On Christmas Day, President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama visited
servicemembers and military families at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, and
thanked them for their dedication and sacrifices.
Saturday, December 26, 2015
Statement by the President and the First Lady on Kwanzaa
Michelle and I
extend our warmest wishes to families across the country celebrating
Kwanzaa this holiday season. Today begins a week-long celebration of
African-American heritage and culture
through family and community festivities. Kwanzaa’s seven principles –
unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility,
cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith
– are also shared values that
bind us as Americans. And in the spirit of the season, we reflect
on the blessings of the past year and commit to building a brighter
future for all our children. As families, friends, and neighbors come
together today to light the Kinara, our family
sends our best wishes for a happy and healthy new year.
Source: The White House, Office of the Press Secretary
KT and Me: A Kwanzaa Family Special
Produced in 2001, KT & Me: A Kwanzaa Family Special is the first
movie about the celebration of Kwanzaa. A troubled boy learns the
meaning of the festival and the value of family with help from a magical
animated friend named Kwanzaa Teddy.
Executive Producer: Ken Watts, Producer: Jeff Sherwood, Original Score by Jacques Lesure. Directed by Norvell Rose.
KT and Me is a registered trademark property of KT Productions LLC.
Happy Kwanzaa from State Senator James Sanders Jr.
I would like to extend my warmest thoughts and wishes to those observing
the holiday of Kwanzaa, a celebration of family, community and culture.
The seven principles of Kwanzaa represent some of the values that many of us hold dear — Unity, Self-Determination, Collective Work and Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity and Faith.
As you light the Kinara in the spirit of Umoja, or unity, may you be blessed with good health and happiness that continues throughout the holiday and into the new year.
The seven principles of Kwanzaa represent some of the values that many of us hold dear — Unity, Self-Determination, Collective Work and Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity and Faith.
As you light the Kinara in the spirit of Umoja, or unity, may you be blessed with good health and happiness that continues throughout the holiday and into the new year.
Source: The Office of New York State Senator James Sanders, Jr.
Friday, December 25, 2015
Christmas Instrumental Music, Songs and Carols: A Gift to You....from "The G-Man"
Music by Kevin Macleod
Thank you for supporting this site.
To those who celebrate it, Merry Christmas.
"G-Man"
Thursday, December 24, 2015
Gun Violence and Public Health
Panelists talked about the access to guns by high-risk people such as
criminals and the mentally ill. Speakers included gun violence
prevention advocates and the U.S. attorney from South Carolina.
“Reducing
Gun Violence: A Risk Based Approach” was a panel at the day-long
symposium “Moving from Crisis to Action: A Public Health Approach to
Reducing Gun Violence” held at the Emanuel A.M.E. Church in
Charleston. The event marked the six-month anniversary of a mass
shooting at the church in which a gunman killed nine people.
The discussion was originally broadcast on December 4, 2015.
Click here for video.
Source: C-Span
Discussion on Direct Action and Protest
Panelists talked about the history and use of direct action as a means
of non-violent protest. Topics included the Keystone XL pipeline, the
Black Lives Matter movement, housing evictions, rising tuition, and
nuclear power.
Click here for video.
Source: C-Span
Immigration Policy and Counterterrorism
Panelists, including former CIA Director Michael Hayden, discuss
possible changes to immigration policy following the Paris terrorist
attacks and the San Bernardino shooting, as well as the intelligence
community’s role in screening refugees.
Click here for video.
Source: C-Span
Minority Parties in Congress
Matthew Green discusses his book, Underdog Politics: the Minority Party in the U.S. House of Representatives, in which he examines the power wielded by minority parties in Congress. He also gave an overview of the past year in Congress.
Click here for video.
Source: C-Span
NYS Tax Department Highlights Benefits of New York’s 529 College Savings Program
New
York State Commissioner of Taxation and Finance Jerry Boone today
encouraged New Yorkers to open a New York State 529 College Savings
Plan. The program enables taxpayers to save for the costs of college
education for themselves, a child, grandchild, family member or friend
and potentially enjoy some tax savings. To take advantage of the
deduction on their 2015 tax returns, New Yorkers must enroll in the 529
Plan and make a contribution to their 529 accounts by December 31, 2015.
“Education
is always a sound investment,” said Commissioner Boone. “With the
rising cost of tuition and textbooks, the 529 College Savings Program
helps make higher education more affordable for college students while
offering valuable tax benefits to the 529 account owners who provide
additional financial support.”
“Studies
have suggested that having even a small amount of savings designated
for college positively impacts college enrollment and graduation,
particularly among children from low- and moderate-income families,”
said Higher Education Services Corporation Acting President, Elsa Magee.
