UK government’s Information Commissioner takes enforcement action against Liberal Democrat party for cold calling voters

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UK government’s Information Commissioner takes enforcement action against Liberal Democrat party for cold calling voters
July 28th, 2020 in Uncategorized | No Comments

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Richard Thomas, the British Information Commissioner has criticized the Liberal Democrats for cold calling 250,000 British people automatically to encourage them to support their party. The commissioner announced in a press release made public on Thursday that “the Information Commissioner’s Office has taken enforcement action against the Liberal Democrats after finding the party in breach of the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations.”

In the enforcement notice, which has been seen by Wikinews, the Liberal Democrats are told that “in view of the matters referred to above the Commissioner hereby gives notice that, in exercise of his powers under section 40 of the [Data Protection] Act, he requires that the Liberal Democrats within 30 days of the date of service of this Notice shall, in accordance with Regulation 19 of the Regulations, cease using an automated calling system to transmit communications comprising recorded matter for direct marketing purposes to subscribers who have not previously notified the Liberal Democrats that they consent to such communications being sent to them.”

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The Liberal Democrats have been given 28 days to appeal against the action, although the party has said that they accept the decision. In 2005, the party successfully stopped the Scottish National Party for continuing to carry out a similar cold calling campaign. Nick Clegg, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, defended the party’s actions by saying that “I rather hope it won’t disturb. People don’t have to pick up the phone if they don’t like the time at which the call is made.”

If the Liberal Democrats continue to cold call users in thirty days time, they are at risk of prosecution and an unlimited fine.

Oversight Committee: White House attempted to influence Congressional elections

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Oversight Committee: White House attempted to influence Congressional elections
July 27th, 2020 in Uncategorized | No Comments

Thursday, October 16, 2008

A report released by the US House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform today found that the White House had “used the political affairs office to orchestrate an aggressive strategy to use taxpayer-funded trips to help elect Republican candidates” during the 2006 Congressional elections. The actions of the White House may have breached the Hatch Act, which prohibits government involvement with taxpayer dollars in political affairs.

The Office of Political Affairs coordinated the efforts, and while it has been used in the past to support political parties, the Committee called the level of involvement “unprecedented” and a “gross abuse of public trust”. A total of 99 Republican candidates were supported by the actions.

Political Affairs requested that its officials attend events of and support key members of the 2006–2007 Congressional race. Administration officials attended a total of 425 events, including parties, fundraising dinners, speeches, and appearances with Republican candidates — an average of more than an event each day of the election season. A third of the events were paid for with tax dollars.

White House emails used in the report referred to the taxpayer-funded events as “top priorities”.

Former Political Affairs director Ken Melhman said during an investigative interview that it was a “big part” of his job was to “help elect allies of the President”. The job was legal, he said, because it promoted executive allies. Mehlman had discussed his actions with the White House Counsel of the time, Alberto Gonzales, who approved of the efforts.

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The Committee noted that the director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, John Walters, helped with nineteen events though his position was restricted from campaign activities.

Mehlman said that his department had worked directly with the National Republican Congressional Committee on the strategy. They had worked together to pick “vulnerable Republican incumbents”, “battleground races” and “places where they agreed the most help was needed”. The White House kept a ‘target list’ of ‘allies’ who were in tight races.

Investigators also questioned Sara Taylor, a former director of Political Affairs and Karl Rove aid. According to the report, Taylor resisted questioning and “misled the Committee about her actions”. Taylor said the trips were efforts to be helpful but could not remember why some were helped and others not.

The report recommended an amendment of the Hatch Act and for the Political Affairs department to be abolished.

Republican Representative Tom Davis, a senior member of the Committee, said that every administration since Eisenhower has done similar things. He said the Democrats had set out to find banned activity and had “feigned shock”, calling their response “righteous indignation”.

A White House spokesman accused the Committee of trying to “score political points”, and that the report was a waste of time and taxpayer money.

Colleges offering admission to displaced New Orleans students/OH-WY

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Colleges offering admission to displaced New Orleans students/OH-WY
July 26th, 2020 in Uncategorized | No Comments
See the discussion page for instructions on adding schools to this list and for an alphabetically arranged listing of schools.

Due to the damage by Hurricane Katrina and subsequent flooding, a number of colleges and universities in the New Orleans metropolitan area will not be able to hold classes for the fall 2005 semester. It is estimated that 75,000 to 100,000 students have been displaced. [1]. In response, institutions across the United States and Canada are offering late registration for displaced students so that their academic progress is not unduly delayed. Some are offering free or reduced admission to displaced students. At some universities, especially state universities, this offer is limited to residents of the area.

