The Demand for Slavery

I have tried to stay away from this topic, but my passion is similar to how the prophet Jeremiah felt about God’s word.

“… his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones.
I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.” Jeremiah 20:9

With ever increasing frequency, stories are released about victims being rescued from some form of human trafficking.

Human trafficking threatens all demographics and races.

A few headlines:

• Sylmar Couple Charged With Human Trafficking, Slavery Involving Young Girl (CBS LOCAL)
• Tip in 2009, led to N.C. human trafficking bust, 40 arrests (News-Record)
• Deputies say 44 arrested, 14 year-old rescued in Lake County prostitution bust (WFTV)

The website NYC.gov provides some examples of human trafficking, each one is horrific.

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The problem spans oceans and continents.

I do not think we (governments and the people) fully realizes how expansive the problem and our role in the problem as consumers. It involves everything from the food on our tables, clothing on our backs, the homes we rest in, the yards we admire, the imported goods we buy, the types of sexual activities we partake in, etc…. All create demand for slaves.

Sometimes repeated exposure to a problem can cause indifference. It is much easier to dismiss, put our head in the sand or look the other way, then it is to make decisions that affect our bottom line.

That is what it all comes down to – money.

Wrestle with it. While you wrestle, check out this site for an idea of your role in slavery. Also, research the brands you buy and the stores you frequent.

While it is still impossible to only buy slave free. It is much easier than when I began nine years ago. We create the demand. Therefore, we have the power to end slavery.

2007 US DEPT OF STATE TRAFFICKING AND MISSING PERSONS REPORT

There Is a Whole Lot of Shaking Going on: Earthquakes

Wyoming, California and Idaho bounced around in recent earthquake activity.

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It is nothing new for these states to experience rumblings. However, the magnitudes of the earthquakes have scientists attention.

Idaho has been experiencing a plethora of earthquakes; the latest was a 4.9 magnitude.

Scientists are not sure what to think of Idaho’s rash of earthquakes. The state sits upon a seismic belt that runs through northern Montana, down into southern Nevada (Yahoo News).

Yellowstone recently had its largest earthquake in 34 years at 4.8 magnitude (Yahoo News). Not to worry, scientists say this is not a sign of more trouble. The sleeping giant is still at a slumber with its constant snores and occasional snorts.

Southern California was jumbled around with a 4.1 magnitude and 100s of aftershocks. Friday, Mar. 28 an earthquake with 5.1 magnitude shook the area (Yahoo News). Seismologists believe it is a forerunner to a larger shake.

According to this map from the United States Geological Center, most of the U.S. has fault lines. The sandy beaches of Florida are safe.

USGS ILLUSTRATION

I had no idea all this activity with Idaho, Wyoming, and California was taking place.

It goes to show how news outlets do not provide a balance of the news. Instead, a repetitious stream of news floods me on topics about Russia, Ukraine, missing airplane, Boston, school stabbing, South Korea ferry accident, and toss in Obama Care after every story.

I am rambling off topic again. Sorry.

I am glad no one was injured or worse. I lived in San Jose, California. As a child, I liked to lie on the ground to feel the earth tremble. The land is lovely. It truly is. I loved living there, except for the traffic, the commute, the cost of housing, the state taxes, etc… Hey, but the people, careers, and abundance of activities almost surpass the negatives.

Yellowstone just about stole my heart. My husband and I went there on vacation last summer. I am still tempted to move back west. I do not think I could handle the cold, again. I am not a fan. I prefer a picturesque view from the window. I like the idea of skiing, but not the actuality of freezing my buns off in the snow. It is breathtakingly beautiful, however. I would go.

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Idaho, I have nothing. Oh wait; they have organic Idaho potatoes. Yes, potatoes!! Keep them coming, Idaho.

One last thought. I wonder if the extreme winter with exorbitant amounts of snow has anything to do with the extra shaking. Curious minds want to know.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Twitter Intellectualizes Its Data into Dollars

Twitter is jumping further into the advertising world with its plans of 15 new types of ads and acquisition of social data provider, Gnip.

