Showing posts with label USA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label USA. Show all posts
Sen. Edward Kennedy interred in Arlington Cemetery
Edward Kennedy 1932-2009
On Saturday, August 29, 2009, Sen. Edward (Ted) Kennedy who died this week of malignant glioma, a form of aggressive brain tumor was buried with full honors in Arlington Cemetery in Virginia beside his ill-fated slain brothers Pres. John F. Kennedy and Sen. Robert Kennedy.
In a solemn sundown ceremony, the 77 year-old senator was carried to his final resting place attended by close relatives, friends, and millions of admirers who watched in TV. His death marked the closure of a chapter in a colorful life of the legendary Kennedy clan which awed the imagination of many Americans and people of the world.
Edward, the 9th child and youngest in the family of Joseph and Rose Kennedy served as a government official for almost 50 years, leaving with him a mixed legacy of successes and disappointments. His dream to be United States president was dashed by tragedies, personal foibles, and human limitations,
A towering influential figure in Capitol Hill, Edward, the “Lion of the Senate,” was a liberal democrat who reached out across party lines to tackle public issues so diverse as healthcare, immigration, wages, racial bias, gender discrimination, nuclear proliferation, and civil rights. No wonder there had been a lot to say about his contribution and legacy.
A remarried divorcee from Massachusetts, Ted had been a proponent of abortion which proved antithetical to Catholic Church teaching which he professed. Before he died, coinciding Pres. Barack Obama’s visit to Rome, he asked the president to personally deliver his letter to Pope Benedict XVI. The Vatican acknowledged Ted’s outstanding contributions to society and the Holy Father prayed for his solace and comfort during his most difficult time. The plan to make his niece Caroline Kennedy as US ambassador to the Holy See didn’t materialize.
In support of Pres. Obama, his desire to overhaul healthcare is generally lauded for its scope to cover all Americans, but the contentious issues surrounding the bill have been the subject of heated debates. Aside from the cost of healthcare, the proposal has a tendency to “marginalize” the elderly, the chronically ill, and disabled.
There is the pervasive worry that the revamp will lead to more expenses, rationing of services, and the lack of doctors and nurses. Prolonged waiting times for diagnosis and treatment, and more government intrusion to the patient-and-doctor relationship are possible changes if the overhaul is implemented.
America’s healthcare system may end up faltering if funding is drastically cut, making it less possible to have the best medical services that Sen. Edward Kennedy used to extend his life. Because healthcare expenses can’t be sustained in the long haul, there is pressure to scrimp and dictate, endangering the quality of medical services particularly that of ordinary American citizens. (Photo Credit: dag.nl) =0=
RELATED BLOGS: Sen. Edward Kennedy, 77 dies of brain cancer Posted by mesiamd at 8/26/2009; Posthumous tributes to Sen. Edward Kennedy pours in from the world Posted by mesiamd at 8/27/2009; Sen. Edward Kennedy survives longer under the world’s best medicine available Posted by mesiamd at 7/07/2009
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On Saturday, August 29, 2009, Sen. Edward (Ted) Kennedy who died this week of malignant glioma, a form of aggressive brain tumor was buried with full honors in Arlington Cemetery in Virginia beside his ill-fated slain brothers Pres. John F. Kennedy and Sen. Robert Kennedy.
In a solemn sundown ceremony, the 77 year-old senator was carried to his final resting place attended by close relatives, friends, and millions of admirers who watched in TV. His death marked the closure of a chapter in a colorful life of the legendary Kennedy clan which awed the imagination of many Americans and people of the world.
Edward, the 9th child and youngest in the family of Joseph and Rose Kennedy served as a government official for almost 50 years, leaving with him a mixed legacy of successes and disappointments. His dream to be United States president was dashed by tragedies, personal foibles, and human limitations,
A towering influential figure in Capitol Hill, Edward, the “Lion of the Senate,” was a liberal democrat who reached out across party lines to tackle public issues so diverse as healthcare, immigration, wages, racial bias, gender discrimination, nuclear proliferation, and civil rights. No wonder there had been a lot to say about his contribution and legacy.
A remarried divorcee from Massachusetts, Ted had been a proponent of abortion which proved antithetical to Catholic Church teaching which he professed. Before he died, coinciding Pres. Barack Obama’s visit to Rome, he asked the president to personally deliver his letter to Pope Benedict XVI. The Vatican acknowledged Ted’s outstanding contributions to society and the Holy Father prayed for his solace and comfort during his most difficult time. The plan to make his niece Caroline Kennedy as US ambassador to the Holy See didn’t materialize.
In support of Pres. Obama, his desire to overhaul healthcare is generally lauded for its scope to cover all Americans, but the contentious issues surrounding the bill have been the subject of heated debates. Aside from the cost of healthcare, the proposal has a tendency to “marginalize” the elderly, the chronically ill, and disabled.
There is the pervasive worry that the revamp will lead to more expenses, rationing of services, and the lack of doctors and nurses. Prolonged waiting times for diagnosis and treatment, and more government intrusion to the patient-and-doctor relationship are possible changes if the overhaul is implemented.
