Saturday, August 13, 2011

'From The G-Man's' 500th News Post for 2011!! - Health Insurance Mandate Ruled Unconstitutional

The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the mandate to buy health insurance unconstitutional. Analysts say - it's headed to the Supreme Court.


Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com

By Steven Sparkman
Anchor: Kylie McGivern
Video provided by Newsy.com

"From The G-Man" would like to thank Jim Flink, Vice President of News Operations for Newsy.com, the executives and staff of Newsy.com, and Sam Girgis for their ongoing support and phenomenal contributions to this site.

Friday, August 12, 2011

U.S. Launches Strategic Energy Dialogue with Brazil

Statement from National Security Council Spokesman Tommy Vietor

Deputy Secretary of the Department of Energy Daniel Poneman will lead an interagency delegation to Brasília, Brazil on August 17, 2011 to launch the U.S.-Brazil Strategic Energy Dialogue, a presidential-level partnership announced by President Obama and Brazilian President Rousseff on March 19, 2011 during the President’s trip to Brazil.

Poneman will co-chair the launch with his counterpart from the Brazilian Ministry of Mining and Energy, Dr. Márcio Zimmermann. The U.S. delegation will include officials from the National Security Staff, the Departments of State and Commerce, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation.

Prior to stopping in Brasilia and in view of the important role that the private sector will play in this partnership, Poneman will lead the delegation to São Paulo and to Rio de Janeiro to meet with public and private enterprise.

Based on the Presidents’ joint commitment in March to take concrete steps to enhance cooperation between their two countries’ energy sectors, the Strategic Energy Dialogue will address our mutual interest in the development of safe, secure and affordable energy in an environmentally sound way, including oil, natural gas, biofuels, clean energy, and civilian nuclear energy.

Photo credited to
http://israelsurvivalupdates.wordpress.com.

Newsy Now: News Round-Up

David Cameron announces plans to payback riot victims; Pawlenty and Bachmann battle in Iowa; Tiger Woods sets new career worst; The NFL is back.

Sources:The TelegraphABCAndroid PoliceHLNNFL.com

Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com

By Charlie McKeague
Anchor: Jim Flink
Video provided by Newsy.com

Analysis: GOP Candidates Face Off in Debate

In the first GOP presidential debates in nearly two months, eight declared GOP candidates traded jabs.


Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com

By Christina Hartman
Anchor: Christina Hartman
Video provided by Newsy.com

Vacationing Leaders Criticized Amid Market Meltdown

Several world leaders were out of town when the global market took a turn for the worse, sparking criticism.


Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com

By Una Lue
Anchor: Christina Hartman
Video provided by Newsy.com

Corrupt Judge Gets Three Decades Behind Bars

A former Pennsylvania juvenile court judge is sentenced to 28 years in prison for so-called "kids for cash" scam.


Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com

By Jim Flink
Anchor: Jim Flink
Video provided by Newsy.com

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Leaders of Tomorrow: 'The Culinary Kids' of Far Rockaway

Left to right: Rebecca La Madrid, Nickoy Longmore, Chef Malisa Rivera, Founder, Executive Director, Latifah Corke, Niekita Higgins
(Click to enlarge image.)

Youth Initiative Provides Culinary Skills and Nutritional Programs to Queens Residents

Far Rockaway, NY - The Culinary Kids Culinary Arts Initiative is an emerging safe haven for youth residing in low-income areas of Far Rockaway, New York. The organization places emphasis on recruiting teens, ranging from 14 to 18-years-of-age, and providing them with important nutritional information, low-cost meals for their families, and culinary/home economic skills.

"The chances of sustaining the peninsula's agricultural future have dramatically improved over the past several months," said Chef Malisa Rivera, Founder and Executive Director of the Culinary Kids Culinary Arts Initiative.

"As a result of strong support from community groups, churches, elected officials, Community Board 14, local sponsors and local media, The Culinary Kids Day Camp -- in conjunction with the Culinary Arts Initiative, Inc. -- is pleased to announce that the group’s food justice programs will be growing, no pun intended, by leaps and bounds on the peninsula. The expansion began this summer, and we are confident that this expansion will continue well into the future."

