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Home Around UAE Sharjah
Police Sciences Academy Youth Council launches its strategic plan
by Safa Shamsudeen
in Sharjah
The Police Sciences Academy Youth Council today launched its strategic plan 2021-2023 AD, in the presence of His Excellency Brigadier General Dr. Muhammad Khamis Al-Othmani, Director General of the Academy, directors of departments and their deputies, and members of the Council including officers, officers, individuals and students.
The Ottoman Dean praised the council's strategic plan and its goals of supporting and empowering the youth group of employees and students, and its various initiatives that seek to care for students, listen to their concerns, problems and suggestions, consider them into consideration and find appropriate solutions to them.
The Ottoman Brigadier pointed out that His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, Chairman of the Academy Council stressed during the recent meeting of the Academy Council the importance of focusing on student officers and providing them with all kinds of support and attention to the Academy's outputs and qualifying officers who possess all the characteristics and qualities of capable leaders. To bear the burdens of responsibility, to manage work teams, and to exercise their powers and functional tasks with efficiency, confidence and competence.
The Ottoman Dean called for the participation of all departments of the Academy, especially officials in the fields of education and training, in implementing the strategic plan and its valuable initiatives that the Youth Council intends to implement in the next phase, wishing the Council and its members success and success in the interest of students and employees alike.
In turn, Captain Saif Ahmed Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Academy Youth Council, indicated that the launch of the strategic plan came as a result of the concerted efforts of all the academy youth who worked hard, devotion and sincerely throughout the last period to establish the council to prepare this plan, which includes a vision, mission, goals, values and various initiatives aiming in the end to interest in the affairs of This important segment of employees and students of the Academy, as the plan included 37 axes, was prepared by 130 young people from the Academy.
He added that the strategic plan was based on in-depth studies and standard comparisons with the Federal Youth Foundation, the strategy of the Ministry of Interior and the strategy of the Police Science Academy, so the strategies of these three bodies were basic pillars in preparing and launching the Academy Youth Council plan.
In his turn, Captain Omar Bukhalif, Vice President of the Academy Youth Council, reviewed the general framework of the strategy, its objectives, priorities, the path of achieving it and the factors of its success.
First Lieutenant Salem Al-Tunaiji also touched on the 7 initiatives to achieve the strategy, namely the Student Council, under the leadership of youth and youth in every decision, and a young man with a leader's thought, talented youth and a youth circle.
The student, Officer Ahmed Al-Marashdeh, explained the student council, its objectives and its role in serving the students of the Academy, developing their leadership skills, enhancing communication between them, studying their problems, and participating in preparing and implementing youth initiatives in cooperation with the relevant authorities.


Responding to a flood of Christian letters on the "Meaning of Easter".
It's amazing how Christian 'faith' can diminish the power of 'reason' in otherwise intelligent people (Letters, The Advertiser, 29/3/16).
How many of these letter writers have ever had the courage to seriously challenge their beliefs and investigate contemporary research of original material on the existence of Jesus?
There's a phalanx of historians and biblical scholars who provide meticulous evidence that will shock most Christians.
We know conclusively that 7 of Paul's 13 Epistles are forgeries; so too are large sections of the Gospels written decades later by 'anonymous' writers. And all heavily edited over centuries.
None of the alleged eyewitness accounts of a 'resurrected' Jesus stand up to scrutiny. And there are at less 5 reasons for the alleged 'empty tomb'.
A charismatic preacher may well have existed but 'divine' he certainly was not. A good point to begin your research would be historian Dr Richard Carrier's "On the Historicity of Jesus". It provides fastidious detail and references to all the current specialists in this field of research.
It's time for wide public debate of these inescapable facts, rather than perpetuating the Easter and Christmas myths that have masqueraded as fact for centuries.


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Photos by Cory Perla
Spotlight: The Get Money Squad
Cory Perla
/ Jul. 20, 2016 2am EST
On the patio of Caffe Aroma at the corner of Elmwood and Bidwell Parkway, a man in a floppy hat quietly plays a lute as folks drink coffee and beers, and Jon Bap and Quinton Brock of The Get Money Squad tell me about their carefree approach to music.
I ask Bap about how he and Brock write music together and he starts laughing.
"The only reason I'm laughing like that is because our approach to writing music is so like…"
Quinton interrupts, "Such a joke! The motto was just kind of, like, fuck it," says Brock in between sips of a dark stout.
On The Get Money Squad's new demo, Nothing's Wrong, out now on the Portland, Oregon record label Fresh Selects, Bap and Brock synthesize that carefree attitude into simple yet intriguing surfy indie rock tunes that fall somewhere between Broken Social Scene and Mac DeMarco.
Without knowing about this casual approach, one might be able to discern it from listening to the group's music. The music is carefree yet it's also incredibly thoughtful. Guitars chords slink about in beautiful, uninhibited patterns—sometimes just slipping through Bap's fingers like sand—drums just kind of happen, and Brock's sailing vocals bring it all together in a way that seems almost improvised, but can't possibly be.
The Get Money Squad are now preparing to play their demo release show at Nietzsche's on Thursday, July 21 as part of The Public Presents, a monthly concert series. They'll be joined by pop-punk band Super American and indie-rock band Fever Box—Griffin Smith, Nico Kelly, and Josh Little—who also serve as The Get Money Squad's backing band, and who helped them record their demo.
As a pair, Bap and Brock haven't always been so carefree about their music. Both musicians have studied music in school and have had other musical projects—notably Brock's hip hop project Network and Bap's solo work, some of which—his Let It Happen EP—has been recently released by Fresh Selects. But if there was a problem with those previous projects, it was that they were taking the music way too seriously. They over-analyzed. They over-thought it. Brock even fesses up that he once paid to open for Wale and Pusha-T at a concert in Rochester. Wale ended up refusing to play for some reason that night, and, although Brock felt good about his performance, things weren't right.
"I needed to realize that I was taking music too seriously. I needed a way to not care about something and just have fun," says Brock. Bap nods in agreement.
How do you do it—make music— but not over-do it? It seems counterintuitive, but for them, essentially having no goals kind of made it so that there was no pressure and allowed their creativity to flow freely.
Nothing's Wrong by The Get Money Squad
"Everything was a joke. We didn't think this would become a real thing. Now it's become a real project," says Bap. "There's no pressure. Once we started liking the songs, and there were a couple of songs where we were still trying too hard—but it was, like, 'Oh shit, this is actually something.'"
From the sounds of it, their songwriting sessions were more like bull sessions. They'd spend about 20 minutes writing a song and the whole thing would be done in an hour, Bap tells me.
"We'd do everything on the first take. We still do," says Bap laughing. "We'd just be laughing and joking about busting out a hit."
Right now Bap is a guitarist. He started off playing the drums but then moved to the trumpet. In high school he played the piano, even skipping classes to sneak away and get some practice in. He also sings. He doesn't consider himself a drummer or a guitarist, but just a music producer in general. He talks about learning the guitar in terms of recording, not live performance. He'd learn how to play a chord and then capture it. Then he'd figure out the next chord and piece a recording together from there. Bap, who is also a talented painter, studied animation and illustration at Fredonia and recording engineering at Full Sail University before dropping out in part to concentrate on music.
"A lot of times when I make a song, I can't actually play the part [live] until I learn it," Bap says, kind of giggling.
Brock is similarly talented. He's a vocalist first—he realized this when he sang "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" in front of his family as a child. He played some stand-up bass and piano in high school. But like Bap, he considers himself a songwriter and producer. He graduated with a double major in English and media with a law focus at UB.
The lute player sitting at the table behind us is still fiddling, only audible in between sentences, still staring down his lute underneath his floppy hat.
And then there is the Brock and Bap's friendship, if you can call it that.
"How did we meet?" Brock repeats. "Our parents got married." Both erupt in laughter.
As kids, Bap and Brock met through a friend at church.
"The second day I went to chill with him, his mom is in the kitchen and I'm, like, 'Oh, hey, what are you doing? And she's, like, 'Just signing some divorce papers,'" says Bap.
The two laugh about it now. At the same time, Bap's parent's were getting divorced. In a kind of reverse Step Brothers fashion, Bap's father married Brock's mother and best friends became brothers.
"Our parents got together somehow, going to the same church," says Bap. "We moved into his mom's house, and we'd be chilling in his room watching anime and drawing. Then it turned into making up our own stories and drawing comic books."
It was like the ultimate sleepover. Although their parents are now divorced, they're still best friends and are most certainly still brothers.
"He's killing the game!" Brock quietly blurts out, looking side-eyed at the lute player still strumming away at his instrument. "He's killing it. He's been playing this whole time! I'm trying to be like him."
Like many artists, Brock and Bap make their artwork in between their day jobs. Bap works at a restaurant and Brock is a certified life coach.
A group of motorcyclists pull up to the corner near us.
"Oh man, he's reppin' hard, bro," says Bap, referring to the Confederate flag insignia on the jacket of one of the bikers.
"Oh, fuck him. That's what's wrong with America…" Brock begins to say before changing his tone. "Actually that's what's right with America. Because you're allowed to do that type of shit. But I don't have to speak to him."