America’s healthcare system may end up faltering if funding is drastically cut, making it less possible to have the best medical services that Sen. Edward Kennedy used to extend his life. Because healthcare expenses can’t be sustained in the long haul, there is pressure to scrimp and dictate, endangering the quality of medical services particularly that of ordinary American citizens. (Photo Credit: dag.nl) =0=
RELATED BLOGS: Sen. Edward Kennedy, 77 dies of brain cancer Posted by mesiamd at 8/26/2009; Posthumous tributes to Sen. Edward Kennedy pours in from the world Posted by mesiamd at 8/27/2009; Sen. Edward Kennedy survives longer under the world’s best medicine available Posted by mesiamd at 7/07/2009
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Obama’s projected budget deficit jumps from $7.108 trillion to $9 trillion
When Americans were told that under Pres. Barack Obama's term, the 10-year US budget deficit will reach more than $7 trillion, they could only sigh in disappointment. This was not the promise they heard during the campaign. Under Obama’s talk when he sought the presidency, he assured: USA could ride the tide of economic crisis with less spending and less worry. It was not the case.
The deficit forecast was worse than what the White House optimistically insisted. Even with $1.3 trillion deficit Obama inherited from Pres. George Bush, a jump to $9 trillion had been staggering. Amidst promises to overhaul healthcare, improve education, and bring back the country to prosperity, mounting doubts continued to erode the trust Obama enjoyed since the election. Talks of economic recovery was not consistent with persistent high unemployment.
In keeping with original forecast of the Congressional Budget Office issued early in early 2009, the budget deficit in 2010 to 2019 is expected to reach a staggering $9.1 trillion. The disclosure brings more uncertainty and trepidation to the public that tries to make sense of the planned healthcare overhaul which will cost the government greater than $1 trillion in a nine years.
Republicans are quick to point out the excessive spending of Obama. Many question how America can pay and at the same time keep its credit rating in the world market with such huge deficit.
Economists wonder if the administration can stop heavy spending without raising taxes which can slacken eeconomic growth. Time is running out for Obama to convince the Americans that he is on the right track.(Photo Credit: nmfbihop) =0=
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GMA’s NY dinner and the discordant ritzy lifestyle of Filipinos
It was estimated the Philippines spent at least P8 billion in some 71 official travels President Gloria M. Arroyo made since she took office. Sen. Francis Escudero said the president went to trips local and abroad lasting for at least 130 days since 2001. Her meeting with Pres. Barack Obama last week that coincided with the death of ex-president Cory Aquino was her 16th US visit during her term.
Accusations of abuse, spending and extravagance are expected. It’s because the benefit derived from such official foreign travels cannot be accounted for with certainty. The public looks at them with suspicion and derision for they can’t see how these presidential jet-settings, numbering at least 16 in US alone, trickle down to benefit the country.
Filipinos had known how public officials and Malacanang friends scrambled to join GMA’s trips. Undoubtedly many people believed her companions were unneeded, but nonetheless became part of the entourage that combined business and pleasure. Who could forget the 56 congressmen asking to join a US delegation for an official visit but many openly wanted to watch Manny Pacquiao fight in a Las Vegas boxing match? Their shameful unprofessional behavior wasn’t far from what Imelda Marcos did during her time.
That’s why there is controversy about a supposed article regarding the July-August 2009 US visit of Arroyo by New York Post’s Richard Johnson. In the newspaper’s “Eat and Drink” section on August 7, 2009, it was written:
“The economic downturn hasn’t persuaded everyone to pinch pennies. Philippines President Maria Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was at Le Cirque the other night with a large entourage enjoying the good life, even though the former comptroller of her country’s armed services, Carlos Garcia, was found guilty earlier this year of perjury and two of his sons were arrested in the US on bulk cash-smuggling charges. Macapagal-Arroyo ordered several bottles of very expensive wine, pushing the dinner tab up to $20,000.”
So alas! A flag to put our leaders in attention! Even foreign observers are critical of how we spend government money. This doesn’t come as a surprise for they know of our penchant to borrow cash and use them that is incongruent to our means.
It is a simple lesson in arithmetic and corruption. The world sees how some of us live beyond our capacities. Isn’t it that our spending habits aren't compatible with our salaries and the lifestyle we live? Don’t we try to hide it by acting like those with less than a dollar to spend each day? Surely, one can argue, the Philippine president on her offical functions can't be tavelling like a pauper. She must keep the standards of foreign affairs to keep Filipino pride. But how come she goes abroad too often?
Back home however, palatial houses valued in millions are owned by our influential government officials and top military men in plush villages in Manila and the provinces. In their privacies, lavish parties are thrown by the noveau riche Filipinos. They ride in big cars which are difficult to maintain if they only bank on their honest incomes. And many go for vacations to America, Europe and Caribbean tagging along their maids and children for their usual rest and recreation.