Finding The Hair Style And Color That Represents You

July 22nd, 2020 in Online Bohemian Fashion | No Comments

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Having the perfect Hair Style matters, but it seems the color may be just as important. There have been numerous studies done to learn what people think of women with specific hair colors. If you have the color you love, it may not matter to you what others think, but it is still nice to know when it is time for a change.

Hair color commercials want you to think any color is fine, just as long as it does not contain gray. That is not true anymore and a quick look through any fashion magazine will prove the point. It is not unusual to see young women with hair dyed gray. The only problem is that gray hair must be properly cared for. Otherwise, it can be dry and coarse and look a little unkempt. Keep it well conditioned and styled and it can be as beautiful and youthful as any hair.

There is no one color that everyone prefers. This does not mean that people do not have stereotypes about each shade and the women who wear them. Blondes may or may not have more fun, but they are often seen as more approachable than women with other hair colors. This is according to a study of single men. This same group also believed that while they were more approachable, they may also be more needy and demanding as well.

Brunettes are still considered by those in surveys to be the ones that are the most intelligent. It is unlikely this is true across the board, but studies have shown they are more likely to earn more money that women with other hair colors.

Redheads are considered fun, fiery, and a little promiscuous. This seems unfair, except a German study stated that women with red hair have more partners than other women and, whether married or single, have more sex as well. Since the study was of all women, not just those with natural red, blonde or brunette locks, it could be that those who are a little more passionate on the inside like to reveal that with their fiery red tresses.

If your hair is not reflecting the real you, it is time to come to Tangles Salon. They can help you get the Hair Style and color that is perfect for your complexion, features, and attitude. Contact them today to schedule an appointment. You can follow them on Instagram.

Women in South Africa advancing in fields of science and technology

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Women in South Africa advancing in fields of science and technology
July 22nd, 2020 in Uncategorized | No Comments

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Naledi Pandor, Minister of Science and Technology in South Africa, publicized results of a study on Tuesday on the role of women in the fields of science and technology in the country. Though women only make up thirty-three percent of publishing scientists in the country, their numbers have increased in recent years. When compared to a similar study from 2004, trends show increased enrollment of women in higher education.

Pandor was disappointed by the dearth of individuals that attended the announcement of the results of the study at the Parliament of South Africa. “It shows the degree to which science does – or doesn’t – matter to South Africans,” said Pandor. Prior to her role as Minister of Science and Technology, Pandor had served as Minister of Education of South Africa.

“It shows the degree to which science does – or doesn’t – matter to South Africans.”

Professor Anusuya Chinsamy-Turan, a woman scientist in South Africa, commented to News24 that some educational organizations in the country were “really, really hostile to women”.

Pandor highlighted problems affecting women and specifically black women in the country from increased participation in science, including “financial difficulties before and during tertiary studies, gender stereotyping, legacies of disadvantage in black communities, negative dynamics at workplaces, and the lack of attention to women’s specific needs”.

Women in the country are advancing against men in science fields, particularly engineering, agricultural studies and biology. At present there are a greater number of women than men among enrollments for degrees in higher education, and among individuals obtaining those degrees. According to The Times, “their biggest gain has been in health sciences, where women earned more than half the doctorates awarded in 2005”. Pandor emphasized a current need for additional women to enter the fields of technology and engineering.

The announcement at Parliament in South Africa was part of the launch of the “Facing the Facts 2009” booklet, which was published by a sub-committee of the National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI), Science, Engineering and Technology for Women (SET4W). Dr. Romilla Maharaj of SET4W presented the report to Parliament, and stated that enrollment by women in higher education had increased by one percent from a previous study. Dr. Maharaj noted that women were still currently in the minority among individuals with degrees in higher education.