But then Brock tells a story about how recently in Allentown, he was with a group of friends and he was asked to lift up his shirt before he entered a bar. He was somewhat embarrassed but not exactly surprised.
"Racial profiling. That's actually what's super important about The Get Money Squad. People are going to see me and Jon's picture, they're going to see two black kids called The Get Money Squad. They're going to automatically assume it's just some ratchet shitty rap music that they don't want to listen to and they're going to click on it to laugh and then they're going to hear some weird indie rock music…"
And maybe they'll remember that, because it's not exactly what they expected.
Though the lute player was not deterred by the roaring motorcycle crew, we kind of are. So we wrap things up, but not before Brock expresses some genuine gratitude to everyone who has helped them along the way.
"From our parents, who afforded us the opportunity to have a real childhood and explore our own ideas, to each person we meet in passing who push our artistic development simply by living and sharing their stories, we're just growing to be the best artists we possibly can be."
The Get Money Squad
facebook / twitter
8:30pm / Nietzsche's 248 Allen St, Buffalo / $5

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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HomeLifestyle'Baby Shark' performance secures top award for school
Brídín Mhig Aoidh, Gaelscoil classroom assistant and Conradh na Gaeilge Craobh Mhic an Chrosáin, Maire Ní Dhochartaigh, Gaelscoil principal, Seán Ó Murchadha, awareness raising officer with Conradh na Gaeilge, Gary Ó Breasláin chairperson of Conradh na Gaeilge Craobh Mhic an Chrosáin and Michaela Boyle MLA with the children and staff of Gaelscoil Uí Dhochartaigh. Seán Ó Murchadha was presenting a cheque for €1,000 to the Gaelscoil for their success in the Gaelfhíseán competition which was run as part of Bliain na Gaeilge.
'Baby Shark' performance secures top award for school
AN energetic performance of the Baby Shark song has helped the Gaelscoil to take home a €1,000 prize.
Gaelscoil Uí Dhochartaigh won the money for its participation in a video competition to celebrate the Irish language.
Singing a rendition of 'Baby Shark,' saw the Strabane school scoop the award for County Tyrone.
Principal Máire Ní Dhochartaigh says everyone is delighted to have received the award.
"We are so proud of the pupils for winning the county prize for their Gaelfhíseán as part of Bliain na Gaeilge," said Ms Ní Dhochartaigh.
"Irish is central to our lives here, both in the school and in the community, and we really enjoyed taking part in this competition."
Bliain na Gaeilge was launched in 2018, by Conradh na Gaeilge as part of a year long celebration of the Irish language.
For the programme schools were invited to create a short video featuring a song in Irish, which had to be produced, recorded and edited by the students.
Seán Ó Murchadha, awareness raising officer with Conradh na Gaeilge who presented the cheque to Gaelscoil Uí Dhochartaigh praised the school for their efforts.
"The Gaelfhíseán contest was highly competitive and the standard of entries was excellent," said Mr Ó Murchadha.
"It is clear that students really enjoyed taking part in the competition and the teachers all deserve recognition of the effort
they put in to it."


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Utica Schools Superintendent Bruce Karam on 'The Gift of Music'
Kristine Bellino
One Central New York school administrator is urging former musicians to gather old instruments that are no longer being used and donate them to current students who can put them to good use.
Utica City School District Superintendent Bruce Karam says that instruments donated through "The Gift of Music" will be refurbished by Dolgeville-based Samco and delivered to Proctor High School in Utica.
The instruments will not only benefit students at Proctor but also the elementary and middle schools in the district as well, as the high school supplies the others with instruments upon request.
The event takes place this upcoming Saturday, May 14, 2016 at Sangertown Square Mall on Seneca Turnpike in New Hartford.
"A few weeks ago I got a call from Mr. Steve Merren...He is always donating, contributing,... and it's a wonderful thing...Anybody not using an instrument any more - if it's in their attic, if it's in their cellar, they're going to collect them, refurbish them, and then provide them to the orchestra adn the band ...at Proctor High School...(it's) a phenomenal project."
Karam says that many students wish to play instruments but cannot afford to buy, or even rent them. Although the district makes every effort to include students who want to play an instrument in the district's music program it has become increasingly more difficult to do so as the current inventory is in need of repair.
The instruments can be in any condition.
Those who cannot make it to Saturday's event at Sangertown Square Mall may bring instruments to the offices of Townsquare Media during business hours at:
9418 River Road; Marcy, New York 13403
For more information on how to donate call Townsquare Media: (315) 768.9500.
The Gift of Music
Source: Utica Schools Superintendent Bruce Karam on 'The Gift of Music'
Filed Under: proctor high school, sangertown square mall, the gift of music
Categories: Utica-Rome News, Weird News


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What Parents Need to Know About Instagram
By Leah Nieman | April 18, 2019 | 0
Instagram is popular with teens. In 2018, 72% of teens said they use Instagram. If you have a teen in your life, it's important you stay up-to-date on the apps they are using. So, what do parents really need to know about Instagram?
What Is Instagram?
Instagram is a social media platform that lets users share photos and videos, follow their favorite brands or celebrities, and send messages. Users can share their photos and videos publicly. Or, they can share with a list of those users they've approved as followers.
Instagram is owned by Facebook. But, it has a number of fun features and is photo/video driven. Users can create an Instagram Story where they post 15-second videos or slideshows that live in a circle separate from other posts. Here they can decide what kind of post to create: text, photo slideshow, video, or livestream. Then, they select the Story Controls to limit the audience, restrict message replies, and allow sharing.
IGTV (Instagram TV) is for longer videos. IGTV gives users the ability to broadcast themselves like YouTube.
Instagram also has a disappearing messages feature. Simply send a timed photo or video that is viewable once by the recipient. And, as with many social media platforms, Instagram offers direct messaging (DM).
All these features appeal to teens. In fact, many teens will select Instagram as their first social media platform.
What Is the Age Requirement for Instagram?
According to Instagram's Terms of Service, users must be at least thirteen (13) years old to use the service. But there is no age verification process. It's very easy for kids under 13 years old to set up an account.
What Do I Do If My Child Under 13 Opens an Instagram Account Without My Permission?
If you find your underage child has set up an account, show them how to delete it. Or report an underage account to Instagram by filling out this form.
Follow up by talking to your child about the technology rules for your family. It's not going to be an easy conversation. But, it's going to be important to keep talking to your teen so they don't pull away, dig in their heels, and hide all online activity from you. That's the exact opposite of what you want. So, continue to talk and listen to your teen…even when it's tough.
What Type of Content Will My Teen Find on Instagram?
Honestly, the content is dependent upon the user, their circle of friends, their account settings, and their searches. That might sound a bit overwhelming if you are a parent. The truth is, if inappropriate content begins showing up in your teen's Instagram feed, you need to talk to them and do some exploring to find out why. Don't make assumptions.
There is so much great content on Instagram. You'll find photos and information on everything from nature to fashion. But there is mature content as well. Instagram's terms state users shouldn't post partially nude or sexually suggestive photos. But there are plenty of sexy images on Instagram.
You'll also find swearing and substance abuse. A quick search of hashtags will pull up posts relating to suicide, anorexia, and other issues that are concerning.
Common Account Set Up Questions Parents Need to Know About Instagram
Is There Any Way to Keep My Teen's Activity on Instagram Limited to Friends and Family? I Don't Want Them Connecting With Strangers.
Instagram is like most social networking platforms. The account settings are public. So, you need to go in and make the account private when you set it up.
To do so, go to Settings from your profile page. Select Privacy and Security, then Account Privacy, and toggle on Private Account. A private account means only people you approve can see what you post.
Be sure to check out all the options in the Privacy and Security section. You can adjust your settings. I recommend teens begin with stricter settings. And then, slowly open their account. Remember, Instagram's settings are public by default. So you'll need to go in and edit the settings to give your account more privacy.
A Few of the Privacy Options Available on Instagram Are:
Comment Controls
Limit comments to just those who follow you
Block comments from specific people
Hide "offensive" comments
Create specific filters for words, phrases, and hashtags
Resharing to Stories
Control whether other people can reshare your posts
Photos and Videos of You
Prevent people from automatically adding pictures of you to your profile without your approval
Hide photos and videos so they don't display in your feed
Can My Teen Block or Report Inappropriate Content and Users?
Yes! Be sure you teach your teens how to block and report as you are helping them set up their Instagram account. Many times, kids fear blocking a user who is harassing them or posting inappropriate content because they fear retaliation. So, assure your teen that they remain anonymous when they block and report someone.
Are In-App Purchases Available?
Yes! Since 2017, Instagram has offered shoppable posts and stories. In 2019, they are testing "Checkout on Instagram." This feature will let users complete a purchase without leaving Instagram.
Why Do Teens Want to Download Instagram?
Instagram brings all the features teens love into one social media site. With Instagram, you can see, share, and comment on photos. There are lots of fun filters and cool effects that you can quickly add to photos you take. These filters give pictures a high-quality artistic look with little effort.
While many parents are concerned about Snapchat, they often don't know it's a feature of Instagram. So, teens love that they have the option in Instagram and parents don't seem to mind or realize it's an option there.