So if no single taxpayers’ money is spent in travels of government officials abroad, where do they get their funds? How did they suddenly get so rich? The discordance of lifestyle breeds suspicion---The only way to disprove doubts is to be straightforwardly honest. Why is there only denials from the government and no disclosures of spending?
Even on tight budget, New Yorkers will say (including myself) it’s an expensive place to visit. Eating out in Manhattan with a hungry entourage using our currency back home is truly costly unless we dine at Elvie's Turo-Turo in Eastside somewhere in 12th Street and First Avenue. Without public accounting, many of us are convinced somebody sheds blood money to keep the jet-setting Joneses splurging in Waldorf Astoria or Times Square. (Photo Credit: Yummyinthetummyblog) =0=
RELATED BLOGS: Pres. Gloria Arroyo’s foreign travels questioned Posted by mesiamd at 6/28/2009; Another US trip for Pres. Gloria Arroyo Posted by mesiamd at 7/29/2009; Arroyo-Obama meeting: beholding the face of "god" & the desire to have a photo-op Posted by mesiamd at 8/01/2009
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US budget deficit jumps to 1.3 trillion
The biggest economy of the world is getting poor. For this year, in July, official records showed a sharp climb in America’s budget deficit that clouds trust in Pres. Barack Obama’s ambitious plan to re-structure the United States.
Anger and opposition are brewing as the Americans wake up to the reality that their country is drastically being changed to a direction that they can’t comprehend. The public is bracing for a more intrusive government which seeks to regulate the lives of its citizens.
In spite of Obama’s campaign promises that taxes will not go up, that the health care reform will be an improvement of the current system, and that the bail-outs of banks, financial institutions and the housing industry will save the economy, many Americans are convinced the United States can’t buy its way to prosperity. They are averse to excessive trillions of dollars of spending by the government.
“The deficit for the first 10 months of fiscal year 2009, which began October 1, reached 1.3 trillion dollars, close to 880 billion dollars greater than the deficit recorded through July 2008, said the US Congressional Budget Office (CBO).
Outlays rose by almost 530 billion dollars, or 21 percent, and revenues fell by more than 350 billion dollars, or 17 percent, compared with the amounts recorded during the same period last year, the non-partisan CBO said.” AFP (08/07/09)
The amounts above are too large to be understood by the ordinary Americans, but many are suspecting something ominiously wrong is going in the management of the country. It is unwise to incur big debts and massive spending at the expense of the taxpayers and ask the children of the next generation to pay for them.
The number of unemployed workers has declined for the first time in 15 months, but joblessness at still high at 9.4%; it is expected to breach 10% by yearend. There are pockets of improvement of the housing market, but housing prices are still falling and foreclosures are rampant.
In spite of the on-going financial crisis, government leaders of Capitol Hill and their supporters spend lavishly with little accountability. Barack Obama’s assurance that things are better under his watch and the recession is ending does not match with what the people are experiencing: Insecurity.
In spite of the rosy outlook the administration is saying, more money is needed to push the economy. There are talks of another stimulus package. There is pressure to borrow and collect more taxes from the people. Entitlements and welfare claims have risen---about 34 million Americans receive food stamps and many more are dependent on social security and unemployment subsidies.
A dangerous mix of a faltering economy, excessive government spending, a declining honesty in society, and a citizenry not used to a life of frugality has become a problem. In spite of America’s apparent strengths, there are obvious weaknesses that can undermine the nation’s future stability. (Photo Credit: Rich Seattle) =0=
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GMA meets with Barack Obama
The meeting of Pres. Gloria M. Arroyo which is drummed up in the Philippines as "historic" occured Friday, July 31, 2009. In spite of high hopes of Filipinos that something big will happen to such a meeting, it barely made a stir in the US media.
Arroyo's and her coterie of 20 congressmen beheld the face of the US president and defended their travel with familiar justifications of advancing the diplomatic relationship of the Philippines with the US, an old time ally. Philippine authorities speak of a 45-minute talk on the economy, security, the Mindanao conflict and regional cooperation among Asian nations---something glowing that makes the trip look essential. Few disagree except fot the money to spend.
Yet, it is hard to quantify what benefits ordinary Filipinos will get from this recent US travel. In the fading days of her presidency, GMA is beset with poor popularity, charges of corruption, human rights violations, and a weak economy. With some gains, many look at the White House visit as another political move which combines government business with pleasure.
As before, many legislators and administration supporters scramble to join the travel wagon to be part of an official trip underwritten by taxpayer's money. Many of them include in their travel side trips to Las Vegas, tourist attractions, and shopping malls in various cities of America. It is unclear what this group of GMA companions will do after the Washington DC meeting with Obama. =0=
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Another US trip for Pres. Gloria Arroyo
In an astonishing display of enthusiasm to travel, RP president Gloria M. Arroyo left for a 4-city tour to the United States. In her 16th official trip to USA, a meeting with Pres. Barack Obama was scheduled on July 30. She boarded a commercial Philippine Airlines plane two days earlier and will be back on August 2, 2008
Accompanied by Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Philippine Ambassador to the US Willy Gaa, and a delegation of 20 congressmen, the president will meet with the American president on “peace and security issues.”
