So Much for Offshore Tax Evasion…

Bad news for all you business men and women who filter money through offshore accounts to avoid United States taxes.

President Obama will not have it. He has vowed to prevent U.S. companies from deferring tax payments by keeping profits in foreign countries rather than recording them at home. President Obama wants more transparency in bank accounts held by Americans, especially in places like the Cayman Islands where tax havens are extremely prevalent.

The plan Obama plans to use to implement this will hire eight hundred new IRS agents to enforce the new tax laws. In addtion, this plan would generate $210 billion in new taxes over ten years and, according to the great omnipotent president, make it easier for companies to create jobs at home.

There are individuals who think differently. “The plan will reduce the ability of U.S. companies to compete in foreign markets,” said John Castellani, who heads the Business Roundtable, which represents some of the largest U.S. companies. “We believe it will not only reduce jobs but it will also cripple economic growth here in the United States. It just couldn’t have come at a worse time.”

Let’s see how much heat Obama catches for this one.

*alet alecia*

Search Continues for Kidnapped Boy!

I am an avid protector of children and their rights. I try to do all that I can to ensure that they are kept safe and protected – something many parents are unable to do for their children no matter how hard they tried.

I just want to alert everyone to the kidnapping of Briant Rodriguez. He was kidnapped from his home in San Bernardino, California on Sunday. Gunmen broke into his parents’ home, bound and gagged the rest of his family, and robbed the house before taking him. An Amber Alert was put out for him late Sunday evening.

If any of you are reading from San Bernardino and surrounding areas, you can see Briant’s picture by clicking on his name in the second paragraph of this article. Please be on the lookout for him. He’s three years old, Hispanic with brown eyes and long, curly hair. He weighs forty pounds and was last seen wearing a yellow shirt, blue-striped shorts and black sandals.

*alet alecia*

Confused About Child Support…

Now here is something that has always bothered me. The roles created for men and women in American society are so warped – especially when it comes to the roles men and women are expected to play as parents. I do not have a child yet (and will not until at least three years from now when I’ve completed law school), but I do have an idea of the complex relationship parents share, particularly parents who are no longer a couple.

Why is it that a man is expected to be financially supportive of his child and nothing more? Many women have this strange misconception of child support where they are under the assumption that once a man pays that he should just go on his merry way and not have anything further to do with his child. And God bless some men who have spouses and want to spend time with their children! It’s always, “I don’t want my child around your woman” or some lame excuse that keeps the man from his child. I wonder why it is that when a man doesn’t pay his child support, he’s thrown in jail but there is no legal objection – at least no immediate legal objection – to a woman not allowing a man to see his child.

Let us not forget the women who take the child support check and do not spend it on the child! They do their hair, their nails, buy new clothes. Then when something comes up where the child support money is actually need for (gasp!) the child, they come knocking on the doors of the fathers. And heaven forbid he does not give them more money. They will be right back at the court house demanding an increase in the amount of money they get because they just saw him buying his new woman a necklace.

And why is it that many mothers equate money with love? For example, how many of you have ever heard, “Your father does not love you because if he did he would pay such and such or he would give you x amount of money”? Do you know how screwed up that makes a child? If it’s a young girl, she begins to equate love with money and seeks out a mate solely for that purpose. She is also led to believe that if she is paid, then she is loved, irrespective of any ill treatment she may receive. If it is a young boy, he begins to believe that without money he is worthless and begins to look at men in a very negative light.

It’s just so funny how warped the entire system is. It has to be a summer day in December when a man is granted custody of a child. The circumstances have to be really dire for the child living with the mother for a court to even consider granting a man full custody, i.e. Britney Spears. I think that some of these women need to spend a day in the shoes of the men they torment and attempt to manipulate with their children. It’s unfair that most of the time it’s the men who want to be apart of their children’s lives or want to be a good father that are not allowed to do so.

I just wish some of these women would get a clue.

*alet alecia*

Can Michelle Obama Buy Me Some Groceries?

We were all very excited when Barack Obama was elected President of the United States. We were pleased to find that the first family seemed to be very relatable and down to earth. The key word here is seemed.

Michelle Obama’s fashion taste has been called out on many occasions. But this surpasses the fact that while her clothes may be very lovely, she does not know how to dress her body. Michelle Obama had the nerve to show up to a volunteer event at a food bank in D.C. to bring attention to hunger issues in $540.00 sneakers! Really, Michelle Obama? Did you really show up to a place where people go because they can hardly afford to buy food in $540.00 sneakers? Could you not have thought of something more event appropriate to wear? And then, when asked about your outfit and footwear, your reps don’t disclose the shoes you’re wearing claiming “they’re shoes” as if they’re Keds and not very expensive designer sneakers.

I remember during the scandal of Sarah Palin spending insane amounts of the Republican Party’s money on clothes, you went to the Letterman Show claiming that your wardrobe tastes aren’t even remotely as expensive as Sarah Palin’s and that you keep it strictly J. Crew. You even showed up in head to toe J. Crew just to prove a point. But you seem to be quite the fashionista, showing up in shoes and clothes that aren’t even available in stores from labels that I can’t even pronounce let alone spell.

I want a damn explanation. I want to know what else you’re hiding up there in the White House. Do you have a secret fetish for Louis Vuitton bags and have tons of them lying around? Do your children secretly sport Louboutin shoes?

There’s nothing wrong with spending your money if you have it, but if you’re going to pretend to be a type of person and are secretly another way, then there is something very wrong with that. Don’t be deceptive Michelle Obama, it’s not a good look.

All I ever hear from your camp is that you are so in tune to the recession and that it affects you as it affects other families. I’ve heard that you are just a regular American family. Last time I checked, I’m part of an American family and we have never spent that amount of money on shoes. In fact, that’s more than half my rent.

Expect a letter in the mail from me because I hear your “down to earth” husband responds to letters personally. Wonder how he manages to do that and run our damn country?

*alet alecia*

Howard Mann Humanitarian Award

This is a little off from what I usually cover, but I thought it would be nice to share with the blogosphere. I was recently named the recepient of the Howard Mann Humanitarian Award. This award is given to individuals who show an exceptional dedication to their community.

Many are unaware of all the volunteering I do because I don’t feel it is something to publicize. You don’t volunteer for recognition. You volunteer because it is a social responsibility. I’ve spent most if not all of my teen years doing some kind of volunteer work. Now in my early twenties, it feels like second nature to me.

Volunteering helps build character. It helps to develop you as an individual. It gives you a warm, fuzzy feeling inside. Whatever the motive behind it, just give volunteering a shot and see how you feel afterwards. Hey, it may be just as contagious as the swine flu.

*alet alecia*

Resident Evil: Swine Flu Edition

I know it’s only a matter of time before people start claiming that swine flu is the apocalypse. In fact, I could have sworn I heard one of those subway preachers telling us to turn to God or else we’ll get swine flu.

Just hours after the World Health Organization pointed to spreading U.S. infections as it ramped up its grim warnings, President Obama jumped right in saying, “This is obviously a very serious situation, and every American should know that their entire government is taking the utmost precautions and preparations.”

However, I don’t see my government doing anything. There are no commercials on television or any ads on my websites telling me about swine flu. And yes, it’s in the news, but what if I don’t like the news and I don’t like to read the paper? There are people who had no money and sold their televisions. There are people who could hardly afford to eat, let alone buy a paper. How are the government and the media reaching out to every individual in every demographic to ensure that they are aware of the precautions they should take and the symptoms of swine flu?

I have run into people who still think they can get swine flu from eating bacon, and I have even met a select few who think swine flu only happens to Mexicans. There are even some people who don’t know what the hell I’m talking about. Explain to me how we’re reaching these people. It’s unfortunate that not everyone can have as much access as necessary to the media, but it’s an unfortunate truth. People are dying from this illness in short periods of time and I don’t think the level of awareness is high enough as yet.

Or maybe it’s just me…

*alet alecia*

Will I Catch it if I Eat Bacon?

First, it was Mad Cow Disease. I clapped my hands together and said, “Yes, I’m a vegetarian!” Then it was West Nile Virus. I made an outfit out of mosquito netting, got a lifetime supply of repellant, and then clapped my hands together. Soon after came the bird flu. The vegetarian sentiment was exclaimed yet again with more hand clapping.

Now this. Swine flu is here, but I can’t clap. I won’t get it from eating swine, so no vegetarian clapping. I can’t stop myself from breathing, nor can I get around in NYC without being next to some person who may have it. Swine flu has decided it wants to one up all the other possible pandemics and be airborne. And unlike the other illnesses – which you could only catch from contact with an infected animal – swine flu can move from animal to human and then from human to human.

There seems to be a lot of chaos and confusion involved with this swine flu, especially since yesterday when the United States suffered its first fatality in Texas. So I have the information straight from the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene about what we all need to know about swine flu. This can benefit you even if you don’t live in NYC. Just know that you need to stay clean, stay protected, and DON’T TOUCH ANYONE!

Swine Flu: What New Yorkers Need to Know
What is swine influenza?
Swine flu is a respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses that regularly cause outbreaks in pigs. There have been reports of serious illness and deaths due to swine flu in Mexico, but the recently confirmed cases in the United States have been mild.

What are the symptoms of swine influenza?
Swine flu symptoms appear to be similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, lethargy, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu.

How does swine influenza spread?
Swine flu viruses can be directly transmitted between pigs and people. Human-to-human transmission is also possible, and appears to be occurring with this outbreak. Spread is mainly through coughing or sneezing. People may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

Who is at risk for swine influenza?
Anyone who has contact with an infected person may be exposed to swine flu. Human transmission is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu: through aerosolized particles that are released when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

How can I protect myself from swine influenza?
Here are the best ways to avoid getting or spreading swine influenza:
Encourage all people to cover their mouth and nose when they cough or sneeze.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
If you get sick, limit contact with others to avoid infecting them.
These are the same protections as those for seasonal flu and many other respiratory infections.

What should I do if I have flu-like symptoms?
If you develop fever, accompanied by a cough or sore throat, should stay home from work or school for at least 7 days, no matter how soon they feel better. In addition, you should not return until a day or two after you have fully recovered. Wash your hands frequently. And, as always, cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. You do not need to go to the hospital for mild illness, but anyone with severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, should seek health care and treatment immediately.

Should I be tested for swine flu?
Knowing you have swine flu will not affect the treatment you receive, but testing certain affected people can help health authorities track the spread of the disease. Diagnosis of swine flu requires two sets of laboratory tests. The Health Department recommends testing only when people experience severe symptoms or fall sick in clusters. The laboratory tests require only a nasal swab.

Is there a vaccine for swine flu?
At this time, there is no vaccine for swine flu. The season influenza vaccine does not provide protection against swine flu. This makes ordinary precautions, such as covering coughs and washing hands, all the more important.

If I experience flu symptoms, do I need medication?
The antiviral medicines Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Relenza (zanamivir) can help alleviate swine flu symptoms, and are particularly important for people with severe illness or with risk factors for complications from flu. Groups that are normally at higher risk of complications include young children, the elderly, and people with chronic illness. Flu patients who belong to those risk groups should seek treatment. Treatment may also be appropriate for household members with special risk factors, to help prevent the infection.

What are the signs of more severe illness with swine flu?
While the current swine influenza cases have been mild so far, infected individuals should still be aware of some of the more severe illness with swine flu. If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.

In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
Fast breathing or trouble breathing
Bluish skin color
Not drinking enough fluids
Not waking up or not interacting
Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
Fever with a rash
In adults, symptoms that need emergency medical attention include:
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
Sudden dizziness
Confusion
Severe or persistent vomiting

What should I do if someone I live with is sick with flu-like symptoms?
If the symptoms are severe, the person should see a medical provider. If the affected person has had close contact with a probable or confirmed case of swine flu, the provider may suggest testing for swine flu.

What should I do if someone I live with has confirmed swine flu?
Follow the same precautions you would to avoid ordinary seasonal flu:
Limit your contact with the affected person. Avoid close contact such as kissing, and do not share towels, glasses or toothbrushes with the affected person.
Avoid having visitors. If visitors must enter the home, they should avoid close contact with the affected person.
Wash your hands with soap and water or with an alcohol-based hand rub.
Consider using a facemask or an N95 respirator. These can be purchased at a pharmacy or hardware-type store. If you use a reusable fabric facemask, it should be laundered with normal laundry detergent and tumble-dried in a hot dryer.
Wash dirty dishes and eating utensils in either a dishwasher or by hand with warm water and soap. You do not need to separate eating utensils for use by a patient with influenza.
It is fine to do your laundry in a standard washing machine with warm or cold water and detergent. It is not necessary to separate the patient’s laundry.

Can household cleaning help prevent transmission?
Yes. To help prevent transmission, all hard surfaces, such as doorknobs, refrigerator door handles, telephones, and bathroom surfaces, should be washed with soap or detergent, rinsed with water and then disinfected and rinsed. Disinfectants are those with “registered disinfectant” on the label. If disinfectants are not available, use a chlorine bleach solution made by adding 1 tablespoon of bleach to a quart (4 cups) of water. Use a cloth to apply this to surfaces and then rinse them with water. Dispose of the used bleach solution and mix a fresh solution when repeating the cleaning process. Use sanitizer cloths to wipe electronic items (phones, computes, remote controls) that are touched often.

What can I do if my anxiety about the situation feels overwhelming?
During the outbreak of Swine Flu in New York City, you and your family may experience more stress than usual. Such a reaction is normal. If your stress feels overwhelming, consider seeking professional help. You can also call 800-LIFENET, a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week crisis hotline. LifeNet is staffed by mental-health professionals who speak a variety of languages.
English: 800-LIFENET (800-543-3638)
Spanish: 877-AYUDESE (877-298-33730)
Asian languages: 877-990-8585
Deaf/Hearing Impaired (TTY): 212-982-5284 or www.mhaofnyc.org.

Seeking information is healthy, but watching report after report about swine flu may be distressing, especially for children. Parents should limit children’s news-watching, watch the news with their children, and talk to them about the events that are occurring.

I was in Mexico recently. Does that mean I’m at risk?
Not necessarily, but you should pay close attention to your health for the first 7 days after you return home. If you become sick with a fever and a cough or sore throat, or you have trouble breathing during this period, see a doctor. When you make the appointment, tell the doctor:
Your symptoms
Where you traveled
If you have had close contact with a sick person or farm animals.

Should I send my children to school?
Yes. The Health Department will work with school officials to assess clusters of flu-like illness within schools. The agency may recommend suspending classes when the risk of transmission appears high – even before confirming the cause of illness. Some schools may also make that decision on their own out of an abundance of caution. But there is currently no reason to keep healthy children home from school unless they are sick.

What is the Health Department doing about the swine flu outbreaks in New York City?
Testing has confirmed a cluster of swine flu at St. Francis Preparatory School in Queens, but all of the cases have been mild. Some family members of ill children have become ill, suggesting that it’s spreading person to person at this time. We don’t know if this spread will be sustained.

The New York City Health Department is closely monitoring health trends in New York City for evidence of a wider outbreak. Agency officials are also speaking regularly with all hospitals in New York City. The hospitals have not reported evidence of citywide increases in severe respiratory illness.

*alet alecia*

I’m Back!

Hello again blog world!

It has certainly been quite some time since my last post. The world has undergone some tremendous changes, but sadly I have been so consumed with finishing my last semester of college and preparing for law school this fall that I just have not had the time needed to nuture this blog.

But I am back and in my next post I will be sharing my sentiments on many of the current events within this country and around the world. Get ready!

*alet alecia*

Associated Press Reports from Israel

Thoughts?

AirTran Says Hell No to Muslim Passengers

On Thursday, Atif Irfan, his wife, eight extended family members, and a family friend boarded a flight to Orlando, FL from Reagan National Airport. They walked through the aisle in search of their seats while discussing what the safest location to be seated in a plane would be. Other passengers overheard and alerted the flight crew, who alerted the FBI and had the entire family removed from the plane.

An FBI interviewed occurred and the family was cleared of any wrongdoing, but even then AirTran would not let the family back on the flight. The people asked to be booked on a later flight, the FBI pleaded their case for them but to no avail.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the company said, “AirTran Airways complied with all TSA, law enforcement and Homeland Security directives and had no discretion in the matter.” Here’s where my bullshit detector starts going off the charts. If the airline had no discretion in the matter and the FBI cleared them of all wrongdoing, wouldn’t that mean that the family could be booked for a later flight? They eventually took everyone off the plane and screened the passengers and the luggage again and found nothing, so what exactly kept you from letting them back on the plane?

Aziz thinks it’s just plain discrimination. “I guess it’s just a situation of guilt by association,” Aziz said. “They see one Muslim talking to another Muslim and they automatically assume something wrong is going on.” It’s a shame that even the Muslims of America have been brainwashed by the media to the point that they even start thinking that associating with a Muslim amounts to any sort of guilt. What do we have to do as a country to shift the ideas of the American people? I see very little hope for the Muslims because if African-Americans are still catching heat for all these years for nothing but the color of their skin, then the Muslims are in for it because we’re led to believe that they are all murderers and part of the attacks on September 11th.

Everyone knows I think George Bush, Silverstein, and a slew of others really blew up the buildings for whatever reason, but I will not get into that. AirTran should be and probably will be sued by this family. There is no way in fresh hell they can explain their actions – at least, the explanations they are giving now make absolutely no sense. This family should fight tooth and nail for at least an apology from these people because they do deserve one.

*alet alecia*