By Cathy Areu

The Washington Post reported that the news of Hilda Solis’ resignation as Secretary of Labor brought “praise for her from Democrats and labor leaders.

The Washington Post reported that the news of Hilda Solis’ resignation as Secretary of Labor brought “praise for her from Democrats and labor leaders.” One of those happy labor leaders was AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka (who I have interviewed for the Washington Post, in addition to interviewing Secretary Solis, by the way). He praised her for bringing “urgent change” to a department that needed someone who talked the talk and walked the walk. Democrats are also happy that she’s stepping down as Labor Secretary because now she’ll be able to run for a seat on Los Angeles’ powerful Board of Supervisors. Yippee?

That may all sound great to Democratic strategists, politicians, union leaders, and other know-it-alls living inside the Beltway, but what message does her resignation send to America? Hilda Solis is, was, the one and only Latina Cabinet member in the Obama Administration. And she’s one of the few women in a coveted Cabinet spot. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius is leaving too. And don’t get me started on Lisa Jackson’s resignation from the Environmental Protection Agency.

So, now, with Obama’s second term rolling around, we’re seeing all of that wonderful diversity that excited women and Hispanics nationwide just disappear, one Cabinet nomination speech after another. This week’s celebration at the White House was over the White House Chief of Staff, Jacob “Jack” Lew’s, announcement as his choice for Secretary of the Treasury. According to the President, Lew has bad handwriting (a joke, of course), so Lew will need to work on that before he gets to sign our dollar bills. The crowd roared. What a funny President we have.

Focus, press pool! Forget the handwriting! Think! “What about Rosa “Rosie” Rios, our current Treasurer?” She’s a smart cookie (Harvard grad, if you will) who has a pretty impressive resume. Hey, what about her? She’s already in the building, impressing the world with her financial skills. As a matter of fact, she’s added more responsibilities to the position of Treasurer than the last 5 Treasurers behind her. “I’m the first Treasurer in many, many years to have direct oversight over the Bureau of Engraving and the U.S. Mint,” was one example Rios gave me when I interviewed her recently. That’s a big job right there.

OK, I know it’s not customary to nominate a Treasurer to become the Secretary of Treasury, but why not? That’s how it works in the business world. It’s called a promotion. And, Obama just named his Chief of Staff to be considered for the Treasury position, so there you have it. He’s already promoting from within!

Maybe it’s because I’m a woman, or maybe it’s because I’m Hispanic, or maybe it’s because I bought into all of that “diversity” mumbo jumbo Obama was selling during his two presidential campaigns – but I think we need more diversity in our Cabinet. But, alas, first came John Kerry for Secretary or State. Then Chuck Hagel for Defense Secretary. I began to wonder, where are the women? Where are the Hispanics? Where are Obama’s fellow African Americans?

Here’s a fact for you (are you sitting down?): White men are the minority in this country. Yep, women make up more than 50 percent of the population. And as for diversity in ethnicity and race, well, heck, by 2042, non-Hispanic whites (men and women) will be the minority.

So why is our new Cabinet looking so darn pale … and manly? It’s not looking like average America, I’ll tell you that. But, to this, the Obama communications department (I’m sorry, I mean, the official White House press office) has its answer. It will happily tell us that there are already many women and “diverse” individuals in high places in this Administration, even though they’re not exactly in the Cabinet. To that I say, “Give us Rosie Rios!” And let Jack Lew work on his signature for some other job.

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Rite Aid Stores Host Tour Bringing Free Skin Cancer Screenings to Thousands; The Skin Cancer Foundation’s Road to Healthy Skin Tour Enlists Local Dermatologists for Private Screenings; Tour Stopping at 50-Plus Stores Highlights Rite Aid’s Commitment to Community Health & Wellness

CAMP HILL, Pa.- Thousands of Americans can receive free full-body skin cancer screenings this spring and summer thanks to The Skin Cancer Foundation’s annual Road to Healthy Skin Tour presented by AVEENO® and Rite Aid. Starting this week, the Tour’s 38-foot customized RV is stopping at more than 50 Rite Aid stores as it zig-zags across the country.

The Tour draws on the expertise of local dermatologists who volunteer to perform free, full-body skin cancer screenings, which The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends receiving annually. In its fifth year, the Tour is reaching out to new communities and adding new stops in Georgia, Virginia, Pennsylvania, upstate New York and Ohio. Many of the Tour stops are at Rite Aid Wellness Stores, which are Rite Aid’s latest store prototype and feature expanded pharmacy services, an enhanced selection of wellness products, and regular health events and screenings such as these.