This foreign trip is the 72nd travel of GMA abroad, one among 41 countries she visited during her term. Her expenses have ballooned to an estimated P8 billion prompting critics to question whether such expense brings enough benefit to a country reeling in poverty. There are allegations that some of her trips with bloated claims of success have turned into "vacations" for her family, political allies, and friends.(Photo Credit: GMAnews.TV/ Galvez, J.) =0=
RELATED BLOG: Pres. Gloria Arroyo’s foreign travels questioned Posted by mesiamd at 6/28/2009
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Putting Obama on notice: a clue to more brazen graft and corruption in America?
There is a time lag between identifying crime, the arrest of criminals and their prosecution. In the case of the New Jersey, it took 10 years of surveillance to apprehend 44 individuals, among them government officials and members of the Jewish clergy. Probably the biggest graft and corruption incident ever reported in the state, they are accused of serious crimes including money laundering, bribery, extortion, and the illegal transport and sale of human organs.
“Five rabbis were among suspects, along with the mayors of Hoboken, Secaucus and Ridgefield, the Jersey City deputy mayor and council president, two state assembly members, and numerous other politicians, prosecutors said.” AFP (07/24/09, Smith, S.)
The organized crime was busted in a stunning after-dawn raid shown in television. Acting US attorney Ralph Marra said the apprehensions showed the pervasive nature of public corruption in the state.
In a scale that rivals the legendary mafia, the crime ring allegedly operated internationally from New Jersey and New York to Israel and Switzerland.
Among those taken by police was rabbi, Levy Izhak Rosenbaum who was believed to be part of a notorious group of corrupt, shameless, and greedy people with strong government connections (said to be mostly affiliated to the Democratic party) that procure kidneys from poor people and sell them for $160,000 for transplant to ailing patients. He used religion as a cover.
The decade-long illegal activity was cracked open by the efforts of Republican Chris Christie, a former US attorney who had been against the administration of NJ Gov. Jon Corzine (D). The crusading prosecutor and many New Jersey citizens had been critical of the governor whose leadership was blamed for the poor handling of the state’s economy.
The graft and corruption is getting rampant and freely laid in the open in the United States. There is a shift in the ethical and moral standards of the nation as secular progressives and believers of relativism influence the psyche of the nation. If not corrected, America is in danger of losing its long-held values---its credibility, leadership, and moral standing in the world. (Photo Credit: AP/ Mel Evans x 2) =0=
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US Visa Availability August 2009
Each month, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issue the visa availability of those who wish to immigrate (family-based application) or work (employment based application) in America. For the month of August 2009 here are the abridged priority dates:
FAMILY CATEGORIES August
Categories----Worldwide----China (PRC)----India-------Mexico-----Philippines
1st------------01-08-03-----01-08-03-------01-08-03----01-01-91---09-15-93
2A------------01-15-05-----01-15-05-------01-15-05----09-22-02---01-15-05
2B------------05-01-01-----05-01-01-------05-01-01----05-08-92---05-01-98
3rd-----------11-01-00-----11-01-00-------11-01-00----07-01-01---08-08-91
4th-----------12-22-98------12-22-98-------12-22-98----08-01-95---09-08-86
EMPLOYMENT CATEGORIES August
Categories--- Worldwide----China (PRC)----India-----Mexico-----Philippines
1st--------------Current------Current---------Current---Current----Current
2nd------------Current------10-01-03--------10-01-03---Current----Current
3rd------------05-01-05-----10-22-02--------10-15-01---08-15-03---05-01-05
Other workers---Unavailable--Unavailable---Unavailable--Unavailable--Unavaiable
4th------------Current------Current----------Current---Current----Current
Religious-----Current------Current----------Current---Current----Current
5th-------------Current------Current--------Current---Current----Current
Targeted
Employment areas--Current----Current--------Current---Current----Current
For detailed information I suggest the websites: State Department Visa Bulletin---http://travel.state.gov/; http://shusterman.com/vb.html (Photo Credit: Yuhuru1701)
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Looking into the eyes of Michelle Obama and Carla Bruni-Sarkozy
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"Take back the beauty and wit you bestow upon me; leave me my own mediocrity of agreeableness and genius, but leave me also my sincerity, my constancy, and my plain dealing; 'tis all I have to recommend me to the esteem either of others or myself."---Lady Mary Wortley Montagu. English Aristocrat and Writer (1689 – 1762)
Many have been written about the beauty, kindness, and power of these two ladies---US First Lady Michelle Obama and France's First Lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy. Both pensive and introspective, they are shown gracing the commemoration of the 65th anniversary of the D-Day military assault by World War II heroes in Normandy at Colleville-sur-Mer cemetery on June 6, 2009.
