We all go through our problems. We all think that life is beating us down and we dont want to continue with our day. We all need to remember that there are people that have it worse than we do and they persevere and do amazing things. Tony Melendez, rats off to ya!
Richard I will miss you! You were a great friend to me. You always made me feel welcomed. When I came into work and saw you there I knew the night was going to be ok. Talking with you about the Atlanta Braves and the Florida Gators helped me forget everything that was goin on around me. I will never forget sitting on the fence with you at Mossy Headz and just talking for hours about the world and the people we love. You had many names, "The Dude", "The Godfather", "mentor", "Brother", "Daddy", but most of all "Friend". Thank you for being a great, open minded, loving, pure soul. You touched many lives and you will never be forgotten. In your own words brother....Peace out!
July 30, 1953 � July 20, 2008. Richard, an icon to some, was 54 years young when he completed his life's journey peacefully in his home surrounded by family and friends. For 30 years he was Fort Walton's favorite evening "counselor" at Docie's Dock in Staff's Restaurant. He never met a stranger and was a mentor to young and old alike. He will be greatly missed not only by his family and friends, but also by those "clients" whose lives he touched. Richard was born in Victoria, Texas, to the Air Force family of Robert and June Hubeli, both of whom preceded him in death. As a child, traveling the world with his family provided him with rich memories and instilled in him a love for travel and a zest for life. After his family was stationed at Hurlburt Field in 1965, Rich found his home and settled here in Fort Walton Beach. Like so many of us, he loved the beaches, the Gulf, and the innumerable recreation activities that this area provides. Yet, it was his multitude of friends that endeared him most to the area. Richard loved music! He was absolutely in his element attending a wide range of concerts, but he had a real soft spot for blues and jazz. Naturally, New Orleans filled this musical void and was one of Richard's favorite places to be. Richard is survived by his daughter, Micah (alias "Summer Wind"), of whom he never missed an opportunity to speak of her accomplishments academically as well as athletically. She was his pride and joy as well as his favorite "Snuggle Buddy," and she afforded him numerous proud moments. Further, he is survived by his ex-wife, Cathy Race Hubeli, principal of Wright Elementary where Richard spent every Tuesday mentoring several fourth and fifth grade students. Other survivors include his brother, Robert Hubeli; and his sister, Laurie Hawkins. Rich loved being a big brother, providing his siblings with advice as well as his infamous quick wit and frequent ribbings. Robert's and Laurie's families loved Uncle Rich's antics. Robert's family - wife, Cathy, and his twin daughters, Haley and Heather - live in Mount Holly, N.C. Laurie's family - husband Jesse, and her children, Dakota and Jessica - live in Adkins, Texas. His contributions to the community included mentoring at Wright Elementary School, membership in the local Elk's Lodge, and a supporter of the Okaloosa County All Sports Organization. Richard's family and friends greatly appreciate the loving care given by the Niceville Red Team of Covenant Hospice. Without their care, his final days would not have been as peaceful and dignified. In addition, his family would like to express their thanks to the multitude of Richard's friends that helped care for him morning and night in order to fulfill his wish of finishing his final days at home.
Here is a fascinating story I found on brickbat about how batman is gay. I tell you what christians these days have nothing to do but kill our childhood memories. Everybody is gay and everybody is going to hell. If there is a "God" or a "Jesus" I wish he would come down here and take them all back with him, so we can live a peaceful life down here. Maybe the reason "he" has not come back is because "he" does not want to be around them either.
Rumour has it that Laura Bush is seeking a divorce from ol' G.W. after presidency is over. Apparently George is feeling very sad and does not want Laura to leave him. Guess he should not have gone to Condi's office for so many late night snacks.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi finally found her balls and released this statement supporting Tom Lantos and Henry Hyde Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act '08. The bill passed the House yesterday by a vote of 303 to 115. Now lets hope the President will do the right thing and put his john hancock on it.
"Today the House took an historic vote to pass landmark legislation to reauthorize our initiatives to fight infectious diseases in the developing world.
"I thank the Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Howard Berman and Congresswoman Barbara Lee for their tremendous leadership on this legislation.
"This bill is appropriately named the Tom Lantos and Henry Hyde U.S. Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act.
"Under the leadership of Tom Lantos and Henry Hyde, we passed the first President's Emergency Program for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) legislation that authorized $15 billion over five years. Today, we honor their legacy with this legislation.