What Are the Biggest Concerns to Discuss with Teens About Instagram?
Instagram has direct messaging. Let your teen know this is a feature in the app. Anyone can send you a direct message. Direct messages from people who aren't your friends or followers appear as a request in your Inbox. If you accept their message, future messages go directly to your Inbox. You can always report or stop someone from sending you messages at any time.
Disappearing messages are a feature on Instagram. Be sure your teen understands that they may send timed photos or video messages that recipients can only view once before they disappear. But, that doesn't mean the message really disappears. Anyone can capture a screenshot.
Instagram is image-based. It's not uncommon for users to quickly lose sight of the fact that Instagram is for finding friends who have the same interests. And they may begin to feel like everyone else has the perfect life. This can be confounded by the fact others can "like" and comment on your photos. Teens can begin to feel unpopular or uncool. Or, they can begin to struggle with balance as they spend an obsessive amount of time checking their status on the app.
I Keep Hearing the Terms "Rinsta" and "Finsta." What Are They?
Rinsta "real Instagram" account– This is an account where they show their "real" self. It's limited to a close inner circle of friends.
Finsta "fake Instagram" account– This is an account where they show their ideal self, not their true self. It's highly curated. It's the person they want the world to see. But, it's not who they really are.
How Do I Tell If My Child Has a Rinsta or Finsta Account?
There are a couple of ways to check. First, ask your child openly if they have a Rinsta or Finsta account. Be sure you ask them when it's a calm time and both of you have time to talk. Our teens are often open and honest with us when they feel they aren't in trouble. If you feel talking to your child isn't an option, you can check their phone. To do so, open their Instagram app. Next, tap the person icon and the arrow next to your child's username. A second account will show up there.
As a standard rule, many teens have a 2nd Instagram account with the express purpose of keeping that account on the "down low." It's a "fake Instagram account." Teens will invite a very small number of friends to their account. It's true, some kids use a Rinsta or Finsta account to bully others or to post inappropriate content. However, most kids do not.
And, kids need to know everything they post online has the potential to go public. Everything! This includes a secret account under a fake name. It's as simple as their friends taking screenshots of a picture and posting it elsewhere online.
Should I Let My Teen Download Instagram?
Instagram is image-based. Some teens will struggle with self-image and perfectionism. But remember, apps are tools. So, while Instagram might not be a good social media platform for one teen, it might be a great app for another.
Instagram does provide tools for blocking and reporting both users and content. It also gives users many creative features. If you decide Instagram is right for your teen, be sure to go through the app and its settings with them. Be clear about your expectations and concerns, and set up boundaries.
Make sure your child knows to come to you if they see inappropriate content or receive messages that concern them. And be open with them about how you are monitoring their Instagram account. If you see signs that your child is struggling with perfection, anxiety, or balance, have them take a break from Instagram to recalculate and readjust.
Remember, the end goal is to raise kids with a healthy perspective of social media.
Has your teen used Instagram? What do you think parents need to know about Instagram? Share it with us in the comments section!
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Olympics - Aug. 22
Margaux Isaksen of the U.S at the riding show jumping event of modern the pentathlon at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Friday, Aug. 22, 2008.
Credit: AP Photo/Saurabh Das
Australia's gymnast Naazmi Johnston performs with the ribbon during the gymnastics rhythmic individual all-around qualification at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Friday, Aug. 22, 2008.
Credit: AP Photo/Odd Andersen
Athletes participate in the swimming event of the women's modern pentathlon at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Friday, Aug. 22, 2008.
From left, Italy's Manuel De Vecchi, Latvia's Maris Strombergs, Switzerland's Roger Rinderknecht and Argentina's Cristian Daniel Becerine compete during the cycling BMX Men's race, at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Friday, Aug. 22, 2008.
Credit: AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan
Bryan Clay of the United States competes in the discus throw discipline of the men's decathlon during the athletics competitions in the National Stadium at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Friday, Aug. 22, 2008.
Credit: AP Photo/Thomas Kienzle
Latvia's Igors Kazakevics, left, reacts as Finland's Jarkko Kinnunen is attended by medical staff at the finish line of the men's 50-kilometer walk during the athletics competitions in the National Stadium at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Friday, Aug. 22, 2008.
Credit: AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
Russia's Tatyana Lebedeva competes in the women's long jump final during the athletics competitions in the National Stadium at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Friday, Aug. 22, 2008.
Credit: AP Photo/David Phillip
Tobias Kreuzmann of Germany moves the ball against Greece in a semifinal round men's water polo match at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Friday, Aug. 22, 2008.
Credit: AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty
South Korea's Lee Seung-yuop (25) is welcomed by teammatates at the dugout after hitting eighth inning tie-breaking two-run home run against Japan in their baseball semifinal game at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Friday, Aug. 22, 2008. South Korea won 6-2.
Credit: AP Photo/Kathy Willens
Roman Sebrle of the Czech Republic knocks off the bar during the pole vault in the decathlon at the athletics competitions in the National Stadium at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Friday, Aug. 22, 2008.
Credit: AP Photo/David J. Phillip
Ruiwu Tan of Croatia plays against Wang Liqin of China during the quarterfinals of the men's singles table tennis competition at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Friday, Aug. 22, 2008.
Credit: AP Photo/Chitose Suzuki
Slovakia's Kazmir Verkin is pictured with the Olympic rings in his hair after completing the men's 50-kilometer walk during the athletics competitions in the National Stadium at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Friday, Aug. 22, 2008.
Credit: AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus
Ukraine's gymnast Anna Bessonova performs with the batons during the gymnastics rhythmic individual all-around qualification at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Friday, Aug. 22, 2008.
Latvia's Maris Strombergs, center, is flanked by United States' Mike Day, left, on his way to winning the cycling BMX Men's race and the gold medal, at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Friday, Aug. 22, 2008. Day took the silver medal.
Credit: AP Photo/Christophe Ena
Lena Schoeneborn, of Germany, swims in the swimming portion of the women's modern pentathlon at the Beijing 2008 Olympics Games, Friday, Aug. 22, 2008.
Credit: AP Photo/Martin Mejia
Khedafi Djelkhir of France, red, fights Shahin Imranov of Azerbaijan, blue, during a men's featherweight 57 kilogram semifinal boxing match at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Friday, Aug. 22, 2008.
Credit: AP Photo/Murad Sezer
Germany's Andre Niklaus competes in the 110-meter hurdles in the men's decathlon during the athletics competitions in the National Stadium at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Friday, Aug. 22, 2008.
Bryan Clay of the United States, right, leads Liberia's Jangy Addy in the 110-meter hurdles in the men's decathlon during the athletics competitions in the National Stadium at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Friday, Aug. 22, 2008.
Jill Kintner, of the United States, reacts after winning the bronze medal of the cycling BMX race, at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Friday, Aug. 22, 2008.
Credit: AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev
Athletes compete in the 200-meter swimming event of the women's modern pentathlon at the Beijing 2008 Olympics Games, Friday, Aug. 22, 2008.


To report a child's absence, please call the school office on 01623 452770 by 9am, on the morning of each day of absence. Alternatively you can use the form below to report absences online (before 9am).
If you require your child to have time off from school for any other reason, please see the letter below for guidance.


CB does stock Sprite zero in cans, which can be ordered through room service or picked up at bars. I realize this is not the same as coke zero, but depending on whether it's the coke or the zero that's more important, may work for some.
Wondering if the incident at the Freeport drydock earlier this week and resulting damage to the facility may impact the Caribbean Princess? There are three drydock berths there, but would one being out of commission affect overall scheduling?
Hampton Inn North Airport/Cruiseport also has grocery and liquor in walking distance, plus a couple restaurants. Usually good rates and always excellent service!
This app is driving both my husband and me nuts! One day all the info I've put in is there and looks fine, the next day it says something is missing and alternates between who is missing data. He's called the support number twice with no resolution. I've decided to abandon looking at it until just before we sail in mid May to preserve my sanity.
Even looking at street view, it's not possible to tell whether it's fenced, but that was my suspicion. Thank you for confirming. I'll plan accordingly.
Thank you for responding although you weren't able to answer my question. To address your questions, we prefer walking over Lyft, Uber, or taxi because it's a healthy option. Our luggage will be in our cabin, so will not be hauling anything with us. I plan to buy two bottles, the permitted amount to bring onboard, which I think my husband and I can easily haul back to the ship in the Florida heat and humidity.
Hi everyone, I know that's its possible to rather easily make this walk, but have usually read about coming out to 17th street and walking down 17th to the shopping enter. Looking at the map, it looks like one could walk straight out from the terminal, cross Eisenhower and walk down 20th to access from an alley beside Total Wine. Is this possible? Maybe there are gates/restrictions that are not readily visible on the map. Anyone have first hand experience? Just looking for the most expeditious route in case we are short on time. Thank you!
I wonder what happens if the Medallion is shipped to your home in advance of the cruise, but you forget to bring it? I'm sure another could be programmed for you at check in, but would Princess charge you for that?
I'm so disappointed to see the loss of deck space for sun loungers. This is one of our favorite spots for sea days as there was nothing to block the ocean breeze when choosing a chair by the rail.
