Di Memorial

From the BBC:

"William and Harry visit Princess Diana memorial"

Prince William and Prince Harry have visited a London memorial garden for their mother on the eve of the 20th anniversary of her death. The White Garden, at Kensington Palace, was planted to mark 20 years since Princess Diana died in a car crash. The Duchess of Cambridge joined the princes on the garden tour. A spokeswoman for Kensington Palace said: "The engagement will allow the princes to pay tribute to the life and work of their mother." They met representatives from the causes and charities supported by Diana, including the Royal Marsden and Great Ormond Street hospitals, the National Aids Trust, Centrepoint youth homelessness charity and the Leprosy Mission.   Members of the public have been leaving tributes and flowers at the gates of the palace to mark the anniversary of Diana's death. The Princess of Wales died on 31 August 1997 in Paris, when William, now the Duke of Cambridge, was 15 and his brother was 12.  The garden at their mother's former home has been inspired by memories of her life, style and image, such as her white "Elvis" Catherine Walker dress. It is the fourth London memorial created in tribute to Diana - the others are the Diana Memorial Playground at Kensington Palace, the Diana Memorial Fountain in Hyde Park, and the Diana Memorial Walk at St James's Palace.

^ Princess Diana did a lot for so many people while she was a live and it's nice to see that even after 20 years have passed people continue to remember her. ^

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-41091477

Ban Serving

From the BBC:
"Transgender people in US military may serve for now, says Mattis"

US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis has said that transgender people already in the military will continue to be allowed to serve pending a study on President Donald Trump's proposed ban. Mr Mattis said he would create a panel of experts "to provide advice and recommendations" on the implementation of the measure. Mr Trump justified the ban on grounds of cost and disruption. But the move faces a legal challenge by transgender rights activists. Mr Trump signed on Friday a memo reinstating a ban on transgender people serving in the military, which was lifted under President Barack Obama.  But he left Mr Mattis to decide whether those already in the armed forces would be allowed to continue to serve.  In a statement, Mr Mattis said that the panel of experts would include members of the departments of Defence and Homeland Security. "Once the panel reports its recommendations and following my consultation with the secretary of Homeland Security, I will provide my advice to the president concerning implementation of his policy direction," he said. "In the interim, current policy with respect to currently serving members will remain in place." After the Obama administration announced last year that transgender people would be allowed to serve openly in the military, many active duty members came out. Between 4,000 and 10,000 US active-duty and reserve service members are believed to be transgender.

^ If the soldier is doing his/her job correctly then they should be allowed to continue to serve. ^

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-41092781

Helping Harvey Animals

From GMA:

"Stranded pets rescued amid Hurricane Harvey flooding in southeastern Texas"

Humans aren’t the only ones weathering the storm as Hurricane Harvey ravages Texas with “epic and catastrophic” flooding that has left thousands of people stranded. Rescue efforts are also underway for pets and animals across the state, with many shelters and good Samaritans helping animals that are scared, hungry and alone.  Adam Brackman said he is trying to help rescue Cindi Simpson and her 90-year-old mother from their attic, along with Simpson’s three dogs and three cats. “I’m sitting on top of an attic with her. I’m bonding with her pets to get them to trust me so I can get them down,” Brackman, the owner of Axelrad Beer Garden in Houston, told ABC News. Simpson said she and her mother, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease and is fighting cancer, have been trapped in their attic since 6 a.m. Sunday. They climbed into the attic with their pets to escape four feet of water in their house.  Brackman is an animal lover and is thrilled he’s been able to help so many people and their pets escape the floodwaters. “Everybody has pets. They’re our fur babies," he said. "Everyone I talked to wants to hold on to them." He said he's heard from several people he rescued that the George R. Brown Convention Center now has a designated area for pets.  Prior to meeting Simpson, Brackman helped rescue a family, including their young children and dog named Ralph, from their flooded house in Houston. In a video of the rescue, the family is helped into the boat one by one, including Ralph. "See you later, house!" the little girl named Kate said as they pulled away in Brackman's boat. Once Texas begins recovering from the storm, Brackman said he wants to hold a fundraiser for hurricane victims at his beer garden. Austin Pets Alive, an animal shelter and no-kill pet advocacy group, said it has transported hundreds of pets in the path of Hurricane Harvey to its shelter. The group has created a page on its website specific to Hurricane Harvey-related needs. "Austin Pets Alive has been helping shelters in the direct line of Hurricane Harvey. We’ve been working with these shelters to transport as many pets as possible to APA and as of Saturday morning, we’ve transported over 235 animals to our shelter," a statement on its website says. "Because of the incredible, humbling support we’ve received from the community thus far, we have been able to remove some items from our needs list completely."  An image of a German shepherd mix named Otis has also been shared on social media, some calling it another symbol of Texan resiliency. In the photo, Otis walks through rainy streets carrying an entire bag of dog food with him.

“I was headed into Sinton to check damage to properties of friends and family and, as I was driving down the street, I saw people out cleaning up stuff in yards and I look over and see Otis carrying his dog food down the street,” Tiele Dockens, who took the photo, told ABC News. "I posted the photo because we live in a small town where everyone knows everyone and, sure enough, he belonged to my friend’s parents." His owners said he got loose from his screened-in porch during the storm, but he has now been reunited with them. "Otis made it back to his parents with food in mouth," Dockens said. A tiny dog named Kiwi also braved the Houston flooding in a small makeshift boat his owners made out of a plastic box.