"Working together with the Bush Administration and the Appropriations Committee, we succeeded in providing life-saving anti-retroviral treatment to nearly 1.5 million people, supporting care for nearly 6.7 million people, including nearly 3 million orphans and vulnerable children, and supporting prevention of more than 150,000 infant infections.
"Now we must take the next step in fighting infectious diseases in the poorest countries of the world.
"The legislation Congress has passed will move us from the emergency phase to the sustainability phase in fighting AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. It will authorize $48 billion over five years to provide life-saving HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention for men, women, and children in the poorest countries of the world.
"The legislation will dramatically strengthen health care delivery systems, encourage new and innovative ways to deliver the ABC prevention message, improve relationships with governments and NGOs, eliminate the requirement that one third of the funding be used for abstinence programs, eliminate the travel ban for visitors who are HIV positive, improve services for women and girls, and build stronger linkages to health care and hunger initiatives.
"Few crises have called out more for sustained, constructive America leadership.
"Across the developing world, the HIV/AIDS pandemic has destroyed the very fabric of nations, devastated the most productive members of these societies, discouraged economic development, and orphaned 13 million children.
"The Leadership Against HIV/AIDS Act is our compact with developing nations across the globe. It says that America stands with them in this fight, that our commitment will not waver, and shows them America's true face of compassion."
Dolly made land fall in South Padre Island at 1:00 this afternoon as a cat 2, with sustained winds of 100 mph gusting to 120 mph. Shattering windows and Ripping apart apartment buildings. Rainfall has already hit more than 10 inches expecting up to 20 inches.
More updates to come.
update..
Eye will soon pass over Padre Island. North side of eye, the worst part of the eye is gone. Now its time to watch for tornados and hail. Here are some personal videos i have found.
UPDATE: 2:01 Hurricane Dolly moving slowing now a Cat 1. Still spinning out tornados and major flooding. Storm surge now up to 8 to 10 feet. Winds blowing about 74 mph.
There IS hope for all that might be different. The hate law that outlawed people that had HIV to travel to America, which prohibited HIV patients to travel in and out of the U.S. to get treatment, was repealed today.
I love curious george but this video is just fucking racist. Its very funny though. I would have to say that this guys is about a smart as a bowl of mice. I dont belive he has one fact right. I think I am probably scared for life having seen the beloved curious george's ass. I was afraid that redneck was going to make him squeal like a pig. SQUEAL FOR ME MONKEY, SQUEAL!
This is the first time I have heard of anything like this. I would like to thank John Kerry and Gordon Smith for trying to abolish this hate law. Rats off to ya guys!
John Kerry and Gordon Smith Wednesday, June 25, 2008
There are approximately 32 million people outside of the United States living with HIV/AIDS. Since 2003, America has extended a helping hand to these individuals by spending more than $15 billion on the largest international health commitment ever to fight a single disease. Unfortunately, as we open our wallets to fund lifesaving treatments to those living with HIV/AIDS overseas, we will not open our doors.
Today, HIV is the only medical condition that renders people inadmissible to the United States. In fact, we are just one of 12 countries that prohibit, almost without exception, HIV-positive non-citizens from entering the country (China has recently overturned its ban). This policy places the United States in the same company as Sudan, Russia, Libya and Saudi Arabia.
We are proud to have introduced the HIV Nondiscrimination in Travel and Immigration Act to overturn this unfair policy.
There is no excuse for a law that goes out of its way to stigmatize a particular disease and separate parents from children, sisters from brothers, and people of all stripes from their work, travel and dreams of a better life.
We are glad that President Bush wants to weaken the ban - but we should simply strike it from the books so that HIV is considered like any other infectious disease. Our bill has been included in the Senate version of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) reauthorization bill and we hope that this legislation passes and is signed into law so we can finally get rid of this outdated policy.
The law we seek to overturn first came into being back in 1987, when a deadly, explosive epidemic spawned a climate of fear and ignorance that got the better of many well-intentioned people. A sense that HIV/AIDS was a dangerous disease that belonged exclusively to others - to people from another continent or those who practice a different lifestyle - hardened into a bunker mentality.
But in 2008, we know better. HIV is transmitted through sex or needle-sharing - not the casual contact that might lead a government to aggressively restrict movement. We have known better for years - which is why then-Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton also supported overturning the ban.
There is no just cause for treating those with HIV-AIDS as modern-day lepers, and many of us personally know at least one of the 1 million HIV-positive Americans who rise above the stigma of their disease to lead long and productive lives.
