MICHAEL WEBSTER: Syndicated Investigative Reporter. Feb 23, 2009 at 8:30 PM PST. AP Photo of relatives mourning members of Mexico’s army who authorities found decapitated. Mexico’s unbelievable record breaking level of violent war deaths are piling up as casualties of Mexico’s on going so called civil war continues. Many Mexicans now believe that there is a civil war going on in their country. These killings in Mexico are reveled by no country even other countries with active war zones such as Iraq and Afghanistan. Thousands of people died in what the Mexican Government calls drug-related violence last year as Mexican Drug Cartels (MDC’s) and trained enforcer gangs fought each other, the Mexican Army and Mexico’s security forces. In the last 54 days in Mexico there have been over one thousand violent killings by both warring groups, the Mexican Army and the Mexican Drug Cartels. Border protesters told this reporter that the MDC’s claim they are dedicated to overthrowing the current Calderon government and the government is hiding the true Mexican army death totals. Many Mexican troops have been killed by direct confrontations with MDC’s paramilitary forces many more than the Calderon administration is willing to admit. Hundreds of Mexicans last week, blocked roads and bridges in Mexican cities bordering the United States from the Gulf of Mexico (Matamoros) to the Pacific Ocean (Tijuana) and protested by marching in the northern city of Monterrey in a series of demonstrations that police say are organized and funded by MDC’s. Mexican President Felipe Calderon condemned those public protests against his army-backed drug war, saying they were cowardly acts orchestrated by the warring MDC’s. Recently there have been intense counter attacks by the Mexican Army against the MDC’s forces, raising the intensity in the civil war against Mexico’s organized resistant protesters. According to the largest Mexican newspaper El Universal the death count so far this year is 1,003 violent murders related to the war on narcotrafficing. This is an average of 19 per day. Last year, the 1,000 mark was not reached until much later in the year in April and the year before, after mid-year. Half of these killings happened in the state of Chihuahua and over 75 percent in the most violent city in Mexico, Cd. Juarez Mexico’s 3rd largest city just across the border from El Paso Texas. Juarez Police Chief and Public Safety Secretary Roberto Orduna Cruz, left, resigned on Friday during a news conference with Juarez Mayor Jose Reyes Ferriz. At right is Juarez city official Guillermo Dowell. (Photo courtesy of Juarez city government) The Director of Public Security in Cd. Juarez, resigned his post under organized threats that the assassination of his police officers would continue until he steps down. Roberto Orduño said he could not allow his men, who work to defend the country, continue to lose their lives. The bodies of two recently murdered law officers had been found with narco-messages warning that this would happen to at least one police officer every 48 hours until Orduña resigned. Sunday Chihuahua Gov. Jose Reyes Baeza Terrazas’ bodyguards where attacked and one was killed. It is reported that the attack came from the MDC’s enforcers the Zetas. Mexican authorities are investigating. The Chihuahua Gov. and his family are under protection of government forcers and their location is unknown. As this article was being written this reporter learned that death threats against Juarez Mayor Jose Reyes Ferriz surfaced and Mayor Ferriz immediately with armed Mexican body guards escorted him and his family to the relative safety of the bordering city of El Paso, where El Paso police and county sheriff’s are believed providing heavily armed combat ready law enforcement protection. Earlier at least ten more people were killed in different attacks in the past few hours in Cd. Juarez. The most recent wave of killings began late Saturday and extended into late Sunday night. All of the attacks were believed carried out by trained MDC’s Para-military forces according to authorities in Juarez. According to official figures, so far this year, over 360 people have been killed by MDC’s forces in the State of Chihuahua alone. Many believe that the war began when the Calderon administration launched a military campaign to combat spiraling drug violence in Mexico. Over 45, 000 troops and federal police were sent to cities in Mexico, many on the U. S. Mexican border. Since than thousands of people in Mexico have died as a result of both the military’s action and the MDC’s and their gangs fighting each other, the Mexican Army and Mexico’s security forces. The Mexican people are being used by the MDC’s who are winning many of the people over to their cause by hiring and training Mexico’s very poor young men to fight for them against the Mexican government forces and paying them up to $600. 00 USD per week. This is a lot of money to pay the very poor and they are responding by the thousands. The MDC’s are reported to also be recruiting freedom fighters to train to fight for them from Central American countries of Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Guatemala. Mexican officials say that the MDC’s have training comps where these young men are being trained in modern war fare both in Mexico, Panama, Peru and Colombia. The MDC’s are also reported to be providing food, medicines and cash to their families back home in small villages and towns throughout Mexico. The MDC’s are paying people to attend marches and has handed out backpacks full of schoolbooks, pens and paper to poor families who joined the demonstrations, acting as a sort of Robin Hood, police said. President Calderón labeled the MDC’s as cowards and traitors to the nation those who use women and children as part of their strategy to bring about the withdrawal of the Army in its battle against organized crime. The leader of the Mexican left-leaning PRD party, Jesus Ortega, describes as “grave” that in Mexico the number of extortions by organized crime has skyrocketed. ”We are going toward a situation where practically no Mexican is not threatened by criminals in one form or another,” he said. He criticizes the government as “arrogant” for thinking it alone can confront the problem of insecurity. He summarizes his thoughts, “The formulas of the left are an important part, but they are not enough. We need to join them with other proposals in order to make a policy of State to face up to crime. ” President Calderon said “Let no one make a mistake, let no one confuse the sides, the enemies of the country and of all Mexicans are those who assail its institutions, who harass, threaten and extort society, who poison its sons and who betray the country. “Calderón, who praised the army’s task, asserted that organized crime is condemned to defeat because the Armed Forces and an entire nation are on the side of the his government. To all who pretend to be above the law, said Calderón, we say that our Armed Forces “are not intimidated nor will they ever desist because they are composed of Mexicans fully committed to the defense of our dear Mexico. ” Police and government officials in Monterrey say Mexico’s most violent drug gang, the Gulf cartel, and its feared armed wing, the Zetas, is behind the protests. Despite warnings from rights groups about soldiers using excessive force in the drug fight, Calderon also has Washington’s support for using the army, which has made historic drug seizures and is catching more gang leaders. More killings, running battles, shootings, protests and even rioting in Mexico are expected particularly along the U. S. Mexican border.