“HESC joins Commissioner Boone and the New York State Department of
Taxation and Finance in encouraging New Yorkers to invest in the
educational future of a young person in your life this year by opening
or contributing to a 529 account.”
Last
year, New Yorkers deducted more than $1.5 billion in 529 College
Savings Plan contributions on their personal income tax returns. That
accounted for a direct savings of $70 million to taxpayers.
New
York State taxpayers who own 529 accounts can deduct up to $5,000 of
contributions to those accounts on their state income tax returns each
year. A married couple filing jointly can deduct up to $5,000 each for a
total of $10,000. It’s important to note that the amount deducted may be subject to recapture in certain circumstances such as rollovers to another state's plan or nonqualified withdrawals .
Although
contributions are not deductible for federal income tax purposes, all
earnings on contributions in the account grow tax free. Withdrawals
aren’t taxed either, as long as the money is used to pay for qualifying
college-related expenses such as tuition, textbooks, and room and board.
An
account can be opened for as little as $25, and there’s no monthly or
yearly minimum. Setting up automatic payroll deduction makes it even
easier to contribute to the College Savings Plan account.
Anyone
can create an account – parents, grandparents, family, or friends. The
plan offers a variety of investment choices as well.
Visit the following links for more information:
Source: New York State Department of Taxation and Finance
Trailblazers in Black History: Gregory Hines
Gregory Oliver Hines (February 14, 1946 – August 9, 2003) was an American dancer, actor, singer and choreographer.
Hines was born in New York City, the son of Alma Iola (Lawless) and Maurice Robert Hines, a dancer, musician, and actor. Hines began tapping when he was two years old, and began dancing semi-professionally at the age of five. Since then, he and his older brother Maurice performed together, studying with choreographer Henry LeTang. Gregory and Maurice also learned from veteran tap dancers such as Howard Sims and The Nicholas Brothers whenever they performed in the same venues.
The two brothers were known as "The Hines Kids", making nightclub
appearances, and later as "The Hines Brothers". When their father joined
the act as a drummer, the name changed again in 1963 to "Hines, Hines, and Dad".
More information on the legacy and life of Mr. Hines is available here.
Source: Wikipedia
Your Data at Risk: 2015 Was a Year Full of Memorable Hacks
The seemingly endless string of
headline-grabbing cyberattacks this past year reinforced the notion that
hacks have increasingly become a part of digital life — and no person
or organization is immune.
According to the Identity Theft Resource Center,
more than 750 breaches were reported in 2015 through late December,
exposing nearly 178 million records. From government to tech, health
care to entertainment, data thieves left no sector untouched.
"It may be that 2015 is the year cyberattacks
got personal. For most people, it isn't shocking anymore when their
credit card data gets stolen," said Hugh Thompson, senior vice president
and chief technology officer of information security company Blue Coat
Systems.
"In 2016 we are likely to see even more attacker
resources being poured into tools, tactics and skills to steal digital
information and disrupt services — wherever they are."
Click here for the full article.
Source: NBC News
Audio Reveals Taser Requested in Laquan McDonald Shooting
In the weeks since shooting video
showing the fatal police shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald was
released, there have been questions as to why officers didn’t use a
Taser to subdue McDonald rather than deadly force.
Radio calls
obtained by NBC5 through a Freedom of Information Act request Wednesday
reveal that very question was also asked just moments before the
shooting.
Click here for the full article and audio/video.
Source: NBC 5 (Chicago)
'Schindler of Congo' Marrion P'Udongo Is Now in Need of Saving
He's been dubbed the "Schindler of Congo" for acts of heroism, but now he's the one in need of saving.
Pastor Marrion P'Udongo earned his nickname for
saving nearly 100 people from murderous militiamen in 2003 — but that
was only one of his many acts of courage.
He's gone into the bush to coax out child
soldiers, helped scores of rape victims secure medical treatment, fed
and clothed inmates in Congo's most notorious prison and helps run an
orphanage for children impacted by his nation's decades-long war.
But today, the man also known simply as "pastor" to many spends his days
hooked up to a dialysis machine and praying for a miracle.
Click here for the full article.
Source: NBC News
Central African Republic Postpones Pivotal Elections
Reuters, 24/12 17:19 CET
BANGUI (Reuters) – Crucial elections
scheduled to take place in the Central African Republic on Sunday have
been postponed by three days until Dec. 30, Prime Minster Mahamat Kamoun
said on Thursday.
The polls are meant to restore democratic rule after
mainly Muslim rebels seized power in the majority Christian nation in
early 2013, provoking reprisals from Christian militias that triggered a
cycle of inter-religious killings.