Laws denying freedom of movement to the HIV-positive aren't just immoral - they also hurt our ability to fight and understand the disease. The International AIDS Society, one of the most important groups dedicated to combating HIV/AIDS has held its last two biannual conferences in Canada and Mexico because it desperately wants American scientists to attend, but too many of its researchers and panelists cannot enter the country. Being able to host conferences like these is a crucial factor in - and an important symbol of - leading the world's fight against HIV/AIDS.
We have come a long way and we are proud of that. It wasn't that long ago when the name of this disease was rarely uttered in public. Today, the current president doesn't just talk about fighting HIV/AIDS, but works with Congress to put another $30 billion behind America's words.
Actions matter. Leading by example in the fight against HIV/AIDS has left millions in the developing world grateful to America for our life-saving help.
It's time we sent the same message by finally ending our needlessly discriminatory laws penalizing those with HIV/AIDS.
Sen. John Kerry is a Democrat from Massachusetts. Sen. Gordon Smith is a Republican from Oregon.
John McCain said the other day that only man-and-lady-style couples should be allowed to adopt, and now he is saying something different! Of course, because he is a politician, he is obliged to declare that he has been “perfectly clear” on this issue all along.
So here is what he said first, as reported a couple days ago in that racy New York rag (read by many homosexuals):
“I think that we’ve proven that both parents are important in the success of a family so, no, I don’t believe in gay adoption.”
And then here is what Jill Hazelbaker, his Director of Communications, said today via Andrew Sullivan:
McCain could have been clearer in the interview in stating that his position on gay adoption is that it is a state issue, just as he made it clear in the interview that marriage is a state issue. He was not endorsing any federal legislation.
McCain’s expressed his personal preference for children to be raised by a mother and a father wherever possible. However, as an adoptive father himself, McCain believes children deserve loving and caring home environments, and he recognizes that there are many abandoned children who have yet to find homes. McCain believes that in those situations that caring parental figures are better for the child than the alternative.
Lobbyist, Stephen Payne, was interviewed by an undercover investigator of The Sunday Times the other day. He made out to be an interpreter for an Asian politician that wanted to meet with our wonderful President G.W.
Stephen Payne, who sits on the US homeland security advisory council, showed no reluctance in asking for money. It was pretty much just like this. "You want to meet with the president? I want three quartes of a million dollars donated to the George W Bush library."
Oh, but get this, only a third of the money will be donated to the library. The other part of the money will go to his company Worldwide Strategic Partners (WSP). Or should I say it will be going into his crooked, dirty, little pockets?
This is the kind of people that we have running Washington. They are only in it for the money and have no love for our country. This man, Stephen Payne, is one of the worst human beings on the face of the planet. His name should be added to the no flight list. I would like to see him water-boarded. We as a country are not for sale and neither should our president.
Don't think that this only happened during the Bush administration. It is a very common phenomenon. Only this time it was caught on tape. Now our suspicions have been confirmed.
Unlike campaign donations, there is no requirement to disclose the donors to the libraries, no limit on the amount that can be pledged and no restrictions on foreigners contributing. So it has been very hard to bring this despicable act out in the light.
Here are some of the things Payne said.
"The exact budget I will come up with, but it will be somewhere between $600,000 and $750,000, with about a third of it going directly to the Bush library,”.
“Cheney’s possible, definitely the national security adviser [Stephen Hadley], definitely either Dr Rice or . . . I think a meeting with Dr Rice or the deputy secretary [John Negroponte] is possible . . . "
“The main thing is that he [the Asian politician] comes, and he’s well received, that he meets with high-level people . . . and we send positive statements made back from the administration about ‘This guy wasn’t such a bad guy, many people have done worse’
Here is a copy of the video. Take a look at how he sits and talks. This man is suppost to be representing America. What a sad day for us all.
American brewer Anheuser-Busch has agreed to be bought by Belgium-based company InBev, in a £25bn deal.
But some US politicians have expressed anger at the prospect of a foreign takeover.
Anheuser makes Budweiser, which is seen as the traditional American beer.
InBev, which makes Stella and Beck's, agreed to pay $70 per share for the maker of Budweiser, up from its original unsolicited bid of $65 per share.
The deal, which is widely expected to be approved by regulators, would be the biggest in the industry and the third-largest ever foreign takeover of a US company.
Anheuser's home town of St. Louis, Missouri, will be the headquarters for the North American region and the global home of the flagship Budweiser brand.
The companies said all of Anheuser US breweries would remain open.