Inauguration Day in the U. S. - January 20, 2009. Do you remember where you were when our 44th president took the oath of office and addressed a frightened but hopeful nation for the first time as their leader? I will never forget where I was. For the first time in my adult life I had taken Inauguration Day off - not to watch the ceremonies - but to spend the day with my mother-in-law, who is in the early stages of Parkinson’s disease. I flew to Fort Lauderdale, FL that morning to attend a Parkinson’s support group meeting that Mom had organized at her retirement community. Faced with this debilitating disease, she met the challenge in the same way she has lived every day of her life - with courage, compassion and hope. Mom’s first symptom of Parkinson’s was the sudden onset of a period of deep depression that lasted over a year. Neither she nor her doctors knew the cause of her depression, making the connection to Parkinson’s only after additional symptoms appeared.
One of Mom’s first actions after the diagnosis was confirmed was to move to a retirement community in Pompano Beach, Florida - John Knox Village. In a beautiful setting surrounded by many old and new friends, she would be able to live independently for as long as possible and transition to assisted living and, if needed, hospital care in the future. Selflessly, she did not want to be a burden to her children. Mom and her closest friends, whom she jokingly refers to as “my evil companions,” are enjoying life to its fullest at the Village. From Spanish lessons to dinners out to cocktail parties at one another’s homes, these lively women are having a blast every day. “I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in my life,” she says often.
When I arrived at the Village on Inauguration Day, I went to the Auditorium to join Mom for the Inauguration Party. To my surprise, I walked into a crowded room filled with hundreds of residents sitting at tables decorated with Barack Obama cut-outs and munching on hot dogs. A giant screen at the front of the room was tuned to network coverage of the Inauguration. I slipped into an empty chair next to Mom just in time for the swearing in ceremony. The feelings of excitement and optimism in the room were palpable. Commenting on Michele Obama’s outfit, Mom said “It’s so pretty but it doesn’t look warm enough for winter. ” We later saw the lining inside her coat and felt better. The senior citizens in the room and I cheered and cried and said the pledge of allegiance together as the ceremony and the speech played out in front of us. Afterward, the oldest living resident of John Knox Village was recognized for her patriotism. She had voted for Woodrow Wilson in her very first election. Although she is a hospital resident and could have voted absentee last November, she insisted on making the journey over to the auditorium with the rest of the Village residents to cast her vote for Barack Obama.
Following desert of red, white and blue cupcakes, Mom and I went to the conference room where her support group meeting was taking place. There we met the lovely woman who had encouraged Mom to start the group in order to share information that would help others deal with Parkinson’s. Gracious and warm, she suffers from visible Parkinson’s tremors which became virtually unnoticeable as she engaged with the group and helped Mom check in the attendees. “I don’t know how many people will come because it’s Inauguration Day,” Mom said as she arranged chairs in a circle. The turnout was better than she expected. Today’s guest speaker is a nurse at the Village Hospital who has done work on meditation and its benefits in reducing Parkinson’s tremors.
Mom opened the meeting with announcements and introductions. “This is my daughter-in-law Kathie,” she said. “She’s here because someday she may need to help take care of me. . . I encourage all of you to bring your support teams with you to meetings. ” Next came a discussion about issues that group members were experiencing - symptoms, reactions to medicine, etc. It was an engaging dialogue with members chiming in with their experiences or offering advice and encouragement. One proud and happy man shared that he and his wife were celebrating their 45th anniversary. Everyone clapped.
Mom has amassed a substantial library of materials on Parkinson’s for both patients and their caregivers. “I didn’t know what was causing my depression years ago, and now there’s a booklet on Depression and Parkinson’s,” Mom said. “Also, Parkinson’s patients need special attention in hospitals because it’s critical that they receive their medication at precisely the right time every day. . . Here’s a booklet so you can read more about it. ” Support group members obviously appreciate the library and many sign up to borrow a book or pamphlet during the meeting. They are all trying to learn as much as they can to care for others or themselves. Mom has given each of her children a guide to Parkinson’s so they can be aware of the progressive symptoms.
The guest speaker was running a few minutes late. Mom asked the group for suggestions on topics and guest speakers for upcoming meetings. “How about a session focused on caregivers?” one man asked. Minutes later the guest speaker arrived. Her energy lifted the room as she talked to the group about her work with mediation and its benefits, especially how it can help Parkinson’s patients. She led the group in a guided mediation and then encouraged them to practice in groups. They asked questions and she answered them, smiling nearly all the time. The attendees applauded for this beautiful and gracious guest. She left, but not before giving out her contact information.
The meeting is adjourned and Mom and I drive a short distance to the villa of a good friend who has invited us for cocktails and snacks. We debrief on the support group meeting and catch up on our families. “I’m so glad you could make time for us,” our friend says to me several times. It’s time to go. Mom and I head out to dinner at a neighborhood diner and then we have to say goodbye. “I am so grateful you came today,” she says. “I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. . . I’m so proud of what you’re doing,” I reply.
As I drove to the Miami airport, I reflected on the incredible woman that my mother-in-law is. Through her bravery and strong sense of purpose, she is tapping into her disease as a way to help support and educate others. “I just felt that I needed to do something to help,’” she says. At a time when our nation wants so desperately to hope, my mother-in-law is spreading hope to a growing circle of friends in her village every day.