Gnip utilizing data from Twitter’s and other social media sites create packages and sells it to companies (Engadget). Data like tweets, the types of users, and the followers of tweeters are valuable. Academic institutions, politicians, brands, and marketers are among the many industries that have a need for Twitter’s data.

Screen capture of Gnip’s video presentation on what makes their service unique. GNIP.COM

Purchasing Gnip is essentially eliminating the middleman. It also opens the door for customized data mining. Perhaps Gnip will play a vital role in Twitter’s plans of 15 new ad types.

What do all those ads mean for Twitter users? Twitter is keeping that quiet. Twitter teased marketers with the announcement of an ad unit embedded into Twitter’s mobile app (Engadget).

As a mass communication student and someone in the industry, the access to data is great. I love it. I love looking at the charts, the demographics, the flow of traffic and the likes. I enjoy tidy boxes of information that streamline communication to the right group.

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However, as a user, I have little to no tolerance for ads. I should not be so annoyed with data mining, but I am. It is bittersweet. I like my privacy, and I like reaching the right people.

Yes, I am a hypocrite – more than you know.

In the end, I guess the old saying is true, “A little birdie did tell them.”

Here Comes the Brides: Mass Wedding in South Korea

Ready or not, the arranged marriages of 2000 couples say their “I dos” in a mass ceremony located at a stadium in Seoul, Korea (Yahoo News).

2000 Couples Wed GOOGLE IMAGES

Arranged marriages are nothing new. The mass weddings of members of the Unification Movement, more commonly known as “moonies” began in the 1960s. Brides and grooms arranged in marriage by their parents. Some have known each other for as little as few days.

What is new? The recent weddings are of the first generation to grow up in the Unification Movement church.

The usual controversy surrounds the act of arranged marriages. Although foreign to my way of life and beliefs, the Unification Movement’s method does not seem as barbaric as child brides, giving young women to old men who have multiple wives, or any sale of a person to another person. It is young couples, given into marriage. It seems more inline of how I envision a prearranged marriage. Not that I agree with prearranged marriage. No thank you. I prefer to choose my life partner.

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What is interesting is that millennials are willing to take part in this. It is not forced upon them. It is part of their upbringing. These are college educated, young adults who have come from all over the world to get married to near strangers. That more than anything baffles me. I would never willingly marry any man my mom chose for me. Forget it! I am pretty sure my oldest would have a few choice words for me if I attempted to tell him who he was going to marry.

Well, regardless of how it all came to be, I wish all 2000 couples the very best.

Sriracha Pepper Factory Troubles

A bottle of the heat packed Sriracha sauce. THE PERFECT PANTRY

Irwindale, Calif. residents complain that local pepper factory is polluting the air with irritants to the eyes, nose and lungs.

The offending factory Huy Fong Foods produces Sriracha sauce. The sauce is a favorite spice in the United States and Asia. I have used the sauce as one of the ingredients for spicy wings. I also lightly drizzle it on spring rolls. In January, I heard there was a shortage, so I reduced my consumption, conserving my bottle of sauce. I did not know the reasoning behind the shortage. I thought it might be a result of the California drought. Apparently, it is not.

The FDA requested that bottles wait an additional month prior to distribution to ensure that there are no microorganisms in the product (New York Times Daily).

Little did I know, this setback is the least of the company’s problems. Irwindale locals filed complaints about the plant’s ill effects on their health.

Huy Fong Foods Factory NICK UT/AP

The gavel of justice landed, citizens won. The plant has 90 days to clear its odor or allow the city to decide how to rid the offense (Time).

The plant has enlisted the help of air-quality experts South Coast Air Management District in an effort to improve filtration.

Personally, liability should be placed on the city officials. They approved the plant in the first place. It is their job to ensure that businesses are not disruptive to the community, and mutually beneficial.