Founders Marion and Malisa Moses informed From The G-Man that the group will be launching Farm Rockaway, at Beach Channel Drive and Beach 58 Street, to expand on their urban aquaculture program started two years ago at Beach 31 Street and Seagirt Avenue. Aquaculture involves growing vegetables and fruits in a soil-less medium, in many cases fertilized by the natural waste products of fish farming.

The Farm Rockaway Project located on Beach 58th Street and Beach Channel Drive in Far Rockaway, is an expansion of all programs that are currently in place.

Pictured (left to right) are Rebecca La Madrid, Erica Ortiz, Chef Marion Moses Director of Programming and Development and Natasha Walker.

Programs that have been launched within the last three years include the following:

Culinary Kids Day Camp’s Culinary Youth Program - an annual program that introduces students to the culinary arts, food safety, cooking, Internet research, food tasting and hosts several trips on farming and agriculture.

Culinary Kids Community Garden Program - a program where students learn about planting and growing crops, vermiculture and aquaculture.

Culinary Kids Youth Farmers’ Market Entrepreneurship Program - a program that gives students an opportunity to learn -- hands-on -- how to operate a farmer's market, as well as marketing and selling produce to the public. Students will be using wireless terminals and accepting EBT/Debit/Credit card payments.

Culinary Kids Food Emergency Management Program - a program that will be implemented in the event of a terrorist attack or natural disaster. Given that land usage at "Farm Rockaway" will primarily be for the public, all crops and the farm-raised fish -- along with the reverse osmosis water -- will be donated to the public.

Culinary Kids Food Bank - which has been servicing the Far Rockaway community since Summer 2009. It provides non-perishable items and healthy food and vegetables from the Youth Farmer's Market on a monthly basis.

Additional information on the organization may be obtained at www.culinarykidsdaycamp.org. Email may be sent to info@culinarykidsdaycamp.org.

Left to right: Nickoy Longmore, Niekita Higgins, Shania Banton, Shawn Chapman, Chef Marion Moses, Rebecca Lamadrid, Latifah Corke and Natasha Walker.

The Culinary Kids of Far Rockaway, without question, America's.... leaders of tomorrow.

Photos courtesy of Chef Malisa Rivera, Culinary Kids Culinary Arts Initiative

Jamaica Hospital Offers Revolutionary Asthma Treatment

Bronchial Thermoplasty is the First Non-Drug Used to Treat Condition

Jamaica, NY — A recently FDA- approved, minimally invasive procedure to treat asthma is providing individuals living with the disease a unique way to manage their condition.

Bronchial thermoplasty, the new procedure, is the first nondrug to ever be used to treat asthma. Typically, patients with severe asthma have excessive airway smooth muscle in their lungs, which, when triggered, causes the airways to further narrow, leading to the onset of an asthma attack. Bronchial thermoplasty uses thermal energy to permanently heat and shrink thickened muscle that surrounds the airways.

“This procedure is novel, in that, it is the first time asthma is being treated in a physical way,” said Dr. Craig Thurm, Director of Jamaica Hospital’s Division of Pulmonary Medicine.

“Previously, patients with severe asthma could only rely on medications such as high dose inhaled steroids, bronchodilators, and xolair.”


Dr. Thurm explained that the procedure is generally safe and is broken into three different sessions, each scheduled three weeks apart. The first and second sessions treat the lower lobes of lungs, while the third session treats the upper lobes. He also points out that patient’s symptoms may worsen in the days after the procedure but offers potential long term benefits.

Bronchial thermoplasty is only offered to individuals with severe asthma, who are at least 18 years old and whose asthma is not well controlled with inhaled corticosteroids and long acting beta agonists, such as Advair, Dulera, and Symbicort, despite using them as instructed.


“It’s important to understand that bronchial thermoplasty is not likely to cure asthma,” said Dr. Thurm.

“It works as a complement to other asthma therapies.”

Studies have shown that bronchial thermoplasty can reduce asthma symptoms and asthma attacks, as well as emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and days lost from work and school.

Jamaica Hospital is one of only three hospitals in the entire state-- the only facility in Queens-- to offer this new procedure.

"We have a high incidence of severe asthma cases in our community,” Dr. Thurm stated.

“There are a small group of patients that do not do well, despite our best efforts, including optimizing their medications. They continue to have symptoms and may end up requiring oral steroids, which can have many adverse side effects, such as osteoporosis. We are truly excited to have a new procedure to offer these patients.”