MICHAEL WEBSTER: Syndicated Investigative Reporter. Feb 23, 2009 at 8:30 PM PST. AP Photo of relatives mourning members of Mexico’s army who authorities found decapitated. Mexico’s unbelievable record breaking level of violent war deaths are piling up as casualties of Mexico’s on going so called civil war continues. Many Mexicans now believe that there is a civil war going on in their country. These killings in Mexico are reveled by no country even other countries with active war zones such as Iraq and Afghanistan. Thousands of people died in what the Mexican Government calls drug-related violence last year as Mexican Drug Cartels (MDC’s) and trained enforcer gangs fought each other, the Mexican Army and Mexico’s security forces. In the last 54 days in Mexico there have been over one thousand violent killings by both warring groups, the Mexican Army and the Mexican Drug Cartels. Border protesters told this reporter that the MDC’s claim they are dedicated to overthrowing the current Calderon government and the government is hiding the true Mexican army death totals. Many Mexican troops have been killed by direct confrontations with MDC’s paramilitary forces many more than the Calderon administration is willing to admit. Hundreds of Mexicans last week, blocked roads and bridges in Mexican cities bordering the United States from the Gulf of Mexico (Matamoros) to the Pacific Ocean (Tijuana) and protested by marching in the northern city of Monterrey in a series of demonstrations that police say are organized and funded by MDC’s. Mexican President Felipe Calderon condemned those public protests against his army-backed drug war, saying they were cowardly acts orchestrated by the warring MDC’s. Recently there have been intense counter attacks by the Mexican Army against the MDC’s forces, raising the intensity in the civil war against Mexico’s organized resistant protesters. According to the largest Mexican newspaper El Universal the death count so far this year is 1,003 violent murders related to the war on narcotrafficing. This is an average of 19 per day. Last year, the 1,000 mark was not reached until much later in the year in April and the year before, after mid-year. Half of these killings happened in the state of Chihuahua and over 75 percent in the most violent city in Mexico, Cd. Juarez Mexico’s 3rd largest city just across the border from El Paso Texas. Juarez Police Chief and Public Safety Secretary Roberto Orduna Cruz, left, resigned on Friday during a news conference with Juarez Mayor Jose Reyes Ferriz. At right is Juarez city official Guillermo Dowell. (Photo courtesy of Juarez city government) The Director of Public Security in Cd. Juarez, resigned his post under organized threats that the assassination of his police officers would continue until he steps down. Roberto Orduño said he could not allow his men, who work to defend the country, continue to lose their lives. The bodies of two recently murdered law officers had been found with narco-messages warning that this would happen to at least one police officer every 48 hours until Orduña resigned. Sunday Chihuahua Gov. Jose Reyes Baeza Terrazas’ bodyguards where attacked and one was killed. It is reported that the attack came from the MDC’s enforcers the Zetas. Mexican authorities are investigating. The Chihuahua Gov. and his family are under protection of government forcers and their location is unknown. As this article was being written this reporter learned that death threats against Juarez Mayor Jose Reyes Ferriz surfaced and Mayor Ferriz immediately with armed Mexican body guards escorted him and his family to the relative safety of the bordering city of El Paso, where El Paso police and county sheriff’s are believed providing heavily armed combat ready law enforcement protection. Earlier at least ten more people were killed in different attacks in the past few hours in Cd. Juarez. The most recent wave of killings began late Saturday and extended into late Sunday night. All of the attacks were believed carried out by trained MDC’s Para-military forces according to authorities in Juarez. According to official figures, so far this year, over 360 people have been killed by MDC’s forces in the State of Chihuahua alone. Many believe that the war began when the Calderon administration launched a military campaign to combat spiraling drug violence in Mexico. Over 45, 000 troops and federal police were sent to cities in Mexico, many on the U. S. Mexican border. Since than thousands of people in Mexico have died as a result of both the military’s action and the MDC’s and their gangs fighting each other, the Mexican Army and Mexico’s security forces. The Mexican people are being used by the MDC’s who are winning many of the people over to their cause by hiring and training Mexico’s very poor young men to fight for them against the Mexican government forces and paying them up to $600. 00 USD per week. This is a lot of money to pay the very poor and they are responding by the thousands. The MDC’s are reported to also be recruiting freedom fighters to train to fight for them from Central American countries of Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Guatemala. Mexican officials say that the MDC’s have training comps where these young men are being trained in modern war fare both in Mexico, Panama, Peru and Colombia. The MDC’s are also reported to be providing food, medicines and cash to their families back home in small villages and towns throughout Mexico. The MDC’s are paying people to attend marches and has handed out backpacks full of schoolbooks, pens and paper to poor families who joined the demonstrations, acting as a sort of Robin Hood, police said. President Calderón labeled the MDC’s as cowards and traitors to the nation those who use women and children as part of their strategy to bring about the withdrawal of the Army in its battle against organized crime. The leader of the Mexican left-leaning PRD party, Jesus Ortega, describes as “grave” that in Mexico the number of extortions by organized crime has skyrocketed. ”We are going toward a situation where practically no Mexican is not threatened by criminals in one form or another,” he said. He criticizes the government as “arrogant” for thinking it alone can confront the problem of insecurity. He summarizes his thoughts, “The formulas of the left are an important part, but they are not enough. We need to join them with other proposals in order to make a policy of State to face up to crime. ” President Calderon said “Let no one make a mistake, let no one confuse the sides, the enemies of the country and of all Mexicans are those who assail its institutions, who harass, threaten and extort society, who poison its sons and who betray the country. “Calderón, who praised the army’s task, asserted that organized crime is condemned to defeat because the Armed Forces and an entire nation are on the side of the his government. To all who pretend to be above the law, said Calderón, we say that our Armed Forces “are not intimidated nor will they ever desist because they are composed of Mexicans fully committed to the defense of our dear Mexico. ” Police and government officials in Monterrey say Mexico’s most violent drug gang, the Gulf cartel, and its feared armed wing, the Zetas, is behind the protests. Despite warnings from rights groups about soldiers using excessive force in the drug fight, Calderon also has Washington’s support for using the army, which has made historic drug seizures and is catching more gang leaders. More killings, running battles, shootings, protests and even rioting in Mexico are expected particularly along the U. S. Mexican border.