Kamoun said the postponement was needed because ballots had arrived late and poll workers still needed to receive training.
Click here for summary.
Source: Euronews
U.S.-Backed Alliance Pushes Towards Islamic State-Held Dam in Northern Syria
Reuters, 24/12 17:11 CET
By Suleiman Al-Khalidi
BEIRUT (Reuters) – A
U.S.-backed alliance of Syrian Kurds and Arab rebel groups advanced
towards a dam in northern Syria held by Islamic State fighters on
Thursday, in an assault aimed at capturing the militants’ stronghold of
Raqqa, rebels and a monitor said.
They said the push by fighters of the Democratic Forces of Syria, which includes the powerful Kurdish YPG
militia and an Arab tribal alliance, had brought them within 20 km of
the Tishreen Dam, one of three major dams on the Euphrates River.
Further south of the dam that still supplies power to
large areas in northern Syria is the even larger Baath Dam. Its power
plant, under militant control, feeds much of the territory under Islamic
State and is 22 km (15 miles) upstream from Raqqa.
Click here for the full article.
Source: Euronews
U.S. Held Secret Communications with Syrian Government – WSJ
Reuters, 24/12 15:34 CET
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. officials held
secret communications with members of President Bashar al-Assad’s
government to try to limit violence in Syria, and explored ways to
encourage a military coup in 2011 as the civil war got under way, the
Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday.
American intelligence officials identified army officers
belonging to Assad’s minority Alawite sect who could lead a coup, but
they found few weak spots to exploit, the Journal said, citing
interviews with more than two dozen people, including current and former
U.S. officials.
Click here for the full article.
Source: Euronews
Iran Calls China to Join the Fight Against the Islamic State
Reuters, 24/12 15:09 CET
By Bozorgmehr Sharafedin
DUBAI (Reuters) – China should
play a more active role in fighting Islamic State, a senior figure in a
body that advises Iran’s Supreme Leader said on Thursday, according to
the country’s Fars news agency.
China relies on the Middle East for oil supplies, but
tends to leave diplomacy there to other permanent members of the U.N.
Security Council — the United States, Britain, France and Russia.
Click here for the full article.
Source: Euronews
Oil Industry’s Pain is the US Motorist’s Gain
It may not do much to reduce air pollution or greenhouse gas
emissions – it’s certainly not helped the oil industry – but low fuel
prices are a boon to motorists.
In the US petrol prices on average have dropped below two dollars a
gallon for the first time since 2009 – down an estimated 64 cents a
gallon compared to last year.
Click here for summary and video.
Source: Euronews
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
President Obama's Statement on Persecuted Christians at Christmas
During
this season of Advent, Christians in the United States and around the world are
preparing to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. At this time, those of
us fortunate enough to live in countries that honor the birthright of all
people to practice their faith freely give thanks for that blessing.
Michelle and I are also ever-mindful that many of our fellow Christians do not
enjoy that right, and hold especially close to our hearts and minds those who
have been driven from their ancient homelands by unspeakable violence and
persecution.
In some areas of the Middle East where
church bells have rung for centuries on Christmas Day, this year they will be
silent; this silence bears tragic witness to the brutal atrocities committed
against these communities by ISIL.
We join with people around the world in
praying for God’s protection for persecuted Christians and those of other
faiths, as well as for those brave men and women engaged in our military,
diplomatic, and humanitarian efforts to alleviate their suffering and restore
stability, security, and hope to their nations. As the old Christmas carol
reminds us:
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men.
Source: The White House, Office of the Press Secretary
The Life and Presidency of George H.W. Bush
Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer Jon Meacham and former President George W. Bush talked about the life of America’s 41st president, George H.W. Bush. Mr. Meacham is the author of Destiny and Power: The American Odyssey of George Herbert Walker Bush. He talked about his own career and the differences between writing books about dead presidents and living presidents and about working with former President George H.W. Bush on the biography. He discussed the former president’s diaries and letters. They discussed the career of the 41st president, including how he became the ambassador to the United Nations, his political career in Texas, and his relationship with President Nixon as the chair of the Republican National Committee. They also talked about council he gave to his son at key moments in his own presidency.
This was an Author Event in the George W. Bush
Institute auditorium at the George W. Bush Presidential Center on the
campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.
Click here for video.
Source: C-Span
Jobs and the Economy in 2015
New York Times Economics Reporter Nelson Schwartz spoke by phone about jobs and the economy in 2015, as
well as how Americans view the overall economy and their own personal
financial situation.
Click here for video.
Source: C-Span
Inequality in the U.S. Banking System
Author Mehrsa Baradaran discusses her book, How the Other Half Banks: Exclusion, Exploitation, and the Threat to Democracy, in which she argues there are two banking systems in the U.S. - one for the poor and one for everyone else.