Photo courtesy of http://www.jamaicahospital.org/.

Wisconsin Recall: Big Win for GOP?

Democrats won two of six recall races in Wisconsin- one short of the three they needed to wrest away control from the GOP.


Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com

By Mallory Perryman
Anchor: Megan Murphy

Video provided by Newsy.com

Will the Federal Reserve Make a Move for QE3?

Many analysts believe - while the Fed didn't offer up QE3 in its statement Tuesday - there's a complicit wink and nod which says, it's on its way.


Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com

By Jim Flink
Anchor: Austin Kim

Video provided by Newsy.com

Anonymous Vows to 'Kill' Facebook

YouTube manifesto claims Anonymous is plotting to attack Facebook, but are the threats legit?


Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com

By Danny Matteson
Anchor: Blake Hanson

Video provided by Newsy.com

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

White House Briefs

On Board: Travels with Dr Biden in Kenya

The Assassination of Barack Obama: The Three Key Bullets

The Economy, Frothy-Mouthed Republicans and the Mainstream Media Have Mortally Wounded the President

According to history, four U.S. presidents have been assassinated in office: Abraham Lincoln, James Garfield, William McKinley and John F. Kennedy. Well, I would argue that President Barack Obama is the fifth U.S. president to fall victim to not just one assailant, as was the case with all of the aforementioned, but three.

The first bullet to strike the country’s first Black president was the economy, which has continued to lag since Obama took office, and it only seems to be getting worse. With all sectors of the economy, most notably job growth, in a downward spiral, and the U.S. credit rating being downgraded, Obama is hemorrhaging political clout to the point where it can no longer be controlled -- and he is getting weaker by the day.

Calling press conferences, to instill confidence in Americans and Wall Street investors, has become the equivalent of placing a Band-Aid on a gaping wound. Even he knows more must be done to manage the trauma that is paralyzing his Administration. Still, the “Kapi'olani Kid” stands before the nation, hemorrhaging and hiding his discomfort, because he knows the world is watching and promises pledged in 2008 must somehow be fulfilled.

The second bullet to strike the former senator was the Republican Party, led by House Speaker John Boehner. In their quest to prove that Washington, D.C. is not “New Jack City”, and make Obama a one-term president, the GOP – with the assistance of the “Tea-Cons”, the newly-elected Tea Party congress members – fired and pierced President Obama’s heart by forcing him to extend the Bush tax cuts and make concessions during the debt ceiling negotiations that would devastate the poor, seniors and many of the nation’s veterans.

The GOP bullet has caused significant damage to Obama’s vital areas: leadership and credibility with world leaders and the downtrodden of America. Now, he struggles to hide his disdain for the political process and maintain some sense of balance between both parties each time he takes to the podium to address the American people. With this type of energy being given off by the President, could this be the reason why the Presidential Seal of the United States has inexplicably fallen off the podium on occasion?

The third bullet to strike the loving husband and devoted father was the mainstream media. At one time, FOX News and other conservative news and radio outlets were largely responsible for attacking the Obama Administration on everything from illegal immigration to Wall Street regulation. These days, even the liberal media is openly attacking Obama for reneging on numerous pledges that were made when he ran for president.

The situation is eerily reminiscent of what took place on February 27 in 1968. It was on this date that President Lyndon B. Johnson stated, “If I’ve lost Cronkite, I’ve lost middle-America.” The statement was in reference to the fact that the “Most Trusted Man in America”, journalist Walter Cronkite, spoke out in opposition to the Vietnam War during a live news broadcast.

With major media, liberal voters and members of his own political party back-peddling, as evidenced though Obama’s abysmally low approval rating, he must be feeling as though he’s reached a “Cronkite moment” in his presidency. Who could blame him?

Indeed, America is facing its greatest challenge -- as it teeters on the brink of economic and social calamity. We only need to look at the economic conditions and chaos unfolding in London, Greece, Spain, Israel, China and other countries.

People are angry beyond words and taking to the streets in protest. If you think it can’t happen in America, then I suggest you take a close look at the situation in Philadelphia and other impoverished cities with high rates of unemployment. Make no mistake; the “wilding” has started...as a president bleeds out.