MICHAEL WEBSTER: Syndicated Investigative Reporter. Feb 23, 2009 at 8:30 PM PST. AP Photo of relatives mourning members of Mexico’s army who authorities found decapitated. Mexico’s unbelievable record breaking level of violent war deaths are piling up as casualties of Mexico’s on going so called civil war continues. Many Mexicans now believe that there is a civil war going on in their country. These killings in Mexico are reveled by no country even other countries with active war zones such as Iraq and Afghanistan. Thousands of people died in what the Mexican Government calls drug-related violence last year as Mexican Drug Cartels (MDC’s) and trained enforcer gangs fought each other, the Mexican Army and Mexico’s security forces. In the last 54 days in Mexico there have been over one thousand violent killings by both warring groups, the Mexican Army and the Mexican Drug Cartels. Border protesters told this reporter that the MDC’s claim they are dedicated to overthrowing the current Calderon government and the government is hiding the true Mexican army death totals. Many Mexican troops have been killed by direct confrontations with MDC’s paramilitary forces many more than the Calderon administration is willing to admit. Hundreds of Mexicans last week, blocked roads and bridges in Mexican cities bordering the United States from the Gulf of Mexico (Matamoros) to the Pacific Ocean (Tijuana) and protested by marching in the northern city of Monterrey in a series of demonstrations that police say are organized and funded by MDC’s. Mexican President Felipe Calderon condemned those public protests against his army-backed drug war, saying they were cowardly acts orchestrated by the warring MDC’s. Recently there have been intense counter attacks by the Mexican Army against the MDC’s forces, raising the intensity in the civil war against Mexico’s organized resistant protesters. According to the largest Mexican newspaper El Universal the death count so far this year is 1,003 violent murders related to the war on narcotrafficing. This is an average of 19 per day. Last year, the 1,000 mark was not reached until much later in the year in April and the year before, after mid-year. Half of these killings happened in the state of Chihuahua and over 75 percent in the most violent city in Mexico, Cd. Juarez Mexico’s 3rd largest city just across the border from El Paso Texas. Juarez Police Chief and Public Safety Secretary Roberto Orduna Cruz, left, resigned on Friday during a news conference with Juarez Mayor Jose Reyes Ferriz. At right is Juarez city official Guillermo Dowell. (Photo courtesy of Juarez city government) The Director of Public Security in Cd. Juarez, resigned his post under organized threats that the assassination of his police officers would continue until he steps down. Roberto Orduño said he could not allow his men, who work to defend the country, continue to lose their lives. The bodies of two recently murdered law officers had been found with narco-messages warning that this would happen to at least one police officer every 48 hours until Orduña resigned. Sunday Chihuahua Gov. Jose Reyes Baeza Terrazas’ bodyguards where attacked and one was killed. It is reported that the attack came from the MDC’s enforcers the Zetas. Mexican authorities are investigating. The Chihuahua Gov. and his family are under protection of government forcers and their location is unknown. As this article was being written this reporter learned that death threats against Juarez Mayor Jose Reyes Ferriz surfaced and Mayor Ferriz immediately with armed Mexican body guards escorted him and his family to the relative safety of the bordering city of El Paso, where El Paso police and county sheriff’s are believed providing heavily armed combat ready law enforcement protection. Earlier at least ten more people were killed in different attacks in the past few hours in Cd. Juarez. The most recent wave of killings began late Saturday and extended into late Sunday night. All of the attacks were believed carried out by trained MDC’s Para-military forces according to authorities in Juarez. According to official figures, so far this year, over 360 people have been killed by MDC’s forces in the State of Chihuahua alone. Many believe that the war began when the Calderon administration launched a military campaign to combat spiraling drug violence in Mexico. Over 45, 000 troops and federal police were sent to cities in Mexico, many on the U. S. Mexican border. Since than thousands of people in Mexico have died as a result of both the military’s action and the MDC’s and their gangs fighting each other, the Mexican Army and Mexico’s security forces. The Mexican people are being used by the MDC’s who are winning many of the people over to their cause by hiring and training Mexico’s very poor young men to fight for them against the Mexican government forces and paying them up to $600. 00 USD per week. This is a lot of money to pay the very poor and they are responding by the thousands. The MDC’s are reported to also be recruiting freedom fighters to train to fight for them from Central American countries of Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Guatemala. Mexican officials say that the MDC’s have training comps where these young men are being trained in modern war fare both in Mexico, Panama, Peru and Colombia. The MDC’s are also reported to be providing food, medicines and cash to their families back home in small villages and towns throughout Mexico. The MDC’s are paying people to attend marches and has handed out backpacks full of schoolbooks, pens and paper to poor families who joined the demonstrations, acting as a sort of Robin Hood, police said. President Calderón labeled the MDC’s as cowards and traitors to the nation those who use women and children as part of their strategy to bring about the withdrawal of the Army in its battle against organized crime. The leader of the Mexican left-leaning PRD party, Jesus Ortega, describes as “grave” that in Mexico the number of extortions by organized crime has skyrocketed. ”We are going toward a situation where practically no Mexican is not threatened by criminals in one form or another,” he said. He criticizes the government as “arrogant” for thinking it alone can confront the problem of insecurity. He summarizes his thoughts, “The formulas of the left are an important part, but they are not enough. We need to join them with other proposals in order to make a policy of State to face up to crime. ” President Calderon said “Let no one make a mistake, let no one confuse the sides, the enemies of the country and of all Mexicans are those who assail its institutions, who harass, threaten and extort society, who poison its sons and who betray the country. “Calderón, who praised the army’s task, asserted that organized crime is condemned to defeat because the Armed Forces and an entire nation are on the side of the his government. To all who pretend to be above the law, said Calderón, we say that our Armed Forces “are not intimidated nor will they ever desist because they are composed of Mexicans fully committed to the defense of our dear Mexico. ” Police and government officials in Monterrey say Mexico’s most violent drug gang, the Gulf cartel, and its feared armed wing, the Zetas, is behind the protests. Despite warnings from rights groups about soldiers using excessive force in the drug fight, Calderon also has Washington’s support for using the army, which has made historic drug seizures and is catching more gang leaders. More killings, running battles, shootings, protests and even rioting in Mexico are expected particularly along the U. S. Mexican border.
The BANFF World Television Festival, opening this year in Alberta from June 7-10, is a not-for-profit event produced by Achilles Media Ltd. , an international events management company serving the television and digital media industries. Among various sessions programmed into the festival, the Broadcaster Briefings get inside information on what broadcasters from around the world want. In these open, informal sessions, international Program Executives will provide insight into their schedules, outline production priorities and biases, discuss potential partnership deals, and answer questions. The second World Copyright Summit kicks off this year with an opening night party and reception in DC, hosted by the U. S. Rights Societies and Guilds members of CISAC on June 8. For the duration of the Summit running through June 10 the shape and impact of the new creative, economic, technological and legal environment will be addressed. Beginning June 10, industry networking and career guidance group URNetworking Alliance (meetup. com/urnetworkalliance) will be part host to a playreading series in New York, and, the group is also conducting the Casting Director Workshops and the Power Lunch Series in other venues as well. A think tank like event gives shape and substance to the 2009 Lake Placid Film Forum, running June 11-13, whose programs throughout the years have provided opportunities for filmmakers, screenwriters and actors to come together to exchange and obtain information related to the creation, production and distribution of film and other electronic media. At this year’s CineVegas Film Festival, happening June 11-20 in Las Vegas, CineVegas will honor two actors, two directors and two video game design pioneers, including Jon Voight who will be given the Marquee Award, and Willem Dafoe honored with the Vanguard Actor Award. InfoComm International will host an International Reception, one of many, when it stages its annual convention in Orlando, June 13-19, which serves the professional AV communications industry worldwide. When TeatroStageFest: the Third Annual Celebration of Latino Arts and Culture opens June 15-28 in New York, it will present 19 events featuring 23 theater, dance, music, and comedy performances, family programming, workshops, artist panels, youth awards, and an all-day conference, with performances in English or Spanish. During Broadcast Asia 2009, in Singapore, solutions will be offered for broadcasters, cable and satellite operators, content providers, new media operators, vendors, IT and multimedia providers, to gather and discuss latest trends, business strategies and technology updates over a four day run starting on June 16. The DISCOP Organisation, which facilitates audiovisual content distribution and coproduction business in 87 countries located in Central, Eastern Europe, Eurasia and Africa, presents its annual convention to an audience of International suppliers of finished programs, packaged TV channels and formats; Programming, acquisitions and coproduction executives representing TV Stations, Pay-TV operators, DVD and theatrical distributors, broadband and telco operators, and others, from June 17-19 in Budapest. North by Northeast Music & Film Festival and Conference (NXNE) is a Toronto-based conference and showcase taking place June 17-21 for new music and music-related films, where listening and mentoring sessions assist career planning for future considerations, programmed screenings of hand-selected music movies, from concert classics to the latest indie docs from Rio to Rwanda, nightly music showcases, and on June 20, Wu-Tang Clan founding member and creative engine, GZA will be interviewed by hip hop historian Fab 5 Freddy. Opening June 18-28 for its annual event, the 2009 Los Angeles Film Festival features s varied offering, and such unique signature programs including the exclusive Filmmaker Retreat - hosted by the Festival’s annual Guest Director - and the Spirit of Independence Award ceremony and gala. Cinema Expo International is a pan-European convention and trade show happening in Amsterdam this year, June 22-25, dedicated to the needs of the movie theatre industry where over 1,250 cinema exhibition and distribution professionals from Europe, the Middle East and Africa come to view the latest major cinema releases and extensive product reels and more. At this year’s American Black Film Festival, running June 24-27 in Miami, the Festival hosts The Star Project, an international acting competition, and now in its 12th year, the HBO Short Film Competition, showcasing five short film finalists selected from hundreds, including Derrick Anthony’s ‘Popous Pane and the Kids He Love to Hate’ starring Alfred Rutherford (http://www. facebook. com/profile. php?id=524167566). This year Brussels Film Festival is conducted over nine days, June 27 to July 5, with open air screenings, free concerts every evening, and parties. Los Angeles based career service, Talents Connection (www. talentsconnection. com), has invited performers to the family oriented Orange County Market Place on June 28, and has announced the formation of its Roller Derby Team, Rolling Vixens, for which it is seeking sponsors (talentsconnection@yahoo. com). The above events are only a sample of what is fully listed. Complete details are on the “Media, Entertainment and Performing Arts Industry News and Events” page. Video and podcast versions of this news summary are also available at popular video sites around the Web like MySpace, YouTube, Daily Motion, as well as on The Actor’s Checklist podcast blog. Leading entertainment industry publication Back Stage has redesigned their Backstage. com website to allow for better resume and picture upload, casting and job alerts, and much more. Follow the posting of the news summary on Twitter at: http://twitter. com/actorschecklist This month on the video news summary you will again see a dynamic array of artists in performance of film and music. Last month’s video news summary showcase featured Russian film music composer, Edgar Arens and Dutch video editor, State 209, who have produced graphic game video ‘Deadly Pursuit. ‘ Freelance bass guitarist of the RagaZZ style, Jayen Varma, considered one of the fastest bass guitarist in the world. Excerpts from the web series of comedy performer Maija DiGiorgio whose documentary feature, ‘Hollywood Outlaw’, is playing out in episodes over the Web. These videos are now available on the Free Home Video Showcase which now serves as an archive for all past video presentations but without the audio news narration.
November 30th,2009
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MICHAEL WEBSTER: Syndicated Investigative Reporter. Feb 23, 2009 at 8:30 PM PST. AP Photo of relatives mourning members of Mexico’s army who authorities found decapitated. Mexico’s unbelievable record breaking level of violent war deaths are piling up as casualties of Mexico’s on going so called civil war continues. Many Mexicans now believe that there is a civil war going on in their country. These killings in Mexico are reveled by no country even other countries with active war zones such as Iraq and Afghanistan. Thousands of people died in what the Mexican Government calls drug-related violence last year as Mexican Drug Cartels (MDC’s) and trained enforcer gangs fought each other, the Mexican Army and Mexico’s security forces. In the last 54 days in Mexico there have been over one thousand violent killings by both warring groups, the Mexican Army and the Mexican Drug Cartels. Border protesters told this reporter that the MDC’s claim they are dedicated to overthrowing the current Calderon government and the government is hiding the true Mexican army death totals. Many Mexican troops have been killed by direct confrontations with MDC’s paramilitary forces many more than the Calderon administration is willing to admit. Hundreds of Mexicans last week, blocked roads and bridges in Mexican cities bordering the United States from the Gulf of Mexico (Matamoros) to the Pacific Ocean (Tijuana) and protested by marching in the northern city of Monterrey in a series of demonstrations that police say are organized and funded by MDC’s. Mexican President Felipe Calderon condemned those public protests against his army-backed drug war, saying they were cowardly acts orchestrated by the warring MDC’s. Recently there have been intense counter attacks by the Mexican Army against the MDC’s forces, raising the intensity in the civil war against Mexico’s organized resistant protesters. According to the largest Mexican newspaper El Universal the death count so far this year is 1,003 violent murders related to the war on narcotrafficing. This is an average of 19 per day. Last year, the 1,000 mark was not reached until much later in the year in April and the year before, after mid-year. Half of these killings happened in the state of Chihuahua and over 75 percent in the most violent city in Mexico, Cd. Juarez Mexico’s 3rd largest city just across the border from El Paso Texas. Juarez Police Chief and Public Safety Secretary Roberto Orduna Cruz, left, resigned on Friday during a news conference with Juarez Mayor Jose Reyes Ferriz. At right is Juarez city official Guillermo Dowell. (Photo courtesy of Juarez city government) The Director of Public Security in Cd. Juarez, resigned his post under organized threats that the assassination of his police officers would continue until he steps down. Roberto Orduño said he could not allow his men, who work to defend the country, continue to lose their lives. The bodies of two recently murdered law officers had been found with narco-messages warning that this would happen to at least one police officer every 48 hours until Orduña resigned. Sunday Chihuahua Gov. Jose Reyes Baeza Terrazas’ bodyguards where attacked and one was killed. It is reported that the attack came from the MDC’s enforcers the Zetas. Mexican authorities are investigating. The Chihuahua Gov. and his family are under protection of government forcers and their location is unknown. As this article was being written this reporter learned that death threats against Juarez Mayor Jose Reyes Ferriz surfaced and Mayor Ferriz immediately with armed Mexican body guards escorted him and his family to the relative safety of the bordering city of El Paso, where El Paso police and county sheriff’s are believed providing heavily armed combat ready law enforcement protection. Earlier at least ten more people were killed in different attacks in the past few hours in Cd. Juarez. The most recent wave of killings began late Saturday and extended into late Sunday night. All of the attacks were believed carried out by trained MDC’s Para-military forces according to authorities in Juarez. According to official figures, so far this year, over 360 people have been killed by MDC’s forces in the State of Chihuahua alone. Many believe that the war began when the Calderon administration launched a military campaign to combat spiraling drug violence in Mexico. Over 45, 000 troops and federal police were sent to cities in Mexico, many on the U. S. Mexican border. Since than thousands of people in Mexico have died as a result of both the military’s action and the MDC’s and their gangs fighting each other, the Mexican Army and Mexico’s security forces. The Mexican people are being used by the MDC’s who are winning many of the people over to their cause by hiring and training Mexico’s very poor young men to fight for them against the Mexican government forces and paying them up to $600. 00 USD per week. This is a lot of money to pay the very poor and they are responding by the thousands. The MDC’s are reported to also be recruiting freedom fighters to train to fight for them from Central American countries of Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Guatemala. Mexican officials say that the MDC’s have training comps where these young men are being trained in modern war fare both in Mexico, Panama, Peru and Colombia. The MDC’s are also reported to be providing food, medicines and cash to their families back home in small villages and towns throughout Mexico. The MDC’s are paying people to attend marches and has handed out backpacks full of schoolbooks, pens and paper to poor families who joined the demonstrations, acting as a sort of Robin Hood, police said. President Calderón labeled the MDC’s as cowards and traitors to the nation those who use women and children as part of their strategy to bring about the withdrawal of the Army in its battle against organized crime. The leader of the Mexican left-leaning PRD party, Jesus Ortega, describes as “grave” that in Mexico the number of extortions by organized crime has skyrocketed. ”We are going toward a situation where practically no Mexican is not threatened by criminals in one form or another,” he said. He criticizes the government as “arrogant” for thinking it alone can confront the problem of insecurity. He summarizes his thoughts, “The formulas of the left are an important part, but they are not enough. We need to join them with other proposals in order to make a policy of State to face up to crime. ” President Calderon said “Let no one make a mistake, let no one confuse the sides, the enemies of the country and of all Mexicans are those who assail its institutions, who harass, threaten and extort society, who poison its sons and who betray the country. “Calderón, who praised the army’s task, asserted that organized crime is condemned to defeat because the Armed Forces and an entire nation are on the side of the his government. To all who pretend to be above the law, said Calderón, we say that our Armed Forces “are not intimidated nor will they ever desist because they are composed of Mexicans fully committed to the defense of our dear Mexico. ” Police and government officials in Monterrey say Mexico’s most violent drug gang, the Gulf cartel, and its feared armed wing, the Zetas, is behind the protests. Despite warnings from rights groups about soldiers using excessive force in the drug fight, Calderon also has Washington’s support for using the army, which has made historic drug seizures and is catching more gang leaders. More killings, running battles, shootings, protests and even rioting in Mexico are expected particularly along the U. S. Mexican border.