Knowing Car Storage Facilities In Your City

July 20th, 2020 in Dog Rescue | No Comments

Knowing Car Storage Facilities In Your City by Pamela GoodA car storage facility is increasingly becoming popular nowadays because it allows residents of the city to store their unused vehicle safely and without much hassle or incurring much cost. These self storage facilities are coming up in large numbers in various cities to enable people to keep their vehicles in self storage units away from thieves and vandals, who waste no chance after seeing an abandoned car on the road. Storage Unit TypesThe rental storage business is doing good as they provide various shapes and sizes of units for all types of requirements and needs of the customer. Whether you own a small or big car or RV, or furniture which you cannot discard, these storage facilities come as a boon to your storing problems. Car storage especially comes with a lot of facilities. However, all of this requires good research. You should take your own time in finalizing the best place for your car and other stuff. Apart from the thieves and vandals, the vehicle owner is also worried about the unpredictable weather, and the reckless drunk driver who may wreck a perfectly parked car. So in order to keep the vehicles safe, these car storage facilities have come up in various cities. They provide some of the best services which a garage storage unit may also not provide. With 24 hour security and surveillance gadgets, such as cameras and alarms, and supervisors and well trained security personnel, a car and RV storage facility will really take good care of your vehicle.Storage Types It is also important to know that there are different makes of cars and RVs, and therefore they come with different storage requirements. So take time when choosing from various storage units. The sizes of the units range from 10×10 feet to 20×20 feet – so there is a good range to choose from. Some of them are good for two cars. Boat Storage: People residing near water bodies like lakes want to possess a boat for recreational purposes. However, there are few houses which have a space for a boat. Keeping it on jetties and marinas may leave it open to theft and vandalism, apart from the vagaries of weather. Towing it to the water is also tedious. This is where a storage warehouse comes to the rescue of boat owners. They may rent out a boat storage unit for their boat and keep it under constant security surveillance all the time. Investing in a storage unit is worth it. Furniture Storage: Do you own valuable furniture or furniture which you are not using anymore? Are you moving houses and have a huge collection of movable furniture? These situations can lead to untoward stress as to where to keep these items. Storage for furniture provides small and large units, and the right environmental conditions e.g. ambient temperature, which would suit your furniture. So go ahead and research the best space for your two-piece antique of the grandfather sofa, which is an emotional piece for you.Now, you might have come to know why a storage facility, particularly car storage is important for you. So, what are you waiting for now? Just go ahead and choose a storage facility that suits you best for the storage of your precious things.Storage Mart has its car storage and other facilities in a large number of cities across the country with the best services.Article Source: eArticlesOnline.com

French presidential candidate Sarkozy accuses left parties of betraying left values

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French presidential candidate Sarkozy accuses left parties of betraying left values
July 19th, 2020 in Uncategorized | No Comments

Saturday, April 14, 2007

Nicolas Sarkozy, the right-wing political party UMP’s candidate for the upcoming Presidential elections in France, which enters its first round next week, held a campaign meeting in Toulouse last Thursday, where he accused the left side political parties of betraying the ideals of Jaurès, Blum and other key socialist politicians. He compared the “left of old times” with the left nowadays, and said he wanted to “bring back to the heart of politics the values that the left side parties have betrayed.”

Former mayor of Toulouse Philippe Douste-Blazy welcomed more than 14 000 attendees to the city’s Parc des Expositions. He summarized the candidates political program by saying: “The Republic [of France, red.] is not about defending laxity and impunity for the agitators, it’s about guaranteeing the security and freedom of all through the respect of the laws and Justice.” Sarkozy was Minister of Interior Affairs during the 2005 suburban riots in France, when he instituted a zero-tolerance policy. Of one of Sarkozy’s rivals, François Bayrou, Douste-Blazy said that France didn’t need a President who “undergoes and refuses to make choices.”

In his speech of more than one hour, Sarkozy claimed the historical heritage of the founders of socialism and their values of right to work, payed holidays, social security, unemployment benefits, education, liberty of conscience, and of moral rights and the rights of the individual: “These values, I’ve wanted the Republican right side to reclaim them at a moment when the left side abandons them.” He also criticised François Hollande, chairman of the French Socialist Party, and with him his wife and the socialist candidate for the Presidential elections, Ségolène Royal, who, according to Sarkozy, “has forgotten Blum and Camus, and doesn’t know Jaurès.”

A week ago, Ségolène Royal held a speech in Carmaux, the home of Jaurès, where she proposed herself in continuity with Jaurès’ battle for the values of employment, concluding her speech by saying: “It’s important for the left side to know where we come from, because that helps also to foresee the future.”

On Wednesday, she held a meeting in Metz, where she accused Sarkozy of wanting to exercise power alone, of knowing everything, of wanting an unequal health care system and of following the laws of money. “He proposes us the law of the strongest. Do you want it? Me neither! And I propose to you the law of most justice.”

Asbestos controversy aboard Scientology ship Freewinds

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Asbestos controversy aboard Scientology ship Freewinds
July 19th, 2020 in Uncategorized | No Comments

Friday, May 16, 2008

Controversy has arisen over the reported presence of blue asbestos on the MV Freewinds, a cruise ship owned by the Church of Scientology. According to the Saint Martin newspaper The Daily Herald and the shipping news journal Lloyd’s List, the Freewinds was sealed in April and local public health officials on the Caribbean island of Curaçao where the ship is docked began an investigation into the presence of asbestos dust on the ship. Former Scientologist Lawrence Woodcraft supervised work on the ship in 1987, and attested to the presence of blue asbestos on the Freewinds in an affidavit posted to the Internet in 2001. Woodcraft, a licensed architect by profession, gave a statement to Wikinews and commented on the recent events.