Click here for video.
Source: C-Span
C-SPAN Accused of ‘Mainstreaming Islamist Organizations While Willfully Marginalizing’ Reformists
(CNSNews.com) – The leader of an umbrella group of moderate Islamic
organizations is troubled by C-SPAN's decision not to cover its launch
event at the National Press Club earlier this month, when on Monday the
public affairs network provided live coverage to another Muslim event –
highlighting “Islamophobia” – at the same venue.
Click here for the full article.
Source: cnsnews.com
In Memoriam: Staff Sgt. Louis Michael Bonacasa
Governor
Andrew Cuomo has directed that flags on state government buildings be flown at
half-staff on December 24, 2015 in honor of a New York
Air National Guard member who died in Afghanistan on Monday, Dec. 21.
Staff
Sgt. Louis Michael Bonacasa died of wounds suffered when his patrol was
attacked by a suicide bomber. Also among those killed in the attack was
Technical Sgt. Joseph Lemm. Both were members of the 105th Base Defense
Squadron, which is an element of the 105th Airlift Wing at Stewart Air National
Guard Base at Newburgh, N.Y.
“On behalf of all New Yorkers, I extend my deepest sympathies to the family, friends and fellow servicemen of Staff Sgt. Bonacasa,” Governor Cuomo said. “We will join his loved ones in honoring his valor, leadership and service to this great nation. His sacrifice will be remembered with gratitude.”
Source: Press
Office, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
From The G-Man salutes Staff Sgt. Louis Michael
Bonacasa’s dedication and service to the country with the following video. May
his family, friends and fellow soldiers find some measure of comfort in the
days to come….and may he forever rest in peace.
Four New Yorkers to Be Honored for Heroic Efforts During Boating Rescue
Governor Andrew Cuomo today announced
the presentation of the National Association of State Boating Law
Administrators Award of Commendation and the State Parks’ Recreational Boating
Lifesaving Award to William Deak, Jason Deak, Justin Deak and Michael Laduca of
West Islip, NY.
The awards were presented in recognition of the group’s heroic efforts to save a family of five as their boat was rapidly sinking in the Great South Bay off the coast of Long Island in August, 2015.
“In the face of danger, the Deak Family and Mr. Laduca showed tremendous courage in risking their lives to protect others. It is this type of selflessness and bravery that embodies the spirit of New York and the qualities for which we stand,” Governor Cuomo said. “These men are heroes and I commend each of them for their valiant actions.”
“I applaud the heroic actions of William, Jason, Justin and Michael. Their quick and selfless action led to the saving of five lives,” State Parks Commissioner Rose Harvey said. “All boaters should be prepared while out on the water for any emergency and the best start is to always wear a life jacket. Thanks to these heroes this was a happy ending but if they were not nearby and close enough to see this emergency, this could have instead led to a very tragic ending.”
William Deak, 46, was heading towards the Bay Shore Marina with his sons Jason Deak, 21, and Justin Deak, 24, along with family friend Michael Laduca, 24, when they noticed a sinking boat on the Bay and its five occupants in the water struggling to stay afloat. Immediately recognizing the emergency, William called 911 as both Jason and Michael jumped into the bay, without hesitation, to aid the family of five clinging for their lives. As Justin carefully maneuvered the boat, Jason and Michael guided everyone to William who was able to pull the entire family to safety.
The NASBLA Award of Commendation is bestowed on individuals in recognition of their heroism and those who have risked their lives to save others involved in a recreational boating incident. Since 2008, the honor has been awarded to only fourteen New Yorkers. The last award presented to a New Yorker was an Ulster Park man in 2013. The New York State Parks’ Marine Services Bureau gives the Recreational Boating Lifesaving Award in recognition of the ultimate boating Good Samaritan who comes to the aid of another boater in life threatening distress. It has also been awarded only fourteen times since 2008.
State Parks and the United States Coast Guard strongly recommend wearing a life jacket while boating, especially during the winter when cold temperatures can quickly lead to death. The agencies also recommend that all boaters properly equip and carry essential safety gear, signaling devices and whistles; inform others with a general destination and expected return time; take a boating safety course; and always refrain from mixing alcohol with boating. Boaters are reminded that state law requires a life jacket to be worn on any watercraft less than 21-feet in length from November 1 through May 1.
The New York State Parks Marine Services Bureau oversees the state’s safe boating programs, including boating safety education classes that help nearly 20,000 people annually become safer boaters. For more information about boating safety and marine recreation, please visit www.nysparks.com.
Source: Press Office,
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo