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FEMA accused of misusing trained disaster workers as public-relations workers

Monday, September 12, 2005

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is being criticized for misallocation of personnel in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. FEMA representatives said they requested volunteers from fire departments around the U.S., to handle its community relations campaign. However, a document FEMA sent to local fire departments asked for firefighters with very specific skills and who were capable of working in “austere conditions”. Fire departments around the nation responded by sending crews to the FEMA staging ground in Atlanta. Some of these crews were unaware that they were only going to be used for public relations work. Others, however, merely hoped that FEMA would allocate them to rescue and damage control operations once it saw their qualifications.

The firefighter’s objections are particularly poignant as one of FEMA public relations training seminars coincided with New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin plea for firefighters on national television, to relieve his own exhausted crews. It is unclear if FEMA’s request for firefighters prevented any municipalities from responding to Mayor Nagin’s request.

Some firefighters have objected to their use as FEMA public relations officers because their municipalities must bear the cost of their salaries, as well as endure reduced firefighting capacity. FEMA has stated that it sought to use firefighters to avoid background checks required of federal employees.

Firefighters began receiving their assignments Monday, September 5th. Among these was a crew of 50 assigned to tour the devastated areas with President Bush and the press.

Filled Under: Uncategorized

byAlma Abell

One of the current design trends is expanding a home’s living area by making better use of outdoor spaces. Decks and patios are becoming increasingly important as property owners look for ways to enjoy the outdoors and entertain guests. One of the components now routinely seen in outdoor living spaces is Fire Pits in Salt Lake City UT.

Choosing the Best Options

Fire pits come in a variety of sizes and styles designed to fit virtually any exterior living space. Of course, there are also many materials used to create fire pits, suggesting it should never be difficult to locate a fire pit or fire table to meet a home’s unique needs. The fuel source selected will also be important, as fire pits and tables using wood, natural gas, or LP gas are all readily available. Design experts will generally work closely with property owners to ensure the best fuel option is selected.

Eat, Entertain, and Stay Warm

Fire Pits in Salt Lake City UT can be used as gathering spots for family and friends during most of the year. Even cooler nights will be comfortable when everyone is sitting around a fire pit enjoying each other’s company. Many designs include sitting areas that double as dining spaces. That means everyone can be together as they eat a wonderful dinner. Contractors and design professionals help clients define their needs and select the best fire pits to meet those needs.

Enjoy Flexibility

It’s rather easy to locate a fire pit just about wherever a homeowner feels appropriate. While routing natural gas lines poses some degree of difficulty during installations, opting for wood or LP fire pits makes it possible to install a fire pit just about anywhere. That level of flexibility is ideal for property owners who want to periodically change their deck or patio configuration.

If you’re currently considering a fire pit or table, now is the perfect time to contact a professional for advice. The experts are always available to help homeowners decide which fire pit or fire table would best fulfill their design objectives. If you’ve got questions or would like to explore your outdoor living options, contact Stone Mountain Castings & Design today. Like us on Facebook.

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Gay couple elected prom king and queen in Maine’s Sanford High School

Friday, June 3, 2011

Although prom may have taken place over two weeks ago at Maine’s Sanford High School, the fact that students elected a gay couple as prom king and queen remains the talk of the local community.

During the May 14 event, 17-year-old Christian Nelsen was named prom queen, running as a write-in candidate. One of Nelsen’s friends, Holly Smith, spoke of the help they provided in getting him elected: “The day of prom, we went downstairs, and he was yelling ‘Vote for Christian Nelsen!’ And I was helping people spell his name, or telling them how to write it on the ballot”.

Anyone can win, and on that same notion any type of person can win.

Nelsen’s boyfriend, Caleb Jett, was elected prom king. “I kinda got voted in because he got queen, and it was like ‘Who do we vote for king?’ and it was like ‘Oh, well, his boyfriend, obviously, because that makes sense,'” he said. The two young men wore suits, shirts, and ties to the prom. When the results of the election were announced, they danced the king-queen dance together, Jett wearing his crown and Nelsen his tiara.

Maine is one of only two states in New England that have not recognized same-sex marriages. Though they are aware that not everyone supports them, the couple ran to combat high school stereotypes and to encourage more tolerance. Nelsen commented, “It doesn’t matter if it’s a guy or a girl who wins prom king or prom queen from now on. Anyone can win, and on that same notion any type of person can win. And I’m talking about the tolerance level of all people when I talk about that, so anyone who is bullied or even just under the radar can win this type of thing.”

Minister of a parish of the United Church of Christ Reverend Diane Wendorf supported the couple, citing her church’s values of tolerance and diversity. “I’m glad, too, that they were crowned king and queen, because there are all different kinds of people in this world.” Some Sanford residents a local news agency interviewed did not approve of the gay couple’s crowning, though none agreed to go on camera — out of concerns that their comments might offend someone.

The matter is expected to be brought up by interested citizens at an upcoming school committee meeting. Committee Chair Mark Lucier stated that the school is gathering information on the election, and that the committee may decide if it needs to address the future selection of prom kings and queens.

Filled Under: Uncategorized
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Brazilian Landless Workers Movement invades city hall

Wednesday, November 17, 2004

PARÁ, Brazil –According to local State Road Police, about 250 members of the Brazilian Landless Workers’ Movement called MST (Movimento dos Sem Terra, in Portuguese) blocked the PA-391 highway for about three hours and later invaded the City hall of Santa Bárbara do Pará, located at 50 km (31 mi) from Belém, Pará.

MST said they wanted to be received by the mayor Marise Andréa Barbosa Colares (PSDB). She was not available and the MST was received by the mayor-elect Ismael Rasp Rock (PMDB). There was not an agreement, and the MST has camped in front of the city hall. A new meeting is expected in coming days with the participation of the Incra (National Institute of Colonization and the Agrarian Reformation), a government institute.

MST demands the city hall issue a Certificate of Agreement regarding the dispossession of an area in Santa Bárbara do Pará which belongs to the Dendê do Pará S.A, a company of Pará, that according to Incra passes for dispossession process. In accordance with information passed for the cabinet of the superintendent, the document was required in September, but the city hall had not issued it.

This certificate requires the city hall to assume a series of responsibilities after installing housing in the area of the city, as well as providing education and medical assistance to those settled.

The MST is a MarxistMaoist inspired movement of agricultural workers in Brazil. According to MST, in 2003 there were about 632 MST camps in Brazil. MST say they fight for the Agrarian Reformation in Brazil. Some Brazilians have already protested against MST tactics, saying they are against the law and they are violent. Currently, MST receives help from the Brazilian government and donations from international organizations.

Filled Under: Uncategorized

Dubai Office to Rent along with Labor Camps in Dubai by Daniel MarshellAs the tradition of home based businesses in Dubai has reached to the great figures, many hotel apartment in Dubai are being used as the office spaces for startup businesses. Even some big businesses in startup situations like to prefer homes and villas over Dubai office on rents and when they go up beyond their break even then only they approach Dubai office rents and try to acquire Dubai labor camps for the accommodation of their work force. The main benefit of why new entrepreneurs prefer running their businesses for house the cost savings. Now you can even find all the technology available in the market that helps you to work at your home. Hotel apartment Dubai, villas and flats are only beneficial until your business doesn’t need any expansion. What if you need to expand your work floors, need more human resource, require fulfilling more orders to satisfy more customers, and the like? Yes, you need to have proper office in Dubai or sometimes a big business with big floor workers force needs a labor camp in Dubai. Most if not all efficient businesses come into existence to grow and it is mandatory to facilitate businesses for doing so. If someone’s business is doing well, he or she will certainly have more work on hands and in fact that raises the need for big workforce. At that time, employers also need more people to minimize the load on their shoulders and increase in workforce definitely mean more space in Dubai for office on rent. That is why all growing business people rent an office space in the form of commercial properties in Dubai. Additionally a formal office space also tends to reflect more professional look to you current and potential customers. You can easily provide appropriate work environment to the workers of your company. Even if your business demands more space, you can easily get better and bigger commercial place in Dubai as office on rent in the area nearby. In spite of the fact that the location of the office is of paramount importance, if you have business in Dubai, then office on rent is best if you approach to commercial areas like Business Bay, Jebel Ali, Dubai Marina, or the like. You may also find in Dubai labour camps if you want to provide low cost accommodation to your floor workers. If you are accommodating your executives Hotel apartments in Dubai nearby your office, then you cannot find more financial reserves to spend over the accommodation of your labor. Here a labor camp in Dubai can help you a lot to manage, facilitate and provide comfort of the accommodation to your shop floor workers at the labor camp in Dubai which is nearby your office location. So acquiring accommodation is an efficient act rather than thinking of some other expensive options available in Dubai. May this could help you to save loads of bucks that can be best utilized in other activities of your growing business. Daniel Marshal is one of the most experienced opinion makers on Dubai, Abu Dhabi & UAE property. He is associated with Better Homes, the leading real estate firm in UAE. He deals in buying and selling of commercial and residential property in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and UAE. Dubai office rents | Hotel apartment Dubai | Dubai labour campsArticle Source: eArticlesOnline.com