The 2018 NCAA championship game was broadcast on the Caribbean Princess Panama Canal sailing in January 2018, both on MUTS and on TV in cabin. Hope you have the same good luck. I don't believe that it was listed in the Patter for the day and inquiries at the passenger services desk in the days prior didn't reveal favorable information, but when the time came, it was on!
Ocean medallion - name/photo appears outside cabin?
We were on the CB 9/28 sailing. At that time, passenger names were displayed on the screens outside the cabin doors and also appeared on the interactive large screens at various locations around the ship when the passenger was within a certain range. My feedback in the survey post-cruise included expressing my dislike of this practice. The displayed names were in larger font than was previously on the "mailbox" outside the cabin door. I do not care for other passengers to know my name unless I choose to introduce myself, and although I was traveling with my husband, I definitely would not want it to be easily determined if I were traveling alone.
I should mention that we have been to Beach Limerz once, if not twice, in the past when the beach was quite wide and the water was very calm. Although this past trip conditions were impacted by recent weather, that's not always the case. Unfortunately, the weather can be unpredictable. Compared to other beaches where we were among throngs of people and continually approached by aggressive vendors, I'll take Beach Limerz even if I can't get in the water for the day. It's all a matter of priority and preference for every individual to make that determination.


On this site, we write A LOT about cutting expenses because it's the easiest thing you can do right away to start to improve your financial situation. But nothing will propel you forward faster than quickly doubling your income. Or simply growing it by getting a higher paying job.
This article explores one of the foundational steps to getting a better job: writing a resume!
The following post is by ESI from ESI Money, a blog about achieving financial independence through earning, saving, and investing (ESI). It's written by an early 50's retiree who achieved financial independence, shares whatís worked for him, and details how others can implement those successes in their lives. He is also the author of a free ebook titled Three Steps to Financial Independence and spends a lot of his time interviewing millionaires.
I kept searching and eventually I found a subreddit where people posted their resumes and asked for help reviewing them. As someone who had reviewed thousands of resumes during my working career, interviewed and hired hundreds of people, and managed my own career with success, I knew I could help.


Hate to break it to you but this is the third and final part of what is possibly the coolest edit we've seen.
@george_ezra absolutely smashed his first arena show here last night.
Still getting confetti out of our hair.


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Negligent Security FAQs
What is negligent security?
"Negligent security" is a type of premises liability lawsuit in which the victim of a crime sues the property owner for failing to provide adequate security.
Why sue the property owner if they didn't commit the crime?
It's true that property owners are not legally responsible under criminal law for the actions of independent third parties who commit crimes on their property. Unless the property owner was directly involved in a crime, she would not face criminal charges for it. If, for example, an unknown assailant runs into a grocery store and starts stabbing shoppers with a knife, the owner of the grocery store would not be arrested or face jail time for the incident.
However, property owners do have a legally recognized obligation to ensure the safety of those on their property. That includes being aware of potential criminal activity and taking reasonable precautions to prevent it. If a property owner had reason to believe a criminal act would occur, but did not take reasonable measures to prevent it, they may be liable for injuries to the victim.
In the above example, if the grocery store owner had ignored threats previously made by the attacker or failed to increase security after two other recent stabbings in the store, she could be sued for negligent security. If the court ruled against her, she would not face jail time, but she would be required to pay damages to the injured person.
But why not sue the person who committed the crime?
After being the victim of an attack, the injured person may still have to undergo expensive medical procedures and lengthy therapy. They may be disabled and unable to work, or they may require long-term care.
It some cases, it may be possible to file a civil suit against an assailant to recover damages. Unfortunately, many criminals who commit violent acts are never identified. And even when the perpetrator is caught and convicted, they often do not have the financial resources to adequately compensate their victim. Even a favorable court decision might not be of much help to the injured person.
If a property owner created the conditions under which the crime could occur, they bear some responsibility and the victim may seek compensation.
Who can be held accountable in a negligent security case?
Typically, the owner of a property will be held accountable, although in some cases liability may be distributed among multiple parties. For example, if a landlord owned a building but relied on a property management company to maintain it, both the landlord and the property management company might be held accountable. This might also be true if an attack occurred in a store located in a shopping mall. Both the mall owners and store owners might bear responsibility. Determining liability is heavily dependent on the specifics of the case.
Can you sue a security company?
Under certain conditions, yes, it is possible to sue a security company. However, suing an independent contractor - such as a security company - is not as straightforward as suing the owners of the property. This is because the legal obligations of the two groups are not the same.
Unlike the owner of the property, a contractor does not have an assumed legal responsibility to ensure the safety of individuals on the property. Instead, the contractor's duty is toward the person or organization with which they contract.
Whether a security contractor may be held liable for injuries depends on its contractual relationship with the property owner. In some cases, the security company may be required to assume liability and pay some or all of the associated damages. It is not unusual for the property owner and security company (or other contractor) to get into contractual disputes when a negligence suit is filed.
Assuming the security company did have an obligation to prevent the plaintiff's injury, they may be liable in cases where:
Security guards were present, but did not monitor areas where violence was likely to occur. (For example, a security company is hired to provide security for a concert. The venue consists of an auditorium and a separate bar. The security company places guards only in the auditorium and does not monitor the crowded bar.)
Security guards fall asleep on the job, show up to work intoxicated, leave their posts for extended periods, or otherwise fail to provide adequate security.
Security guards are unnecessarily aggressive or belligerent. Their behavior precipitates or escalates violence.
Security companies that employ unqualified guards or fail to provide adequate training may also be held liable, but the type of negligence is often an employment-related one such as inadequate hiring or retention. It would not necessarily fall under the umbrella of premises liability. While the legal distinctions between types of negligence are unlikely to be of interest to a layperson, they affect how a court case must proceed.
What is the statute of limitations for negligent security cases?
In New York, the statute of limitations is generally three years for personal injury cases resulting from negligence. However, in many cases the statute of limitations may be less. Wrongful death cases must commence within two years of the person's death, and if the defendant is a government entity the injured person may have as little as ninety days to file a claim.
The laws regarding statutes of limitations are somewhat complex and include a number of exceptions. Additional complexity may arise if more than one party is named in a lawsuit. So it is best to speak to an experienced lawyer about your particular case as soon as possible.
I hear a lot about "compensation" and "damages." If I am the plaintiff in a negligent security case, what can I be compensated for?
When the parties in a negligent security case agree on a settlement, or when the court decides in favor of the plaintiff, the defendant will be required to pay a certain amount to the injured person. The final figure is arrived at by assigning a value to several types of losses and adding them up. The types of losses may include:
Existing medical bills
Estimated future medical expenses
Lost wages to date
Estimated future lost income
In wrongful death cases, other types of expenses are considered. Medical bills incurred prior to death may be included, as can funeral expenses. The heirs of the deceased person may be compensated for the loss of financial support they receive. Losses may also include significant but hard-to-quantify hardships imposed on the deceased's dependents (often children) such as the loss of parental guidance and support.
I am the victim of a negligent security case. Who can I contact for help?
The premises liability attorneys at Block O'Toole & Murphy are experienced in negligent security cases, and will fight to make sure you receive full compensation. Your initial consultation is completely free. Contact us online, or call us at 212-736-5300. We serve New York and New Jersey.
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Posts Tagged 'poverty'
Invisible Youth
Posted: April 12, 2019 in child abuse, homelessness, Music & Videos, Saving Children
Tags: child abuse, child sexual abuse, community, economy, foster care, Homeless Youth, poverty, PTSD, runaway youth, shelters, streets, survival
When most people think of the homeless, they think of the mentally ill, drug addicts or alcoholics that would rather live off of the money they beg for on the street than to get a real job. But there is a large part that makes up a much darker side of the homeless community: Homeless youth.
Homelessness among young people is a serious issue. Homeless youth in our communities are individuals who lack parental, foster or institutional care. They are the ones who have become invisible to most and an irritation to some.The National Runaway Switchboard estimates that on any given night there are approximately 1.3 million homeless youth living unsupervised on the streets, in abandoned buildings, with friends or with strangers. Homeless youth are at a higher risk for physical abuse, sexual exploitation, mental health disabilities, substance abuse, and death. It is estimated that 5,000 unaccompanied youth die each year as a result of assault, illness, or suicide.
Common Reasons Why Youth Become Homeless:
Family problems: Many youths run away, and in turn become homeless, due to problems in the home, including physical and sexual abuse, substance abuse of a family member, and parental neglect. In some cases, youth are asked to leave the home because the parents cannot afford to care for them.
Transitions from foster care: Youth who have been involved in the foster care system are more likely to become homeless at an earlier age and remain homeless for a longer period of time. Youth aging out of the foster care system often have little or no income support and limited housing options and are at higher risk to end up on the streets.
Abuse in Foster Care
When there is suspicion of abuse or neglect in the home, child welfare services may intervene and the child can be removed from the family and be placed into protective services and eventually into foster care. Unfortunately, many of these children end up being abused and neglected in the foster homes that were supposed to be a safe haven for them. As a result, homeless youth often become frustrated and rather than continuing to endure the abuse, they resign themselves to a life on the streets alone.
