BBC E-mail: US lifts HIV/Aids immigration
** US lifts HIV/Aids immigration ban **The US lifts a 22-year immigration ban that stopped anyone with HIV/Aids from entering the country.
< http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/2/hi/americas/8438865.stm >
What a significant event from the Barak Obama Administration!I know there will be lots of homecoming celebrations during the next few weeks. This is such good news.
Ann,
ReplyDeleteYes, this is a good move.
Rory
The Obama adminisgtration gets a lot of flack from the Gay community in America for not pursuing a more militant agenda.
ReplyDeleteYet, little by little they have been chipping away at the wall of institutionalized hatred and discrimination erected by the conservatives.
This was a big move Tuesday's nomination of a transexual to an important administration transportation agency position was another.
Hatred and fear are powerful maipulative forces and you cannot change people by simply magically issuing edicts...
I applaud any step no matter how small or insinificant it seems.
The Democrats face a possible hammering in Mid Term Elections this year.The fact that Obama has quadrupled the deficit has frightened many middle ground voters. Also the taxpayer funded abortion proposals-if adopted- in healthcare will cost the Democrats millions of votes. Up to 70% of the electorate is unhappy with many of the healthcare proposals. More and more Democrats have announced their retirement as the writing appears on the wall. Senators Byron Dorgan and Chris Dodd have announced their retirements. Colorado's Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter has now decided to retire. Alabama Rep. Parker Griffith has defected to the GOP.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree that progress is hard on us all, it seems.
ReplyDeleteAn example. I was angered, when Hep C was dropped by an Iowa network database which I subscribe to. Why would anyone decide to separate HIV, AIDS, and Hep C? They are very much connected. It seemed Hep C, which is easier to get and just as dangerous, was getting a back burner to a more discussed calamity, the stereotyping of HIV/AIDS.
Now, I see that the Obama Administration has lifted a travel ban for HIV/AIDS sufferers, and it all makes more sense. As you said, Microdot, little by little we effect change. Therefore, yes, I can certainly agree wholeheartedly that the lifting is a good thing. It was anticipated, prepared for and ensured to be accepted by a very strong and politally active group of people.
What will happen come Midterm elections? Mr Barry, let's just say that we have our work cut out for us.
Repeal Blasphemy Law Petition can be signed here!
ReplyDeleteRory,
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I know enough about the blasphemy law petition.
I don't remember where it is in effect.
the neighborhood bar
at the mall
on the street
in a car
on a metro bus
in a commuter bus or train
at the local school
outside but on the school grounds
during a city hall discussion
on the beach
in your own residence
in a public restroom
at a restaurant
What is the punishment?
jail or prison time
a large fine
a small fine
a graduating fine for the numbers of words used
community service
a required don't blasphemy class
cursing in the classroom is not allowed in most of Iowa. I enforced that rule...usually.
Ann,
ReplyDeleteI would imagine the law would be against blasphemy in the media or at public meetings.
The fine is €25,000 which is pretty severe in my opinion.
The law was inspire I think by a controversy where a Danish newspaper published offensive cartoons of the prophet Muhammad and is really aimed at preventing such insults in the media.
The thing is though it prevents freedom of expression. Are Reb and Amillieniest committing a crime by writing the things they do about Islam?
Even though I disagree with them, I don't think it is a crime. It is what they think, and if they say it in public, you have the chance to refute it and maybe change their way of thinking. If they don't say it in public, you can't refute it. In short, I think the law is a backward step in terms of freedom of speech, and could restrict public debate on religious issues.
Rory
Oh. Okay.
ReplyDeleteI'm not aware of what the currency in Ireland converts to in American dollars. So I can't comment on the amount.
I hear you on the theory. The US has somethinng similar for authors. There is such a thing as a banned book list. It's a national list. As a teacher in Iowa, one can use a banned book in the classroom. Generally, a teacher will need to send a permission slip to every parent. Otherwise, things can get pretty dicey. Parental complaints. A teacher can end up being fired if parents rally.
I'm thinking, though, that the occasional blasphemy can be so misinterprete
d. The definition of content. The immediate calling out to God Almighty. The outraged citizen with a complaint.
In print media, such as newspapers and magazines, a company has full right of ownership. Thus, it will stand behind its workers for their own self-preservation, at least.
Barring blasphemy in the media seems overkill to a large firm. Barring blasphemy could very well close the content as well as the service provided for a small newspaper with a small following. There must be room for open columns in a free society, as you stated.
moonlitetwine