The combined firm will have about $36.4 billion in annual net sales and brew about a quarter of the world's beer.
The brewing industry is undergoing a wave of consolidation.
Scottish & Newcastle has agreed to be broken up by Carlsberg and Heineken, and SABMiller and Molson Coors Brewing have agreed to merge their US operations.
(Memphis, Tenn) - The National Civil Rights Museum will display, Wounded in America exhibition that focuses on survivors’ memories of gun violence as it occurs from the southern region of Alabama to the northern area of Brooklyn. The recent spate of gun violence in Memphis makes this exhibition especially topical and regrettably a mirror onto our own community.
The casualness of many images in this riveting exhibition of black and white photographs are a stark contrast to the accompanying text panels that tell individual stories – oral histories – in vivid detail of the survivors’ experience. Individuals featured in the this documentary project represent all types of Americans including innocent bystanders, victims of hate crimes, gang members, police officers, children, the elderly, men and women, and diehard gun owners.
If you get the chance go to the "Wounded In America" web sight. No matter if you hate or love guns, the stories along with the pictures will keep you captivated for hours.
Here is just one.
I was wondering what was wrong with my legs
Damon: "It was Halloween. I had signed with Southern Illinois University on a basketball scholarship and we had a five day break so I went to Alabama with a buddy. I'm from Indianapolis and I'd never seen a 93 degree Halloween night before; I was in awe. We were there just four hours. We were staying with an old lady and she had me wash her ceilings because I was six feet eight inches tall. After that I went to the van to get my bag and my hair clippers, I was getting ready to take a shower and change, we were supposed to step out to a nightclub. I was in the driver's seat of the van and I had the driver's door open. I turned and saw three people. I looked at their faces and glanced down and I saw that the one in the middle had a gun. He shot and I slumped. He reached in and snatched my necklace off and he continued to shoot at my cousin who was also in the van.
"As soon as I got shot I was wondering what was wrong with my legs. I was thinking, man, they're trying to kill me down here. It all happened in the blink of an eye. I would have given them whatever they wanted if they'd asked, but they shot first.
I thought I was going to heal up overnight
"When I woke up I was in a helicopter on my way to the University of Alabama. I was shot one time in my left side. I was put into a medicated coma for two weeks because my left lung collapsed, the bullet had pierced my lung and lodged next to my spinal column. I had a tracheotomy, but considering my injury I healed pretty fast because I was in good shape. I wasn't able to talk for close to three months but I was thinking. I thought I was going to heal up overnight, that they were going to give me a shot or something, and then the reality started to settle in, it's going to be longer than I expected. I started to think about what I was going to do with my life, if I could have kids. I went from weighing 250 pounds to 160 pounds. A simple robbery, life changing; now I'm in a wheel chair.
"That same year I'd had a few professional basketball agents trying to get me to leave school early, but I chose to stay in school. Now in 2002 I'm just going back to school after my injury in 1996. I had to make sure I was physically strong enough and mentally ready, confident. I need forty-one hours to get my business degree.
I try to open their eyes
"This year I'm on the Indiana Pacers Wheelchair Basketball Team; it was a big step getting back on the court sitting down. I still have a lot of pain in my back and my legs; I look at the pain as part of my healing process. I'm still confident that one day I will get up.
"I work with Think First and Scared Stiff, we speak on brain and spinal cord injury prevention and against violence. We teach kids about life and dealing with injuries and about stereotypes like being in a wheel chair. I try to open their eyes about taking advantage of what they have now because they never know what the future has in store."
SANA’A, April 9 - An eight-year-old girl decided last week to go the Sana’a West Court to prosecute her father, who forced her to marry a 30-year-old man.
According to Yemeni law, Nojoud cannot prosecute, as she is underage. However, court judge Muhammed Al-Qathi heard her complaint and subsequently ordered the arrests of both her father and husband.
“My father beat me and told me that I must marry this man, and if I did not, I would be raped and no law and no sheikh in this country would help me. I refused but I couldn’t stop the marriage,” Nojoud Nasser told the Yemen Times. “I asked and begged my mother, father, and aunt to help me to get divorced. They answered, ‘We can do nothing. If you want you can go to court by yourself.’ So this is what I have done,” she said.
“He used to do bad things to me, and I had no idea as to what a marriage is. I would run from one room to another in order to escape, but in the end he would catch me and beat me and then continued to do what he wanted. I cried so much but no one listened to me. One day I ran away from him and came to the court and talked to them.”