According to a report issued by Julie Rogers, the inspector general of Nebraska Child Welfare, At least 50 Nebraska children, some as young as 4 years old, had suffered sexual abuse while in the state's care or after being placed in an adoptive or guardianship home from July 2013 through October 2016. All of the cases were reported to the state's child abuse hotline and all were substantiated, either by the courts or by child welfare officials. Few details were released on the cases. According to another report issued by Rogers, sexual abuse and suicidal behavior among children in the care of the state increased again last year. There were 45 reports of child sexual abuse during 2017-18.
During the same 2017-18 period, there were two suicides and 52 suicide attempts involving youths whose care falls under the state umbrella. The previous year, there had been one suicide and 45 suicide attempts. The 52 attempts involved 49 youths, three of whom made multiple attempts.
Research has shown that 43% of runaway and homeless youth were sexually abused before they left their homes. These young people often flee abuse at home or in foster care, but are exposed to further sexual victimization and human trafficking once on the street. One of every three teens on the street will be lured into prostitution within 48 hours after leaving home. And the average age of entry into prostitution is fourteen.
These children often grow up in broken and dysfunctional homes where love and affection are absent. Instead of protection, many times these children receive brutal treatment. Their self-esteem is beaten to the point of feeling unworthy of any respect or fair treatment. They are insulted, humiliated, threatened, yelled at and isolated. They endure repeated sexual abuse—sometimes from several perpetrators. All of these factors may contribute to Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other emotional problems which lead them to start using drugs as a way to cope.
28% of youth living on the street and 10% of those in shelters engage in what is often referred to as "survival sex". (Exchanging sex for money, food, drugs or a place to stay) Most of these children come from horrific living conditions. They find themselves vulnerable, desperate, and in need of surviving. They require basic needs like food and shelter; therefore, they give into survival sex.
The situation for these youth is dire. But there is help available for homeless youth in our community. The Youth Emergency Services (YES) has a shelter that is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week with youth workers, counselors and homeless youth advocates. The shelter is available to youth ages 16 to 20.
Youth seeking shelter services are screened to ensure appropriate placement and safety of the residents. The emergency shelter is a family-style residence with separate sleeping areas for male and female clients. Youth share meals, television and computer privileges, and recreation and laundry facilities in a community area.
A trained staff of counselors, advocates and youth workers spends individual, focused time with residents to help them work through the problems they face. YES exists to help these youth turn their lives around. You can find out more about YES volunteer opportunities and ways to to help at: https://www.yesomaha.org
We need to change our mindset and preconceived ideas about these helpless children that lead us to make erroneous conclusions. Many of us may have looked the other way and denied ourselves the opportunity to help. It may be that the assumptions made in regards to the homeless youth are what is preventing us from aiding and reaching out to them. If we did, perhaps there would not be over one million of our youth living on the streets each year in the United States.
Child Abuse and The Crime Connection
Posted: February 1, 2019 in child abuse, Music & Videos, sex offenders
Tags: Bible, Child neglect, child sexual abuse, community, crime, Drug abuse, jail, Jesus, lenient judges, mental health issues, poverty, prisons, sex abuse survivors, sex abuse victims, Sex Offender Registration law, sex trafficking, youth crime
If you were asked what the most critical problems facing our society today are, how would you answer? Poverty? Crime? Drug abuse? Sex Trafficking? What if I told you that most of these problems could be reduced or even eliminated? Most of these problems all stem from the same root cause: Child abuse and neglect.
Studies have shown that victims of child sexual abuse are at a higher risk for substance abuse problems, associated psychological disorders and/or mental problems. They are also at a higher risk for committing violent crimes. And yet when we hear of one of these abused children being arrested and convicted of crimes we seem to have little or no compassion for them.
According to a report released by the Justice Department's Bureau of Justice Statistics, almost half of the women and one tenth of the men in our nation's jails and prisons say they were physically or sexually abused as a child before their imprisonment. For prisoners who had spent part of their childhoods in foster care, the rate of abuse was even higher. 44% of the male prisoners and 87% of the female prisoners who had spent the majority of their childhood in foster care or institutions reported abuse. These were foster homes that were supposed to be a safe place for them to live!
These experiences are deeply traumatizing for a child and have long-lasting and profound impacts on them. Child abuse, which includes sexual, physical, emotional and child neglect, is a major social problem in our country. In 'Does Child Abuse Cause Crime?' (NBER Working Paper No. 12171), authors Janet Currie and Erdal Tekin found that child maltreatment roughly doubles the probability that an individual engages in many types of crime.
This does not mean that every victim of child abuse will grow up to commit crimes or become a drug addict. It simply means that they are at a higher risk. That is why it is so important for school counselors and teachers to become familiar with the many ways in which childhood abuse and neglect issues can manifest themselves in a child. At the same time, they must realize that disclosure of child abuse does not always happen as as quickly as they would hope. Many times it may take a victim several months to reveal the abuse—sometimes years. I have known many adults who have never revealed their childhood abuse until they were over 60 years old!
The question many ask is, "Why don't children tell someone about their abuse?" There are many reasons why a child victim of sexual abuse is not likely to tell anyone about their abuse. Often, the abusive adult will convince the child that they won't be believed. Children frequently remain silent to protect a non-abusive parent from becoming upset. In order to keep the abuse secret, the abuser will often play on the child's fear, embarrassment or guilt about what happened, convincing them that no one will believe them or that telling anyone will break up the family and it will be the child's fault.
Another reason kids don't tell is because they may know friends who have also been abused at home and went to court. Not only did their friend not receive justice, they also ended up in foster care for a while. So they don't tell anyone. They just try to forget about it and keep all the hurt inside—And so does their family.
Many times an abuser could be someone you're close to or in a relationship with. Children of single mothers are especially vulnerable. The mom is so busy working to pay bills and put food on the table, (Sometimes working two or three jobs) that she may not imagine someone whom she invited into her home would have intentions of harming her children. But it has been proven that children living with only one biological parent are 33 times more likely to be sexually abused than children who live with both their biological parents.
Watch for the signs
So how can we know who to trust? We need to read the signs. Someone may be a danger to your children if they:
Insist on physical affection such as kissing, hugging or wrestling even when the child clearly does not want it.
Insist on time alone with a child with no interruptions.
Are overly interested in the sexual development of your child or teenager.
Regularly offer to baby-sit children for free or take children on overnight outings alone.
Buy your children expensive gifts or give them money for no apparent reason.
Lastly, check to see if the person you're in a relationship with is listed on the National Sex Offender Registry—Not just the local registry. Because a registered sex offender will not volunteer his or her information. And if found out, will most often tell you how they were unjustly convicted. Also be aware that many sex offenders will move away from the state they lived when they were convicted without notifying the state where they move to. Because they know that authorities will not look for them unless they commit another crime.
We all feel shock and outrage whenever we hear of child sexual exploitation by a teacher, coach or religious instructor, but stories of a child being sexually abused by a parent, step-parent, or someone living in the same home as the child rarely receives even a blip on the local news.
Why is it so easy for us to ignore these lost children?
Maybe because it's easier for us to ignore the root problem than to work on a solution. To begin with, we need to work to change the court system when it comes to dealing with those convicted of child sexual abuse. When someone is convicted in court, most judges allow the perpetrators to plead guilty to a lesser charge and sentence them to probation and require them to register as a sex offender—which does nothing to protect vulnerable children.
Many still believe that the Sex Offender Registry prevents pedophiles from living near them in their in their community. This is a misconception. Nebraska is one of 22 states that don't place any restrictions on child sex offenders. None! This means that a convicted child sex offender can visit and/or work in schools, daycares, children museums, and even live with or socialize with vulnerable children. The SOR law can only mandate that the offender register his or her required information at the sheriff's office within the required time. (Nebraska statutes 29-4004 and 29-4006) Some judges even allow the perpetrators to have contact with their victim!
Prosecutors will tell the victim that it will be emotionally easier for them if they allow a plea deal. But what they don't tell them is that when a case of child sexual abuse is brought before the court, the perpetrator is charged with crimes against the State, not against the victim. Then, the only option for the victim to get justice for what's been done to them is to take it to civil court. How many 6 to 9 year old victims do you think have the knowledge and financial means to take their abuser to civil court?
Another thing we can do is petition out legislators to change the Sex Offender Registry laws in our state to better protect our children. I have written to many state senators asking them to change the SOR law. The very few that responded told me that there was nothing they could do. It's easy for politicians to ignore one or two people, but it's much harder for them to ignore hundreds of people demanding the same thing.
Lastly, we can encourage survivors of child sexual abuse to speak out. Arrange for schools to allow them to tell their story and contact local news outlets and ask them to cover the event. It is a proven fact that other victims will open up when they know someone else has experienced the same thing. Child sexual abuse needs to be talked about. Remaining silent will only keep this epidemic hidden.
"Only by dropping our well worn masks
revealing the degrading darkness of hell
can we hope to finally bask
in the life giving light outside our cell."
By Juno Diaz, Pulitzer Prize winning author and survivor of childhood sexual abuse
Sex trafficking, drug abuse, mental health issues and criminal activity are only symptoms of the problem. We need to take care of the root of the problem. Otherwise, all the laws we pass and programs we develop will be like putting a band-aid on a broken bone.