^ It's important to remember that the animals also need help during Hurricanes and other natural disasters. I know that if I had to flee or evacuate I wouldn't go without my dog. I have looked at several websites on what things animal shelters tend to ask for in terms of donations. They generally include: Volunteering your time. Donating new or gently used items: water and food bowls, non-clay cat litter, clumping cat litter, toys, leashes, collars, brushes, pet beds, cleaning supplies, paper towels, blankets, office supplies. Donating new dry dog and cat food and dog and cat treats. These things are needed all-year by animal shelters, but especially during natural disasters. ^

https://www.yahoo.com/gma/stranded-pets-rescued-amid-hurricane-harvey-flooding-southeast-160504210--abc-news-pets.html

Helping Harvey Humans

From The Independent:

"Seven ways to help victims of Hurricane Harvey"

Hurricane Harvey continues to pommel southeastern Texas with federal emergency chief Brock Long saying approximately 30,000 people are going to be in temporary shelters due to flooding. “This is a landmark event for Texas...I’m asking for all citizens to get involved here," Mr Brock said. The rain is expected to continue for at least three to four more days and flooding is expected to get worse as dams in the Houston area will have to be released to relieve pressure on them. Below are some ways that you can help. But, before giving to any organisation it is best to do a bit of research into how your donation will be used. A good place to look is Charity Navigator. The website also suggests only donating through official group websites and not via unverified social media channels.

Give cash not goods

As aid organisations have geared up to help those in need, an influx of material goods may be more of a hindrance than a help as transportation and logistics are difficulties in disaster zones. Cash donations also allow more flexibility to fill unique needs for various communities. A simple way to donate is using your mobile. You can text UWFLOOD to 41444 to donate to the United Way Flood Relief Fund or CCUSADISASTER to 71777 for donations to the Catholic Charities USA. The American Red Cross has been repeatedly criticised for its ineffective response during previous natural disasters, like Hurricane Sandy, but they are a large charity supporting several local shelters and relief efforts. You can text the word HARVEY to 90999 to make a $10 donation. The Salvation Army's Hurricane Harvey relief efforts can be made at helpsalvationarmy.org or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY.

Give to local charities

While there are several large, national charities set to help, groups with local ties to a community may be in a better position to help victims. All Hands already has staff and volunteers on the ground who are in contact with emergency management personnel. Humane Societies in San Antonio and Houston as well as the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Texas are all working to provide shelter and care to pets in the affected region. Medical supplies will likely be in high demand as more and more are rescued from flooded areas and power outages are affecting hospitals. Americares and Heart to Heart International provides help to first responders and other medical professionals for emergency care. Portlight is an organisation dedicated to assisting people with disabilities who may not have been able to evacuate or have special medical or suitable shelter needs during the disaster. International Relief Teams provide personal hygiene kits to disaster victims. The Texas Diaper Bank is set to help families as well. One of the more terrifying aspects of natural disasters like Hurricane Harvey is what happens to homeless people. While specific homeless shelters will need donations, there is an umbrella organisation that can help coordinate needs called Coalition for the Homeless.

Donate to food banks

One exception to the cash donation preference may be local food banks, particularly if you are located nearby. Texas can activate a federal government programme to help residents with emergency relief. Houston Press has put together a list of food banks in the areas affected, but disaster relief experts advise calling them before making a donation about how best to help. Non-perishable, packaged items and cleaning supplies are usually preferred.

Use your language Skills

The Houston area in particular may be in need of translators and interpreters since it is home to the largest number of refugees in the US as well as a large population of immigrants. Spanish, Vietnamese, Arabic, and American Sign language skills could be of use to relief organisations, hospitals, radio stations, other local media outlets, and first responders - paramedics, police, fire departments. It is best to call officials and groups in the area first to determine need.

Donate blood

If you're in the region or looking to give a cash donation, the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center is looking for help as rescue efforts are underway and local hospitals take in new patients.

Donate shelter

AirBnb, the website which allows people to book stays in other people's homes while on holiday or other trip, is waiving fees for those needing shelter and has a link for people in safe areas to offer space in their homes.

Longer-term donations

After a disaster of this magnitude it will take a significant amount of time for those affected to rebuild their homes and lives. Setting up recurring donations to any of these groups will also help in longer term recovery efforts. Many of those most deeply affected by Hurricane Harvey are likely the poorer communities along the Texas coast and in Houston. Some have lost their homes and livelihoods as a result of the storm. Habitat for Humanity is an organisation that helped rebuild homes after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and may be helping in Texas recovery efforts in the near future.

Another way to help in the long term is writing members of Congress and state legislatures to pass regulations to make roads, bridges, and other essential infrastructure more resilient to future hurricanes and flooding. As sea levels rise, coastal areas are in particular danger of further infrastructure damage and costly, lengthy repairs.

^ This article has some good tips on how and where people can help those affected by Harvey. ^

https://www.yahoo.com/news/seven-ways-help-victims-hurricane-154111037.html

Free Teacher I-Pads

From Disabled World. com:

"iPad for Every Special Education Teacher in Israel"

Israel's Athena Fund, a nonprofit organization empowering teachers, has launched a new international Facebook group, in English, for parents of children with special needs.  The Athena Fund is engaged in a unique program -- iPad for Every Special Education Teacher in Israel. According to the program, about 10,000 special education teachers in Israel will receive iPads with specialized software and applications for students with special needs and various disabilities. The new Facebook group contains posts in a number of areas of interest concerning parents of children with special needs, as well as information on Athena's special education activities. The link to the new Facebook group is https://www.facebook.com/groups/324222721354496/ Athena's iPad for Every Special Education Teacher in Israel program is designed to empower special education teachers by enabling them to communicate better with their students, gain access to a wider range of teaching materials, and expose their students to the world of advanced technology. The iPad is especially important in special education. In addition to it being an extremely effective tool for the teacher in the classroom, studies have shown that the iPad allows children with special needs to communicate better and more effectively with their environment. For example, the iPad enables children with autism, even those who had never before communicated with their parents and their environment, to interact with their surroundings in a most exciting manner. Many parents have expressed how the iPad has helped them open a window into the soul of their special needs children, and enabled them to talk with the children about current and high-level subjects. This has led to a dramatic improvement in the lives of special needs children and their families. The distribution of iPads to special education teachers will enable them to help students fulfill their potential. "The new Facebook group is another milestone in the Athena Fund's activity in the special education sphere," said Uri Ben-Ari, Athena Fund's founder and president. "We've received excellent responses to our iPad for Every Special Education Teacher program from parents of children with special needs. As a result, we decided to involve parents in efforts to promote special education and to inform them about various things that may help them." The new Facebook group for parents of children with special needs follows two other recent initiatives of the Athena Fund. The first is an exciting, touching video featuring testimonials of parents to teens with special needs, describing how the iPad enables their children to express themselves in various subjects and communicate with them and their surroundings (https://www.facebook.com/Athenafundlaptop/videos/251078858709386). The second was a charity auction of more than 50 artworks created by Israel's best artists, to benefit Israel's special education teachers. Each artist received an old laptop that is no longer in use (contributed by high-tech companies), and turned it into a unique 3D artwork. In addition to iPad for Every Special Education Teacher in Israel, Athena runs three additional programs: Laptop Computer for Every Teacher, Laptop Computer for Every Kindergarten Teacher and Tablet for Every Science Teacher.