President Barack Obama has been mortally wounded, and God, the First Lady and his children are the only ones capable of serving as first responders on a daily basis. Without question, things are very, very bad, but I want everyone that claims to love this country to keep something in mind. Things would surely get a hell of a lot worse if President Barack Obama, heaven forbid, suddenly succumbed to these wounds…or a stress-induced heart attack. It's time to stop attacking the President, and start praying for him, his family, and this great nation.

This commentary is from the heart and…..From The G-Man.

Image courtesy of http://www.publicdomainpictures.net.

Newsy Now: News Round-Up

Republicans Hold After Wisc. Recall; Warren Jeffs Sentenced to Life +20;Cameron: "Nothing's Off the Table"; North Korea Fires Artillery; Vudu on iPad


Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com

By Erik Shute
Anchor: Molly Hulsey

Video provided by Newsy.com

Will He or Won’t He? Perry to Announce Intentions Saturday


Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com

By Zach Toombs
Anchor: Gary Cotton

Video provided by Newsy.com

Violent Flash Mobs Lead to Curfew in Philly

Mayor Michael Nutter of Philadelphia says -- violent flash mobs have wreaked havoc long enough.


Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com

By Lexa Deckert
Anchor: Ana Compain-Romero

Video provided by Newsy.com

Stocks Up and Down: What's next For the Fed?

U.S. stocks remained unstable and constantly shifting after the Federal Reserve announced it would keep interest rates low in the next two years.


Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com

By Jim Flink
Anchor: Ana Compain-Romero

Video provided by Newsy.com

Locations for 30 New York State 9/11 Exhibits Announced

Locations Will Open the Week of August 29 and Run Through End of September

Governor Andrew Cuomo, the New York State Museum, and the today announced the locations for thirty "New York Remembers" exhibitions that are being organized as part of a statewide recognition of the tenth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

The exhibitions will give New Yorkers a place to remember the victims of September 11th and honor the countless heroes who came from all corners of the state to help in the clean-up and recovery efforts. The exhibitions will feature historical artifacts from the collections of the State Museum and National September 11 Memorial & Museum.

Each location will open during the week of August 29th and continue until the end of September. All will be open on Sunday, September 11th.

Many of the artifacts being exhibited have never been seen by the public, including: the trailer used by families visiting Ground Zero that includes photographs and messages; damaged emergency vehicles and other vehicle parts; aluminum and glass from the buildings; religious "symbol steel" created by the workers at the site; and airplane fragments including landing gear and engine parts. The stories behind all the artifacts will be told as part of the exhibitions.

"Every community across New York felt the impact of the senseless acts of terrorism that claimed thousands of lives just one decade ago," Governor Cuomo said.

"These exhibitions will give New Yorkers in towns, villages, and cities all across the state a gathering place to once again stand as one community to make sure we never forget those who lost their lives on September 11th and to embrace the spirit of unity that brought us together on that day of devastating tragedy."

Joe Daniels, President of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, said, "As we approach the tenth anniversary of 9/11, people from all around the state, country, and world will reunite to remember how we were all affected by the attacks. We're grateful for the opportunity to help the State of New York tell the story of 9/11 through some of our authentic artifacts from the World Trade Center. This comprehensive statewide exhibition will give New Yorkers the chance to pay tribute to those killed on 9/11 and recognize the global outpouring of compassion we saw in the minutes, days, and weeks that followed."

"Every New Yorker should know what happened on 9/11. Through New York Remembers, citizens in communities across the State will be better able to reflect on and understand our tragic and shared history of September 11, 2001. The Regents and I believe that these are compelling exhibits which bring the scope and reach of the State Museum's artifacts and images to all New Yorkers," stated
Dr. John B. King, Jr., New York State Education Commissioner.

Paula Berry, 9/11 Memorial Board Member and family member, commented, "We have an obligation to preserve and share the history of 9/11 with as many people as possible. Our hope is this exhibition will serve as a reminder of what happened that day, a representation of how we came together as a city, state, and nation, and a symbol of the love we will always feel for those we lost, including David, my husband."

Lee A. Ielpi, President of the September 11th Families' Association said, "I've committed the past ten years to ensuring that the stories of September 11th are kept alive. I want to honor the memory of all of the victims of those terrorist attacks, including my son Jonathan, and I want people to remember the tens of thousands of people who reached out to help total strangers on the 11th and in the aftermath. I strongly believe we need to teach young people everywhere about all aspects of 9/11."

"The Tenth Anniversary of 9/11 will be a very emotional time for all of us who lost loved ones on that terrible day. The 'New York Remembers' exhibitions will allow many others around the state to join with the thousands of families who were directly affected as we pause and reflect on what was lost and how our world has changed. Both the educational aspects of the exhibits and the presence of important artifacts from the site will allow people to pay tribute and remember the terrible tragedy of that day in a very personal and real way. I applaud the Governor and New York State Museum for supporting this effort and hope that people will take advantage of this very special opportunity to bear witness to the events of 9/11 for the time that these exhibits are available," stated
Tom Rogér, father of Jean Rogér, an American Airlines Flight 11 Flight attendant killed on September 11, 2001.

Alice M. Greenwald, Director of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, said, "In advance of the 9/11 Memorial Museum opening in 2012, we're proud to have this opportunity to display some of our treasured artifacts across New York state. Authentic objects are crucial to understanding the story of 9/11, from the profound loss to the extraordinary heroism and depths of compassion. These exhibits will be an important learning opportunity for people of all ages, and a fitting tribute to the many who perished at the World Trade Center on that terrible morning ten years ago."

Additional comments by various New York City officials were published in a related article, which can be read at the following link: http://fromthegman.blogspot.com/2011/08/national-911-memorial-and-museum-to.html

All of the objects are being moved and installed with existing state resources, including resources from the Department of Education, Department of Transportation, Thruway Authority, Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, and Division of Military and Naval Affairs. The locations of the exhibitions are either in a public building or space, or have been provided to the state at no cost.

The following is a list of exhibition locations:

Buffalo:
Burchfield Penney Art Center at Buffalo State College

Syracuse:
The Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology

Utica:
Mohawk Valley Community College

Watertown:
Dulles State Office Building

Binghamton:
Binghamton University

Stony Brook:
Stony Brook University

Jamestown:
Jamestown Municipal Building

Niagara Falls:
The Conference Center Niagara Falls

Batavia:
City Hall

Geneva:
Geneva Public Library

Auburn:
Cayuga Community College

Elmira:
Clemens Center

Ithaca:
Rothschild Building at Ithaca Commons

Plattsburgh:
City Hall

Monticello:
Sullivan County Government Center

Middletown:
SUNY Orange

Poughkeepsie:
Dutchess Community College

Saratoga Springs:
City Center

Amsterdam:
Riverfront Center

Suffern:
SUNY Rockland Community College

Norwich:
Council of the Arts

Oneonta:
Yager Museum of Art & Culture at Hartwick College

Hudson:
FASNY Museum of Firefighting

Lake Placid:
Lake Placid Convention Center

Potsdam:
SUNY Potsdam

Rochester:
Rochester Museum and Science Center

White Plains:
White Plains Library

Mahopac:
Mahopac Library

Rockville Centre:
Recreation Center

Albany:
State Museum/Empire State Plaza

With more than 2,000 artifacts, the New York State Museum is the nation's largest repository of objects recovered from the World Trade Center site after September 11, 2001. Within weeks of the attacks, State Museum staff documented the operations at the WTC site and later spent countless hours at the WTC Recovery Operation at Fresh Kills where all the material was inspected. In the 10 months that followed the attacks, the FBI and NYPD recovered over 50,000 pieces of personal property. The museum also documented the Fresh Kills operation with hundreds of photographs, interviews, and films.

The FBI and NYPD transferred all artifacts to the Museum after they were designated non-essential to the crime scene as neither criminal evidence nor personal property. Items include rescue artifacts, building pieces, everyday artifacts, and other objects from the site. No object collected from Fresh Kills by the State Museum was kept if it could be identified as owned by an individual. Vehicles like a FDNY truck were signed over to the State Museum by the FDNY via a deed of gift by the specific agency. Forty-nine pieces of the two airplanes that crashed into the towers were transferred to the State Museum by the FBI. These include fuselage, interior, and engine parts.

The State Museum also has a significant collection of sympathy material from the New York City area, New York State, and across the world.

Image courtesy of http://publicdomainclip-art.blogspot.com
Photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Jim Watson, United States Navy
Permission: Public Domain