“Whenever I wanted to play in the yard he beat me and asked me to go to the bedroom with him. This lasted for two months," added Nasser. "He was too tough with me, and whenever I asked him for mercy, he beat me and slapped me and then used me. I just want to have a respectful life and divorce him.”
“Yes I was intimate with her, but I have done nothing wrong, as she is my wife and I have the right and no one can stop me," he said. "But if the judge or other people insist that I divorce her, I will do it, it’s ok.”
Shatha Ali Nasser confirmed that item number 15 in Yemeni civil law reads that “no girl or boy can get married before the age of 15." However, this item was amended in 1998 so parents could make a contract of marriage between their children even if they are under the age of 15.
Because of the laws set in Yemen the husband will not be prosecuted. Instead the family must pay him over 200 dollars.
Jesse Jackson decided to act like he was back in middle school and attack Obama. This is why I have never liked Jesse. He is a horrible person that will stab you in your back every chance he gets. Even his son ,Jesse Jackson JR, said he was "deeply outraged and disappointed in Rev. Jackson's reckless statements about Sen. Barack Obama."
New York's Chrysler Building, the Art Deco icon that helps define the New York skyline, was bought by an Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund, the second purchase of a Manhattan landmark by Middle East investors in as many months.
The skyscraper at 405 Lexington Ave., the world's tallest building until 1931, was acquired yesterday by the Abu Dhabi Investment Council for an undisclosed price. Last month a Dubai fund, Boston Properties Inc. and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. paid $2.8 billion for the General Motors Building.
Abu Dhabi, Kuwait and other Persian Gulf countries flush with oil revenue have taken advantage of falling prices to invest in real estate and financial companies around the world. Middle Eastern investors have spent $1.8 billion this year on commercial property in the U.S., more than other international buyers, according to Real Capital Analytics Inc., a New York-based property research firm.
``We're sending our money their way'' to purchase oil, ``and that money is coming back and buying our assets,'' said Dan Fasulo, market analysis director at Real Capital.
Abu Dhabi is the largest of the seven sheikdoms that make up the United Arab Emirates.
This hit me a little wierd, so I decided to share the story with you, to see what you thought. This building is apart of American history and I belive it should belong to America. At least we know this building will not be flown into.
Completed in 1930, the Chrysler Building is a distinctive symbol of New York City, standing 1,048 feet (319 m) high on the east side of Manhattan at the intersection of 42nd Street and Lexington Avenue. Originally built for the Chrysler Corporation. The Chrysler Building was the first structure in the world to surpass the 1,000 foot (305 m) threshold. Despite being overtaken by the Empire State Building as the tallest building in the world during the 1930s, the Chrysler Building is still the tallest brick building in the world.
Anybody that has ever seen a Gus Van Sant movie will tell you that it's shot beautifully. "Gerry" is no exception. As a matter of fact, it is exceptionally beautiful. The long shots of the desert along with the simple elegant music will capture your mind within minutes of watching.
Two best friends drive along a desert highway looking for a hiking path. Once found, they procede to get out the car with no food or water. That should not be a problem: the hike is no that long. As they walk along the path they stop to pee and let others pass them. Instead of following along the path set out for them they take another route, thinking that all paths will lead in the same direction. Bad mistake.
After walking for what seems to the audience to be miles, they stop, lay down, and say fuck it, lets go back.
They start off back in the direction they thought was the one they came from. After many more miles, they start getting worried. Seeing nothing that resembled the path they were on, they decide to take a higher path along the mountains, hoping to see the road they came from. Here is where the long beautiful shots come in, accompanied with the simple strokes of a piano key.
Finally, they reach the top. Much to their dismay, they see nothing; no road, no path, no people. Days pass. No water. No food. No way in sight.
"Gerry" has very little dialogue and does not need it. The parts played by Casey Affleck and Matt Damon where fantastic. Their faces and their bodies accompanied by Gus Van Sant's eye for the camera told the audience much more than words could ever.
If you love independent films, "Gerry" is a must see. It tells a story of perseverance and friendship. How far would you go for a friend?
"Gerry" is one of three films by Gus Van Sant's that make up his "Death Trilogy". The others being "Elephant" and "last Days". "Gerry" centers on death at the hands of one's best friend.
"Gerry" was written by Casey Affleck, Mat Damon and Gus Van Sant. Starred Casey Affleck and Mat Damon. Film Editing by Casey Affleck, Matt Damon and Gus Van Sant. Directed by Gus Van Sant.
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