^ This sounds like a great program that will not only help the teachers, but also the students. I would love to see a program like this expanded around the world. ^

https://www.disabled-world.com/assistivedevices/computer/ipad-israel.php

Anthem Standing

Harvey Flooding

From the BBC:

"Storm Harvey: Up to 2,000 rescued as Houston hit by 'catastrophic floods'"

Up to 2,000 people have been rescued from floods in and around Houston, as Tropical Storm Harvey continues to batter Texas with heavy rains. There are reports of possible deaths in submerged vehicles, but investigations continue, Chief Darryl Coleman of the Harris County Sheriff's Office said. Texas Governor Greg Abbott told the media he could not confirm storm-related deaths. The National Weather Service (NWS) says conditions are "unprecedented".  It said there was a "flash flood emergency" across the Houston Metro area, with travel near impossible.  Many shelters have been opened, including in a convention centre.  Governor Abbott said about 250 roads and motorways had been closed in Texas and that he had made a federal disaster declaration for 19 counties that was granted by President Donald Trump. "We are dealing with a triangle of ongoing rain, including Houston, Victoria and Corpus Christi cities," Mr Abbott said. "We will continue receiving incredibly heavy rain."   The NWS earlier noted reports of five deaths in the area, but only one fatality in Houston has been confirmed. Two deaths have so far been confirmed from the storm since it made landfall:

• In Aransas County, where Rockport is the chief town, a person died in a house fire on Friday night
• A woman died in Houston as she drove through flooded streets on Saturday

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner has urged residents not to call emergency services unless their situation is life-threatening and they need to be rescued. "Don't get on the road. Don't assume this storm is over," he said.  Officials in Harris County, of which Houston is the county seat, have asked people who own boats to help with rescues. Houston Bush Airport has announced that all commercial flight operations have been stopped until further notice. Houston's other airport, Hobby, is also shut, with runways completely flooded. In Washington, the White House said that President Trump would visit Texas on Tuesday to survey storm damage. Mr Trump had earlier said that he would go as soon as it was possible to do so "without causing disruption". At 14:00 local time (19:00 GMT) on Sunday, the NWS said Houston had had an August rainfall total of 25.50in (64.8cm), making it the wettest month on record.  Inside Houston a disaster is unfolding. The motorways are deserted except for fire engines, police cars and other emergency vehicles.  Moving around the city is extremely difficult and dangerous. And yet some people are still driving, adding to the pressure on city authorities Everywhere you look cars are being abandoned as people scramble to find high ground. Roads have turned to rivers along which evacuees are being taken to safety in boats and in army-style, open-back lorries. They are huddled together under blankets and towels, glad to be alive. And still the rain comes teeming down, bouncing off the ground and bursting out of drains.  Houston is facing a crisis on an unprecedented scale.  Flooding in the Houston area is expected to worsen and "could become historic", with "potentially significant flooding also expected in other saturated areas of south-east [Texas]", the forecaster says. Like Houston, the island city of Galveston was also hit by "epic catastrophic flooding" overnight, the NWS added. An inundated care home in Dickinson, Galveston County, is reported to have been evacuated by helicopter after an image of several elderly women sitting in a lounge in waist-deep water went viral on social media.  Rescue efforts are being hampered by strong winds and thousands are without power. The US Coast Guard in Hou. ston has requested more helicopters as more people ask for help. Mr Abbott earlier said another 40in of rain could be due before the storm subsides midweek.  Houston is the country's fourth biggest city, with 6.6m people living in the metropolitan area. Meanwhile, Exxon Mobil has said it is shutting down the second-largest refinery in the country, at Baytown. The Texas Gulf Coast is a key centre of the US oil and gas industry.  Harvey began as a major category four hurricane - the first to make landfall in the US in 13 years when it arrived late Friday - but was downgraded to a tropical storm later on Saturday.

It is forecast to meander across south-east Texas until Wednesday. The storm is the strongest to hit the US since Charley in August 2004 and the most powerful to hit Texas since Hurricane Carla in 1961, which killed 34 people, according to the Houston Chronicle.

^ I don't understand why Houston didn't tell it's residents to evacuate before the storm. Even before Harvey struck Texas they were forecasting massive amounts of rain in the Houston area and while they probably didn't expect the epic amounts that have already fallen there they did know it was going to be bad  - now they are paying for their inaction by thousands of water rescues that will only increase over the next few days. I feel bad for all the First Responders (the EMTs, the Military, the Police, the Fire Department, the National Guard, etc.) as well as ordinary citizens who are working hard to help those stranded. ^

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-41067315

Angry Army Wives

From the BBC:

"Angry army wives protest in Paris over military working conditions"

Several hundred women married to French soldiers are holding a demonstration in Paris to denounce the "deplorable working conditions" in the army. The protest was organised by the group Angry Soldiers' Wives, which has nearly 5,200 members. Mercedes Crépin, who helped set it up, said some troops on anti-terror duty were being housed in damp hangars infested with cockroaches and lice. Around 500 people were expected to join the protest, Le Figaro reported. After the Islamist attack on the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in January 2015, the French government deployed more than 7,000 soldiers to guard prominent public places and events.  French news sites reported on Saturday that one soldier linked to the operation had shot himself dead on Friday night.   The military wives have several concerns - among them, the lack of support for the families of soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). "We feel completely helpless, we do not know how to cope with the condition, how to support our men," said Ms Crépin, whose husband has PTSD after serving in Afghanistan.  "We want to show our discomfort, our anxiety and our anger," she told TV channel France 3. Ms Crépin also raised the plight of soldiers' widows, saying some are obliged to leave military housing within two to three months of losing their husbands, and get little help from the army. The army payment system is a further source of grievance. The software has reportedly left families in debt after troops were mistakenly overpaid, then asked to pay back the surplus.  The Angry Soldiers' Wives demo follows a march by a similar group, Angry Police Wives, at the end of April. The wives and partners of police officers took to the streets of Paris to protest after the killing of an officer on the Champs Elysees. Their action condemning anti-police violence came two days after officer Xavier Jugelé was shot dead.

^ It is sad and a huge disgrace that this protest march has to happen. Military families around the world tend to live just above the poverty-line (and sometimes below it) even when the soldiers are putting their lives on the line to protect the officials who pay them so little and don't give them and their families the support they deserve. ^

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41061701

Harvey

From the BBC:

"Hurricane Harvey: Texas battered by high winds and rain"

Hurricane Harvey has slammed into Texas with initial winds of up to 130mph (215km/h) battering coastal areas. The biggest storm to hit the US mainland in 13 years is moving slowly, with 16.43in (42cm) of rain reported in one area. Catastrophic flooding is expected, though Harvey's winds were downgraded from category four to category one. Some residents are feared trapped in collapsed buildings and there have been widespread power cuts. More than 200,000 customers are without electricity, utility companies say.  After freeing up federal aid for the worst-affected areas, President Donald Trump praised emergency services in a tweet, saying: "You are doing a great job - the world is watching! Be safe."  With Texas Governor Greg Abbott warning of record flooding in multiple regions, Harvey made a double landfall: north-east of the city of Corpus Christi initially, then just north of Rockport a few hours later. Rockport, normally home to about 10,000 people, appears to have been the hardest hit. Emergency services there say a number of buildings have suffered structural damage.Pictures posted on social media show collapsed trees and houses.  Harvey was pretty ferocious when it came ashore, with screeching wind all night. We saw a reasonable amount of damage being caused by debris flying through the air. There's no sign though of any serious structural damage in the immediate vicinity here in Corpus Christi. But the main concern is for the town of Rockport, where the eye of the storm came ashore. There is concern there about a number of buildings, in particular a shelter for the elderly from where people had apparently not been evacuated.  When Harvey struck close to Corpus Christi, around 22:00 local time on Friday (03:00 GMT Saturday), it had winds of up to 130mph. Travis Pettis, a reporter with the Caller Times newspaper, told the BBC that strong winds when the storm arrived made the rain feel like "needles". "It was pretty crazy out there. The winds, I don't know what [speed] they topped at but you could barely even walk," he said.  Trees came down in the city and power supplies were cut, but thousands of residents had heeded warnings and boarded up their homes before fleeing. When the storm struck again near Rockport, wind speeds had fallen slightly to 125mph. "Right now we're still hunkered down and can't go anywhere," Steve Sims, Rockport's volunteer fire chief, was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency. "We've heard rumours of 1,000 different things, we can't confirm anything because we haven't seen anything. We know we've got a lot of problems, but we don't know what yet."   Rockport Mayor Patrick Rios said people were trapped in a housing centre for elderly people, where the roof had collapsed and rescue teams were unable to gain access, according to CBS.

He had a stark warning for anyone who refused to leave town: "We're suggesting if people are going to stay here, mark their arm with a Sharpie pen with their name and Social Security number."  At 09:00 local time, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said that sustained winds had fallen to a maximum of 75mph. If they drop further, Harvey will be classified as a tropical storm. Governor Abbot said it was obvious Texas was confronting a "very major disaster", and more than 1,000 National Guardsmen would help with the disaster relief operation. Harvey is the first major storm of the Atlantic hurricane season. It is forecast to meander across south-east Texas until Wednesday. The NHC has stressed the danger of life-threatening floods as rising water moves inland from the coastline.  Oil-rich Houston, the fourth biggest city in the US, could face up to 20in of rain over the coming days. Residents there should "not be complacent" and should stay at home and "ride out the storm", Francisco Sanchez, a spokesman for Harris County's emergency management office, told the BBC. "The most severe weather is yet to come" in the Houston area, he said. Mr Trump is likely to visit Texas early next week, the White House said. The storm is the strongest to hit the US since Charley in August 2004 and the most powerful to hit Texas since Hurricane Carla in 1961, which killed 34 people, according to the Houston Chronicle.  Harvey has severely hampered Gulf of Mexico oil production and air travel. About 45% of US oil refining takes place on the Gulf of Mexico coast, and Corpus Christi is an important port for the industry. Crude oil production has slowed by about 20% to prepare for the storm, and fears Harvey could lead to a shortfall in fuel have helped drive up prices.

As disruption spread:

• The British band Coldplay cancelled a Friday night concert in Houston

• At least 20,000 passengers on three cruise ships were unable to disembark in Galveston, Texas

• Driscoll Children's Hospital in Corpus Christi flew at least 10 babies from its neonatal intensive care unit to hospitals further inland, due to fear of power failures

^ Because this is an on-going storm I am sure that things are going to get even worse than are already being reported right now. I have family and friends living in the area in Texas and so am keeping a close watch on Harvey and hoping that things don't turn even more deadlier. ^

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-41058774

Ban Reinstated

From the BBC:

"Trump restores military ban on transgender people"

US President Donald Trump has signed a memo reinstating a ban on transgender people serving in the military, which was lifted under Barack Obama.   The memo also halts the use of government funds for sex-reassignment surgery for active personnel. But Mr Trump left Defence Secretary Jim Mattis to decide whether to retain existing transgender recruits. The ban, justified on grounds of cost and disruption, faces a legal challenge by transgender rights activists.   "This policy is a shameful slap in the face to people who put their lives on the line everyday to defend our country..." said Jennifer Levi, an official at Glad (GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders), in a statement.   "We are moving quickly with our plaintiffs to see that a court puts a stop to this latest demonstration of President Trump playing politics with people's lives." Between 4,000 and 10,000 US active-duty and reserve service members are believed to be transgender. After the Obama administration announced last year that they would be allowed to serve openly in the military, many active duty members came out.  The memo was widely anticipated following tweets Mr Trump made about the issue last month.

Mr Trump directed the military to "return to the longstanding policy and practice on military service by transgender individuals prior to June 2016". He suggested that his predecessor in the White House had not thought through whether the policy would "hinder military effectiveness and lethality, [or] disrupt unit cohesion".  He said he had done the Pentagon a "great favor" by banning transgender troops, saying the issue had been "complicated" and "confusing" for the military. The Obama-era policy had included a provision for the military to provide medical help for service members wanting to change gender.  In his memo, Mr Trump directed the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security to stop using government funds for sex-reassignment procedures unless it was necessary to "protect the health of an individual who has already begun a course of treatment to reassign his or her sex".

^ I've said it before. Anyone who has officially changed their sex with surgery should be treated as that new sex and since men and women are allowed to serve equally in the Military then there shouldn't be an issue here. I don't support this reinstated ban. Around 1% of Americans serve in the Military as it is today - a very low number especially from past enrollments - and we are stretched around the world protecting Americans and the rest of the world from all sorts of threats. If someone wants to risk their life to protect us then they should be allowed to. It doesn't matter if they were born a man and had surgery to become a woman or were born a woman and had surgery to become a man. ^

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-41059503

Hurricane Prep

From Ready.gov:

"Hurricanes"

Hurricane Basics:

What

Hurricanes are massive storm systems that form over the water and move toward land. Threats from hurricanes include high winds, heavy rainfall, storm surge, coastal and inland flooding, rip currents, and tornadoes. These large storms are called typhoons in the North Pacific Ocean and cyclones in other parts of the world.

Where

Each year, many parts of the United States experience heavy rains, strong winds, floods, and coastal storm surges from tropical storms and hurricanes. Affected areas include all Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coastal areas and areas over 100 miles inland, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Hawaii, parts of the Southwest, the Pacific Coast, and the U.S. territories in the Pacific. A significant per cent of fatalities occur outside of landfall counties with causes due to inland flooding.

When

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, with the peak occurring between mid-August and late October. The Eastern Pacific hurricane season begins May 15 and ends November 30.

Basic Preparedness Tips

• Know where to go. If you are ordered to evacuate, know the local hurricane evacuation route(s) to take and have a plan for where you can stay. Contact your local emergency management agency for more information.
• Put together a go-bag: disaster supply kit, including a flashlight, batteries, cash, first aid supplies, medications, and copies of your critical information if you need to evacuate
• If you are not in an area that is advised to evacuate and you decide to stay in your home, plan for adequate supplies in case you lose power and water for several days and you are not able to leave due to flooding or blocked roads.
• Make a family emergency communication plan.
• Many communities have text or email alerting systems for emergency notifications. To find out what alerts are available in your area, search the Internet with your town, city, or county name and the word “alerts.”

Preparing Your Home

• Hurricane winds can cause trees and branches to fall, so before hurricane season trim or remove damaged trees and limbs to keep you and your property safe.
• Secure loose rain gutters and downspouts and clear any clogged areas or debris to prevent water damage to your property.
• Reduce property damage by retrofitting to secure and reinforce the roof, windows and doors, including the garage doors.
• Purchase a portable generator or install a generator for use during power outages. Remember to keep generators and other alternate power/heat sources outside, at least 20 feet away from windows and doors and protected from moisture; and NEVER try to power the house wiring by plugging a generator into a wall outlet.
• Consider building a FEMA safe room or ICC 500 storm shelter designed for protection from high-winds and in locations above flooding levels.  

Hurricane Watch

Hurricane watch = conditions possible within the next 48 hrs.

Steps to take:

• Review your evacuation route(s) & listen to local officials.
• Review the items in your disaster supply kit; and add items to meet the household needs for children, parents, individuals with disabilities or other access and functional needs or pets.

Hurricane Warning

Hurricane warning = conditions are expected within 36 hrs.

Steps to take:

• Follow evacuation orders from local officials, if given.
• Check-in with family and friends by texting or using social media.
• Follow the hurricane timeline preparedness checklist, depending on when the storm is anticipated to hit and the impact that is projected for your location.

What to do when a hurricane is 6 hours from arriving

• If you’re not in an area that is recommended for evacuation, plan to stay at home or where you are and let friends and family know where you are.
• Close storm shutters, and stay away from windows. Flying glass from broken windows could injure you.
• Turn your refrigerator or freezer to the coldest setting and open only when necessary. If you lose power, food will last longer. Keep a thermometer in the refrigerator to be able to check the food temperature when the power is restored.
• Turn on your TV/radio, or check your city/county website every 30 minutes in order to get the latest weather updates and emergency instructions.

What to do when a hurricane is 6-18 hours from arriving

• Turn on your TV/radio, or check your city/county website every 30 minutes in order to get the latest weather updates and emergency instructions.
• Charge your cell phone now so you will have a full battery in case you lose power.

What to do when a hurricane is 18-36 hours from arriving

• Bookmark your city or county website for quick access to storm updates and emergency instructions.
• Bring loose, lightweight objects inside that could become projectiles in high winds (e.g., patio furniture, garbage cans); anchor objects that would be unsafe to bring inside (e.g., propane tanks); and trim or remove trees close enough to fall on the building.
• Cover all of your home’s windows. Permanent storm shutters offer the best protection for windows. A second option is to board up windows with 5/8” exterior grade or marine plywood, cut to fit and ready to install.

What to do when a hurricane is 36 hours from arriving

• Turn on your TV or radio in order to get the latest weather updates and emergency instructions.
• Build or restock your emergency preparedness kit. Include food and water sufficient for at least three days, medications, a flashlight, batteries, cash, and first aid supplies.
• Plan how to communicate with family members if you lose power. For example, you can call, text, email or use social media. Remember that during disasters, sending text messages is usually reliable and faster than making phone calls because phone lines are often overloaded.
• Review your evacuation plan with your family. You may have to leave quickly so plan ahead.
• Keep your car in good working condition, and keep the gas tank full; stock your vehicle with emergency supplies and a change of clothes.

After a Hurricane

• Listen to local officials for updates and instructions.
• Check-in with family and friends by texting or using social media.
• Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe.
• Watch out for debris and downed power lines.
• Avoid walking or driving through flood waters. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of fast-moving water can sweep your vehicle away.
• Avoid flood water as it may be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines and may hide dangerous debris or places where the ground is washed away.
• Photograph the damage to your property in order to assist in filing an insurance claim.
• Do what you can to prevent further damage to your property, (e.g., putting a tarp on a damaged roof), as insurance may not cover additional damage that occurs after the storm.

When there is no hurricane: Make a hurricane plan

• Know your hurricane risk. Talk to your local emergency management agency.
• Make an emergency plan.
  • Sign up for alerts and warnings
  • Make a Family Communication plan
  • Plan shelter options
  • Know your evacuation route
• Build or restock your basic disaster supplies kit, including food and water, a flashlight, batteries, chargers, cash, and first aid supplies.
• Consider buying flood insurance.
• Familiarize yourself with local emergency plans. Know where to go and how to get there should you need to get to higher ground or to evacuate.
• Stay tuned to local wireless emergency alerts, TV, or radio for weather updates, emergency instructions, or evacuation orders.

^ With Hurricane Harvey approaching Texas I thought it would be good to post this about how to prepare for a hurricane, what to do during a hurricane and what to do after a hurricane.  ^

 https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes

Removing Trend

From USA Today:

"Post-Charlottesville, Confederate monuments begin to fall across the U.S"

The city of Charlottesville draped two Confederate monuments in black tarp Wednesday afternoon as a symbol of the city’s mourning for a woman who was killed while protesting a white nationalist rally. The work Wednesday began in Emancipation Park, where workers using ropes and poles draped a statue of Gen. Robert E. Lee in the tarp. Some in the crowd cheered as others took photos and video. “It’s great. It’s a good start,” said Jamie Dyer from nearby Justice Park, where workers later covered a statue of Gen. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson. The violence that erupted on Aug. 12 in Charlottesville brought renewed attention to Confederate symbols. Charlottesville, like many other cities, has struggled over what to do with its Confederate-era statues, which some view as markers of history. Others see them as symbols of hate and reminders of pain.

Here’s a look at some of the monuments that have been taken down since the violence in Charlottesville:

 • Durham, N.C. — On Aug. 14, protesters toppled a Confederate statue during a rally outside the Durham County Courthouse. On Aug. 19, a statue of Robert E. Lee was removed from the entrance of Duke University Chapel. University president Vincent Price authorized the removal, saying the removal represented an “opportunity for us to learn and heal.” 

• Gainesville, Fla. — A monument to Confederate soldiers nicknamed “Old Joe” in downtown Gainesville was taken down on Aug. 14. Its removal was hotly contested for a year. In the end, the United Daughters of the Confederacy, who put it up 113 years ago, agreed to remove and take the statue after other groups declined it. 

• St. Petersburg, Fla. — On Aug. 15, the city removed the Stonewall Jackson Memorial Highway marker was from the downtown waterfront. 

• San Diego — Just days after the deadly protests in Charlottesville, a plaque honoring Jefferson Davis was removed by the city from Horton Plaza in downtown San Diego. 

• Los Angeles — On Aug. 16, a six-foot monument to Confederate soldiers was removed from the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. A spokesperson for the the United Daughters of the Confederacy, which owns the monument, told the Los Angeles Times it was taken down due to issues with vandalism. 

• Baltimore — On Aug. 16, four Confederate monuments were taken down after Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh cited safety concerns. “They needed to come down,” Pugh said in an interview with the Baltimore Sun.  

• Brooklyn, N.Y. — A 105-year-old plaque marking a tree planted by Robert E. Lee in Brooklyn during the 1840s was removed on Aug. 16, along with a second plaque installed in 1935, according to the New York Daily News. 

• New York — Busts of Robert E. Lee and Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson were removed overnight on Aug. 17 from the Hall of Fame for Great Americans at Bronx Community College. A few days before, Bronx Borough president Ruben Diaz Jr. had called for their removal and said their inclusion at the Hall of Fame was “especially galling: there is nothing great about two men who committed treason against the United States to fight to keep the institution of slavery in tact.” 

• Franklin, Ohio — A monument dedicated to Robert E. Lee was removed overnight on Aug. 17 by the city of Franklin. Located on the Dixie highway, the stone monument was erected by the United Daughters of the Confederacy 90 years ago. 

• Madison, Wis. — A plaque lauding Confederate soldiers buried at a cemetery was removed on Aug. 17, and Madison Mayor Paul Soglin said a second memorial would be coming down as well. 

• Worthington, Ohio — On Aug. 18, a historic marker outside the home of Roswell Ripley, a Confederate general who was born and raised in the city, was taken down following a recommendation by city officials anticipating protests, The Columbia Dispatch reported. 

• Annapolis, Md.— On Aug. 18, a statue of Roger B. Taney, the U.S. Supreme Court justice who wrote the 1857 Dred Scott decision upholding slavery and denying citizenship to African Americans, was lifted away by crane from the grounds of the Maryland State House. The statue had stood in front of the statehouse since 1872. 

• Daytona Beach, Fla. — Three plaques honoring Confederate soldiers were removed from a park in downtown Daytona Beach on Aug. 18. A city spokesperson said they would be cleaned and donated to a local historical society.  

• Helena, Mont. — Montana's capital removed a Confederate monument on Aug. 18  after Native American lawmakers in Montana sent a letter to the city requesting its removal, saying it stood for segregation, secession and slavery. A fountain donated by the United Daughters of the Confederacy more than 100 years ago, it was supposedly the only Confederate monument in the upper Rockies. 

• Austin — On Aug. 21, statues of Confederate-era figures Robert E. Lee, Albert Sidney Johnston, John Reagan and James Stephen Hogg were removed from the main campus grounds of the University of Texas at Austin.  

^ I'm glad to see local and state officials are finally doing something about these monuments. It is surprising to see that there are so many in places that were never part of the Confederacy (like the East, the Mid-West and the West.)  I hope this trend (removing these monuments) continues until they are all gone. ^

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/08/23/post-charlottesville-confederate-monuments-begin-fall-across-united-states/595393001/

Trump's Plan

From the DW:

"Donald Trump's 'new strategy' for Afghanistan receives mixed reactions in Europe, Kabul"

The US has finally announced its "new strategy" for Afghanistan. Some at NATO have applauded the proposals, though Trump's lack of specifics on troops leave NATO insiders and allies still wanting more clarity.  President Trump's announcement on Monday of his new military strategy for Afghanistan could be considered a broken campaign pledge, since he had promised in 2016 to quit the war in Afghanistan. And NATO was listening to the US president's speech for hard numbers that he didn't offer. But Trump's finger-pointing at Pakistan and renewed commitment to take aggressive action against Islamic insurgents drew kudos in Kabul. "We will not talk about numbers of troops or our plans for further military activities," Trump declared. "Conditions on the ground, not arbitrary timetables, will guide our strategy from now on. America’s enemies must never know our plans or believe they can wait us out. I will not say when we are going to attack, but attack we will."  Despite not hearing concrete plans from Trump on how he'll ensure a victory in Afghanistan, former NATO official Mohammed Shafiq Hamdam said what the speech did convey was much more important than what was missing. Hamdam, now an Afghan analyst living in Washington, DC, said the address was so highly anticipated that many of his Afghan counterparts tuned in to hear it live at 05:30 am Kabul time. "It was a big day for Afghanistan," Hamdam told DW from Kabul, which he was visiting. "We have never waited for any announcement for such a long period of time, but it was worth it. The Afghans feel so happy about this decision, and they are confident that the US and NATO allies will not abandon Afghanistan." Hamdam said he was gratified to hear Trump call out Pakistan's support and sanctuary for the Taliban, a source of constant angst in Kabul but something US policymakers have often shied away from highlighting. "We can no longer be silent about Pakistan’s safe havens for terrorist organizations, the Taliban and other groups that pose a threat to the region and beyond," Trump said. "Pakistan has also sheltered the same organizations that try every single day to kill our people. We have been paying Pakistan billions and billions of dollars at the same time they are housing the very terrorists that we are fighting." Shortly after the president's announcement, Hamdam seconded the call via Twitter for Pakistan to prove its dedication to regional and global stability. "The strategy reflects exactly what the Afghans have urged for the last 16 years," Hamdam said. "Afghanistan needed a regional solution, and Pakistan has been part of the problem forever. In particular since 2001, Pakistan hosted, trained, financed, equipped and politically supported Taliban and other insurgents and, gladly, this issue is clearly identified in this strategy."  In Brussels, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also welcomed President Trump's "conditions-based approach" to Afghanistan and the region. "NATO remains fully committed to Afghanistan and I am looking forward to discussing the way ahead with Secretary Mattis and our allies and international partners," Stoltenberg said in a statement. "NATO allies and partners have already committed to increasing our presence in Afghanistan. NATO currently has over 12,000 troops in the country.  In recent weeks, more than fifteen nations have pledged additional contributions to our Resolute Support Mission." The top US and NATO military commander of the Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan, Army General John Nicholson, was more direct, saying the strategy means now the "Taliban cannot win militarily".  But while an optimistic reading of the "conditions-based" phrase would mean the US will provide whatever resources are necessary to reduce the terrorist threat to a negligible level, NATO military planners must continue to wait on the specific resource numbers that the US will employ. As early as the June defense ministers' meeting, NATO expected the Trump administration to be able to tell allies how many US troops would remain in Afghanistan, whether as part of the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission or under unilateral US command. Currently, of the more than 12,000 international forces, about two-thirds are American. The president has given no public indication of whether Nicholson will get the troops needed to turn the tide against the Taliban, which now controls more than 40 percent of Afghanistan. Despite NATO leaders' positive response to Trump's announcement, leading Afghan journalist and commentator Bilal Sarwary feels the lack of direction for the military alliance just can't be overlooked. "The situation on the ground is getting worse, and there was little appreciation by Trump of what's actually happening on the ground," Sarwary told DW from Kabul. "Similarly, I think the big challenge now is that, with the Taliban being so powerful in terms of enveloping major cities and launching attacks, being on the offensive, what sort of US involvement are we talking about? Will troops and advisers and special forces go to brigade level?"  NATO allies typically wait to see what the Americans are doing before making their own commitments. While European allies made promises of troop numbers at a "force generation conference" in June, nothing will be finalized until US contributions are clear. Trump asserted in his speech that his plan, once fleshed out, would find backing in Europe. "We will ask our NATO allies and global partners to support our new strategy, with additional troop and funding increases in line with our own," he said. "We are confident they will." But NATO specialist Bruno Lete of the German Marshall Fund is skeptical there will be such enthusiasm. "Nearly a thousand European soldiers have died in Afghanistan to date," Lete pointed out. "Europe sees little result and a country with an uncertain future. Hence, neither politicians or the public opinion in Europe feel much appetite to go down the military road again." German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen has already said clearly that Germany would not look kindly on such a troop increase request.  On the contrary, Lete told DW, "there is a belief in Europe in the need to step up state-building efforts, but President Trump had little to say on this aspect in yesterday's speech." Lete expects common ground to be found in NATO's increased efforts to train Afghan defense forces in counterterrorism, something he says "will certainly gain support here in Europe." Stoltenberg spoke with US Defense Secretary James Mattis on Sunday before the Trump speech and there are expectations there will be another such conversation in the very near future. But even without firm troop figures, NATO sources say, the fact that Trump has finally articulated a strategy that continues vigorous US military support is a step forward and a relief.

^ Hopefully, we (the US and NATO) will be able to stop the Taliban, Al-Qaida and ISIS from gaining more ground in Afghanistan. While I understand that if we leave the rest of the countries will leave and Afghanistan will continue to pose the same kind of threat it did pre-9/11. ^

http://www.dw.com/en/donald-trumps-new-strategy-for-afghanistan-receives-mixed-reactions-in-europe-kabul/a-40197569

Don't Dis My Ability

"Don't DIS my ABILITY"

Total Numbers

In Honor of Black Ribbon Day (Remembering those murdered by the Nazis and the Communists.)

Communist Dictatorship Murders Around The World: 1917-Present

1.) China (1949-Present):  73,237,000 people killed

2.) Soviet Union (1922-1991):  58,627,000 people killed

3.) Russian Soviet Federated Socialist Republic (1919-1922): 3,284,000 people killed

4.) North Korea (1948-Present): 3,163,000 people killed

5.) Cambodia (1975-1987): 2,627,000 people killed

6.) Afghanistan (1978-1992): 1,750,000 people killed

7.) North Vietnam (1945-1976), Vietnam (1976-Present): 1,670,000 people killed

       *This estimate doesn't include the 1,062,000 people killed by the North Vietnamese during the Vietnam War and goes from 1945-1987. *

8.) Ethiopia (1974-1991): 1,343,610 people killed

9.) Yugoslavia (1945-1992): 1,072,000 people killed

10.) Chinese Soviet Republic (1931-1934): 700,000 people killed

11.) Mozambique  (1975-1990): 700,000 people killed

12.) Romania (1947-1989):  435,000 people killed

13.) Bulgaria (1946-1990):  222,000 people killed

14.) Angola (1975-1992):  125,000 people killed

15.) Mongolia (1924-1992): 100,000 people killed

16.) Albania (1946-1991): 100,000 people killed

17.) Cuba (1961-Present): 73,000 people killed

     *This estimate covers the time period 1959-1987*

18.) East Germany (1949-1990): 70,000 people killed

19.) Czechoslovakia (1948-1990): 65,000 people killed

     * This estimate covers the time period 1948-1968*

20.) Laos (1975-Present): 56,000 people killed

   * This estimate covers the time period 1975-1987*

21.) Hungary (1949-1989): 27,000 people killed

22.) Poland (1948-1989): 22,000 people killed

23.) Yemen (1969-1990): 1,000 people killed

Targeted Groups Murdered By Nazi Germany:     1933-1945

Jews:   6 million people

Soviet civilians:  7 million people (including 1.3 million Soviet Jewish civilians, who are included in the 6 million figure for Jews)

Soviet prisoners of war: 3 million soldiers (including about 50,000 Jewish soldiers)

Non-Jewish Polish civilians: around 1.8 million people

Serb civilians (on the territory of Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina): 312,000

People with disabilities living in institutions: 250,000 people

Roma (Gypsies): 196,000–220,000 people

Jehovah's Witnesses:  1,900 people

Repeat criminal offenders and so-called asocials:   70,000 people

Homosexuals:  5,000 to 15,000 people held in concentration camps with 60% of those murdered.

Total Civilian Murders by Nazi Germany and collaborators in occupied-Europe 1938-1945 (Includes those in Targeted Groups and those not in Targeted Groups.)

1.       Belgium: 76.000 people

2.       Czechoslovakia: 294,000 to 320,000 people

3.       Denmark: 6,000 people

4.       Estonia: 49,000 people

5.       France (and colonies): 390,000 people

6.       Greece: 171,800 people

7.       Latvia: 220,000 people

8.       Lithuania: 345,000 people

9.       Luxembourg: 5,000 people

10.   Netherlands: 187,300 people

11.   Norway: 8,200 people

12.   Poland: 5,620,000 to 5,820,000 people

13.   Soviet Union (including: Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian murdered): 6,000,000 – 7,000,000 people

14.   Yugoslavia: 581,000 to 1,400,000 people

Black Ribbon!

Today is Black Ribbon Day! The US (since 2014), Canada (since 2009) and the EU (since 2009) use today - the anniversary of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Treaty between Nazi Germany and Communist Soviet Union in 1939 - to remember all victims of the Nazis and the Communists.

Qantas Marriage

From the BBC:

"Qantas chief to campaign for Australia same-sex marriage"

Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce has urged Australians to support same-sex marriage in a looming postal vote.  In May, Mr Joyce vowed to press charges against a man who struck him with a pie over his support for same-sex marriage, which is not legal in Australia. Mr Joyce has also faced criticism from some politicians who say he should not take a political stance on behalf of the airline.   However, he said his company "would be active out there" in campaigning. "I believe we have to get behind it and make sure that we have a 'yes' vote and certainly I will be out there strongly campaigning for a 'yes' vote," he said.  "We believe the social issues are very important of all of your [company] stakeholders and are very important for this country." Australians will be asked their views on same-sex marriage through a voluntary, non-binding ballot to begin next month. If it shows support for changing Australia's Marriage Act, it is expected that a vote in parliament will follow. However, MPs would not be bound to vote in line with the public.  Mr Joyce was one of 20 company chief executives who signed a petition in March calling on Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to legalise same-sex marriage. It led to criticism by Immigration Minister Peter Dutton, who said it was "unacceptable that people would use companies and the money of publicly-listed companies to throw their weight around". "If Alan Joyce and any other CEO wants to campaign on this or any other issue in their own time and on their own dime, good luck to them," Mr Dutton said at the time. Two months later, Mr Joyce was giving a speech in Perth when an intruder shoved him in the face with a meringue pie.  "From my reading, it would appear that Alan Joyce is very much part of a network trying to subvert the federal parliamentary process around the issue of marriage equality," the intruder, Tony Overheu, told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. Mr Joyce later said he would press charges against Mr Overheu. Polls in recent years have shown a majority of Australians support same-sex marriage.

^ It is surprising that Australia doesn't allow gays to marry. You would think that in the 2nd decade of the 21st Century they are other civilized countries would give all their citizens the same equal rights. As for the head of Qantas stating his support for gay marriage. I think it is right. He can have both a private and a public stance and if the two combine then he should be able to express that. If people don't like it than they don't need to use Qantas. ^

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-40995630