This blog is an offshoot of my previous blog, Spreading Our Wings... http://www.spreadingourwings.blogspot.com.
As before, this blog is personal and political... serious and sometimes silly...
My goal is to relay what I deem to be important information, express some of my viewpoints, engage in some online creativity - and find out (please comment appropriately) what others are thinking, as well!
Great work at the YM folks (community volunteers)! I'm planting like crazy [trying to keep up with deliveries] in my own back yard - to the point of emotional and physical exhaustion [I'm NOT kidding...] or I would come over to help.
Extremes. That's me. Someday maybe I'll level out some and be [Is it really a worthy goal?] "normal"...
The following two videos - accessed from You Tube - are not the videos I took of this event - and these videos [I'm just posting videos 1 and 3 from this source] are not titled in the manner I would have titled them!
How Congressman Hincheys speech at SUNY could be construed as against "Freedom of Speech" is beyond me....
But everyone is allowed their perspective.
"Freedom of Speech" - in my opinion - is meant for citizens.
Not businesses, not media conglamorates, not not-for-profits, not religious bodies, not hate groups, not any other special interest grounps (such as unions) --- and certainly not for (many of these are multinational... an additional concern!) corporations.
I might return to this topic later [My perspective and some pertinent links are put forth in an entry down below] - but for now I'm just going to post the videos - which are open to one's own value judgements / opinions.
I personally feel that Conressman Hinchey has been and remains a strong advocate for the people.
Please note that there are a number of links related to these topics in an entry down below. Ignorance, as it has been said, is the worst type of poverty...
Other than that, I wanted to state that the shows I saw tonight (only a few) on Kingston Area Public Access (KAPA) were impressive. Discussions around the Safety Net issue (which is finally being investigated...); the proliferation of Not-For-Profits in the City of Kingston [over 40% of properties are reputedly (I've personally checked into this) off the tax rolls; and the proliferation of sex offenders in the City of Kingston [some in residence, as noted on the map accessible on the web ( put a check in the sex offender box at http://www.crimereports.com/widget/widget.html?CRSearch=Kingston,NY ); some reputedly in the UC Jail and/or the old Community Corrections Program facility) were particularly interesting.
These are issues that have been brought up time and time again - sometimes by one or two people [generally by MaryAnne Parker (Safety Net Issue / Child Safety Issue / other pertinent issues...) and myself (Not for Profit Issue / Child Safety / Safety Net Issue / "Culture of Poverty" (Oscar Lewis; 1966) Issue --- and sometimes (when the "dirt" hits the fan...) in larger bodies of protest --- and it is great to see these issues being taken more seriously by the "powers that be" / KAPA show producers / callers / and various [a more collective voice on all of this would be good....] City of Kingston citizens.
I also came across a video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRu8nvHMbSwon (You Tube / not able to be embedded here) --- which I found (in regard to Child Abuse Awareness Month) impressive:
I have to state (These are opinions, folks!) again [This has been stated, recently to my Alderman; and previously, in full or in part, at City Council meetings...] --- that I think the City of Kingston [in association with agencies such as the YWCA and the UC Crime Victims Assistance Program (excellent programs that should cover a wider spectrum...) should be more active in the prevention / awareness / treatment resource realm --- in regard to child abuse; sexual assault; domestic violence; gang activity; and (these amongst other things) Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Those little wind catchers [check out the video / ignore the pop ups...] say a lot!
How come I'm not finding any coverage (yet) of Congressman Hinchey's appearance / address at SUNY New Paltz yesterday? Congressman Hinchey was among a panel of experts that included John Bonifaz, the Legal Director of Voter Action and the Director of Free Speech for People; Margery F. Baker, Vice President for the American Way; and Joan D. Mandel, Ph.D. the Executive Director of Democracy Matters...