"…but Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 19:14)
"But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea." (Matthew 18:6)
https://www.stopitnow.org/ohc-content/what-keeps-us-from-talking-about-sexual-abuse
https://www.smallvoices.org
https://www.d2l.org/the-issue/statistics/
https://laurenskids.org/education/curriculum/
Posted: May 2, 2016 in Christian Living, Revival
Tags: 2016 elections, America, Babylon, Bible Study, child abuse, christianity, God, Gospel, homelessness, Jesus, Judah, politicians, poverty, prayer, prophets, religion, salvation, sin, The Salvation Army, William Booth
There is a storm coming. And not many are prepared. Not a physical storm like what we've seen lately with rain and hail and tornados and floods; but a spiritual storm. One that will be more devastating than any tornado or flood.
The people of Judah had rebelled against the principles upon which their nation had been founded on. Judah had turned its back upon God and rejected any attempt by those sent to call her back. As promised, God withdrew His protection from her. He had warned that if His people became faithless that He would employ a pagan power to conquer them and lead them back into captivity. He had led them from Egyptian bondage 800 years before, and now, because of their infidelity, He would allow them to return to bondage—this time in Babylon.
They had refused to believe it could ever happen to them. They found their own false prophets to tell them that everything was fine. They ridiculed Jeremiah and others who warned of the devastation to come. The Lord spoke through Jeremiah and put it this way; "Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north…and I will send Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon…against this land and against its inhabitants…and this whole land shall be a desolation and a horror, and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years." (Jeremiah 25:9-11)
But the false prophets told them that God would never allow this to happen because they were God's chosen people. They were insisting that God loved them and that He only wanted to bless them. But it wasn't true!
Today we have the modern counterparts of these false prophets. Some promise that God will bless you if you send them money. Some say that God will not bring judgment against Christians because they are God's chosen people. They say that God loves them and that He only wants to bless them. They claim that the world's problems are a direct result of sinfulness in the "world"—But if we elect someone with "Christian values", America will be great again.
They have forgotten that God is the one who exalts leaders into office: (Psalm 75:7; Daniel 2:21) So what if, because we have turned our back on God and instead placed our trust in man and rejected any attempt by those He sent to call us back, God also removes His protection from us?
There are many today who cry out, "God bless America!" But how can God bless America when we allow children to be beaten, raped and killed? How can God bless America when we refuse to allow our children to pray and criminalize those who do? How can God bless America when we ignore the suffering of the poor and destitute while we indulge ourselves on the luxuries we have accumulated for ourselves.
William Booth embarked upon his ministerial career in 1852, desiring to win the lost multitudes of England to Christ. He walked the streets of London to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to the poor, the homeless, the hungry, and the destitute. Booth abandoned the conventional concept of a church and a pulpit, instead taking his message to the people.
He once related a vision he had concerning the lost. He saw a dark and stormy ocean. In that ocean he saw myriads of poor human beings plunging and floating, shouting and shrieking, cursing and struggling and drowning. But what puzzled him most was the fact that although all of them had been rescued at one time or another from the ocean, nearly everyone no longer seemed troubled by those who were downing—nor did they even seem to care about the poor perishing ones who were struggling and drowning right before their very eyes—many of whom were their own husbands and wives, brothers and sisters and even their own children!
The primary aim of the Salvation Army was not to provide charity, but to win souls from the devil. Booth stated that "what was important was not whether a man died in the poorhouse but if his soul was saved." ('The Salvationist in a Secular Society'— p29)
And yet today the Salvation Army is a human organization more interested in the needs of the flesh, rather than the needs of the soul. Is it possible that God had given William Booth a vision of the "future" Salvation Army and Christianity as a whole?
The Church today reminds me of a poem I read years ago written by Howard Clinebell:
On a dangerous seacoast where shipwrecks often occurred, there was once a crude lifesaving station. The building wasn't much more than a small hut, and there was only one boat. But the few devoted members kept a constant watch over the sea, and with no thought of themselves, went out night and day tirelessly searching for the lost.
Many lives were saved by this wonderful little station. So much so that it became famous for its rescue efforts. Some of those who were saved and various others in the surrounding area wanted to become associated with the station and give of their time and money for the support of its work. New boats were purchased and donated to the station and crews were trained to improve the rescue operations of the station.
As the little lifesaving station grew some of the members were unhappy that the building itself was so crude and poorly equipped. They felt that a more comfortable place should be provided for those who were rescued from the sea. So the members raised funds for the station and replaced the emergency cots with beds and placed better furniture in an enlarged building.
Soon the lifesaving station became a popular gathering place for its members. They decorated it beautifully and furnished it so exquisitely that it became sort of a club. The lifesaving station's logo still prevailed on the wall above the fireplace and its name was still used to raise funds, but fewer members were now interested in going out to sea on lifesaving missions. They even hired lifeboat crews to do the work that they used to do themselves.
About this time a large ship was wrecked off the coast and the hired crews brought in boatloads of cold, wet, and half drowned people. These people were dirty and sick. And some of them were foreigners who couldn't speak English. The beautiful club was thrown into chaos. The property committee immediately had a shower built outside the club building with an attached closet filled with clean clothes so that the victims of shipwrecks could be cleaned up and dressed properly before coming inside.
At the next club meeting there was a split in the membership. Most of the members wanted to stop the club's lifesaving activities because it was unpleasant and a hindrance to the normal social structure of the club. Some members insisted that the lifesaving operations were the primary reason for them being there and pointed out that they were still called a lifesaving station. The latter were finally voted down and were told that if they wanted to save the lives of all the various kinds of people who were shipwrecked in those waters they could start their own lifesaving station further down the coast. That's exactly what they did.
As the years went by, the new station experienced the same changes that had occurred in the old one. It evolved into a club and later another lifesaving station was founded.
History continues to repeat itself and if you visit that seacoast today you will find a number of exclusive clubs along its shores. Shipwrecks are frequent in those waters, but sadly, most of the people there drown.
"But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth…But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." (2 Timothy 3:1-7, 14-15)
Why the homeless don't like Christians
Posted: November 3, 2015 in Christian Living, homelessness
Tags: christian music, christianity, Christians, church, community, economy, God, Gospel, homelessness, Jesus, Low Income, poverty, religion, salvation
Most homeless people have already heard about Jesus. And most of them like Jesus. They just don't care too much for Christians. Why is that? Because many of them believe Christians are unloving, mean, angry, hateful, bigoted, homophobic, judgmental and hypocritical. Who of us would want to join up with any group that met those descriptions?
There are many wonderful ministries that focus on the needs of the homeless. And I believe that Christians SHOULD help the homeless in practical ways, whenever they have the means and the ability to do so.
Sadly, however, there are many Christians, whether they are church-based or acting on their own, that fall short when it comes to ministering to the homeless.
Many have been taught to believe that the homeless are either lazy, mentally ill, and/or addicted to drugs and alcohol, and therefore are homeless by choice.
But the homeless are people just like us—sin-stained, fallible human beings who will either spend eternity with God and his saints, or be destroyed with the devil and the rest of the wicked.
So many Christians today feel that they need to evangelize the homeless—That it's up to them to save these wretched souls. I know that this may sound unscriptural to many, but nothing could be further from the truth!
Jesus told his disciples to go into the world and make DISCIPLES of all nations. He did not tell them to go into the world and evangelize all nations. It is God who draws all men unto himself by his Holy Spirit.
So many times I have witnessed Christians stand behind a pulpit at a homeless shelter and tell the people there a story of how Jesus has blessed them in so many ways, and if they would just accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior, he would set them free from the bondage of drugs and alcohol and sin.
This has almost always failed to convince people to follow Jesus because you will come across as having a "big me, little you" attitude. Besides, many of those "wretched sinners" are not there because they want to listen to you—They are there because they want the meal that comes afterward.
If you're going to share the gospel with the homeless, know that many of them are more wise, more spiritual and more content than you are. The best way to share the gospel with people, (homeless or not) is to become Jesus for them.
I remember in my own early days of "evangelizing" the homeless that I met a man living in a homeless shelter who was dressed rather shabbily. After sharing the gospel with him, he explained that he was already a believer and had a full time job. I asked him, "If you have a full-time job and a car why do you live here at the homeless shelter?" His answer both humbled and shamed me. He said that he wanted to live at the shelter so that he could get to know the people there so he could better minister to their needs. This man sacrificed the comfort of his own home in order to be Jesus to those around him and caused me to repent of my shameful indifference and prejudice!
Our job is not to be the Holy Spirit to the homeless. And it is not our job to save them. Almost none of these folks go to church. The church has not been kind and loving to them in their opinion. In their hour of need, whether it was when a family member who was gravely ill or died, or when they lost their job, or when they lost their home, or even when they ended up on the street, the church was not there for them. The church was too busy sitting in a building singing praise songs and listening to sermons.
We're not selling soap, insurance, or vacuum cleaners! So try to love people and build friendships and relationships with them. THAT is how we reach people.