“We’re proud to have sponsored the Road to Healthy Skin Tour every year since its inaugural journey,” said Robert Thompson, Rite Aid executive vice president, pharmacy. “These screenings are a great example of the kind of proactive health and wellness resources that Rite Aid is committed to providing. Rite Aid pharmacists can help customers select the right sunscreen and counsel on possible medication interactions, such as the increased sun sensitivity that accompanies many common prescriptions.”

The four past Tours have caught nearly 5,300 potential skin cancers and precancers including more than 200 suspected cases of potentially deadly melanoma. Visitors are screened in one of two private exam rooms on the RV on a first-come, first-served basis. They also can sample sun protection products and learn about skin cancer prevention and early detection.

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Washington, DC –  Engaging a broad community of over 140,000 top bloggers, internet leaders, innovators and influencers, Latinos in Social Media (LATISM) today announces its preliminary calendar for the year, with a series of events that bring the best of the Latino social media world to the real world. The LATISM 2012 calendar includes four signature events that highlight the very best in the areas of focus for its mission: education, health, civic engagement, business and technology.

The 2012 lineup features four major events scheduled to take place around the country and abroad. The events will offer unprecedented networking and learning opportunities, and will cover a wide spectrum of topics ranging from digital culture, social media and technology, creativity, education, and civic engagement to health, entrepreneurialism and tangible social change.

As the largest organization of Latinos engaged in social media, LATISM enjoyed outstanding success at last year’s events, which included its Latino2 Conference in Silicon Valley, its annual LATISM conference in Chicago, a sustainable development project in the border of Haiti, as well as dozens of Tweetups organized by its 13 local chapters.

“Our events are the premier showcase for the leaders who are driving our community’s thriving digital innovations. We had a very special year in 2011 and are very excited about this year’s events, as they represent the next chapter in the strategic evolution of LATISM,” said Ana Roca Castro, LATISM’s Chair and Founder. “With this new crop of events, our scope focuses on providing the platforms that connect to the very heart of our digital culture and on facilitating the crowdsourcing of solutions to our communities most pressing issues.”

HIGHLIGHTS FROM LATISM’s 2012 EVENT LINEUP:

April 2012 – Top 100 Blogueras Retreat – Washington, DC

A capacity building MBA where top brand executives can meet the top 100 Latin@ blogger influencers meet and learn about causes, services and products to find synergies for collaboration. This event is by invitation ONLY.  To request an invitation, please contact: info@latism.org

June 2012 – 3rd Annual Latino2 Tech Summit – New York, NY

Meet the top Latinos in Tech Start-ups seeking pre-seed dollars, who will pitch their venture ideas to members from the investment community. This event is our latest effort to advance development and innovation in our community by promoting the shift from being consumers, to becoming owners and producers of technology. Details on how to participate will be announced separately.

July 2012 – Cyber-Sustainable Development Project – Cuzco, Perú

Following last year’s successful, groundbreaking sustainable development project at the border of Haiti and Dominican Republic, our second sustainable development project will bring the power of social media for social good into tangible results. This time, we will create a cyber room, a mobile clinic and a summer camp as well as provide capacity-building training at a small village near Cuzco, Peru. Details for this event will be announced separately.

October 2012 – LATISM ’12 National Conference – Houston, TX

“Mobilizing For Our Future” – The largest conference of Latino(a)s in Social Media, LATISM’s Annual Conference has fast emerged as the epicenter for the remarkable organizations, projects, products and pioneers that are putting Latinos at the forefront of the international digital landscape.

This installment of the much-awaited annual event will feature four tracks centered around LATISM’s mission:  Business empowerment, Technology Leadership, Health Innovation and Transforming Education. Details and call for speakers will be announced separately. Full details for LATISM ’12 tracks can be found at: http://conference.latism.org/

Other events

In addition to these signature events, LATISM will bring our full community experience to local networking events, lead by our team of Chapter Directors throughout the country. Additional information about these events will be available via separate communications throughout the year.

Sponsorship opportunities are available for all events. To request our sponsor package, please visit: http://conference.latism.org/sponsor/

To apply for media credentials for any of these events, please contact: elianne@latism.org

To connect with LATISM on its different social media properties, please scan the attached QR code.

ABOUT LATISM

Latinos in Social Media (LATISM) is a 501(c) 4 nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to advancing the social, civic and economic status of the Latino community. LATISM also helps to raise awareness among corporate brands, NGOs and government entities about using social media to reach Latinos. Our partnership initatives include research, event sponsorships, and leadership training. A pioneering social media organization with over 140,000 members in its network, LATISM has been hailed as the most influential online movement in the new multicultural Web. To learn more about the Latinos in Social Media (LATISM) organization, visit http://latism.org
Elianne Ramos

Vice-Chair of Marketing and PR

elianne@latism.org

@ergeekgoddess

646-932-7752

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There are many angels to the immigration debate. One that has been forgotten, is how Christians should treat immigrants and how to respond to laws that attempt to hinder immigration.
Instead of giving my opinions and thoughts, I’d like to share what the Bible teaches us on this matter. My wish, is that whenever a Christian has a question about immigration, they can use this as a resource as to what our faith teaches us.

Full disclosure: These verses were not combined through my tireless study of scripture. They come from Christians for Comprehensive Immigration Reform and can be found here <http://faithandimmigration.org/content/about-ccir> .
There are many versions of the Bible. I used New Advent’s online Bible <http://www.newadvent.org/bible/gen001.htm> . It has all three versions of the Bible; Ancient Greek, English, and Latin.

How Everyone, Regardless of Immigration Status, Should be Treated
Genesis 1:26-2726 And he said: Let us make man to our image and likeness, and let him have dominion over the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the air, and the beasts, and the whole earth, and every creeping creature that moves upon the earth. 27 And God created man to his own image; to the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
Genesis 9:6

6 Whosoever shall shed man’s blood, his blood shall be shed: for man was made to the image of God.

How To Treat Immigrants
Deuteronomy 10:18-19

18 He does judgment to the fatherless and the widow, loves the stranger, and gives him food and raiment. 19 And do you therefore love strangers, because you also were strangers in the land of Egypt.

Leviticus 19:18

18 Seek not revenge, nor be mindful of the injury of your citizens. You shall love your friend as yourself. I am the Lord.

Leviticus 19:33-34

33 If a stranger dwell in your land, and abide among you, do not upbraid him: 34 But let him be among you as one of the same country. And you shall love him as yourselves: for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.

Mark 12:31

31 And the second is like to it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.

Luke 10:25-37

25 And behold a certain lawyer stood up, tempting him and saying, Master, what must I do to possess eternal life? 26 But he said to him: What is written in the law? How do you read it? 27 He answering, said: You shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with all your strength and with all your mind: and your neighbour as yourself. 28 And he said to him: You have answered right. This do: and you shall live. 29 But he willing to justify himself, said to Jesus: And who is my neighbour? 30 And Jesus answering, said: A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell among robbers, who also stripped him and having wounded him went away, leaving him half dead. 31 And it chanced, that a certain priest went down the same way: and seeing him, passed by. 32 In like manner also a Levite, when he was near the place and saw him, passed by. 33 But a certain Samaritan, being on his journey, came near him: and seeing him, was moved with compassion: 34 And going up to him, bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine: and setting him upon his own beast, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 And the next day he took out two pence and gave to the host and said: Take care of him; and whatsoever you shall spend over and above, I, at my return, will repay you. 36 Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbour to him that fell among the robbers? 37 But he said: He that showed mercy to him. And Jesus said to him: Go, and do in like manner.

How to Respond to Anti-Immigrant Laws
Isaiah 10:1-4

Woe to them that make wicked laws: and when they write, write injustice: 2 To oppress the poor in judgment, and do violence to the cause of the humble of my people: that widows might be their prey, and that they might rob the fatherless. 3 What will you do in the day of visitation, and of the calamity which comes from afar? To whom will you flee for help? And where will you leave your glory? 4 That you be not bowed down under the bond, and fall with the slain? In all these things his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

Jeremiah 7:1-7

The word that came to Jeremias from the Lord, saying: 2 Stand in the gate of the house of the Lord, and proclaim there this word, and say: Hear the word of the Lord, all you men of Juda, that enter in at these gates, to adore the Lord. 3 Thus says the Lord of hosts the God of Israel: Make your ways and your doings good: and I will dwell with you in this place. 4 Trust not in lying words, saying: The temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, it is the temple of the Lord. 5 For if you will order well your ways, and your doings: if you will execute judgment between a man and his neighbour, 6 if you oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, and walk not after strange gods to your own hurt, 7 I will dwell with you in this place: in the land, which I gave to your fathers from the beginning and for evermore.

Acts 5:29

29 But Peter and the apostles answering, said: We ought to obey God rather than men.

Romans 13:1-7

Let every soul be subject to higher powers. For there is no power but from God: and those that are ordained of God. 2 Therefore, he that resists the power resists the ordinance of God. And they that resist purchase to themselves damnation. 3 For princes are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Will you then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good: and you shall have praise from the same. 4 For he is God’s minister to you, for good. But if you do that which is evil, fear: for he bears not the sword in vain. For he is God’s minister: an avenger to execute wrath upon him that does evil. 5 Wherefore be subject of necessity: not only for wrath, but also for conscience’s sake. 6 For therefore also you pay tribute. For they are the ministers of God, serving unto this purpose. 7 Render therefore to all men their dues. Tribute, to whom tribute is due: custom, to whom custom: fear, to whom fear:honour, to whom honor.

What Can Happen If We Do Not Heed His Call
Matthew 25:31-46

31 And when the Son of man shall come in his majesty, and all the angels with him, then shall he sit upon the seat of his majesty. 32 And all nations shall be gathered together before him: and he shall separate them one from another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats: 33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on his left. 34 Then shall the king say to them that shall be on his right hand: Come, you blessed of my Father, possess you the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you gave me to eat: I was thirsty, and you gave me to drink: I was a stranger, and you took me in: 36 Naked, and you covered me: sick, and you visited me: I was in prison, and you came to me. 37 Then shall the just answer him, saying: Lord, when did we see you hungry and fed you: thirsty and gave you drink? 38 Or when did we see you a stranger and took you in? Or naked and covered you? 39 Or when did we see you sick or in prison and came to you? 40 And the king answering shall say to them: Amen I say to you, as long as you did it to one of these my least brethren, you did it to me.41 Then he shall say to them also that shall be on his left hand: Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire, which was prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me not to eat: I was thirsty and you gave me not to drink. 43 I was a stranger and you took me not in: naked and you covered me not: sick and in prison and you did not visit me. 44 Then they also shall answer him, saying: Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and did not minister to you? 45 Then he shall answer them, saying: Amen: I say to you, as long as you did it not to one of these least, neither did you do it to me. 46 And these shall go into everlasting punishment: but the just, into life everlasting.

Cafe Con Leche Republicans 

http://cafeconlecherepublicans.com/i-was-a-stranger-and-you-took-me-in

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Many mourners were lingering outside the funeral home as well. Some had placed a makeshift memorial of hand-written signs, stuffed animals, balloons, flowers and candles at the entrance of the building, as well as one at the New Hope Baptist Church, where funeral services are to be held on Saturday.

Dennis Brown 

Newark, NJ (ILN).- Whitney Houston’s body arrived at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey around 10:00pm Monday night, February 13, 2012.

Her body was then transported to the Whigham Funeral Home in Newark, NJ accompanied by her family and a police escort.

There were initially reports that a public memorial was trying to be organized for the late singer at the Prudential Center in Newark, but as of Tuesday evening, the family denied this report, stating that the only plans they had were to have a private memorial at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark.

On Wednesday, there were still several news vans parked in front of the funeral home, hoping to gain access to new information about the funeral plans.

Many mourners were lingering outside the funeral home as well.  Some had placed a makeshift memorial of hand-written signs, stuffed animals, balloons, flowers and candles at the entrance of the building, as well as one at the New Hope Baptist Church, where funeral services are to be held on Saturday.

The family announced that there would be no public funeral procession or public access to the singers funeral.  

Also, it had been rumored that large video screens would be set up for the public to view the funeral live from remote locations.

However, the family made a statement on Wednesday refuting that report.  

They have asked the public to respect the families privacy during this time of mourning by allowing them to grieve without interruption.

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Ann Coulter has made a fortune writing and selling books excoriating liberals, also called progressives, for a range of offenses, often mocking liberals in the process.

Unfortunately, despite extensive research and writing on the subject of liberalism, Coulter is not always able to spot a liberal. In the blog Only One Candidate Is Right on The Two Most Important Issues posted December 28 on Townhall.com, Ann Coulter proved she can be hoodwinked by liberals. Coulter claims:

In the upcoming presidential election, two issues are more important than any others: repealing Obamacare and halting illegal immigration. If we fail at either one, the country will be changed permanently.

She’s right about ObamaCare, which would unquestionably lead to a complete government takeover of health care. However, Coulter then goes on a diatribe about illegal immigration:

But capitulate on illegal immigration, and the entire country will have the electorate of California. There will be no turning back.

and

Just as Americans ought to be able to learn the perils of a welfare state by looking at Greece, we ought to be able to learn the perils of illegal immigration by looking at California.

Massive legal and illegal immigration has already so changed the California electorate that no Republican can be elected statewide anymore. Not so long ago, this was a state that produced great Republican governors and senators like Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, S.I. Hayakawa and Pete Wilson.

A short history lesson of California for Ann Coulter is in order. The GOP used to be competitive in California. Then, incumbent Republican governor Pete Wilson, trailing far behind in the polls, jumped on the Proposition 187 anti-immigrant bandwagon to revive his lagging campaign and win reelection. Once elected, proposition 187 was quickly overturned by the courts, to no one’s surprise since immigration is a federal power. Wilson won reelection playing the race card, but once prop. 187 enthusiasm passed the GOP lost legions of conservative Hispanic voters who were appalled at proposition 187 and became Independents or Democrats. The Field Institute analysis of the 1994 California elections found:

An analysis of Republican Governor Pete Wilson’s 55% to 41% reelection victory over Democrat Kathleen Brown shows that Wilson ran strongest among these voter subgroups: those living in San Diego/Orange, the Inland Empire, and the North Coast/Sierra regions, Republicans, conservatives, white non-Hispanics (especially white men), older voters, those with incomes of $60,000 or more, Protestants, and supporters of Prop. 187, the illegal alien initiative.

and

Proposition 187, the illegal alien initiative, which passed statewide by a 59% to 41% margin, carried in all major regions of the state except the San Francisco Bay Area. Support for Prop. 187 was extremely high in the Inland Empire (+40 points), the North Coast/Sierras (+36 points), San Diego/Orange (+34 points) and the Central Valley (+32 points).

Proposition 187 was spearheaded by John Tanton and the Federation of Americans for Immigration Reform, and bankrolled with millions in financing from the Pioneer Fund, whose purpose is “to advance the scientific study of heredity and human differences“, in other words scientific racism. John Tanton’s own writings show he’s an ardent eugenics supporter, an environut, and population control enthusiast with deep ties to planned parenthood. Tanton’s resume shows he’s not conservative at all but an ardent liberal, the kind that Coulter regularly bashes in her books and columns!

Amazingly, Coulter relies on NumbersUSA, founded by uberliberals John Tanton and Roy Beck, for her source of information on immigration, grading of candidates, etc. Roy Beck is the current leader of NumbersUSA, who was previously publisher of The Social Contract, infamous for publishing racist books and publications such as The Camp of the Saints, among others. For decades Beck has warned of us of the dire consequences of overpopulation of the U.S. If we took his rantings seriously, the world would have starved to death several times over by now!

Tanton, Beck, and their allies have been manipulating both liberals and conservatives for decades. A great example is this “smoking gun” letter from John Tanton’s own papers, donated to the University of Michigan library, in which Tanton brags:

Roy Beck and I think we have come up with an idea that can actually move the battle lines on the immigration question in our favor. While we are working on other ideas to move Democrats, this one involves using the recently released census data to show Republican members of Congress, the Administration, and the party’s leadership how massive immigration imperils their political future. The goal is to change Republicans’ perception of immigration so that when they encounter the word “immigrant,” their reaction is “Democrat.”

and

Our plan is to hire a lobbyist who will carry the following message to Republicans on Capitol Hill and to business leaders: Continued massive immigration will soon cost you political control of the White House and Congress, given the current, even division of the electorate, and the massive infusion of voters about to be made to the Democratic side. We are about to replay the Democratic hegemony of 1933-53, fueled back then by the massive immigration of 1890-1924.

Contrary to Coulter’s assertions, there’s no reason why the GOP cannot be competitive among Hispanics. According to PEW Research:

Among Latino registered voters, 35% describe their political views as conservative, 32% describe them as moderate and 28% describe their political views as liberal.

67% of Hispanics are center-right ideologically, which is a complete disconnect from recent voting trends, which show Hispanics voting Democrat by nearly a two to one margin, yet President Bush was able to gain over 40% of the Hispanic vote! Note the trend:
Year       Democrats Republicans Gap
1999               58           25                 33
2002              56           25                 31
2004              55           28                 27
2006              49          28                 21
2007              57           23                 34
2008             67           31                  36
2010              65          22                  43

Each year, as Bush engaged Hispanics and made a serious effort to reform immigration, self-identified Hispanic voters increased. With the failure of immigration reform and harsh anti-immigrant rhetoric from some conservative Republicans, no doubt influenced by John Tanton and Roy Beck, starting in 2007 the trend quickly reversed. A recent poll by Latino Decisions shows GOP support among Latinos at 18%, with 31% of Latinos perceiving the GOP as hostile. 14% of Latinos support deportation of all unauthorized immigrants, so a support level of 18% for the GOP shows just how polarizing the immigration issue is to Latinos. If you’re Latino and don’t support a “deport them all” strategy, you’re unlikely to vote Republican!

Assuming Latinos invariably vote Democrat is a self-fulfilling prophecy, with many Republicans failing to make a serious outreach effort, and don’t pause to think how their rhetoric alienates Hispanic voters. However, Bush proved Hispanics can be wooed, a process started by Ronald Reagan, who quipped “Latinos are Republican. They just don’t know it yet.” No wonder John Tanton and Roy Beck have gone to such lengths to convince many Republicans that Latinos invariably vote Democrat!

Bob Quasis is founder of Café Con Leche GOP -
Republicans who want America and the GOP to be more welcoming to immigrants

To read more from Café Con Leche GOP

http://cafeconlecherepublicans.com/blog

Twitter handle: @CafeConLecheGOP

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by Katy Sudano, Board Member of VOICE Today

VOICE Today is breaking the silence and cycle of child sexual abuse worldwide through Awareness, Prevention, and Healing.

http://www.voicetoday.org/

I can hear it now…the loud music of the merry-go-round and children laughing.  I can even smell the popcorn andcotton candy.  I see little ones smile and wave at their parents.  As we sweep past them I know they stand ready to scoop up their little ones. I look for those who are waitingfor me and wonder who will scoop me up.  I grip the cold, gold spiral pole so I don’t fall off the plastic horse going up and down beneath me.  Around we go again and again.  

The movement stops. I want to get off because I’m afraid to ride, but I want to stay on because I’m afraid to stop riding.  Not knowing what to do I watch other children jump offthe round blue floor and onto the green grass. They run,arms open, to their parents with loud voices filled with joy and anticipation.  “Can we do the Ferris Wheel now?” “I want to ride the big coaster!”

I don’t see anyone waiting for me. More children climb on.The motor rears up.  Slowly the horse starts to go up and down again and the parents become a blur. I’m glad I didn’t have to get off this time and I’m scared of moving again.

The first time your boundaries are destroyed as a child your life becomes a merry-go-round of confusion, distrust, anddizzying details which refuse to come into focus.  You aresmall and alone.  You can’t trust anyone because the love you thought was yours and would always keep you safe,changed forever.

As a child, I wanted nothing more than to jump off that merry-go-round and be like other children.  I wanted toplant my feet firmly in the grass and run toward my lifejoyful and happy.  Yet every time I tried it seemed forced and foreign.  As I got older, there were times I thought Ihad jumped off.  Maybe I had for a while.  But things would start moving again. When people gave me compliments I heard something different.  Pretty meant ugly, smart meant dumb, and talented meant uncoordinated.  I grew angrier at my family and at the world.  I looked inthe mirror and saw someone who was flawed and undeserving in almost every way.  Obviously, no one really cared about me or they would do something.  I wonderedwhy I was even here.

Being a survivor of child sexual abuse is exhausting. It diminishes our energy, our physical and mental well being.  I have been around so many survivors now that I see us riding a common merry-go-round.  Some ride horses that are faster or more brightly colored than others, but we are still whirling around afraid to stay on, afraid to jump off.  Some of us find courage in drugs and alcohol; some lose themselves in prostitution or violence.  Those like me live in a functional but chronically depressed state.  We spin webs of illusion, driven by the need to be seen by the outside world as perfect and “having it all together.”

Before I started working with VOICE Today, I didn’t let anyone get close enough to see the distortion going on inside me.  I stayed very busy making sure everything was in place.  I had five children and involved myself in theiractivities and projects of my own.  I tried to please everyone and became a chameleon.  When I couldn’t keep it up, or saw myself falling short of impossible standards ofperfection, I backed away from what I was doing and started something else!  

I wish I could say that I have finally and completelyjumped off the merry-go-round, but that would be a lie.  Healing is a process that can be very tough, especially when the dizziness makes it hard to see myself realistically.  Like being in a funhouse with mirrors that make me looktall and thin, short and fat, or just plain weird, it’s difficultto find the “normal” mirror because I’m not yet sure what “normal” is.  However, through VOICE Today and helping others see through the lights, sounds, and colors of the merry-go-round, I am beginning to see possibilities that only healing with others can offer!  I am finding my strength, little by little, by VOICING UP and making the merry-go-round slow down.  Ultimately, it will stop and a new Katy, a healed Katy, will jump off while helpingothers jump off too!

There will be times when faced with criticism, rejection, or condemnation, I will want to jump back on the merry-go-round where no one can reach me.  But I feel much happier today because now I am standing on the edge of that roundblue floor, no longer clinging to the gold spiral pole!  Iadmit that looking over the edge at the green grass below my feet is intimidating.  Sometimes I’m terrified of takingthat first step.  It seems as if I am the only one dangling over the edge, until I remember there are so many othersurvivors just like me. That’s when the JOY that calls me forward becomes stronger than the fear that holds me back.  

VOICE Today taught me that facing fear releases fear.  I may have to jump off the merry-go-round over and over until it becomes easy and I can get on and off as I please, like the children who ride it for fun.  I can’t wait for thatday.

All of us have fears and events in our past that we want tohide deep down inside where no one can see the ugliness.  But that is a trap.  The only way out is to take the first jump and then the next and the next, until we start to liveour lives the way God intended us to live.  It will beglorious and so full of joy!