The hippest of tattoo prints, that’s what Ed Hardy clothing is all about. The chic and ultra trendy designs adopted from the tattoo designs of famous tattoo maker Don Ed Hardy, this brand excels in clothing for the youth. Ed Hardy has taken street wear to a different limit and transformed it into the fashionable urban wear of today. Ed Hardy clothing stands out in the crowd even from a distance. With the trademark tattoo designs like the heart, flowers, skull etc. , Ed Hardy has a way of showing itself off. With an extensive range to choose from for men, women and kids, Ed Hardy has something for everyone. So you’re a guy and looking to impress the girls? Choose the macho looking Ed Hardy tees and team them up with a sexy Ed Hardy hat and it becomes a killer combination. With cool prints made to order for the youthful attitude, Ed Hardy clothing can make you look different and trendy. And if you’re a girl on the look out for some male attention, then also Ed Hardy has the solution for you. With their feminine styled jeans and tees that are body hugging with bold designs, Ed Hardy clothing can do wonders to your figure and your style quotient. These funky designs of Ed Hardy are adopted by fashion icons like Paris Hilton and Britney Spears amongst many. The Ed Hardy clothing range consists of tees, hoodies, jeans, shoes, hats, shirts and shorts. How’s that for completing your wardrobe? For the girls, there are even belts, scarves and bags to complete their cool look. With colourful designs, Ed Hardy has the clothing solution for every occasion. These cool clothing can look great for that friend’s night out or that first date with a new girl or even for that evening with the parents. That’s the extent to which Ed Hardy goes to influence the youth. And the new Ed Hardy hat range is totally to die for. Today, you can see Ed Hardy stores here and there especially all over the world. If you’re planning to purchase some Ed Hardy products as a Christmas gift for your families and friends, you can also purchase online, just please visit the Ed Hardy online store(http://www. edhardyguide. com) for more discounts and save your money immediately! Good luck!
Inauguration Day in the U. S. - January 20, 2009. Do you remember where you were when our 44th president took the oath of office and addressed a frightened but hopeful nation for the first time as their leader? I will never forget where I was. For the first time in my adult life I had taken Inauguration Day off - not to watch the ceremonies - but to spend the day with my mother-in-law, who is in the early stages of Parkinson’s disease. I flew to Fort Lauderdale, FL that morning to attend a Parkinson’s support group meeting that Mom had organized at her retirement community. Faced with this debilitating disease, she met the challenge in the same way she has lived every day of her life - with courage, compassion and hope. Mom’s first symptom of Parkinson’s was the sudden onset of a period of deep depression that lasted over a year. Neither she nor her doctors knew the cause of her depression, making the connection to Parkinson’s only after additional symptoms appeared.
One of Mom’s first actions after the diagnosis was confirmed was to move to a retirement community in Pompano Beach, Florida - John Knox Village. In a beautiful setting surrounded by many old and new friends, she would be able to live independently for as long as possible and transition to assisted living and, if needed, hospital care in the future. Selflessly, she did not want to be a burden to her children. Mom and her closest friends, whom she jokingly refers to as “my evil companions,” are enjoying life to its fullest at the Village. From Spanish lessons to dinners out to cocktail parties at one another’s homes, these lively women are having a blast every day. “I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in my life,” she says often.
When I arrived at the Village on Inauguration Day, I went to the Auditorium to join Mom for the Inauguration Party. To my surprise, I walked into a crowded room filled with hundreds of residents sitting at tables decorated with Barack Obama cut-outs and munching on hot dogs. A giant screen at the front of the room was tuned to network coverage of the Inauguration. I slipped into an empty chair next to Mom just in time for the swearing in ceremony. The feelings of excitement and optimism in the room were palpable. Commenting on Michele Obama’s outfit, Mom said “It’s so pretty but it doesn’t look warm enough for winter. ” We later saw the lining inside her coat and felt better. The senior citizens in the room and I cheered and cried and said the pledge of allegiance together as the ceremony and the speech played out in front of us. Afterward, the oldest living resident of John Knox Village was recognized for her patriotism. She had voted for Woodrow Wilson in her very first election. Although she is a hospital resident and could have voted absentee last November, she insisted on making the journey over to the auditorium with the rest of the Village residents to cast her vote for Barack Obama.
Following desert of red, white and blue cupcakes, Mom and I went to the conference room where her support group meeting was taking place. There we met the lovely woman who had encouraged Mom to start the group in order to share information that would help others deal with Parkinson’s. Gracious and warm, she suffers from visible Parkinson’s tremors which became virtually unnoticeable as she engaged with the group and helped Mom check in the attendees. “I don’t know how many people will come because it’s Inauguration Day,” Mom said as she arranged chairs in a circle. The turnout was better than she expected. Today’s guest speaker is a nurse at the Village Hospital who has done work on meditation and its benefits in reducing Parkinson’s tremors.
Mom opened the meeting with announcements and introductions. “This is my daughter-in-law Kathie,” she said. “She’s here because someday she may need to help take care of me. . . I encourage all of you to bring your support teams with you to meetings. ” Next came a discussion about issues that group members were experiencing - symptoms, reactions to medicine, etc. It was an engaging dialogue with members chiming in with their experiences or offering advice and encouragement. One proud and happy man shared that he and his wife were celebrating their 45th anniversary. Everyone clapped.
Mom has amassed a substantial library of materials on Parkinson’s for both patients and their caregivers. “I didn’t know what was causing my depression years ago, and now there’s a booklet on Depression and Parkinson’s,” Mom said. “Also, Parkinson’s patients need special attention in hospitals because it’s critical that they receive their medication at precisely the right time every day. . . Here’s a booklet so you can read more about it. ” Support group members obviously appreciate the library and many sign up to borrow a book or pamphlet during the meeting. They are all trying to learn as much as they can to care for others or themselves. Mom has given each of her children a guide to Parkinson’s so they can be aware of the progressive symptoms.
The guest speaker was running a few minutes late. Mom asked the group for suggestions on topics and guest speakers for upcoming meetings. “How about a session focused on caregivers?” one man asked. Minutes later the guest speaker arrived. Her energy lifted the room as she talked to the group about her work with mediation and its benefits, especially how it can help Parkinson’s patients. She led the group in a guided mediation and then encouraged them to practice in groups. They asked questions and she answered them, smiling nearly all the time. The attendees applauded for this beautiful and gracious guest. She left, but not before giving out her contact information.