According to The Daily Herald, the Freewinds was in the process of being renovated by the Curaçao Drydock Company. The article states that samples taken from paneling in the ship were sent to the Netherlands, where an analysis revealed that they “contained significant levels of blue asbestos”. An employee of the Curaçao Drydock Company told Radar Online in an April 30 article that the Freewinds has been docked and sealed, and confirmed that an article about asbestos ran in the local paper.

Lloyd’s List reported that work on the interior of the Freewinds was suspended on April 27 after health inspectors found traces of blue asbestos on the ship. According to Lloyd’s List, Frank Esser, Curaçao Drydock Company’s interim director, joined Curaçao’s head of the department of labor affairs Christiene van der Biezen along with the head of the local health department Tico Ras and two inspectors in an April 25 inspection of the ship. “We are sending someone so that they can tell us what happened, where it came from, since when it has been there,” said Panama Maritime Authority’s director of merchant marine Alfonso Castillero in a statement to Lloyd’s List.

The Church of Scientology purchased the ship, then known as the Bohème, in 1987, through an organization called Flag Ship Trust. After being renovated and refitted, it was put into service in June 1988. The ship is used by the Church of Scientology for advanced Scientology training in “Operating Thetan” levels, as well as for spiritual retreats for its members. Curaçao has been the ship’s homeport since it was purchased by the Church of Scientology.

According to his 2001 statement, Lawrence Woodcraft had been an architect in London, England since 1975, and joined Scientology’s elite “Sea Organization” (Sea Org) in 1986. He wrote that he was asked by the Sea Org to work on the Freewinds in 1987, and during his work on the ship “noticed a powdery blue fibrous substance approximately 1 ½” thick between the paint and the steel wall,” which he believed to be asbestos. He also discovered what he thought was blue asbestos in other parts of the ship, and reported his findings to Church of Scientology executives. Woodcraft discussed his experiences in a 2001 interview published online by the Lisa McPherson Trust, a now-defunct organization which was critical of the Church of Scientology.

The Freewinds regularly inspects the air quality on board and always meets or exceeds US standards.

Church of Scientology spokeswoman Karin Pouw responded to Radar Online about the asbestos reports, in an email published in an article in Radar on May 1. “The Freewinds regularly inspects the air quality on board and always meets or exceeds US standards,” said Pouw. She stated that two inspections performed in April “confirmed that the air quality is safe,” and asserted that the inspections revealed the Freewinds satisfies standards set by the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the U.S. Clean Air Act.

Pouw told Radar that “The Freewinds will be completing its refit on schedule.” The Church of Scientology-affiliated organization Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) had been planning a cruise aboard the Freewinds scheduled for May 8, but according to Radar an individual who called the booking number for the cruise received a message that the cruise had been delayed due to ongoing work on the ship. Citing an article in the Netherlands Antilles newspaper Amigoe, Radar reported on May 6 that a team from the United States and supervised by an independent bureau from the Netherlands traveled to Curaçao in order to remove asbestos from the Freewinds.

…if the Church of Scientology claims to have removed the blue asbestos, I just don’t see how, it’s everywhere. You would first have to remove all the pipes, plumbing, a/c ducts, electrical wiring etc. etc. just a maze of stuff.

“I stand by everything I wrote in my 2001 affidavit,” said Lawrence Woodcraft in an exclusive statement given to Wikinews. Woodcraft went on to state: “I would also comment that if the Church of Scientology claims to have removed the blue asbestos, I just don’t see how, it’s everywhere. You would first have to remove all the pipes, plumbing, a/c ducts, electrical wiring etc. etc. just a maze of stuff. Also panelling as well, basically strip the ship back to a steel hull. Also blue asbestos is sprayed onto the outer walls and then covered in paint. It’s in every nook and cranny.”

Many Scientologist celebrities have spent time aboard the Freewinds, including Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, John Travolta, Kelly Preston, Chick Corea, Lisa Marie Presley, Catherine Bell, Kate Ceberano, and Juliette Lewis. Now magazine reported that Tom Cruise has been urged to seek medical attention regarding potential asbestos exposure, however a representative for Cruise stated he has “absolutely no knowledge” of the recent asbestos controversy. Cruise, Holmes, Travolta and Preston have celebrated birthdays and other events on the Freewinds.

There is not now and never has been a situation of asbestos exposure on the Freewinds.

In a May 15 statement to the United Kingdom daily newspaper Metro, a representative for the Church of Scientology said that “There is not now and never has been a situation of asbestos exposure on the Freewinds.” The Asbestos and Mesothelioma Center notes that agencies have recommended anyone who has spent time on the Freewinds consult with their physician to determine if possible asbestos exposure may have affected their health.

Raw blue asbestos is the most hazardous form of asbestos, and has been banned in the United Kingdom since 1970. Blue asbestos fibers are very narrow and thus easily inhaled, and are a major cause of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a form of cancer which can develop in the lining of the lungs and chest cavity, the lining of the abdominal cavity, or the pericardium sac surrounding the heart. The cancer is incurable, and can manifest over 40 years after the initial exposure to asbestos.

“This is the most dangerous type of asbestos because the fibres are smaller than the white asbestos and can penetrate the lung more easily,” said toxicologist Dr. Chris Coggins in a statement published in OK! Magazine. Dr. Coggins went on to note that “Once diagnosed with mesothelioma, the victim has six months to a year to live. It gradually reduces lung function until the victim is no longer able to breathe and dies.”

Florida man accused of threatening to bomb animal shelter

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Florida man accused of threatening to bomb animal shelter
July 19th, 2020 in Uncategorized | No Comments

Saturday, April 28, 2012

A Florida man was arrested after he allegedly left multiple phone messages with a local animal shelter in Brooksville, threatening to blow them up. Peter Dalessandro, 52, surrendered himself to authorities around 11:00 p.m. (local time) on Wednesday.

Dalessandro has been charged with multiple counts of threatening to place or discharge an explosive device and multiple counts of assault. Dalessandro allegedly made six calls after a puppy the shelter had taken in was euthanized quickly. He called the shelter several times on April 20 and threatened to kill anyone who was there and stated that a bomb was on the property. A search of the property, however, revealed no bomb.

Allegedly, Dalessandro was angered about a recent incident involving euthanizing of an eight-month-old puppy at the shelter within fifteen minutes after the dog’s arrival. According to reports, it is the animal shelter’s policy to euthanize animals as soon as possible if there is no room to house them. However, The Miami Herald reports a shelter volunteer’s claim that there were at least ten kennels open at the time the dog was taken in. An investigation has been opened into the incident and is ongoing. Several employees of the shelter have been relieved of their duties until it has completed.

The director of the shelter called the euthanizing a mistake. Further reports reveal that Dalessandro allegedly called the shelter staff “scumbags” and told them, “I don’t know how you can make an error like that. I’m going to place a bomb and kill everybody.”

Dalessandro has reportedly made threats of a similar nature not related to this case. According to police, Dalessandro has a history of harshly reacting to news of animals dying or which have suffered abuse and has a rap sheet dating back to 2001. Some of the accusations against him include calling individuals who have been accused of killing animals and calling an attorney defending an individual accused of killing a dog.

Simple Ways To Clean Up Your Environment With Recycling Centers In Hartford Ct

July 17th, 2020 in Manufacturing | No Comments

byAlma Abell

How many times have you walked or driven by garbage on the side of the road? Have you ever stopped to think how trash like this is harming your environment? Most people tend to overlook the importance of properly recycling the garbage they produce. Recycling may seem like an unnecessary task to some people, but recycling is one of the most vital processes being carried out today. Without Recycling Centers, we would be up to our necks in garbage and waste. Let’s take a look at different ways you can help in this effort to keep your environment safe and clean.

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Do you make a lot of trash during the week? Next time you finish a can of soda, remember not to simply throw it in the garbage bin. Most soda cans are made of aluminum and aluminum is recyclable. Instead of throwing it in a garbage bin, consider saving it or finding a bin specifically for aluminum products. Many people choose to simply save their cans until they have quite a few, and then they take them to one of the nearest Recycling Centers in Hartford CT area has available. The center will then pay you for your recycling efforts, depending on how much the empty cans weigh.

You don’t have to stop at cans. There are a number of other materials that can be recycled. Make an effort to recycle the trash you make at home. Buy separate bins and label them as paper, aluminum, and plastic. Most cities have weekly trash pickups that take trash and recycled materials separately. With separate bins, it’ll be a lot easier deciding which materials to put in the trash and which to have recycled. If your city doesn’t have separate trash pickups, you can stop by one of the designated Recycling Centers Hartford CT has available.

As you can see, there are several convenient and simple ways you can help to save the environment. Every bit of trash you recycle will make your environment that much more clean. Try simple things like remembering to put aluminum cans in aluminum trash bins, and remembering to separate recycled goods from regular trash. Your local recycling center will have more information. Click here, to know more.

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