Filled Under: Real Estate

Symptoms of Sore Throat by Juliet CohenSore throats are common. Most of the time the soreness is worse in the morning and improves as the day progresses. Sore throat is a symptom of many medical disorders. Infections cause the majority of sore throats and are contagious. Infections are caused either by viruses such as the flu, the common cold, mononucleosis, or by bacteria such as strep, mycoplasma, or hemophilus. Most sore throats are caused by a virus and go away on their own in about a week. Only a small percentage are bacterial infections that may require medical care. Bacterial infections are sometimes treated with antibiotics, although drugs don’t always speed healing or prevent infections from recurring. Strep throat is the most common bacterial cause of sore throat. Because strep throat can occasionally lead to rheumatic fever, antibiotics are given. Strep throat often includes a fever (greater than 101F), white draining patches on the throat, and swollen or tender lymph glands in the neck. Children may have a headache and stomach pain.Sore throats is the most common bacterial cause of sore throat. Strep throat is caused by a type of bacteria called Streptococcus. The pain of strep throat often feels much like sore throats caused by other bacteria or by viruses. Sore throats accompany other viral infections such as measles, chicken pox, whooping cough, and croup. Strep throat often includes a fever , white draining patches on the throat, and swollen or tender lymph glands in the neck. Children may have a headache and stomach pain. Canker sores and fever blisters in the throat also can be very painful. A sore throat can also be caused by bacteria. The two most common bacteria Streptococcus (which causes strep throat) and Arcanobacterium haemolyticum. Arcanobacterium causes sore throats mainly in young adults and is sometimes associated with a fine red rash. About 10 to 15 percent of sore throats are caused by bacterial infections, either streptococcus (strep throat) or staphylococcus bacteria. Sore throats is common among children and teenagers, between the ages of 5 to 15. Sore throat is a condition in which the pharynx or back of the throat gets inflammated. Sore throat usually comes hand in hand with cold or attack of influenza. 10% of sore throat takes place due to strep throat infection, which is caused by group A streptococcus bacteria. Sore throat is associated with a painful feeling in the throat. Sore throats are common, especially in children. Sore throat appearing after treatment with antibiotics, chemotherapy, or other immune-compromising medications may be due to Candida, commonly known as “thrush. It occurs frequently when a person has a cold or an attack of influenza. 10% of sore throat may be due to strep throat infection. Sore throat is known by different names, depending upon the pain affected area like Pharyngitis, Laryngitis and Tonsillitis. Gargle with warm salt water is very beneficial for the treatment of sore throat.Juliet Cohen writes articles for online medical clinic and skin disorders. For more information visit our site at diseasestreatment.com.Article Source: eArticlesOnline.com

Filled Under: Medical Center
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Wikinews Shorts: April 1, 2007

A compilation of brief news reports for Sunday, April 1, 2007.

Contents

  • 1 Nepal: Former rebels join government; elections set for June
  • 2 Russia bans foreigners from retail sales jobs
  • 3 Google TiSP April fools joke
  • 4 Iranian students protest outside British embassy in Tehran

Five former Maoist rebels were sworn in as ministers as part of a peace pact designed to end a decade-long insurgency that has killed more than 13,000 people in Nepal. The new government has announced assembly elections for late June, 2007. Thereafter, the new assembly is due to write a new constitution for the Himalayan nation.

Related news

  • “Nepal civil war ended by peace deal” — Wikinews, November 21, 2006

Sources


Under a new law that went into effect today, non-Russians will not be allowed to work as salespeople in shops and markets. The ban was presented by Vladimir Putin as a way of improving employment prospects for Russian citizens. Russian media warns that it will increase the labor costs for retailers and drive up inflation. The Federal Migration Service, a government agency, reported nearly full compliance in Moscow.