The meeting is adjourned and Mom and I drive a short distance to the villa of a good friend who has invited us for cocktails and snacks. We debrief on the support group meeting and catch up on our families. “I’m so glad you could make time for us,” our friend says to me several times. It’s time to go. Mom and I head out to dinner at a neighborhood diner and then we have to say goodbye. “I am so grateful you came today,” she says. “I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. . . I’m so proud of what you’re doing,” I reply.
As I drove to the Miami airport, I reflected on the incredible woman that my mother-in-law is. Through her bravery and strong sense of purpose, she is tapping into her disease as a way to help support and educate others. “I just felt that I needed to do something to help,’” she says. At a time when our nation wants so desperately to hope, my mother-in-law is spreading hope to a growing circle of friends in her village every day.
Every woman wants to be spoiled once in a while and what better way to do that than buying cheap fashion jewelry? Being absolutely gorgeous, the pieces of jewellery will always be purchased and treasured by people all over the world. By means of jewellery, women have the chance to fell unique and to glow like the jewels they are wearing. Women will never have too many earrings or bracelets, since they represent the simplest and most accessible pieces of jewellery and they can be matched with different outfits. Earrings, just like any other jewellery items, come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The most popular type of earrings for women all over the world are diamond earrings, which can be found in fancy shapes such as heart, oval, princess, pear, triangle and marquise and which are considered the most stylish ones. Furthermore, diamond earrings can match with every wardrobe such as jeans, dress or pantsuit. Earrings have become more elaborate nowadays and they include a variety of metals and jewels. Earrings’ settings can be made from silver, gold, platinum or a mixture of such elements. Gold earrings are a little bit cheaper but they give you a graceful look and there are quite beautiful models made from gold. Silver earrings are very popular since they are even cheaper than the gold ones, while pearl earrings are simply a must for every woman. However, diamond earrings will always be the most wanted jewel among women due to their unique elegance and beauty. Bracelets are other pieces of jewellery that women simply love. Whether you want to purchase gold or diamond bracelets, it is important to take into consideration the following aspects. Bracelets made of gold or diamonds are absolutely irresistible, being always present at weddings, anniversaries and other special occasions. A gold or diamond bracelet will never go out of fashion, and a stylish piece of jewellery can help you become the center of attention everywhere you go. Nowadays, there are different types of bracelets available on the market, from the ones in white gold to the diamond studded bracelets. Bracelets can be found at several online shops which have a variety of such pieces of jewellery, offering you a variety of items in different shapes and sizes. Gold and diamond bracelets are worked out in detail and this is why they have been admired for so many centuries. Bracelets come in different karat values and there are some made of gold and diamond, which give an effective and elegant look. The great thing about gold or diamond bracelets is the fact that you won’t have to spend a fortune on them, since they are quite affordable. Furthermore, these types of bracelets are light and they won’t incommode you when you wear them. Gold bracelets are available in two colors, white and yellow, while in the case of diamond bracelets it is all about the size and the clarity of the diamond. It is a fact that the more beautiful a diamond is, the more expensive it is but one can always find diamond earrings or bracelets at a lower price. All you have to do is to look for a well cut diamond, G –H in color and which has the clarity of an eye-clean. These diamonds are moderately priced but they will definitely give you the same dazzling look expensive diamonds would give you. Earrings and bracelets have been around for ages due to their beauty and diversity. It is impossible for anyone not to find a pair of earrings or a bracelet that suit one’s tastes. Whether you want to buy a gift for the person you love or you just want to add another piece of jewellery to your jewellery collection, visit the online cheap jewelry shops, since you will definitely be pleased with what you see.
The annual tournament that is held at Miami, also known as the Sony Ericsson Open or Miami Masters will be taking place this week at the Tennis Center at Crandon Park. The tournament, that has a final prize of $4. 5 million and gathers the best of both men and women players of the world, is as well one of the most important tennis tournaments of the year, besides the Grand Slams, under the categories ATP Masters 1000 on the ATP calendar and Premier Mandatory in the WTA . For this year the favorite spots are set to the both World No. 1 seeds, Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal, from whom everyone expects great performances. The No. 1 and two-time defending champion, Serena Williams, will be back on track after skipping her participation at the Indian Wells at the beginning of the month. She has won the tournament 5 times in the last seven years. She has enjoyed it very much since she considers this is her home tournament; she lives just 90 minutes away. “I love playing here,” said Williams about the tournament. “I have so many friends that come down. Some of them can’t come in the beginning; they can only come at the end. So I always joke that I’ve got to be playing at the end of the tournament. It has worked for me in the past. ” Serena, who has also won the last two Grand Slams, including the Australian Open at the beginning of the year, has been widely criticized before for not giving tennis the importance that it might have, but last year she announced that Tennis will be her No. 1 priority, making her level of competition much more higher than other years and this may give her a lot of chances to dominate again in the 2009 campaign. Her first match is scheduled for Friday against either Timea Bacsinszky of Switzerland or American wild card Alexa Glatch. On the other side, for men competition the favorite is Rafael Nadal, who just played the final at the Indian Wells tournament beating Andy Murray in two sets. Rafa will try to win a second elite ATP Masters 1000 title as he already arrived to Florida fresh from his last victory expecting to give a great performance as always. Nadal has six Grand Slam titles under his belt; the last one was the Australian Open when he beat Roger Federer at Melbourne Park. He is now expecting to win the Miami’s trophy since the last two times that he has participated he has lost; the first one in 2005 against Roger Federer and the second one last year against Nikolay Davydenko. Nadal expressed in a press conference that he has a lot of pressure since everybody wants him to win every single tournament that he participates on. He explained that he feels more confident on the competition level that he is having right now, but he says that it is very difficult to play on his best level during the whole year. His first match will be Saturday night on Stadium Court against the winner of the match between Teimuraz Gabashvili and Simone Bolelli.