All were present to speak on a very critical (in my opinion) topic: "We the People: A Forum to Defend Democracy" --- with a focus on what "we" can do to fight the Supreme Court's ruling in "Citizens United v. FEC" [For more information on this please check out wakingplanet.blogspot.com and the other sources I've noted below]
The sponsors of this well-attended forum included the Hudson Valley Progressive Coalition, SUNY New Paltz, the Ulster County Move On Council, the Ulster County Democratic Committee; and Democracy Matters. Some other groups associated with Hudson Valley Progressives, many of whom had representatives present, include: New Paltz Women In Black; Hudson Valley for Obama; People for the American Way; New Paltz and Vicinity for Obama; Network of Spiritual Progressives; Arts for Peace; Peace & Social Progress Now; NAACP of Kingston; Hudson Valley Single Payer; Orange for Obama; and Dutchess for Obama.
Other notables were undoubtable captured on the videos I took - but the processing of "same" will take some time...
What can "we" do?
1) Support the Fair Elections Now Act ("H.R. 1826" and "S752") [This act "provides voluntary public financing for congressional races so that candidates are beholden only to voters not corporations or special interests."]
2) Support a "Constitutional Amendment" [Congressman Hinchey is co-sponsoring "HJRes74"] to "undo the SCOTUS ruling."
3) Thank Congressman Hinchey and Senator Gillibrand for co-sponsoring "The Fair Elections Now Act."
4) Encourage Senator Schumer [202-224-3121] to support these Acts ("HJRes74"; "H.R. 1826" and "S752") as well!
5) Support the "Shareholders Protection Act" ("H.R. 4790" / House...); and...
6) Let all of your members of Congress know that the citizens of this nation need a strong and consistant "Consumer Financial Protection Agency."
For additonal information (the forum and various organizational flyers are the source of the information I'm presenting here) --- please check out:
2. Contact your elected officials to encourage thier support of "H.R. 1826", "S.752"; "HJRes74" and [in the House...} "H.R. 4790;" and
3) Stay tuned for some videos of the event. [These will be posted if at all (I'm still learning) possible!]
If any errors have been made here --- or any sponsoring / involved organizations have been left out --- please let me know and corrections will be made!
This place is hopping with citizen activism of late... but there is a lot more work to be done.
I'm overwhelmed... but still doing what I can where I can when I can...
Any feedback on the Above?
Don't forget to check out the Chips'NDips Entertainment Site as well. Some of the plants and such should be blooming by mid-May --- and many (I hope) in time for the Citywide Lawn Sale on June 12th!
I just wanted to pop in to say that the Kingston Neighborhood Watch meeting appeared to be a huge success - and that a whole bunch of people are talking about it in a positive manner!
I didn't take any photos or videos - as I wanted to pay attention - to the presentation - in full.
A thank you [on the National and State front] to President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Senator Charles Schumer and Congressman Maurice Hinchey for standing strong for Health Care Reform. If you click on "Countdown to Change..." www.flickr.com/photos/moveon/sets/72157622792953046/show / you will come across [towards the end, look for the clown...] some photos that I (and some others) took at a rally outside of Congressman Hinchey's office.
A Thank You [on the local front] to UC Legislature [District 6] Michael Madsen for all that he has done and continues to do for this community...
And a Thank You [also on the local front] to Ward 5 Alderman Jen Fuentes and a whole bunch of others for handing out [door to door] pertinent cititzen information packets; participating in various clean-up efforts, planting community gardens, instituting the Kingston Neighborhood Watch and..................................
Chips'NDips Entertainment at the Lion's Expo March 2010 [1rst Video taken on this camera by assistant, BF; Edited / Clearer videos hopefully pending / Learning curve....]
I'm struggling to learn new software programs and [at the same time] receiving plant, shrub, tree, etc orders [these have to be dealt with pretty much immediately] on a daily basis...
So it might be a while before I get the latest videos that I have [Chips'NDips show at the Lion's Club Expo / April City Council Meeting...] on site.
As far as the latest City Council Meeting notes...
I think that would be redundant [the meeting has been covered pretty extensively by the local papers, city bloggers and citizen-based websites, etc!] at this point...
Except for the citizen commentary that was made at the Council meeting - out of which MaryAnne Parker's comments (for the most part) stood out (I spoke on a similar topic.) for me.
Generally speaking, if I have a "beef" (mad cow disease?) - it has to do with citizen safety, the state of the local economy and the type (in some instances) and quality (ditto) of the services [which we appear to be providing to a whole lot of people --- including quite a few that are some other town or counties fiscal responsibility (???) --- at the expense of Kingston City taxpayers] .
[ "Take Back the Night March and Candlelight Vigil" ("Taos Community Against Violence") ; as submitted to You Tube by taosexperience on October 14, 2006; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnPdWMdgmwg ]
Albany, New York --- "One of the many efforts to educate the community and to work towards preventing crimes of sexual violence. This event, held at 140 New Scotland Ave, gives a voice to victims of sexual assault, letting them know that they are not alone. This event is very diverse. During our rally we have speakers, performers, and survivors who share their stories and knowledge about sexual assault and awareness. “Take Back The Night” is a great opportunity to promote awareness as well as community." For more information on this event "Contact Amy Vincent at amy.vincent@albanycounty.com" [http://www.rainn.org/about-rainn/events#n]
Back from a place where the streets are clean, the tourism business is booming, people are kind and respectful of one another, policemen ride a regular beat on bycycles and scooters [and are friendly / helpful to the populus and the tourists] and...
It was right here in the USA.
How about that?
What is UP Kingston?
Before I had nothing except growing up in the country and an old, old trip to CA to compare the local status with...
But now I can tell you for sure, for sure...
Something is seriously wrong with the state that the City of Kingston is in... and reading in the "Daily Freeman" upon my return that the Kings Inn (This is not a direct quote) is down as a "historical landmark" of some sort - with the mention of "art deco" worth...
OMG...!
TIP: Take down the rusted dinasaur on the way into (and out of...) Kingston and put up a "Welcome to Kingston" / "Please Come Back Soon!" sign painted with BRIGHT HAPPY COLORS...
Get some of the crap OFF the "historical landmark" (or whatever the proper term is) list...
File for a city bankruptcy as has been suggested by some seemingly bright folks around here...
And let some folks (people that surely know more than I do about research, analysis, budgets, business, success and futuristic profitable thinking) come to KNY to sort things out!
The waterfront...
Great potential.
Flowers and trees and tourism...
Great potential.
Historical landmarks...
Sure.
A few are good and necessary...
Just like not-for-profits.
BUT YOU CAN'T KEEP A CITY ALIVE ON THE PAST..
OR ON THE BACKS OF THE POOR...
I once heard it remarked that social services serve as the "economic engine" of this City...
["Hakuna Matata(English)"; as submitted to You Tube by pyrolonewolf on December 21, 2006;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejEVczA8PLU]
The Chips'NDips Entertainment Show at the Lion's Club Expo was a lot of fun and (on our part) a great success! Did anyone from the City of Kingston attend? Feedback? Photos and a video are pending. Thank You to Tom Keehn and company at the Lion's Club, the "wizard" and my other multitalented helper!
Chips'NDips Entertainment Services and ShutterBug Photos have teamed up to give it a go again this year! Please check out the new blogsite at http://wwwchipsndipsentertainment.blogspot.com/
Chips'NDips will be in the St. Patrick's Day Parade - and will also be appearing [a Children's Clown, Magic and Music Show] at the Lion's Expo [Hudson Valley Mall - Sat. 3/20/2010 - Noon]
["Road to Recovery"; Organizing for America...; as submitted to You Tube by BarackObamadotcom on 2/17/2010; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWmUnU7HS-I]
["Bria Kelly - Anyway Music Video - Martina McBride"; as submitted to You Tube by BriaKelly on June 15, 2008; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_7v-09Nrt4]
["High court overhauls campaign financing"; as submitted to You Tube by WOODTV8 on January 21, 2010; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyMi8aipMsM]
Opinion Piece:
Perhaps the fact that corporations can now buy politicians in a forthright manner is (as "whacky" as this might sound) a "good" thing ("good" having about as much value as the American dollar right about now...) --- since not-for-profits, special interest groups and corporations appear to have been (in any number of cases) overtly and / or covertly doing so (i.e., buying politicians...) for quite some time, anyhow - and this latest "new rule" [in Bill Maher (sp?) speak] - simply tells "us" (in a more forthright manner) that what the people want (in terms of representation, laws, rules, etc) doesn't really mean (This is not a Democracy...) shi*.
Sad.
Unethical?
Criminal?
A matter of "acceptance?" --- in that it "is what it is" and "will be what it will be"?
I've been known to state that ours is a covert [hidden behind curtains one, two and three...] "caste system..."
Is "this latest" even uglier than that?
What is mightier - The dollar? The Bible (and/or other religious texts?)? A semi-automatic rifle? Or a baby tree that survives one of our mountain winters - and comes to full fruit in the Spring?
"Thou shalt not kill"...
The body?
The mind?
The spirit?
"Thou shalt not steal"...
Unless one is speaking of corporate political and financial rape?
"Thou shalt not..."
Speak the truth?
Speak at all?
Whisper?
Point two fingers out and three point back?
I guess.
Corporations have no God but the "God of Mammon" (money, riches, property, expansion...) --- so I guess it is fair to say who and/or what is going to be running this entire show (to which our representatives and political appointees bought the ticket) from now on...
Sad.
For sure.
It's back to art, poems and gardening [the world of politics has literally and figuratively made me sick...] for me.
NS
BTW, for those that might not know it, a person generally (there are exceptions) has a head, a body, two arms, two legs, eyes, a mouth, etc...
Which a corporation ["freedom of speech" --- my as*] does NOT.
I have to admit that after finding the following video - on Martin Luther King Day - I was pretty upset. Not so much because of what Barack Obama [this video was submitted to You Tube in 2008] had to say - but because of the context in which he was saying it [I have been and remain (albeit a bit weary and more cynical...) a big supporter of President Obama...] - and his references to Biblical scripture.
I was not easy on Sarah Palin during her run for Vice-President - largely (although not exclusively) due to the fact that she appeared to be playing the religous card [with her own particular flair and style...] for all it was worth...
But I was not aware, during that time, that Obama was [to the degree portrayed in the following video] doing [at least in this instance]the same...
My apologies there...
I try to do balanced internet journalism [whether through my own words or my video clip picks / music clips] - and my dedication to THE constitutional principal of "Separation of Church and State" (like that, collectively, of our founding fathers during the time period in which the "US Constitution" and the "Bill of Rights" were written) is [across the board] firm.
Yes, Martin Luther King Jr. was an incredible man; an incredible Civil Rights activist and a Christian minister...
Yes, Sarah Palin has made it [however one wants to frame it...] to the "big top..."
But is it fair to use religion as a step-ladder to the "top"? [It is no secret that certain religous bodies have made (This is against Constitutional law, is this not?) some major political contributions [This became real evident (and was often accomplished by front groups and such...) in the Bush Jr. era...]
Whether this [the use of religous lobbying / religio-political platforms / etc] be on the local level, state level or national level?
Is there any more integrity evident [or lacking in evidence...] when a political candidate [no matter whom, or running for what...] panders to the major religious lobbyists "out there" - than when a political candidate [no matter whom, or running for what...] panders to insurance lobbyists, pharmeceutical lobbyists - or any other type of mega-buck [the war machine keeps pumping, does it not?] lobbyists?
They offer Civics studies in publically funded colleges...
They offer religious studies in publically funded colleges...
They do not combine the two...
No more than they combine Civics with Pharmaceuticals 101 or Religious Studies with Pharmaceuticals 101...
For good reason?
I think.
The other issue that I take up with the following video is that Reverend Martin Luther King - a tremendous Civil Rights activist - stepped away from race issues towards the end of his life [Is it not true that placing too much focus on race issues, although these certainly have their place, is devisive...?] - and started to focus [this, right before his assassination...] more on socio-economic stratification and the exploitation of and general plight of [whether they be Black, White, Hispanic, other...] the poor.
Which is something that I "think" President Barack Obama (who has no doubt learned a great deal over the last few years) has at least a tentative "grip" on --- but needs (perhaps, and not in a church...) to address in a more forthright public manner.
Some people will, no doubt, love the following video...
Some people will, no doubt, dis-like the following video...
And some others, like myself, will analyze it - each one in the way he or she sees fit - finding some aspects of it heartening - and other aspects of it disheartening...
Depending on where one stands on any number of issues.
["Barack Obama Speaks at Dr. King's Church"; as submitted to You Tube by BarackObamadotcom on January 21, 2008; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kf0x_TpDris]
In regard to the following video, I feel the need to remind people that it "did" take an awfully loooooooong time to decide whether there should be a streetlight or a stop sign at a particular uptown (local) intersection...
Which would lead one to believe that even beyond the obvious lobbyist issues we have in this country [be these lobbyist issues related to religous bodies, pharmaceutical companies, insurance companies, major corporations, or whatever ...] --- with their potential for undue influence and/or corruption --- there are other major issues [Too much red tape? Too many committees, subcommittees, boards, exclusivity, secrecy and fine print?] to give some serious thought to as well...
["Lessig on Obama's First Year: Change Congress Chronicles"; as submitted to You Tube by ChangeYourCongress on January 19, 2010; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14dAwz0-HM8]
I love my country - and I consider myself a Christian [non-denominational / with a free-thinking edge...] in the best sense (my opinion) of the word...
Love and rationality are compatible in my book.
Peace and harmony [on a world-wide scale] are possible in my book.
And I sincerely believe that the integrity of each and every potential political candidate and/or office holder could be [We have the science, knowlege and technology to accomplish this...] evaluated [if we so chose] pretty deeply - prior to their election and/or appointments.
What to look for?
I believe a committment to integrity and social justice [in home, business, money and politics; and in regard to the "U.S. Constitution", "Bill of Rights", International Treaties, etc.] should top any list of questions [to be backed up by a proven track-record in this department] that political candidates "could" [How about a battery of psychological tests for political candidates? Lie detector tests evaluated by a number of different objective professionals?] be required to undergo...
And ones religious (or non) views and alliances (or non) should be left (100% --- this is personal information) out of it.
-------------------------------------
All of that said, I am strongly in favor of taxpayer funded elections [with a cap per individual and a complete public accounting of same put together for evaluation by the people...] - as was presented [in part; my personal opinions have been added here...] in the above video.
-------------------------------------------
In closing, I want to propose the idea that demonstrated values and ethics [Adherance to any particular religous faith or body is not, or should not be, a requirement here...] - versus what all-too-frequently turns out to be empty words and/or bogus (Money motivated?) affilations - should be the thermometer [keeping the "US Constitution" and "Bill of Rights" firmly in mind...] through which we take "our" temperature [Are we "sick?"] and the temperature of [Are they "sick?"] others...
My apologies for any adds or video links that might show up along with the following videos. I do not recommend clicking on them and I do not [I have not even watched them] endorse or oppose any of them...
As someone that has been very impressed by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand...
I'd take the native New Yorker - gifted with a great intellect, class, basic manners, a positive record and style versus the guy [Talk about opinionated... What about what the constituents might want?] with a seemingly arrogant, locked-in-a-box, rude and obnoxious (my impressions, based on this video) side, any day!
Let's not eat our own toes...
Let's not take the elevator back down [referring to the Bush Jr. era] to the sewer...
Beware of stinky feet and anything that even slightly resembles [by word or by action...] a "golem"! [I'm thinking of the movie, "The Hobbit" ("Lord of the Rings"; JRR Tolkien) --- but "Webster's New World College Dictionary" (4th Ed.) defines a "golem" (in part) as a "a human being artificially created by cabalistic rites" (P. 610)].
NS
Addendum: Between the Far Left Liberals and the Far Right Conservatives [of whatever political party or parties they claim affiliation with...] I believe there is a happy medium...
Was I tough on Mr. Ford here? Yes.
Do I view him as an extremist - thus provoking an extreme (unusual) response from me? Yes.
Is extremism of any kind what we want to see take root (my apologies for the "golem" comment...) in America?
Photo (by NS) of the Cover of an Old "Jack and the Beanstalk" Book
Passing some information on:
I received the following a couple of days ago [Friday, 1/15/2010, via email) from Vice President Joe Biden via info@barackobama.com
"We want our money back"
"...President Obama announced our proposed Financial Crisis Responsibility Fee on the country's largest banks:
'My commitment is to recover every single dime the American people are owed. And my determination to achieve this goal is only heightened when I see reports of massive profits and obscene bonuses at some of the very firms who owe their continued existence to the American people...We want our money back, and we're going to get it.'
The fee would recover every penny loaned to Wall Street during the financial crisis and stop the reckless abuses and excesses that nearly caused the collapse of our financial system in the first place.
But the banking industry -- among the most powerful lobbies in Washington -- is already launching attacks to stop Congress from enacting the proposal.
Barack and I aren't backing down. But to win, we'll need the American people to add their voice right away.
Thankfully, OFA supporters are already signing on to a bold statement of support: "We want our money back -- and we stand with President Obama to make sure we get it.'"
I received the following (yesterday, Saturday, 1/16/2010, via email) from Daniel Mintz at MoveOn.org Political Action (moveon-help@list.moveon.org):
"As the tragedy in Haiti unfolds, Americans are generously donating millions of dollars to aid organizations.
But when Americans donate to charity with their credit cards, the credit card companies get rich. In some cases they keep 3% of the donation as a 'transaction fee,' even though that's far more than it costs them to process the donation.
It's outrageous and wrong—and it needs to stop.
Can you sign this petition to the CEOs of the major credit card companies demanding that they waive their processing fees for all charitable donations?"
"'... [No] man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever, nor shall be enforced, restrained, molested, or burthened in his body or goods, nor shall otherwise suffer, on account of his religious opinions or belief: but that all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain, their opinions in matters of religion, and that the same shall in no wise diminish, enlarge, or affect their civil capacities.'
— Thomas Jefferson, The Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom, enacted on January 16, 1786'" [This was yesterday's "Freethought of the Day at http://www.ffrf.org/ ]
Has anyone read Oscar Lewis' article on the "Culture of Poverty" [1966] / I still think that would be a really good idea... Does anyone remember Senator Moynahan referring to Upstate New York as being like Appalacia? What do you think he might add (if still alive) to that statement now?
In browsing the replies posted on the "Kingston Freeman" online site, one does have to ask if the rise in some serious crimes [from 2008-2010, as noted in the post below] reflects a rise in incidents and/or a rise in arrests - or both?
Another valid question is: how many arrests represent one person - one crime - and how many arrests represent repeat offenders [associated - each - with how many crimes?]
Also, how many of those arrested - 2008 - 2009 - were residents of the City of Kingston?
If not City residents - where were they [State, City or Town only...] from?
How many of those arrested [an issue that comes up here and there] were illegal immigants?
How many offenders were youth [to age 21]?
And how many offenders were adults [over age 21]?
Plus...
What areas of the City [numbers would be great!] ARE [based on stats] being hit the hardest?
Is it possible that the neglect and/or abuse of our youth [as a City, County, State and Nation] plays a big part? And if so, where do we stand in regard to prevention, education, awareness and early intervention [non-penal system] services?
Are parents doing their jobs? CAN they even do so (single parent households, lack of quality childcare, etc) under the current [stressors, committments and demands coming full bore from multiple directions...] contitions?
When and where do bad policies [my opinion] fit in? Such as suspending a child [out of school] for bad behavior? [Isn't this more a "reward" for that child than a punishment? Where does that child spend the day as a result...?]
And what about our insitutionalized youth and the abuse stats as noted in a video below? Are we protecting our children - in our homes - in our institutions - on the streets - from predators? Or are our children [at least some of them] waking up and/or walking out into a bomb-field / battlefield every single day?
"Fight or Flight? [Phsycholgical term associated with anxiety and phobic disorders]
Depression? [What are the options for youth around here? Are youth being overdiagnosed and overmedicated?]
Dreams? [Who are today's heros? Who do today's youths look up to and seek to emulate? Characters from Video Games? From the 100 plus, plus stations we have on TV?]
Are parents and youth overwhelmed with all of the new technology, as an article I just read suggests?
When all you have to give isn't ever enough [I feel this way a lot...] --- and one doesn't feel truly safe anywhere --- where does that leave one?????
Hiding in the house, like I do...
Or striking out - like some others [a lot of bitterness is bred within Lewis' "Culture of Poverty" scenerio - including an "us versus them" mentality...] apparently do?
I also have a copy of the article where Senator Moynahan [many years ago] suggested that parts of the State of New York suffer from conditions [generational poverty, high unemployment, unsafe housing, etc] similar to those in the Appalacian region - and I will locate this if anyone is interested.
According to an article in today's [1/10/2010; pp. A1 and A8] "Sunday Freeman" ["Kingston Crime Rate Jumps..."; Paul Kirby] --- based on a report from the City of Kingston Police Department, the following changes [picking out what appears to be most pertinent] have occurred - in regard to the rate of "serious crimes" in the City of Kingston - since [within a two-year time span...] 2008:
1. The number of "burglaries" increased by over five percent. 2. The number of "motor vehicle thefts" increased by over 36 percent. 3. The number of "robberies" increased by nearly 44 percent. 4. The number of "assaults" increased by nearly 60 percent.
[Bold emphasis mine]
So, although I would love to join the folks that are pumping out the positives about our City [which does have its merits...] --- you might have to wait until next year, or the year after, or the year after... for "that."
On page B2 of today's [1/8/2010] "Daily Freeman", there is an Associated Press article titled "Report: Sex abuse high at juvenile centers."
According to this report, based on a recently released government study, in thirteen different juvenile detention and/or correction centers, approximately 1/3 of the incarcerated youth "reported" suffering some form of sexual abuse and/or "victimization" - as perpetrated by staff and/or other youth.
Whereas, on the national level, a recently released Justice Department study found that approximately 12 percent of institutionalized youth [state-run, private and/or local correctional facilities] "reported" suffering some form of sexual abuse, as perpetrated by staff and/or other youth.
All of which would seem to beg the questions: "What is better... an abusive family system or an abusive institutional system?"
Or, better yet, "What the He** is going on?????"
Aren't the staff in such places being screened to the max for prior abuse and/or criminal histories? Aren't the youth in these facilities getting the supervision they should be? Has our youth correctional system been covertly [through neglect, cover-up or collusion] allowing this sort of activity to go on?
We have mandated reporters - in regard to child abuse - and that is good. But if a troubled child gets sent to a facility [whether it is a a temporary shelter, a foster home and/or a correctional facility] - does this "mandate" suddenly [inside of the institution] somehow "disappear?"
If not, how could these stats climb so high?????
Approximately one out of three...
Approximately 12 out of 100
Pretty bad, I'd say...
Even more so when one factors in the fact that a lot of youth - according to a number of studies - never speak up about being abused...
And even those that aren't directly abused [this, according to studies related to abuse in the home...] are quite likely - at some level - to know something is going on - and live in chronic fear of it happening to them. [In an institution a youth in such circumstances might adopt a "tough guy" and/or "crazy" persona - and/or join a gang - in an attempt [quite likely self-defeating in other ways] to stay safe...
Why do youth get sent to correctional facilities?
Chronic truancy. Petty theft. Shoplifting. More serious crimes. Reasons as noted in the video above...
What do these youth leave "correctional facilities" [especially those that have suffered traumatic abuse within the institution] with?
I've often pondered the dilemma that is presented to the caring person and/or mandated reporter when it comes to abuse issues - because, although these are apparently the latest studies - and just address correctional facilities - this sort of abuse scenerio has been noted as a problem in youth facilities - of all types [including some foster homes] - many a time.
Making one wonder how much incentive there is [generally speaking] for those that are aware of these tragic stats - to report suspected abuse [neglect and or abuse is often a factor for acting out youth already...] - when one fears that the same youth one is trying to get "help" for [if abuse is indeed discovered] might well be sent to live in an abusive institution and/or to an institution that covertly - whether intentional or no - harbors abusers?
According to today's "Kingston Times" a woman and six children / youth [the "Freeman" count on this was three children/youth] were left homeless after a blaze devoured their home on CJ Cole Lane (Ward 5, near Pine Grove Avenue and Summer Street). Updates [as to how one might be able to help out, if so inclined] are hopefully pending. So far the numbers I have accessed for the Red Cross have not been valid.
?????
This was a very serious fire with the potential for even greater damage - and it would appear that something might need to be done in regard to fire hydrants and/or street width / other safety factors in this area...
I'm not up on fire codes and such - and I don't claim to know much about how calls / responses such as this work...
But I do know that Summer Street - all of Summer Street [two blocks plus?] was totally shut down to traffic for a few hours - that neighboring houses must have been at high risk - and that the firefighters themselves must have been [one was reputedly injured] at high risk.
There is a also a residence that I believe services Cerebral (sp?) Palsy clients located close to where this fire occurred - which brings up additional safety issues and such...
Kudos to the Fire Department personnel involved.
This question is to you and well as to anyone else...
What would have made your job in this instance safer and easier for all concerned? Is another hydrant needed? Stronger water pressure to the hydrants?
Are there other issues?
Just asking.
This seems like a disaster that could have easily become a much worse disaster...
Revised: According to today's "Daily Freeman", seven people, including three children / youth were displaced as a result of the intense fire in Ward 5 yesterday. These folks are being assisted by the Red Cross - and I hope to generate a list of the families needs [give me a couple of days...] so that folks can help them out if they so choose / are able.
If anyone is interested in holding a fundraiser of some sort, I am willing to provide free music / karaoke / children's entertainment [in some sort of public venue] for the occassion.
To watch a webcast [live] of Governor David Paterson giving his 2nd "State of the State Address" - please check in at www.ny.gov/governor at 1PM today.
I have added a collection of blogs and links to my list - and I will return later to sort these out and remove [if necessary] anything that I find offensive. More may be added. Alternative viewpoints - as long as respectful - will be kept.
Bear with me. This will be somewhat time consuming.
The Snowman, The President, Santa Claus and The Mouse
Photo by NS
Last year, around this time, I had just finished playing host [with the assistance of MoveOn.Org] for President Barack Obama's local Inauguration Party at the Kingston MuddyCup [a wonderful success!] --- which is now [the Kingston MuddyCup] approximately a year vacant --- and apparently pegged [despite being practically across the street from Rite Aid and just up the street from the up and coming (new) Walgreens...] to become yet another Kingston [no dealers on these corners... lol] drug store.
Last year, around this time, life was tough. It was cold. Santa had apparently gone "bottoms up" during his treck through the City skies...
And, as always --- "the tax man cometh" --- bearing higher rates for the majority of City of Kingston homeowners --- and promising nothing [except for the opportunity to file grievances, which many did...] --- at all.
Hope was in the air though.
Hope - for some of us - was in the air.
So we did our homework; grabbed on the back of that sled and did a few loop-de-loops; joined activist organizations that supported the Obama Administration and/or our local citizen groups...
And filed those grievances...
For better [usually] or for worse [?].
After all, life is - to some degree - what you make it.
Fun is - to some degree - what you make it.
But it still hurts when you fall...
It still hurts when you fail...
And it still hurts when it (ouch, ouch, ouch...) hurts...
This year, President Barack Obama is no longer a novice...; Santa Claus held his own a "wee bit" better; the snowman lost his theatrical lighting abilities and got his head filled with old pillow "stuff"; and the mouse [never overly talented in any respect] surely needs [and will receive] a bath...
Is this "our moment?"
What got better in 09?
What got worse in 09?
What did you do [it could be as simple as planting a flower...] to try to make a positive impact in 09?
What might you [I've already beat myself up...] have done better?
What about 2010?
Ideas?
Potentialities?
Goals?
Dreams?
Hope?
I'm just writing "Stream of Consciousness" kinda' stuff this am...
But taking ones personal inventory is always a good idea --- and it would most likely be a positive undertaking - for groups - business enterprises - and government bodies [don't ya' think?] as well.
After all, in the past --- when the snowman lost his twinkling spinning lights --- I would have trashed him.
But minus his plug [safety issues...] - head stuffed with old pillow fiber (making use of an aged out pillow, as well) he (the snowman...) still looks pretty good...
As does - to me - the rest of the "crew."
[We really need to remember that 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 (which was like skiing downhill on ice at breakneck speeds...) preceded 2009....]
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