What might be in their minds? Look. If you could, try to decipher their thoughts.(Photo Credit: Reuters; Philippe Wojazer (France Politics Anniversary) =0=
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US jobless rate up to 9.4%
In whatever prism one looks, the US jobless rate in May went up to 9.4% from 8.4% in April, the highest in more than 25 years. Some consolation comes from a slower lay-off rate that economists look with optimism. Employers cut off “only” 350,000 jobs in the same time period. This is a cause of joy for optimistic financial analysts who feel relieved that the lay-off rate is lesser than in the previous months.
“Construction companies cut 59,000 jobs, down from 108,000 in April. Factories cut 156,000, on top of 154,000 in the previous month. Retailers cut 17,500 positions, compared with 36,500 in April. Financial activities cut 30,000, down from 45,000 in April. Even the government reduced employment — by 7,000 — after bulking up by 92,000 in April as it added workers for the 2010 Census.”---AP (06/04/09, Aversa, J.)
Perhaps to boost a brighter outlook and lessen alarm that the economy is still sliding down the cliff, the Department of Labor thinks the new data are signs that the recession is abating. In spite of the spike in joblessness, the highest since 1983, many insist Barack Obama’s $787 billion stimulus package is working and the economy is improving.
Critics aren’t happy though. Healthcare alone is costing taxpayers $450 billion for Medicare and $200 billion for Medicaid yearly. The government may require $1.3 trillion to cover medical coverage for the 47 million uninsured Americans in a decade once the universal health care is pushed.
This surely isn’t a consolation if one is left without work, underemployed, holds a temporary job or has given up looking for employment at this difficult economic time. (Photo Credit: AskOne)=0=
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US Visa Availability June 2009
Each month, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issue the visa availability of those who wish to immigrate (family-based application) or work (employment based application) in America. For the month of June 2009 here are the abridged priority dates:
FAMILY CATEGORIES June 2009
-------Worldwide------China (PRC)--------India------------Mexico--------Philippines
1st-----11-08-02-------11-08-02---------11-08-02--------10-08-92-------09-01-93
2A------12-15-04-------12-15-04---------12-15-04--------05-15-02-------12-15-04
2B------02-01-01-------02-01-01---------02-01-01--------05-01-92-------04-01-98
3rd-----10-08-00-------10-08-00---------10-08-00--------10-22-92-------07-01-91
4th-----08-15-98-------08-15-98---------08-15-98--------05-22-95-------08-01-86
EMPLOYMENT CATEGORIES
-------------------Worldwide------China (PRC)------India-------Mexico----Philippines
1st-----------------Current--------Current--------Current------Current----Current
2nd-----------------Current--------02-15-05---------01-01-00---Current----Current
3rd-----------------Unavail.------Unavail.---------Unavail------Unavail.-----Unavail.
Other workers-----Unavail.-------Unavail.---------Unavail.------Unavail.---Unavail.
4th-----------------Current-------Current----------Current------Current----Current
Religious-----------Current-------Current----------Current------Current-----Current
5th------------------Current------Current----------Current------Current-----Current
For detailed information I suggest the websites: State Department Visa Bulletin---http://travel.state.gov/; http://shusterman.com/vb.html (Photo Credit: Yuhuru1701)
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Warren Buffet decries the dismal future of US newspapers
In last week’s shareholder's meeting of Berskshire Hathaway Inc.,attended by 35,000 people, Warren Buffet, the “Oracle of Omaha” decried the waning of readership of newspapers in America. The rich billionaire-investor together with his business partner 85-year old Charlie Munger spoke of the dismal future of newspapers which had been predicted even before the Newspaper Association of America disclosed the decline newspaper business.
In 2007, total print advertising revenue dropped 9.4% ($42 billion,) a huge fall in revenue since 1950. Newspaper revenue losses continued during the past 16 months of recession as readership contracted 4.6 percent in the April-September 2008. The drop in sales prompted newspapers to reorganize, cut down on jobs and lessen circulation.
Fewer readers are buying newspapers these days. They now depend on alternative sources of news which are available in online, internet, radio, and TV. Many are disappointed by the increasingly partisan stance of US newspapers, raising doubts on the truthfulness and reliability of their contents.