Our job is only to speak the truth in love. That's what Jesus did. There is nowhere in the New Testament where Jesus spoke down to sinners. In fact, he welcomed them with open arms. It was the religious people of his day that had a problem with the drunkards and prostitutes that surrounded him.
Awaken from your slumber, church!
Awaken and walk among the people of this world. Touch them, hug them, love them. Share the love of Jesus with them, that they may see the real Jesus—Not the Jesus they think they know. You are the church. For many of these people, you are the only church, the only Bible, the only truth they will hear. And for them, you are the hands and feet of Jesus.
And remember, just as you are Jesus to them, they are also Jesus to you.
Posted: September 25, 2015 in child abuse, Christian Living, homelessness, Music & Videos, Saving Children
Tags: christianity, Christians, community, God, Good Samaritan, Gospel, Homeless Youth, homelessness, human trafficking, Hunger, Jesus, joblessness, Old Testament Law, poverty, religion, salvation, theology, TORAH, unbelievers
Recently I had posted an article on Face Book with the intent to bring awareness of the fact that many children and young people in the United States are trapped in the human sex trafficking trade and how organizations such as Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.) https://ourrescue.org that use undercover teams of former CIA and Special Ops personnel go into the darkest corners of the world to help local law enforcement rescue enslaved children and dismantle the criminal networks.
I was a bit disturbed and amazed when a Christian left a response to my post voicing his opinion that he does not believe that Christians should have anything to do with trying to help those who are caught up in the world's evil because we belong to the kingdom of God and nothing we (Christians) do will ever change the evil that remains in the world.
He ended his response by insinuating that anyone who tries to help those who are caught up in the world's problems, (poverty, homelessness, abuse) has a humanistic view of the world and is not what Jesus or the apostle Paul taught.
I have since discovered (To my dismay) that there are many Christians who believe that we should only help those who belong to the Christian faith. That when Jesus said that we are to love our neighbor, he was speaking about only our Christian neighbor—our brothers and sisters in Christ.
But what does the Bible teach about this?
In Luke 10:25-37 we read about a lawyer who tried to test Jesus asking, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus asked him, "What is written in the Law? How do you read it?" (Or how do you understand it?) The lawyer answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself." Jesus said to him, "You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live."
But the lawyer, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus then told him the parable of the good Samaritan, a story about a man who was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him for dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road and when he saw the man he passed by on the other side. Then a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side as well.
But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came to where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he gave money to the innkeeper and told him to look after him, and said, "When I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have." Jesus then asked the lawyer, "Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?" The lawyer replied, "The one who showed him mercy." And Jesus said to him, "You go, and do likewise."
So according to Jesus, EVERYONE is our neighbor. And if everyone is our neighbor, how is refusing to help someone in need when we have the power and resources to do so, showing love to our neighbor? And how is obeying Jesus by responding to the needs of the poor, the downtrodden or those caught in the trap of human sex trafficking considered to be humanism?
Mistakingly believing that loving our neighbor refers to only other believers is nothing new. It was also a problem in ancient Judaism because of the people's self-consciousness of being the chosen people and sealed in the rite of circumcision. This set Israel apart, made the people particularly loyal to their own kind, but at the same time, led to the tendency to neglect, and even condemn, those who were not Israelites. With such tendencies, it is not surprising that commandments had to be given to Israel to encourage compassion and justice for the non-Jew. Thus, Moses prescribed rites of conversion for the foreigner who wanted to eat Passover with Israel. (Exodus 12:43-49) He also commanded that some crops were to be left for the poor and the alien. (Leviticus 19:9-10)
In the New Testament period the Jews understood the biblical laws of the Old Testament that speak of neighbors as a command for special treatment of fellow Jews. Jews showed special love for fellow Jews because they were covenantally and racially bound together. There was a general social friendliness to Gentiles, but Jewish prejudice still remained. Even early Christianity showed a similar kind of "prejudiced love". (Gal 6:10)
Jesus sought to expand the concept of "neighbor" to include non-Jews and even unbelievers. This was clearly challenging to many in Judaism as well as the early Church. Jewish practice had come to the general conviction that a "neighbor, " in purely legal terms, was a Jew or proselyte to Judaism. For Jesus, a neighbor was anyone with whom you came into contact with—whether Jew, Samaritan, Gentile—or even pagan!
This profound parable of the good Samaritan, with its teaching on the importance of showing love for anyone within one's reach, along with Jesus' command to love one's enemies (Matthew 5:43-48) and his love for Gentiles, (as in the case of the Roman Centurion—Matthew 8:5-13) Samaritans, (as in the case of the woman at the well—John 4:1-26) became foundational for the early Church's missionary efforts and for interpersonal relationships within the largely non-Jewish churches of Paul. Paul urged the Galatians to love their neighbors as themselves and here the implication is that it involved both Jewish and Gentile Christians (Galatians 5:14) and we find in Luke 6:27 an emphasis on loving one's enemy, (Meaning Jew, Gentile, or pagan) and doing good to them.
There are other Bible verses that confirm this:
Philippians 2:4 – Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Proverbs 19:17 – Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.
Matthew 5:42 – Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.
Romans 15:1- We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Allison Stevens wrote a very good article for the Daily Bread website concerning this subject in which she stated:
Jesus' entire adult life was characterized by a deep concern for the spiritual condition of the nonbeliever. He saw them as desperately lost, and His heart was broken because of that. His compassionate purpose for their well-being was deep-rooted, and He showed this concern specifically in the way He met them where they lived, fed them, taught them, and healed them. (Matthew 9:9-11; Mark 1:33-34)
The example Jesus set for us is to build relationships with people who don't yet know Him. When we meet a person who has not yet experienced God's saving grace, we are to have the heart of Jesus and extend a helping hand at their point of need. If they are thirsty, we can give them a cup of water; if they're hungry, we can feed them. (See Matthew 25:35-40)
Let's not forget that Jesus came to our rescue when we were lost. So now, out of gratitude and love, we can find opportunities to do what we can to help others who are separated from God. Isolating ourselves from sinners misses the point of sharing the good news of Jesus, and it feeds into a self-righteous attitude.
I think it's clear that we, in countless ways and opportunities, can and should reach out to non-Christian people. We can show them love by offering them a meal, a job, or friendship, and most importantly, we can introduce them to Jesus, the Savior of our souls.
My heart grieves for my neighbors who don't know the joy that is available to them through Jesus. I believe that we can do much more to be Jesus' hands and feet to those who are lost and alone in this world.
Anti-Abortion or Pro-Life—Is There A Difference?
Posted: August 5, 2015 in child abuse, Christian Living, politics, Saving Children
Tags: abortion, Cecile Richards, child abuse, christianity, Christians, church, community, fetal body parts, God, Jesus, Nazi experiments, Parenthood, Planned Parenthood, politicians, poverty, pro-life, religion, theology
Many were shocked to discover through some recently released undercover videos that Planned Parenthood may be involved in harvesting fetal body parts for profit. This has led to an outrage among abortion opponents and congress considering defunding Planned Parenthood.
This should be no surprise to those who are familiar with Scripture. For the Bible teaches us that Satan is "the ruler of this world ". (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; 2 Corinthians 4:4) He is the thief that comes only to steal and kill and destroy. (John 10:10) And those who follow him will do the same.
Cecile Richards, the president of Planned Parenthood, made the following statement on a video she made defending its practice of harvesting fetal body parts. *Note that Planned Parenthood has denied selling fetal body parts for a profit, which is against federal law, but they DO admit to harvesting those fetal body parts for scientific research.
"In health care, patients sometimes want to donate tissue to scientific research that can help lead to medical breakthroughs, such as treatments and cures for serious diseases. Women at Planned Parenthood who have abortions are no different." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZUjU4e4fUI (Notice that she refers to unborn babies as "tissue")
But is that how God views the unborn—As nothing more than "tissue"?
"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them." (Psalm 139: 13-16 )
Who was in the womb? David! A literal and living person. The Bible never uses anything less than human terms to describe the unborn.
But the Bible isn't alone in declaring this truth. Science also declares that an unborn child is just as much an independent human being as you. Most organs in the embryo begin to form at about 3 weeks after fertilization. Shortly thereafter, the area that will become the brain and spinal cord begins to develop. The heart and major blood vessels begin to develop earlier—by about day 16. The heart begins to pump fluid through blood vessels by day 20, and the first red blood cells appear the next day. Blood vessels continue to develop in the embryo and placenta. Almost all organs are completely formed by about 10 weeks after fertilization. At twelve weeks, the child will often struggle for life two or three hours when removed from the mother. http://www.merckmanuals.com/home/women-s-health-issues/normal-pregnancy/stages-of-development-of-the-fetus
There have been over 50 million abortions performed since 1973, the year the Supreme Court issued the Roe v. Wade decision ushering in legal abortion nationwide. With all of the unrest and disfunction in America today, I find it hard to believe that not one of those 50 million babies would not have grown up to be someone who would lead this country back to its original greatness.
Today, Jesus could say, "America, America, you who kill the prophets and leaders sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing." (From Matthew 23:37)
Nazi Ethics and Planned Parenthood
The doctors during the Nazi regime, like Planned Parenthood, also felt that they were doing wonderful work for humanity. This raises a critical issue. The doctors in Nazi Germany took the Hippocratic Oath, yet they knowingly violated the Hippocratic principle of "do no harm".