I believe that everyone on the merry-go-round has the power within them to take the first leap, VOICE UP, join the movement, and do what we can to protect the innocent from the devastating epidemic of child sexual abuse!  Only then can we take the reins from the abusers who want to keep us circling in fear.  We start by healing ourselves!  

www.voicetoday.org

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The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report does not estimate how long it would take for Iran to produce a nuclear weapon but the United States and their allies in the international community, very far from talking about their own nuclear weapons and the damages they have already caused, have no doubt that the Iraqi conduct represents a clear risk for the world peace.

The IAEA supports the statements with several documents. One of them, under the title “Implementation of the NPT (Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty) safeguards agreement and relevant provisions of United Nations Security Council resolutions in the Islamic Republic of Iran”, dated on November 18; explains the resolution adopted by the Board of Governors:

 (a) Noting the Director General’s November 8 report (GOV/2011/65) entitled “Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement and Relevant Provisions of Security Council Resolutions in the Islamic Republic of Iran”;

 (b) Recalling the Board’s previous request in GOV/2009/82 for the Director General “to continue his efforts to implement the Safeguards Agreement in Iran, resolve the outstanding issues which give rise to concerns, and which need to be clarified,” including those addressed in the November 8 report, and to implement the relevant provision of UN Security Council resolutions;

 (c) Recalling the relevant Resolutions adopted by the Board and the United Nations Security Council;

 (d) Recalling the 21 September 2011 Statement by High Representative Ashton on behalf of China,  France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States that their overall goal remains a comprehensive negotiated, long-term solution, on the basis of reciprocity and a step-by-step approach, which restores international confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program consistent with the NPT;

 (e) Reaffirming the inalienable right of all the parties to the Non-Proliferation Treaty to develop research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes in accordance with Article IV of the Treaty;

 1 The resolution was adopted with 32 votes in favour, 2 against and 1 abstention

 (f) Stressing once again its serious concern that Iran continues to defy the requirements and obligations contained in the relevant IAEA Board of Governors and UN Security Council Resolutions;  

(g) Recalling that the Director General has stated that, unless and until Iran provides the necessary cooperation with the Agency, the Agency will not be in a position to provide credible assurances about the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities in Iran and therefore to conclude that all material in Iran is in peaceful activities; and  

(h) Noting also the letters by the Iranian side to the Director General dated 30 October 2011 and 3 November 2011 where Iran expressed its readiness to cooperate with the Agency, and reiterating the Board’s view that such cooperation is essential and urgent;

 1. Expresses deep and increasing concern about the unresolved issues regarding the Iranian nuclear program, including those which need to be clarified to exclude the existence of possible military dimensions;

 2. Stresses that it is essential for Iran and the Agency to intensify their dialogue aiming at the urgent resolution of all outstanding substantive issues for the purpose of providing clarifications regarding those issues, including access to all relevant information, documentation, sites, material, and personnel in Iran;

 3. Urges Iran once again to comply fully and without delay with its obligations under relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council, and to meet the requirements of the IAEA Board of Governors, including the application of the modified Code 3.1 and the implementation and prompt ratification of the Additional Protocol;

 4. Expresses its continuing support for a diplomatic solution, and calls on Iran to engage seriously and without preconditions in talks aimed at restoring internationalconfidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program, while respecting the legitimate right to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy consistent with the NPT;

 5. Commends the Secretariat for its efforts to implement the NPT Safeguards Agreement in Iran, and requests the Director General to include in his progress report to the March 2012 meeting of the Board of Governors an assessment of the
implementation of this resolution; and

 6. Decides to remain seized of the matter.

It is extremely important and relevant to take into account Iran´s geo-strategic location. It is the largest and most populous Islamic nation in
the oil-rich region of West Asia, with enormous revenues from oil and gas exports.

It is not casual, at all, that this country has the attention of all major powers in the world considering that it owns a very long coastline in the
North Arabian Sea and singly dominates the entire Eastern flank of the Persian Gulf.

Iran is clearly a “strategic pillar” for the hegemonic nations around the world, reason why it is going to be really difficult to discern between true and strategy, and who is the real threat in the subjective world that we are “occupying”.

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“The LATISM Awards are a wonderful tribute to the many amazing bloggers, community leaders, businesses and organizations who contribute to our thriving community online, by making the best use of today’s available technologies. It is a testament to their influence and engagement in our community that their peers chose them among thousands of nominees,” says Ana Roca-Castro, LATISM’s Founder and Chair.

From over 650,000 nominations submitted online by the community, the top three nominated in every category were named finalists and underwent a second round of online voting. Winners were selected by their peers in an subsequent online vote. The winners are the individuals and organizations who received the highest amount of online votes from the community between October 12 and October 30th, 2011.

The official list of Award Winners, by category, follows:

• Best Parenting Blogger

Jeannette Kaplun – www.blogsdemamas.com/ (@JeannetteKaplun)

• Best Lifestyle Blogger

Monique Fausto: http://www.clicklatina.com/ (@ClickLatina)

• Best Latin@ Tech Blogger

Alberto Saldamando – http://elmundotech.wordpress.com/ (@ElMundoTech)

• Best Latin@ Business Blogger

Murray Mann – http://bit.ly/LatinosAtWorkBlog (@LatinosAtWork)

• Best Latin@ Bilingual Blogger

Silvia Martinez – www.mamalatinatips.com (@MamaLatina)

• Best Latin@ Health Blogger

Laurita Tellado – www.holdingoutforahero.com (@Laurita86)

• Best Latin@ Education Blogger

Monica Olivera – www.MommyMaestra.com  (@MommyMaestra)

• Best Latin@ Political Blogger

Viviana Hurtado http://thewiselatinaclub.com/ (@VivianaHurtado)

• Best Latin@ Sports Blogger

Julio Pabon http://latinosports.com/ (@LatinoSports143)

• Best Latin@ Activist Blogger

Elisa Batista – www.MotherTalkers.com (@MotherTalkers)

• Best Latin@ Inspirational Blogger

Blanca Stella www.micaminar.com (@MiCaminar)

• Best Latin@ Food Blogger

 Maura Hernandez – http://theothersideofthetortilla.com (@MauraHernandez)

• Best Latin@ Micro-Blogger

Ramón De León (@Ramon_DeLeon)

• Best Latin@ Vlogger

Dan Pérez – www.southfloridafilmmaker.com/ (@DanPerezFilms)

• Top Latin@ Blogger

Angelica Perez – www.NewLatina.net (@NewLatina)

• Best Latin@ Social Network (tie)

Leader Rebecca Aguilar – www.wiselatinaslinked.blogspot.com/

Ana Flores – www.latinabloggersconnect.com

• Best Marketing/PR Firm using Social Media to reach Latino(a)s

Golin Harris www. www.golinharris.com/ (@Golinharris)

• Best Hispanic Agency using social media to reach Latino(a)s

Lopez Negrete – www.lopeznegrete.com (@LopezNegrete)

• Best Company using Social Media to target Latino(a)s

Sears Holding – Kmart Latina Smart www.facebook.com/Latinasmart (@LatinaSmart)

• Best Health Advocate reaching Latino(a)s through Social Media

March of dimes, www.NacerSano.com (@Marchofdimes)

• Best Education Advocate helping Latino(a)s through Social Media

White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanicswww.ed.gov/about/inits/list/hispanic-initiative/index.html  (@HispanicEd)

• Best Non-For-Profit Organization using Social Media to reach Latino(a)s

National Hispana Leadership Institute – NHLI www.nhli.org  (@NHLI)

• Best Artist using Social Media to reach Latino(a)s –

Fernando Varela – http://fernandovarela.com/ (@FernandoVarela)

• Best Politician using Social Media to reach Latino(a)s

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa – http://mayor.lacity.org (@villaraigosa)

• Best Multicultural Social Media Campaign

Univision: “Es el momento” – www.vidayfamilia.univision.com/es-el-momento/ (@Univision)

• Best Multicultural Mobile Campaign

Department of Health & Human Services’ (HHS) Agency Conozca las preguntas, (Know the Questions) – www.ahrq.gov (@AHRQNews)

To connect with LATISM on its different social media properties, please scan the attached QR code.

For pictures from the LATISM 11 conference, including the LATISM Awards Gala, please visit our Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/latism/

ABOUT LATISM

Latinos in Social Media (LATISM) is a 501(c) 4 nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to advancing the social, civic and economic status of the Latino community. LATISM also helps to raise awareness among corporate brands, NGOs and government entities about using social media to reach Latinos. Our partnership initatives include research, event sponsorships, and leadership training. A pioneering social media organization with over 140,000 members in its network, LATISM has been hailed as the most influential online movement in the new multicultural Web. To learn more about the Latinos in Social Media (LATISM) organization, visithttp://latism.org.

ABOUT THE LATISM ’11 CONFERENCE

The LATISM ’11 Conference was LATISM’s centerpiece, fully bilingual event of the year. This national event, held in Chicago’s Navy Pier from November 9 to November 11, 2011, consolidated LATISM’s mission and audience of health providers, government officials, educators, community members and thought leaders. Since 2009, the Latinos in Social Media (LATISM) events have taken place in cities all around the United States, including New York, Orlando, Washington, DC, Los Angeles, CA and Silicon Valley, featuring more than 500 speakers to date. Participants have included over 5,000 in-person attendees, with thousands more engaging via social media and livestream. For more information about the LATISM 11 Conference, including access to the livestream videos from its sessions, visit http://conference.latism.org

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