“Some readers instead are shifting to the free versions of newspapers that most publishers post on their Web sites. That trend helped increase the traffic on newspaper Web sites by 10.5 percent during the first three months of the year, according to a Nielsen Online analysis conducted for the Newspaper Association of America.”---- Yahoo News Finance / AP (04/27/09, Liedtke, M)
About 15 to 30% of major newspapers's revenue comes from subscriptions and copies sold at newsstands. The main source of income still comes from advertising, a money source that is now in danger of drying up. (Photo Credit: Maud77; photoburst)
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US Visa Availability May 2009
Each month, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issue the visa availability of those who wish to immigrate (family-based application) or work (employment based application) in America. For the month of May 2009 here are the abridged priority dates:
FAMILY CATEGORIES May 2009
-------Worldwide------China (PRC)--------India------------Mexico--------Philippines
1st-----09-22-02-------09-22-02---------09-22-02--------10-08-92-------08-01-93
2A------10-08-04-------10-08-04---------10-08-04--------04-01-02-------10-08-04
2B------11-15-00-------11-15-00---------11-15-00--------05-01-92-------02-01-98
3rd-----09-08-00-------09-08-00---------09-08-00--------10-22-92-------06-22-91
4th-----06-08-98-------03-22-98---------06-08-98--------05-01-95-------07-08-86
EMPLOYMENT CATEGORIES
----------Worldwide------China (PRC)-------India-----------Mexico--------Philippines
1st--------Current---------Current----------Current---------Current-------Current
2nd--------Current--------02-15-05---------02-15-04--------Current-------Current
3rd--------Unavailable---Unavailable-----Unavailable----Unavailable---Unavailable
Unskilled--Unavailable---Unavailable-----Unavailable----Unavailable---Unavailable
4th--------Current---------Current-----------Current---------Current-------Current
Religious--Current---------Current-----------Current--------Current-------Current
5th---------Current---------Current-----------Current---------Current-------Current
For detailed information I suggest the websites: State Department Visa Bulletin---http://travel.state.gov/; http://shusterman.com/vb.html (Photo Credit: Yuhuru1701)
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US Visa Availability April 2009
Each month, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issue the visa availability of those who wish to immigrate (family-based application) or work (employment based application) in America. For the month of April 2009 here are the abridged priority dates:
FAMILY CATEGORIES
Categories------Worldwide---China (PRC)----India--------Mexico---------Philippines
1st-------------08-15-02----08-15-02-------08-15-02-----10-08-92-------08-01-93
2A--------------08-15-04----08-15-04-------08-15-04-----01-01-02-------08-15-04
2B--------------09-01-00----09-01-00-------09-01-00-----05-01-92-------01-15-98
3rd-------------08-22-00----08-22-00-------08-22-00-----10-22-92-------06-15-91
4th-------------04-15-98----01-08-98-------04-15-98-----04-22-95-------06-22-86
EMPLOYMENT CATEGORIES
Categories------Worldwide---China (PRC)----India--------Mexico----------Philippines
1st--------------Current-------Current--------Current------Current---------Current
2nd-------------Current-------02-15-05-------02-15-04---Current---------Current
3rd-------------03-01-03----03-01-03-------11-01-01-----03-01-03--------03-01-03
Unskilled-------03-01-01----03-01-01-------03-01-01-----03-01-01--------03-01-01
4th-------------Current--------Current--------Current--------Current---------Current
Religious-----Unavailable---Unavailable---Unavailable--Unavailable-----Unavailable
5th-------------Current--------Current--------Current------Current---------Current
For detailed information I suggest the websites: State Department Visa Bulletin---http://travel.state.gov/; http://shusterman.com/vb.html (Photo Credit: Yuhuru1701)
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US Visa Availability March 2009
Each month, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issue the visa availability of those who wish to immigrate (family-based application) or work (employment based application) in America. For the month of March 2009 here are the abridged priority dates:
FAMILY CATEGORIES March
Categories----Worldwide----China (PRC)----India-------Mexico-----Philippines
1st------------07-22-02-----07-22-02-------07-22-02----10-08-92---07-15-93
2A------------07-01-04-----07-01-04-------07-01-04----10-15-01---07-01-04
2B------------06-22-00-----06-22-00-------06-22-00----05-01-92---12-01-97
3rd-----------08-08-00-----08-08-00-------08-08-00----10-15-02---06-08-91
4th-----------03-01-98------11-15-97--------03-01-98----04-08-95---05-15-86
EMPLOYMENT CATEGORIES
Categories--- Worldwide----China (PRC)----India-----Mexico-----Philippines
1st--------------Current------Current---------Current---Current----Current
2nd------------Current------02-15-05--------02-15-04---Current----Current
3rd------------05-01-05-----10-22-02--------10-15-01---08-15-03---05-01-05
Unskilled-----03-15-03-----10-22-02---------10-15-01--03-15-03---03-15-03
4th------------Current------Current----------Current---Current----Current
Religious-----Current------Current----------Current---Current----Current
5th-------------Current------Current----------Current---Current----Current
For detailed information I suggest the websites: State Department Visa Bulletin---http://travel.state.gov/; http://shusterman.com/vb.html (Photo Credit: Yuhuru1701)
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Tardy war compensation comes at the sunset of WWII Philippine heroes
The $787 billion spending package signed by US Pres. Barack Obama on February 17, 2009 has a special goody for the Filipino World War II veterans. After a long-drawn campaign to get compensation for fighting in the American-Japanese war, an estimated 15,000 war heroes will have a part of the $198 million earmarked by the US government.
“Only 15,000 surviving Filipino and Filipino-American WWII veterans whose names are in the Revised Reconstructed Guerrilla Roster (RRGR) of 1948 are qualified to receive the tax-free lump sum payment. The RRGR is kept in the state of Missouri although certified true copies are available in other official sites."---Malaya (02/16/09, Ilustre, J)
The US Embassy in Manila is preparing to process applications next week that will give $15,000 for each elderly survivor (average age: 85 years) who is a US citizen and $9,000 for the non-US citizen. The cash reward doesn’t include the widows, children and dependents of veterans.
Of the 250,000 who fought with the US forces, about 6% (15,000) lived long enough be eligible for benefits. This opens the heart-breaking memories of the suffering Filipinos went through during the war and the injustice caused by the delay in the granting of compensation for the veterans.
Though the tardy award seems a victory of justice, one can sadly recall the thousands who valiantly fought, offered their lives, and died without seeing the liberation of the country. The horror of Bataan March must be an indelible reminder for all Filipinos. Let us pause and remember the heroism of those who died without seeing the fruits of the war effort. For them, we must pay respects and be eternally grateful. (Photo Credit: wtop) =0=
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The promise and uncertainty of the $787 billion stimulus package for the US economy
The economic stimulus package of the Obama administration has finally passed the scrutiny of the US senate. It only needs the signature of the president on Tuesday, February 17, 2008, to make it into law. Lacking bipartisan support, the Democrats in the senate and congress overwhelmingly voted for the $787 billion package touted to bring back the US economy on track. The Republicans and their conservative supporters disagree.The astronomical dollar tag on US recovery doesn’t assure that it will succeed. Amidst a crisis of confidence, there are Americans who are alarmed. Critics of the legislation doubt whether the plan will deliver on its promises. Without much basis to back their trust, majority of Americans rest their hope on Pres. Barack Obama to fix the economy. Supporters are optimistic, in fact, overly optimistic.
“The legislation, among the costliest ever considered in Congress, provides billions of dollars to aid victims of the recession through unemployment benefits, food stamps, medical care, job retraining and more. Tens of billions are ticketed for the states to offset cuts they might otherwise have to make in aid to schools and local governments, and there is more than $48 billion for transportation projects such as road and bridge construction, mass transit and high-speed rail.”--- Yahoo.News/AP (02/14/09, Espo, D)
There is a growing belief that no one buys its way from a recession. It is scary to pump in such huge money which puts taxpayers' money on line. More borrowing and spending won’t easily bring back the trust on Wall Street which reneged on its fiduciary duty. There is doubt on those who warn of worse consequences if the public doesn’t rally behind the stimulus plan that nobody fully understands. Many don't know why the American people are asked to spend for social services of illegal aliens, bail out banks, auto industry, and every ailing business in the country.
Obviously rushed to approve the bill, almost all congressmen (246 vs. 183) and senators (60 vs. 38) didn’t have time to read the legislation which is about a thousand pages long. It is expected the more the public comes to understand the details of the bill, the more people will disapprove. Many are dissatisfied with government officials (the spoiled and extravagant leaders,) from both the Republican and Democratic parties, who negligently brought the people into this economic mess. Those who are hurting wait for the day that the guilty must be held accountable.
There is a cautionary voice out there saying the economic downturn is unlikely to be reversed by this ambitious government rescue plan. Neither will prosperity come by giving away dole-outs to the poor, jacking-up government spending, giving perks to illegal aliens, distributing wealth, and raising the tax burden of workers and entrepreneurs. This seems to be affirmed by Pres. Obama who welcomes the bill’s passage but cautions the whole world that it’s just the start of an economic remedy whose success isn’t assured. There is a big chance that if this money splurge doesn't work, additional funding will be asked for more massive spending.
Instead of the bloated stimulus spending with a budgeted cost of $787 billion to revitalize the US economy, conservatives have proposed a leaner spending. Unlike the democrats who dominate the Capitol Hill, Republicans assert that the recovery rests on tax cuts, smaller government, less interference with private money, and a return to traditional entrepreneurship and business ethics.
Though it’s early to tell what will be the outcome of the changes promised by Obama, there those who are silently angry and fearful. There are tell-tale signs that one can see with trepidation. Americans are used to live in gilded cocoons on productive fields that they can control. Now they are forced to face uncertainty. The big depression that they haven’t experienced with the rest of the world looms real in the horizon. (Photo Credit: Londa Elle; almostnomad; worsebrain)=0=
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Job Outlook 2009: Nurses in USA still in demand, but not in the Philippines
Unemployment is rampant as the economic meltdown continues in America. The joblessness in the world's largest economy is in all time high and still rising. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) January 20, 2009 issue reports the discouraging job loss of 2.6 million last year. Yet, in spite of the alarming unemployment sweeping America today, healthcare sticks out as among the few bright spots in work opportunities. The US healthcare sector posted gains of 419,000 jobs, mostly for nurses in 2008.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the trend is expected to continue till 2016 as Americans grow older and need more medical services. Last year, registered nurses posted 168,000 job placements to cope with the nationwide shortage. The availability of health care jobs including those in home care and nursing homes proves that employment in this sector is relatively recession-proof. Expansion of work opportunities is expected in less intensive training courses like pharmacy and medical assistantships.
This could have been welcoming news for Filipino nurses who seek work opportunities abroad. But with current US visa restrictions and slowing of recruitment of foreign applicants, the need for local healthcare workers in USA doesn’t translate into more foreign nurses getting jobs at this time. There is an emerging nativist US sentiments sparked by the economic downturn which further dampens the interest in hiring nurses from abroad.
There are about 88,750 nurses who took the Philippine board exam in November last year. The 50% (more or less) who will pass and get licensed will add to the nurse unemployment problem which is currently estimated to number about 400,000. The high joblessness rate in the country opens more opportunities for exploitation among these professionals and the government seems inutile in solving it. (Photo Credit: AllwaysNY; Uberdoog)=0=
RELATED BLOGS: "As nursing jobs become scarce, 88,750 brace for the next board examination" Posted by mesiamd at 11/12/2008; "Job prospects for nurses decline" Posted by mesiamd at 6/02/2008
US Visa Availability February 2009
Each month, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issue the visa availability of those who wish to immigrate (family-based application) or work (employment based application) in America. For the month of January 2009 here are the abridged priority dates:
FAMILY CATEGORIES
Categories--Worldwide---China (PRC)----India----------Mexico---------Philippines
1st---------07-08-02----07-08-02------07-08-02--------10-08-92--------07-15-93
2A----------06-01-04----06-01-04------06-01-04--------09-22-01--------06-01-04
2B----------05-08-00----05-08-00------05-08-00--------05-01-92--------10-15-97
3rd---------08-01-00----08-01-00------08-01-00--------10-08-92--------06-01-91
4th---------02-15-98----09-22-97------01-15-98--------03-22-95--------05-01-86
EMPLOYMENT CATEGORIES
Categories----Worldwide--------China (PRC)------India-----Mexico-----Philippines
1st-------------Current----------Current------------Current---Current-----Current
2nd-------------Current---------01-01-05---------01-01-04---Current-----Current
3rd-------------05-01-05--------10-01-02--------10-15-01--04-01-03----05-01-05
Unskilled-------03-15-03--------10-01-02--------10-15-01--10-15-01----03-15-03
4th-------------Current-----------Current---------Current---Current------Current
Religious-------Current----------Current---------Current----Current-----Current
5th-------------Current-----------Current---------Current---Current------Current
For detailed information I suggest the websites: State Department Visa Bulletin---http://travel.state.gov/; http://shusterman.com/vb.html (Photo Credit: Yuhuru1701 PD)
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Labels: employment, family, immigration, OFW, overseas worker, petition, State Department, Totie Mesia, USA, USCIS, Visa
Abortion issue in Obama’s administration, the pro-life vs. pro-choice controversy, & the 50 million unborn babies killed
January 22, 2009 is the 36th anniversary of the controversial Roe vs. Wade when the Supreme Court ruled against all state and federal abortion laws, making termination of pregnancy legal and leading to the indiscriminate killing of about 50 million unborn babies. Since 1973, pro-life groups have relentlessly campaigned in defense of the unborn with some success:
“Laws have been passed in 46 states that protect the right of conscience for individual health care providers. Laws in 27 states protect the right of conscience for institutions such as Catholic hospitals. The Hyde Amendment restricts federal funding of abortion. The partial birth abortion ban was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2007. “Mexico City Policy” has barred the use of federal tax money to pay for abortions in other countries.” ---St. Gianna Respect for Life Committee, Immaculate Conception Church, Astoria, NY (01/09 Tabone, P)
Yet, with the Obama administration, the fight between pro-lifer and pro-choice may change in favor of abortion supporters. Obama expresses his approval for the pro-choice advocates saying that government need not intrude on private family matters.
“In consultation with a coalition of pro-abortion groups, which submitted a 55-page outline of pro-abortion policies to the Obama transition team, the Obama Administration has an agenda designed to repeal many, if not all, of the pro-life policies in place at the state and federal level.
Through their extreme agenda, the Administration wants to fund organizations that perform and promote abortion; force employer health insurance plans to cover abortion; force hospitals and health care professionals to provide abortions; and enact the so-called "Freedom of Choice Act" – a bill that would invalidate virtually all state and federal laws restricting abortion, including parental notification laws, and which would make partial-birth abortion legal again.” ---www.nrlc.org
With few media outfit willing to cover, a huge crowd of anti-abortion advocates, numbering about 250,000 trooped to Washington DC two days after Obama’s inauguration to oppose the proposed Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) in congress. Obama is a supporter of abortion rights pushed by many liberals in the media and the Democratic party. Pro-lifers have mobilized themselves to fight the new administration's abortion plan which when implemented is expected to increase terminations of unwanted pregnancy and the killing of more innocent unborn babies.
With the loss of 50 million babies since the "Roes" decided they could ignore moral considerations and rule on abortion, society must ponder on how many Albert Einsteins had been expended in clinics around the country. The sheer number had made people thinking what might have been God's plan for America's hapless victims of abortion. =0=
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