How were they able to reconcile this glaring contradiction? To begin to address this contradiction, an examination must be made of some of the moral premises utilized. In Nazi Germany, Jews, Gypsies, the mentally and/or physically challenged and others were methodically excluded from society through a series of laws known as the Nuremberg Laws; thus making them non-persons.
These racial policies had a strong grounding in genetics and evolutionary biology. One need only look at some of the many written explanations by the Nazi government to prevent offspring with hereditary illnesses:"In the case of plants and animals cultivated by humans, care is taken to weed out the less valuable. Only the useful and valuable genetic material is preserved. That is also what nature wants through the law of selection. Should not we do the same with people? Or shall the lines of our people with hereditary illnesses overcome the healthy? That would mean the self-dissolution and destruction of the whole people, for a people that suffers from hereditary illnesses is not able to maintain itself in the great battle of selection between the peoples! http://www.qcc.cuny.edu/socialsciences/ppecorino/MEDICAL_ETHICS_TEXT/Chapter_7_Human_Experimentation/Reading-Nazi-experimentation.htm
In line with this thinking, prisoners were not viewed as human individuals, but rather as "living cultures" to be used with no consideration for their wellbeing. (Sound familiar?)
We may not all be as cruel as the Nazis, but do we view certain human beings as less human than us?
While there is no argument that Hitler abhorred the Jews and caused almost six million to be ruthlessly killed, Eleven million precious human lives were lost during the Holocaust. Five million of these were non-Jewish. Who were they? Whose children, whose mothers and fathers were they? Jehovah Witnesses, Gypsies, homosexuals, Blacks, and Catholic priests were among the forgotten five million. But how could five million human beings have been killed and forgotten?
Worse yet, is that in the post-war years, many of these survivors were never recognized as victims of the Holocaust during their lives and never lived to be repatriated, as many of the Jewish survivors and their families were.
Pro-Life or Anti-Abortion?
There are many now who claim that they are pro-life and stand in front of Planned Parenthood and abortion clinics proudly holding up their signs announcing their disgust of abortion. But are they really pro-life, or just anti-abortion?
Many of the so-called pro-life groups do little or nothing to help young girls deal with their life changing decision after they have talked them out of getting abortions. Many of these young girls who keep their babies later find out that they are unprepared to raise a child on their own. With little education, no job prospects and no understanding of raising a child, many of these poor girls end up raising their child in high poverty, high crime neighborhoods. Statistics show that in this environment, neglecting and abusing their child becomes a real possibility. http://www.nber.org/digest/jan00/w7343.html
Sadly, many of these mothers (and children) are forgotten by those who worked so hard to prevent them from having an abortion.
Fortunately, there are organizations who are truly pro-life who not only help young pregnant girls make wise decisions concerning their unborn babies, but they also advise them on the options of adoption—and if they decide to keep the baby, they counsel them on parenting, help them to get an education, find work, housing, daycare and supply them with essentials like baby clothes, bottles, cribs, etc. But those organizations are few and far between.
Abortion is wrong because reduces human life to nothing more than tissue. And harvesting body parts from an unborn murder victim, regardless of the reason, is akin to child sacrifice—innocents who are sacrificed on the altar of choice to be sold to the highest bidder.
But the Bible is also clear on what we as Christians should do when it comes to helping these vulnerable young mothers:
So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. (Gal. 6:10)
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (James 2:14-17)
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. (Phil. 2:4)
"We are confronted today with the essential question of what it means to be human," Charmaine Yoest, president of Americans United for Life says. "How we answer affects us all. This is a moral flashpoint for our country that will define our generation."
Being pro-life is more than just preventing abortions.
If you are pregnant and don't know what to do, get help at:
http://www.lifecall.org/cpc.html
If you have had an abortion, know that there is still forgiveness through Jesus.
Sam Herron: From Homelessness to Documentary Photographer
Posted: March 17, 2015 in homelessness
Tags: community, economy, homeless men and women, homelessness, Hunger, joblessness, Missions, Nebraska, photographs, Photography, poverty, Sam Herron, shelters, Street newspapers, The Heartland News
I first learned of Sam Herron on Face Book. I was impressed with his talent as a photographer. But I was even more impressed with his empathy for those he photographs—the homeless men and women who live on the streets in Omaha, Nebraska.
People might wonder how Sam gets these up-close-and-personal glimpses of homeless men and women who spend most of their lives invisible to the general public.
Sam will tell you that it's because he understands them. He understands them because he was once one of them. "Just lose your entire life," he says. "Live in your car. And you, too, can photograph the street."
Sam doesn't take pictures just to be taking pictures. He knows many of the people he photographs personally. They talk sometimes for an hour before Sam takes out his camera and asks them if he can photograph them. They tell Sam about their life on the streets, how their day is going, and Sam can relate to all of them.
Just like so many others, Sam never thought he would be in their situation. "Not me," he says. "But when I was…it changed me. And I wanted to show it."
It happened slowly at first. He lost his job. He found another job, but lost that one, too. He was jobless for a month, then two, then four. He struggled with depression and anxiety and he sometimes drank too much. Eventually, after spending his life's savings and selling most of his possessions, he realized he had nowhere to go. It was the dead of winter, right around Valentine's Day.
The first night, he parked underneath the 10th Street Bridge and shut off his car. He woke up in the morning shivering uncontrollably. His toes were numb. By the end of the first week, Sam had started to develop a routine. He would wake up in the morning, pull on one of his shirts he had carefully folded in the trunk, and drive to the Blue Line Coffee in north downtown just as it opened. Once inside, he would walk to the bathroom, lock the door, and using the sink and the soap dispenser, he would give himself what passed for a bath.
He would buy a cup of coffee, open his battered laptop computer and apply for jobs online. And then, if he had any change left, he would buy another cup of coffee and write. He wrote about his life; about his homelessness; or whatever popped into his head. In the afternoon, Sam headed to 13th Street Coffee & Tea in the Old Market and continued to apply for jobs and write on his laptop.
At night, he would go to the Rose & Crown Pub near 20th and Howard Streets. The regulars there got to know him and would buy him drinks. Everybody thought he was just an eccentric, tattooed writer who liked to drink. (This was partially true) But what they didn't know was that Sam stayed there until closing every night because it was warm.
After closing time, Sam would steer his car toward the same spot beside a church on Leavenworth Street. He would blast the heater during the drive, and then he would park and shut off the car. Each night, he would sleep with his work boots on. He would wake up at 6:30, get dressed, and start all over again. After a while, he began to wonder, "Am I ever gonna get out of this car?"
It's hard for Sam to choose his lowest point while he was in this valley, but he says it's easy to pinpoint the moment when he started climbing back out. It was the moment that he first picked up his old Canon SD 400 camera, (one of the few things he hadn't sold) and began to shoot photos of his fellow down-and-out fraternity brothers.
Sam had developed a pattern for the men he didn't know. He would offer them a cigarette and then strike up a conversation. He would tell them his story and eventually he'd ask: "Can I take your picture?"
Last year Sam hosted an exhibit at Creighton University called "Street Life Chronicles," which featured images of the homeless in Omaha. Sam said it was "soul crushing" having to relive his time on the streets. "I went to my old homeless haunts twice a day to catch the right sunlight." He recalls. "That was the easy part. Having to endlessly live out my recent past with those who still suffered was the difficult part."
Sam is doing much better now. He worked as a stand-in for Bruce Dern in Alexander Payne's movie, "Nebraska." And he picked up a few photo jobs. Then he picked up a few more. He also started his own freelance photography business.
He soon plans to work on a long-term shoot with a fashion photographer. And if things work out, he will travel to exhibit his photos at a Creighton sister university in China.
Last year Sam was nominated for Best Emerging Visual Artist by Omaha Entertainment & Arts Awards of 2014. Some of his photos were showcased during the award ceremonies at the RNG gallery in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Sam has done more than just take great photographs. He has given us a glimpse into the invisible world of the homeless community. If you look closely, you will also get a glimpse of the man behind the camera—and hopefully, see a little of yourself there too.
Sam still thinks of his companions on the street and says, "Many tonight will be in a similar situation without the benefit of an automobile to sleep in, and it's a sad fact that should give all compassionate people pause."
Our heart should reach out to all the invisible people in our city. They are someone's mother, father, brother and sister—and they are created in God's image. Remember Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." (Matthew 25:40)
"I was and continue to be exceptionally poor by some people's standards. On the other hand when compared with a large percentage of the planet, I'm suffering from an embarrassment of riches." – Sam Herron
© Ipso Facto Photography – by Sam Herron – used by permission
You can contact Sam at— https://www.facebook.com/samuelherron
More stories like this can be found in The Heartland News Street Newspaper. The Heartland News primarily addresses issues related to poverty and homelessness and is distributed by poor or homeless venders. Venders sell the paper for a set price, (usually $1.00) and keep the money they make. For many, this gives them the opportunity for a first small step toward independence and permanent housing.
To donate contact:
The Heartland News 4001 Ames Ave, Omaha, Ne. 68111.


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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange