VOICE OF GLOBAL UMMAH
Volume 42, August 24, 2008
Editors: Mohamed & Rashida Ziauddin
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent and the Most Merciful
CONTENTS:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent and the Most Merciful
CONTENTS:
(1) CONGRATULATIONS TO CAIR (Council of American-Islamic Relations) for helping one of our very own Muslim brother Abdeloihab Boujrad
(2) U.S. Muslims, Arabs Becoming Politically Faithful - Jeff Karoub
(3) Ummah's fight against injustice continues: Our radar screen has identified two governments (Syria and India " Getting Away With Murder: 50 years of the Indian Armed Forces Special Powers Act") that are unfair to their own citizens especially the minorities.
(4) Increased awareness and co-ordination between Muslim Social Service related organizations - The missing link among the contemporary Ummah.
(5) U.S Funding Grant Opportunities for work in Muslim dominated countries - Nigeria, Sudan and Tajikistan.
(6) Miscellaneous:
(a) No Child left inside
(b) Biking as an exercise.
(c) Tips on saving Gas
(d) Advice to prospective job applicants: In the U.S how to respond to illegal questions that your potential employer may ask you and possible interview questions that you may be asked.
(e) Much of a meal is food for thought
(a) No Child left inside
(b) Biking as an exercise.
(c) Tips on saving Gas
(d) Advice to prospective job applicants: In the U.S how to respond to illegal questions that your potential employer may ask you and possible interview questions that you may be asked.
(e) Much of a meal is food for thought
(1) CONGRATULATIONS TO CAIR
(Council of American-Islamic Relations) for helping one of our own
(Council of American-Islamic Relations) for helping one of our own
As-salam alaikum:
My name is Abdeloihab Boujrad. I became a United States citizen in 2005. My wife joined me in the United States shortly after that. However, my one-year-old son was forced to stay in Morocco because the United States government delayed in granting him a visa. My son lived with his aunt for years as I worked to get his visa granted. After years of trying on my own, I asked CAIR for help. CAIR immediately took up our cause...Because of the media attention, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service granted my application to have my son join my wife and me in the United States. On August 7, 2007, I was reunited with my son, after not having seen him for almost two years. Now, Ahmed Yassine is an energetic four-year-old who has adjusted well to his new life in Virginia. I can not imagine my life without my son in it. Now our family is all together. I try to forget the sad days in the past, when my wife and I waited and prayed to have our son here with us. We may still have been waiting if it were not for CAIR.
My name is Abdeloihab Boujrad. I became a United States citizen in 2005. My wife joined me in the United States shortly after that. However, my one-year-old son was forced to stay in Morocco because the United States government delayed in granting him a visa. My son lived with his aunt for years as I worked to get his visa granted. After years of trying on my own, I asked CAIR for help. CAIR immediately took up our cause...Because of the media attention, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service granted my application to have my son join my wife and me in the United States. On August 7, 2007, I was reunited with my son, after not having seen him for almost two years. Now, Ahmed Yassine is an energetic four-year-old who has adjusted well to his new life in Virginia. I can not imagine my life without my son in it. Now our family is all together. I try to forget the sad days in the past, when my wife and I waited and prayed to have our son here with us. We may still have been waiting if it were not for CAIR.
(2) U.S MUSLIMS, ARABS BECOMING POLITICAL FAITHFUL
JEFF KAROUB, Associated Press, 8/22/08
Faced with a choice of White House hopefuls they fear are not entirely sympathetic to their issues, American Muslims are stepping up their activism to unprecedented levels in hopes they can influence the upcoming administration in its infancy. The efforts stem in part from difficulties many Muslim and Arab-Americans say they have experienced since the terror attacks of Sept. 11, where they have found themselves on the defensive and struggling to convince at times skeptical fellow citizens that they can be both Muslims and loyal U.S. citizens.
"I've never seen the level of activism I now see," said Shibley Telhami, a Mideast scholar at University of Maryland and fellow at the Brookings Institution. "The number of people who have become more active and visible on the national political front has increased dramatically because people have suddenly sensed that they have to be more active in order to ... defend themselves as Americans, defend themselves as Arabs and Muslims," he said.
Dawud Walid, executive director of the Michigan chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations, said neither candidate has officially met with Muslims in Michigan, an important swing state with one of the nation's largest Muslim populations. Walid said that may lead Muslim voters past the "lesser of two evils," to a third-party candidate or no candidate at all. In broader terms, it also raises concerns about both candidates' foreign policy skills, he said. "If the candidates cannot engage the American Muslim community in a healthy way, which is the world's most educated Muslim community, then how can they strengthen economic ties or have a meaningful successful diplomacy in the Muslim world?" he said.
"I've never seen the level of activism I now see," said Shibley Telhami, a Mideast scholar at University of Maryland and fellow at the Brookings Institution. "The number of people who have become more active and visible on the national political front has increased dramatically because people have suddenly sensed that they have to be more active in order to ... defend themselves as Americans, defend themselves as Arabs and Muslims," he said.
Dawud Walid, executive director of the Michigan chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations, said neither candidate has officially met with Muslims in Michigan, an important swing state with one of the nation's largest Muslim populations. Walid said that may lead Muslim voters past the "lesser of two evils," to a third-party candidate or no candidate at all. In broader terms, it also raises concerns about both candidates' foreign policy skills, he said. "If the candidates cannot engage the American Muslim community in a healthy way, which is the world's most educated Muslim community, then how can they strengthen economic ties or have a meaningful successful diplomacy in the Muslim world?" he said.
(3) Global Ummah's fight against injustice continues: Our radar screen has identified two governments (Syria and India) that are unfair to their own citizens.
August 21st, 2008
Syria: Wives of Islamist Suspects Detained, Whereabouts Unknown From Human Rights Watch:
“The Syrian government should immediately release three women detained by state authorities since July 31, 2008, unless they have evidence that these women have committed criminal offenses and intend to try them for these, Human Rights Watch said today. The women live in al-Otayba, a village approximately 20 km east of Damascus, and are the wives of men currently detained on charges of belonging to Islamist groups that were planning violent acts.
So far, the authorities have not said why the women were detained, whether or not they intend to bring any charges against them, or where they are being held. While in the past officials have questioned and harassed wives and relatives of suspected Islamists, this is the first instance documented by Human Rights Watch where wives of Islamists have been held for more than a day. “Being married to an Islamist or to a criminal suspect is not a crime,” said Joe Stork, Middle East deputy director at Human Rights Watch. “The Syrian authorities should immediately release these women unless they have evidence that they have committed crimes.”
On July 31, State Security, one of Syria’s numerous security agencies, seized Yusra al-Husayn at her house and took her into detention. She is the wife of Jihad Diab, a detainee at the US military base at Guantanamo Bay. Four days later, State Security detained Raw`a al-Kilani from her house. Raw`a is married to Ziad al-Kilani, who was detained by Syrian Air Force Intelligence in April 2004 and is currently facing trial before the Supreme State Security Court (SSSC), a special court that is exempt from standard rules of criminal procedure and evidence, on charges of membership in an association “created to change the economic or social structure of the state” through terrorist acts. Ziad is currently detained in Sednaya prison.
Around the time Raw`a was arrested, State Security also detained Bayan, the wife of Ahmad Saleh `Ali, from her house. Security services arrested Ahmad in June 2005. Authorities are presently holding him in Sednaya prison, and he is currently on trial before the SSSC on charges of membership in an association “created to change the economic or social structure of the state” through terrorist acts and for “issuing calls that weaken national sentiment or awaken racial or sectarian tensions.” Syrian security services regularly arrest men suspected of Islamist affiliation or sympathies. Officers often subject them to torture during interrogation before referring them to trial before the SSSC, where their coerced confessions are used against them.
A major prison riot broke out on July 5, 2008 in Sednaya prison, where two of the detained women’s husbands are being held, Military police responded by opening fire on the detainees, killing an undetermined number of them. To date, the families of inmates in Sednaya have been unable to obtain any information about their relatives.
SOURCE: www.hrw.org (Defending Human Rights Worldwide)
India: Repeal Armed Forces Special Powers Act
50th Anniversary of Law Allowing Shoot-to-Kill, Other Serious Abuses
(New York, August 18, 2008)
India’s Armed Forces Special Powers Act has been used to violate fundamental freedoms for 50 years and should be repealed, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today.
“The Indian government’s responsibility to protect civilians from attacks by militants is no excuse for an abusive law like the AFSPA,” said Meenakshi Ganguly, senior South Asia researcher for Human Rights Watch. “Fifty years of suffering under the AFSPA is 50 years too long – the government should repeal the AFSPA now.”
Press Release, August 13, 2008
Getting Away With Murder: 50 years of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act
August 18, 2008
Human Rights Watch’s 16-page report, “Getting Away With Murder: 50 years of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act,” describes how the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, or AFSPA, has become a tool of state abuse, oppression, and discrimination. The law grants the military wide powers to arrest without warrant, shoot-to-kill, and destroy property in so-called “disturbed areas.” It also protects military personnel responsible for serious crimes from prosecution, creating a pervasive culture of impunity.
Enacted on August 18, 1958 as a short-term measure to allow deployment of the army against an armed separatist movement in India’s northeastern Naga Hills, the AFSPA has been invoked for five decades. It has since been used throughout the northeast, particularly in Assam, Nagaland, Tripura and Manipur. A variant of the law was also used in Punjab during a separatist movement in the 1980s and 90s, and has been in force in Jammu and Kashmir since 1990. Indian officials have long sought to justify use of the law by citing the need for the armed forces to have extraordinary powers to combat armed insurgents.
Human Rights Watch said that abuses facilitated by the AFSPA, especially extrajudicial killings, torture, rape and “disappearances,” have fed public anger and disillusionment with the Indian state. This has permitted militant groups to flourish in the northeast and Jammu and Kashmir.
Human Rights Watch said that abuses facilitated by the AFSPA, especially extrajudicial killings, torture, rape and “disappearances,” have fed public anger and disillusionment with the Indian state. This has permitted militant groups to flourish in the northeast and Jammu and Kashmir.
The AFSPA has not only led to human rights violations, but it has allowed members of the armed forces to perpetrate abuses with impunity. They have been shielded by clauses in the AFSPA that prohibit prosecutions from being initiated without permission from the central government. Such permission is rarely granted.
“Violations under the AFSPA have served as a recruiting agent for militant groups,” said Ganguly. “In both Kashmir and the northeast, we have heard over and over again that abuses by troops, who are never punished for their crimes, have only shrunk the space for those supporting peaceful change.”
Indians have long protested against the AFSPA. The Supreme Court has issued guidelines to prevent human rights violations, but these are routinely ignored. Since 2000, Irom Sharmila, an activist in Manipur, has been on hunger strike demanding repeal of the act. The government has responded by keeping her in judicial custody, force-fed through a nasal tube, and has ignored numerous appeals for repeal from activists in Jammu and Kashmir.
Following widespread protests after the 2004 murder in custody of an alleged militant called Manorama Devi in Manipur, the Indian government set up a five-member committee to review the AFSPA. The review committee submitted its report on June 6, 2005, recommending repeal of the act. In April 2007, a working group on Jammu and Kashmir appointed by the prime minister also recommended that the act be revoked. However, the cabinet has not acted on these recommendations because of opposition from the armed forces.
There has long been international criticism of the AFSPA. Over 10 years ago, in 1997, the United Nations Human Rights Committee expressed concern over the “climate of impunity” provided by the act. Since then, the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions (2006), the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (2007) and the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (2007), have all called for an end to the AFSPA.
Human Rights Watch said that the government should follow its own example when in 2004 the government of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh repealed the widely abused Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA). POTA was enacted soon after the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States and allowed security agencies to hold suspects for up to 180 days without charges. In practice, the law was often used against marginalized communities such as Dalits (so-called untouchables”), indigenous groups, Muslims, and the political opposition.
“The Indian government acted with principle when it repealed the controversial Prevention of Terrorism Act,” said Ganguly. “It must display the same courage now in repealing AFSPA.”
(4) Increased awareness and co-ordination between Muslim Social Service related organizations - The missing link among the contemporary Ummah.
(ED NOTE: Staff of "VOICE OF GLOBAL UMMAH" is currently compiling a "Global Ummah Directory of Muslim Social Service Agencies" indexed under Country and its respective State. You are welcome to give us leads, suggestions and information of above agencies that you may be aware of. We appreciate your contribution and would acknowledge your name in the FORWARD section. This is indeed an example of our UMMAH IN ACTION)
(1) Islamic Institute for Human Rights United States
Description:
The Islamic Institute for Human Rights (IIHR) is a new non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging a cross-cultural human rights dialogue.
The Islamic Institute for Human Rights (IIHR) is a new non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging a cross-cultural human rights dialogue.
(2) "MUSLIMS AGAINST TERRORISM": New York United States
Description:
Muslims Against Terrorism
Description:
Muslims Against Terrorism
In this defining moment, we are defining Islam Our Mission: To stand up, as Muslims, against those who preach hatred and violence in the name of Islam, and to promote peace and understanding through interfaith and intercultural dialogue.
(3) KARAMAH: Muslim Women Lawyers for Human Rights Washington, District of Columbia, United States
Description:
KARAMAH: MUSLIM WOMEN LAWYERS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS is an educational, charitable organization committed to supporting human rights worldwide, especially the rights of Muslim women. It is our goal to empower and improve the status of Muslim women in the U.S.
(4) Femin-ijtihad:
Description:
(3) KARAMAH: Muslim Women Lawyers for Human Rights Washington, District of Columbia, United States
Description:
KARAMAH: MUSLIM WOMEN LAWYERS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS is an educational, charitable organization committed to supporting human rights worldwide, especially the rights of Muslim women. It is our goal to empower and improve the status of Muslim women in the U.S.
(4) Femin-ijtihad:
Description:
Femin-ijtihad is a legal academic initiative aimed at promoting the rights of Muslim women in Afghanistan. The group is committed to increasing the accessibility and understanding of gender equality in Islam in the spirit of Ijtihad (a traditional Islamic legal method of the independent reasoning and critical thinking of Islamic law exercised by a scholar), and to encouraging mutual respect and solidarity between genders. Femin-ijtihad plans to publish an accessible guide book on gender-neutral interpretations of Islamic law. The group is based in the UK, with chapters in Singapore and New York. The New York chapter is concerned with researching linguistic, literary, and musical/artistic traditions, in order to achieve an appropriate format for Femin-ijtihad materials to reach Afghan communities.
(5) Muslim Mom International Singapore
Description:
A non-profit organization for Muslim moms to interact, exchange ideas and gather. We are helping others to understand the misconception about Muslims. Though our religion is Islam but we are affected by cultures and traditions.
(6) Islamic Gender Studies of Fes, Morocco
Cambridge, Massachusetts United States
Description:
We represent the first Islamic Gender Studies progam to be approved by the government of Morocco. We are using this opportunity to invite western universities to build foreign exchange programs and participate in a unique and groundbreaking opportunity.
(7) Women for Afghan Women Flushing, New York, United States
Description:
Women for Afghan Women (WAW) is an organization of Afghan and non-Afghan women from the New York area who are committed to ensuring the human rights of Afghan women. WAW promotes the agency of local Afghan women through the creation of safe forums.
(8) Turning Point for Women and Families Flushing , New York United States
Description:
Turning Point is a community based, non-profit organization addressing the needs of Muslim women and children through crisis intervention, individual and group counseling, advocacy, outreach, education and training.
(9) Muslim Women's Coalition (MWC) Falls Church, Virginia United States
Description:
In recent years, the world has awakened to a need to better understand Muslims and their faith. Many are only now realizing the contribution Islamic civilization has made to global society. For example, the principles of democracy, equality and justice.
(10) Muslim Women Resource Center Chicago, Illinois United States
Description:
Muslim Women Resource Center provides refugee and immigrant women and their families with career counseling, cross cultural training, job placement, and support services by utilizing a unique team of experts and volunteers.
(11) AWAAM - Arab Women Active in the Arts and Media, Brooklyn, New York United States
Description:
AWAAM provides comprehensive leadership opportunities in community organizing, art and media skills to young women and girls. Our goal is to empower a generation of young women with the community organizing and media skills necessary to act as leaders.
Description:
AWAAM provides comprehensive leadership opportunities in community organizing, art and media skills to young women and girls. Our goal is to empower a generation of young women with the community organizing and media skills necessary to act as leaders.
(12) Women's Learning Partnership for Rights, Development, and Peace (WLP) Bethesda, Maryland United States
Description:
Did you know…? • Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury and death for women worldwide. • Only 17% of national parliaments are made up of women. • 70% of the nearly 1 billion illiterate people in the world are female.
(13) H.O.M.S. - Housing Outreach for Muslim Sisters Arlington, Texas, United States
Description:
Our mission is to provide Muslim women and children facing hardship (i.e. homelessness, financial crisis and new converts) with a safe, temporary shelter in an Islamic atmosphere. We also provide education to residents.
Description:
Our mission is to provide Muslim women and children facing hardship (i.e. homelessness, financial crisis and new converts) with a safe, temporary shelter in an Islamic atmosphere. We also provide education to residents.
(14) Bait Society for Women and Children Livingston, New Jersey United States
Description: Bait seeks to fulfill the spiritual, economic and social needs of Muslims. We emphasize liberal values, economic independence, and social understanding between all people.
Description: Bait seeks to fulfill the spiritual, economic and social needs of Muslims. We emphasize liberal values, economic independence, and social understanding between all people.
(15) Sisters Need A Place; Minneapolis, