freedom Album
In celebration of freedom.
Break the Mirror
Sunday 18 September 2016
Friendly Spaces for Progressive-Minded and LGBTQIA Muslims
Groups
* Muslims for Progressive Values
* el-Tawhid Juma Circle: Toronto Unity Mosque (msg to admin immediately after requesting to join; there are branches throughout North America)
* Inclusive Muslims
* Interfaith Liberation Theology
* CALEM Cabinet | Secularism, Interculturality, Gender, Religiosity - experts
* Progressive Shia Muslims if you are a Shia Muslim (send PM when joining)
* There is a group for transgender Muslims. Ask in Muslims for Progressive Values if this applies to you.
* There is a group for asexual Muslims. Ask in MPV if this applies.
Pages
* El Tawhid Juma Circle Unity Mosques - Masajid El Tawhid
* Masjid el-Tawhid - Toronto - Unity Mosque
* Inclusive Mosque Initiative
* Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity - MASGD
* Universalist Muslims
* The Inner Circle
* Muslims for Progressive Values
* Queer Muslims of Boston
* Queer Muslims and Allies at Penn
People
* El-Farouk Khaki
* Daayiee Abdullah
* Muhsin Hendricks
* Shahla Khan Salter
* Ani Zonneveld
* Ilana Alazzeh
Websites
* http://freelgbtqpia.tumblr.com/.../queer-muslim-masterpost
* http://www.lgbtmuslimretreat.com/resource-list.php
* http://www.mpvusa.org/lgbtqi-resources/
Books
* Homosexuality in Islam: Critical Reflection on Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender Muslims - by Dr. Scott Siraj al-Haqq Kugle
* Living Out Islam: Voices of Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender Muslims
* The Crisis of Islamic Masculinities, Dr Amanullah De Sondy
* Progressive Muslims, ed Dr Dr. Omid Safi
* Maqasid Al Shari'ah and Contemporary Reformist Muslim Thought, Dr Adis Duderija
* The Imperatives of Progressive Islam, Dr Adis Duderija
* Muslims for Progressive Values
* el-Tawhid Juma Circle: Toronto Unity Mosque (msg to admin immediately after requesting to join; there are branches throughout North America)
* Inclusive Muslims
* Interfaith Liberation Theology
* CALEM Cabinet | Secularism, Interculturality, Gender, Religiosity - experts
* Progressive Shia Muslims if you are a Shia Muslim (send PM when joining)
* There is a group for transgender Muslims. Ask in Muslims for Progressive Values if this applies to you.
* There is a group for asexual Muslims. Ask in MPV if this applies.
Pages
* El Tawhid Juma Circle Unity Mosques - Masajid El Tawhid
* Masjid el-Tawhid - Toronto - Unity Mosque
* Inclusive Mosque Initiative
* Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity - MASGD
* Universalist Muslims
* The Inner Circle
* Muslims for Progressive Values
* Queer Muslims of Boston
* Queer Muslims and Allies at Penn
People
* El-Farouk Khaki
* Daayiee Abdullah
* Muhsin Hendricks
* Shahla Khan Salter
* Ani Zonneveld
* Ilana Alazzeh
Websites
* http://freelgbtqpia.tumblr.com/.../queer-muslim-masterpost
* http://www.lgbtmuslimretreat.com/resource-list.php
* http://www.mpvusa.org/lgbtqi-resources/
Books
* Homosexuality in Islam: Critical Reflection on Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender Muslims - by Dr. Scott Siraj al-Haqq Kugle
* Living Out Islam: Voices of Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender Muslims
* The Crisis of Islamic Masculinities, Dr Amanullah De Sondy
* Progressive Muslims, ed Dr Dr. Omid Safi
* Maqasid Al Shari'ah and Contemporary Reformist Muslim Thought, Dr Adis Duderija
* The Imperatives of Progressive Islam, Dr Adis Duderija
Wednesday 14 September 2016
Feel My Love
This post contains some lyrics of Adele's "Feel My Love," a cover of it by Shila Amzah, and a photo of the stars twinkling above a wintry forest at sunset with a pale pink and purple sky.
"When the rain is blowing in your face,
And the whole world is on your case,
I could offer you a warm embrace
To make you feel my love.
"When the evening shadows and the stars appear,
And there is no one there to dry your tears,
I could hold you for a million years
To make you feel my love.
"I could make you happy, make your dreams come true.
Nothing that I wouldn't do.
Go to the ends of the Earth for you,
To make you feel my love
To make you feel my love"
"When the rain is blowing in your face,
And the whole world is on your case,
I could offer you a warm embrace
To make you feel my love.
"When the evening shadows and the stars appear,
And there is no one there to dry your tears,
I could hold you for a million years
To make you feel my love.
"I could make you happy, make your dreams come true.
Nothing that I wouldn't do.
Go to the ends of the Earth for you,
To make you feel my love
To make you feel my love"
"Muslim Immigration in Europe: Masculinity, Politics, and Law" at University College Cork in Ireland
A cannot miss event! Coming up at University College Cork: "Muslim Immigration in Europe: Masculinity, Politics, and Law." It takes place on Friday 23 September 2016, 6-7:30 pm at Aula Maxima, UCC. This presentation will feature these luminaries:
* Dr Amanullah De Sondy, Senior Lecturer in Contemporary Islam at UCC Study of Religions Department as Chair
* Dr Michael B Murphy, President of University College Cork
* Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh, UK MP for Ochil & South Perthshire
* Dr Samia Bano, Senior Lecturer in Islamic Law at SOAS University of London
* Dr Amanullah De Sondy, Senior Lecturer in Contemporary Islam at UCC Study of Religions Department as Chair
* Dr Michael B Murphy, President of University College Cork
* Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh, UK MP for Ochil & South Perthshire
* Dr Samia Bano, Senior Lecturer in Islamic Law at SOAS University of London
Sunday 11 September 2016
Michigan Legislature Activities for Autumn 2016
LEGISLATION OF NOTE, SEPTEMBER 2016
Scroll down for "Uniformed Lives Matter" bill and its possible linking with a bill expanding civil rights protections for LGBT people.
* Lawmakers return after long summer break, introduce nearly 100 bills
Kathleen Gray, Detroit Free Press
11 September 2016
http://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/2016/09/11/lawmakers-return-after-long-summer-break-introduce-nearly-100-bills/90145266
A bill that would eliminate the requirement that cities and villages pay for a portion of road repairs on state highways passed nearly unanimously in the Legislature earlier this year. But Snyder vetoed it because he said he felt it would create a patchwork of funding mechanisms for road repairs in the state. State Rep. Pete Pettalia, R-Presque Isle, also reintroduced a bill vetoed by Snyder that would limit the use of aftermarket auto parts that aren't made by the original car maker.
For more on Michigan's anti-trafficking legislation, see Section 750.462a of the Michigan Penal Code, Act 328 of 1931.
HB 5808: Allow testimony of expert witnesses regarding behavioral patterns of human trafficking. Sponsor: Rep. Peter Lucido, R-Shelby Township.
HB 5838-5839: Prohibit, and provide penalties for, people or businesses knowingly selling travel services for the purpose of human trafficking. Sponsors: Reps. Tom Barrett, R-Potterville; Jason Sheppard, R-Temperance.
HB 5815: Provide re-entry services and housing for individuals released from prison as a result of their conviction or sentence being overturned. Sponsor: Rep. Stephanie Chang, D-Detroit.
HB 5820 and SB 1060: Expand the suspicion-based drug testing program for cash assistance recipients from a three-county pilot to statewide and require annual reports on Nov. 30 of each year. Sponsors: Rep. Peter Lucido, R-Shelby Township; and Sen. Dale Zorn, R-Ida.
HB 5829: Prohibit exclusivity clause in public sector labor union contracts. Sponsor: Rep. Gary Glenn, R-Midland.
HB 5856: Eliminate a Brownfield Development Authority’s ability to capture future special millages. Sponsor: Rep. Lee Chatfield, R-Levering.
SB 1035: Expand the definition of ethnic intimidation to include gender identification and sexual orientation. Sponsor: Sen. Steven Bieda, D-Warren.
SB 1039-1040: Prohibit rules that are more stringent than the current requirements to claim exemption from immunizations, and prohibit excluding students from school as a disease control measure. Sponsor: Sen. Patrick Colbeck, R-Canton.
SB 1046: Change the requirements for transportation of students, adding that school districts shall transport or pay for transportation for a student from the public school within the district to a nonpublic school that the student attends. Sponsor: Sen. Patrick Colbeck, R-Canton.
SB 1066: Prohibit local units of government from raising the minimum age to purchase or use tobacco products. Sponsor: Sen. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge.
* Michigan Legislature's fall agenda: energy laws, driverless cars, marijuana bills
David Eggert, Associated Press (Crain's Detroit Business)
05 September 2016
http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20160905/NEWS01/160909921/michigan-legislatures-fall-agenda-energy-laws-driverless-cars
The Republican-led Michigan Legislature returns for voting this week after a three-month summer break, with plans for an abbreviated calendar before the crucial November election determines which party controls the House. Both chambers will have three weeks in session before the election, or nine days. The House schedule is front-loaded to September, while the Senate — whose members are not up for election for another two years — will be in session off and on into October.
Top priorities for GOP legislative leaders and Republican Gov. Rick Snyder continue to be an update of energy laws and changes in parole and probation policies. Lawmakers have been unable to resolve issues that ultimately affect consumers' bills — competition in the electricity market, how much power should come from wind and other renewable sources, and whether to require energy-efficiency markers. Senators will resume session Tuesday. Majority Republicans plan to revisit the energy legislation and marijuana bills in a private caucus meeting. House-passed measures would tax and regulate medical marijuana.
It has been nearly four months since a special legislative committee concluded investigative hearings into the lead contamination that began when the financially strapped city's water source was switched under state management. The Legislature has allocated $240 million. But policy recommendations, including potential revisions to the emergency manager law, have yet to be released — sparking questions from Democrats on the GOP-controlled panel. Republicans now could wait to make recommendations, originally due in May, until after the election. Democrats fighting to win the House majority for the first time since 2010 have tried to tie GOP lawmakers to the crisis by criticizing them for not calling Snyder to testify and allowing public money to be spent on lawyers helping him with Flint-related legal matters.
* CPR training could become school requirement in Michigan
Tampa Bay Times
11 September 2016
http://www.tbo.com/cpr-training-could-become-school-requirement-in-michigan-ap_election4795008e347f46649cadac1b804b44cc
The legislation easily cleared the Senate in the spring and is pending in the House, which supporters hope will vote this month before members break again to focus on the November election. The bill would require that schools provide instruction in CPR and the use of defibrillators at least one time between grades 7 and 12. The requirement would begin in the 2017-18 school year. Rep. Tom Hooker, a Byron Center Republican, sponsored the legislation in the House.
* Michigan legislation seeks to allow pooches on restaurant patios
Brittany Gray, WWMT
10 September 2016
http://wwmt.com/news/local/michigan-legislation-seeks-to-allow-pooches-on-restaurant-patios
Michigan State law generally prohibits animals at restaurants, but Senate Bill 727 would allow dogs on outdoor patios. Michigan State law generally prohibits animals at restaurants, but Senate Bill 727 would allow dogs on outdoor patios. The bill introduced by Sen. Margaret O'Brien, R-Portage passed the Republican-led Michigan Senate this week and heads to the Michigan House, but some who oppose the legislation are saying they don't want to see dog hair or slobber while they're eating. It would allowed leashed dogs on a restaurant's outdoor patio, but those patios would have to be free of dog hair and regularly disinfected. The bill also allows communities to ban dogs, if the community wasn't in favor of the idea. The bill would not affect any existing laws covering service dogs.
UNIFORMED LIVES MATTER BILLS
Proposed bills would classify attacks on Law Enforcement Officials as hate crimes.* Michigan senator to introduce 'Uniformed Lives Matter' bill
Emily Lawler, MLive
09 July 2016
http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2016/07/michigan_senator_to_introduce.html
Sen. Mike Kowall, R-White Lake promised to introduce legislation in Michigan that would treat attacks on law enforcement officers, firefighters and emergency medical services personnel as hate crimes under state law. Michigan law already does prohibit the killing of a police officer, but it is not currently classified as a hate crime.
Michigan law defines a hate crime as being motivated by a bias against a race, color, religion, gender, or national origin. Federal law also includes crimes motivated by a bias against perceived religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and disability in its definition of hate crimes. According to a report from the Michigan State Police there were 495 hate crimes in Michigan in 2015.
* Legislation eyed to make attacks on cops hate crimes
Candice Williams, The Detroit News
08 July 2016
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2016/07/08/michigan-legislation-cops-hate-crimes/86873028
Michigan Senate Majority Leader and former public safety director for White Lake Township Mike Kowall said he would introduce the “Uniformed Lives Matter” legislation when the Senate returns to session in September after summer break. The legislation would cover law enforcement officers, firefighters and emergency medical services personnel.
* Jones backs classifying LGBT bias as hate crime
Todd Heywood, City Pulse
July 2016
http://lansingcitypulse.com/print-article-13427-permanent.html
State Sen Rick Jones, a Grand Ledge Republican and former sheriff, will announce that he is cosponsoring a bill to amend the measure to include LGBT people. His support breathes new life into the legislation after decades of disappointment for proponents. His backing guarantees a hearing before the Judiciary Committee. This will be the first time the Legislature’s upper chamber has held hearings on hate crimes legislation, and the first time since 2008 either chamber has done so. Last week, Jones signed onto SB1035 to amend the state hate crimes law to include gender identity and sexual orientation as protected classes. Jones and Warren Democrat Steve Bieda will take the lead shepherding the legislation through the Senate. Ingham County Democrat Curtis Hertel Jr. and Republican Tory Rocca from Sterling Heights have also signed onto the bill as sponsors.
State statistics show antigay crimes have been an ongoing issue in Michigan. In 2014, the Michigan State Police listed 60 antigay bias crimes. That was out of 532 victims and 441 incidents. In 2015, the number of victims and incidents had dropped to 399 incidents and 495 victims. The MSP reports that 12 percent in 2015 were motivated by antigay bias, or 61 cases. The majority of bias crimes were perpetrated based on the victim’s race. Michigan's Hate Crime law doesn't include crimes against a particularly vulnerable group, transgender people, which the state police do not track. Equality Michigan, a statewide gay rights organization, reported in the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Projects 2015 annual report on hate crimes that the state had tracked three anti-trans murders.
State Sen. Mike Kowall of White Lake said last week, after news of the shooting of white police officers in Dallas, that he would introduce legislation he is calling “Uniformed Lives Matter.” That proposal would make a crime to target first responders for violent crime, as apparently happened when a gunman opened fired on Dallas Police last week during a Black Lives Matter march. Kowall opposes amending existing hate crimes laws to include the LGBT community. Ironically, however, MSP reports on bias incidents show that in 2014, five police officers were victims of bias crimes, whereas 60 members of the LGB community were victims of such crimes. In 2015, eight police officers were victims of bias crimes, while 61 members of the LGB community were victims.
Nathan Triplett, political director for Equality Michigan, said Jones’ move is “very positive.”
Saturday 10 September 2016
Sanilac Petroglyph Signage
This will be set up as an uncaptioned photo album. Click each photo to read. (I took these photos for informational purposes.)
INTERLUDE - See it all!
* http://freedomtwobe.blogspot.com/2016/09/forest-beauty.html
* http://freedomtwobe.blogspot.com/2016/09/sanilac-petroglyphs.html
* http://freedomtwobe.blogspot.com/2016/09/sanilac-petroglyph-signage.html
* https://www.facebook.com/FreedomTwoBee/videos/1094760783911194m
* https://www.facebook.com/FreedomTwoBee/videos/1094766580577281
* https://www.facebook.com/FreedomTwoBee/videos/1094768793910393
INTERLUDE - See it all!
* http://freedomtwobe.blogspot.com/2016/09/forest-beauty.html
* http://freedomtwobe.blogspot.com/2016/09/sanilac-petroglyphs.html
* http://freedomtwobe.blogspot.com/2016/09/sanilac-petroglyph-signage.html
* https://www.facebook.com/FreedomTwoBee/videos/1094760783911194m
* https://www.facebook.com/FreedomTwoBee/videos/1094766580577281
* https://www.facebook.com/FreedomTwoBee/videos/1094768793910393
Sanilac Petroglyphs
I travelled such a long distance to see these! It was worth it, though. Some of my photos might have captured vandalism. I am sorry.
In order to see more detail on each photo, click on it.
INTERLUDE - See it all!
* http://freedomtwobe.blogspot.com/2016/09/forest-beauty.html
* http://freedomtwobe.blogspot.com/2016/09/sanilac-petroglyphs.html
* http://freedomtwobe.blogspot.com/2016/09/sanilac-petroglyph-signage.html
* https://www.facebook.com/FreedomTwoBee/videos/1094760783911194m
* https://www.facebook.com/FreedomTwoBee/videos/1094766580577281
* https://www.facebook.com/FreedomTwoBee/videos/1094768793910393
In order to see more detail on each photo, click on it.
INTERLUDE - See it all!
* http://freedomtwobe.blogspot.com/2016/09/forest-beauty.html
* http://freedomtwobe.blogspot.com/2016/09/sanilac-petroglyphs.html
* http://freedomtwobe.blogspot.com/2016/09/sanilac-petroglyph-signage.html
* https://www.facebook.com/FreedomTwoBee/videos/1094760783911194m
* https://www.facebook.com/FreedomTwoBee/videos/1094766580577281
* https://www.facebook.com/FreedomTwoBee/videos/1094768793910393
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