Sources


Today, Sunday, Google “released” their Google TiSP service. This April Fool appears on their homepage as “New! Get FREE breakthrough broadband with Google TiSP (BETA).” This directs you to a page with details of Google’s TiSP package, a package that will give you broadband after you flush a fiber-optic cable down your toilet. Google issued a press release at midnight on April 1st, 2007.

Sources

External links


Between 100 and 200 students gathered outside the British embassy in Tehran to protest the alleged incursion into Iranian waters by the Royal Navy.The protesters threw rocks, chanted “Death to Britain” and called for the expulsion of the ambassador. Police prevented the protesters from entering the compound.

Sources


Filled Under: Uncategorized

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2012 Olympics clash with Ramadan

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2012 Olympics clash with Ramadan
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Sunday, October 15, 2006

Muslim groups from across the world are criticising the organisers of the 2012 Olympics in London after it was revealed that the games will take place over Ramadan. The most holy month in the Muslim calendar, which will take place from the 21 July to 20 August in 2012, involves fasting during daylight hours and will affect an estimated 3,000 athletes.

Joanna Manning Cooper, spokesman for the games said: “We did know about it when we submitted our bid and we have always believed that we could find ways to accommodate it.”Nevertheless, this will come as a huge embarrassment for the organisers who have tried to ensure the event involve all of Britain’s ethnic communities.A quarter of the athletes who took part in the 2004 Athens Olympics were from predominantly Muslim countries and the fast will put any athletes involved at a clear disadvantage.

The chairman of the Islamic Human Rights Commission, Massoud Shadjared said: “This is going to disadvantage the athletes and alienate the Asian communities by saying they don’t matter. It’s not only going to affect the participants, it’s going to affect all the people who want to watch the games.”

The president of the National Olympic Committee of Turkey, Togay Bayalti, said: “This will be difficult for Muslim athletes. They don’t have to observe Ramadan if they are doing sport and travelling but they will have to decide whether it is important to them. “It would be nice for the friendship of the Games if they had chosen a different date.”

The games will run from the 27 July to 12 August to coincide with the British Summer holidays. The summer holidays are a six week period running from mid July to early September. During this time, public transportation is generally less crowded and it will be easier to find the 70,000 volunteers needed to keep the games running. The International Olympics Committee has specified that the games must take place between July 15 to August 31. Giselle Davies, IOC spokesperson said, “We give a window to the five bid cities. The host city selects the dates within that window.”

The organisers are working with the Muslim Council of Great Britain to find ways around the problem.

Filled Under: Uncategorized
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May

29

The General Dentists In Canyon Texas Want You To Eat A Healthy Diet

byAlma Abell

Many people do not make the connection between their diet and the health of their smile. When one is consuming large amounts of sugar and processed foods, their teeth can begin to suffer. These substances react with the saliva in a person’s mouth and can lead to decay in the teeth. Regrettably, decay often goes unnoticed until the outer surface of the tooth has been compromised. Once a person begins feeling tooth pain, their tooth is already in danger. This is why it is crucial a person eats the right diet. This advice, provided by the General Dentists in Canyon Texas, can help a person to select the right foods for building stronger, healthier teeth.

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Everything a person puts in their mouth can affect the health of their teeth. Although it is important for one to be careful what they eat, this does not mean they have to micromanage each bite. If a person indulges in sweets or fast foods, they should make sure they brush their teeth after they eat, or at least, rinse with water, if they are not able to brush. This can help to prevent acid production which can lead to decay.

Ideally, one should consume a diet that is full of fresh fruits and vegetables. These are packed with beneficial vitamins that will keep the teeth and gums healthy. They also contain plant fibers which help to clean the teeth as a person chews. Raw fruits and vegetables are most beneficial because the fibers have not been destroyed.

Diets high in calcium also help to keep the teeth strong. Although milk is a great source of calcium, dark leafy greens offer even more. When one consumes foods that are packed with vitamins and nutrients, they will not only improve the health of their body but also their overall health.

If you are in need of dental care from the General Dentists in Canyon Texas, contact Panhandle Dental. You can learn more about the dental services they offer by visiting panhandledental.com. By eating a healthy diet, brushing, and flossing, and seeing the dentist regularly, you can keep a healthy and beautiful smile for life.

Filled Under: Dentist