Oh, little spicy pepper plant, I do hope you find a way to contain your stank. My home would not be the same without you.

Life De-valued in Sri Lanka

JOURNALISTS FOR DEMOCRACY IN SRI LANKA

Women beaten, raped and tortured are acceptable occurrences in Sri Lanka. It is a male dominated society whose disregard for women is not only found within the home, but also in the prisons, the streets and yes, even in the army.

Recent video footage released shows military women abused for their inability to physically meet the demands (The Observers).

Typical in patriarchal societies, freedom of speech and basic human rights are minimal to non-existent. Such is the case with Sri Lanka. The Human Rights Watch group reports sexual violence not just against women, but also men (hrw.org). The report insinuates that the ethnic group Tamil was the target of violence. Tamil is roughly 8% of the population (Index Mundi).

Digging around for more information on Sri Lanka, I hoped to find world leaders’ opinions on this issue. Instead, I found news celebrating Sri Lanka’s win in a game of cricket.

Is that not human nature or what? We are easily distracted from the real problems with games. I am guilty. Not so much with games, but with Netflix. That is another discussion.

My point is that it seems surreal to have a country steeped with inhumane actions and world leaders appear quiet. It is reminiscent to the days in the United States where domestic violence was overlooked. Nobody wanted to get involved.

It took a while for most of America to wake up in this area. It came from repeated exposure to stories of abuse from wives and children detailing the events. Their bravery and courage to speak out paved the way for intolerance towards abuse. We have not arrived, not by far.

Thank you, brave souls. Come on Sri Lanka, wake up and value your people. Become something great, and shock the hell out of the rest of us.

Obama Pushes Equal Pay Day

Surrounded by a group of smiling women, President Obama promised executive action on reducing the gender pay gap.

According Aamer Madhani, reporter for USA Today, the president encouraged Americans to pressure lawmakers to pass the legislation. The legislation imposes new regulations on how companies pay employees to ensure fair wages regardless of gender (USA Today).

“Today is equal pay day,” said President Obama (USA Today Video).

SALARY.COM

The cries of foul are fueled by the results of 2013 Census. The report found that women earn 23 percent less than men (Census p.13).

I should be surprised by the discrepancy, but I am not. What is annoying to me is the political party blame game. Please, I have worked for cheap Republicans and Democrats. It is also incredibly irritating that more laws have to be passed to encourage equal pay.

What if women just stopped contributing? How long would it take before things fell apart? Not long, not long at all. Maybe then, men (and woman, they can be just as cheap) would finally be willing to pay a woman her worth.

Okay, so that might be a bit drastic, and to be honest, it is coming from a woman who is overstretched and in dire need of a break. We can throw out my idea, but it is tempting. Yes?

In an effort to create momentum, April 9 is supposed to be “Equal Pay Day” with a push to wear red to heighten awareness of unequal pay. Wow, we are so quick to push a color for awareness.

Red is also the color for AIDS, and Red Bull gives you wings. I digress.

Going back to not being surprised, this is, yet, another example of society not honoring and valuing people. Even more bothersome is the difference in median incomes by race (Census p.8). More of the same, we are a slow learning country.

Final thought: Push forward, get a good education and demand something better from society.

 

 

Poll Results: Nationwide Legalization of Marijuana

According to the Pew Research Center telephone survey, 75 percent of participants believe that marijuana will be legalized (Yahoo News). With the legalization in the states of Washington and Colorado for recreational use and over 20 states plus Washington, D.C. for medicinal purposes, the drug is well on its way to being nationally accepted. So it seems.

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Hello, new revenue and increased government spending. It is curious that something that causes cancer can be legalized, especially on the heels of enacting government healthcare. Hopefully, the government will not misappropriate funds from tax dollars generated from marijuana sales. Our country might need it to offset the increased healthcare costs, and other unforeseen expenses associated with legalization of marijuana.

As you might have surmised, I am not exactly thrilled. I am worried for our country. The drug, today, is more powerful than in the past. New creations, like marijuana wax, are extremely potent. Apparently, a person could stay high all day from a piece of the wax (ABC News). What? How do you function? What about kids, work, and driving? None of these seems like a good idea to be engaged with while high. Not to mention the possibility of overdose and psychosis. The National Institute of Drug Addiction article’s DrugFacts: Marijuana gives the full picture of potential problems.

Will a generation partake in this once taboo drug a little too liberally? Ambition and focus are affected by the use of the drug. America could be home of the lazy and complacent. Most of all, children are on my mind. I have witnessed the devastating effects of addiction and how it destroys families. Parents are emotionally unavailable. Absorbed in their high, they send a message to their kids they are alone, unloved and not important. Please do not misunderstand me, I am not insinuating all parents who partake in marijuana will behave in such a manner, but believe me, there will be parents who do.

Wow, I am conservative. I am when it comes to legalization of drugs, and when it comes to protecting children. The crippling effect drugs take on families is not worth the risk.

Reporter Fails in Interview with Navy SEAL

RANDY SAGER PHOTOGRAPHY INC/ABC NEWS

Reporter Jake Tapper plugs the movie, Lone Survivor, which is based off of a true story. It is about a band of U.S. Navy SEALs’ fight to survive on a mission in Afghanistan. After movie clips, Tapper interviews Marcus Luttrell, the lone surviving Navy Seal from the mission, and Mark Wahlberg who stars in the movie.

Three minutes and half minutes into the interview Tapper takes his eyes off his role as a reporter, which is to report, ask questions, listen, do not respond and definitely, do not give his opinion.

Tapper uses the phrase, “hopelessness of the situation” to summarize the situation of the Navy SEALs. This upsets Luttrell. Tapper’s remark is based off the odds of winning, the amount of death, and his belief against Americans soldiers in Afghanistan. Luttrell does his best to keep his cool, but states his opinion of the situation.

Tapper further insults Luttrell with another insensitive comment, referring to the loss of lives as senseless. Luttrell, remaining level-headed, combated his remark with a reminder that they were soldiers sent in to do a job, and they did not lose. They won the battle. He was lucky to survive, but none of his teams‘ deaths is senseless.

Luttrell’s responses were solid and could easily be quoted to use as a basis to educate journalists on the edict of interviewing soldiers, especially ones that have endured tough combat situations. Tapper’s unwise choices also are great quotable lessons for journalists to not share their opinions and never put their interviewees in an awkward situation of being on the defense. Additionally, Tapper’s closing remarks are just as insensitive to not only soldiers but to civilians.

“Maybe it’s just the difference between what a civilian feels when he watches this versus what a soldier does” said Tapper.

It is not a reporter’s job to represent the American people. The job is to report the facts and his closing remark is conjecture not fact driven.

Watch the full interview below.

Observation in a Story

Have you ever noticed that the best news stories are descriptive?

Not just description of the scene or the facts of the story, but relating the nuances so readers develop a full picture of what is happening. A full picture of people involved emerges as readers are engaged with details. Details that encourage deeper thought and feelings, perhaps even empathize.

A good story adds human interest.

It reminds the reader that real people are involved. A picture may tell a thousand words, but those thousand words bring it to life. Words also capture elements that a quote may not be fully able to articulate. It captures the mood. Quotes provide insight, but the nonverbal communication – the wringing of the hands, the wiping sweat from the brow, and the tearful look of anguish – gives power to quotes.

Wearing a suit too big, Davion’s caseworker adjusts his tie outside the church. TAMPA BAY TIMES

I reread the news article, Amid churchgoers, orphan Davion Only pleads for a family, by DeGregory, Lane. The writer paints a scene of a boy who is scared and nervous, but who is also desperately attempting to change his future. It depicts a boy who does not have much. With hope and courage, he is willing to take risks to gain something better. It reflects a boy in desperation.

To recap, a good story draws in the reader. A greater writer seamlessly articulates observation into the story. I am not there, yet.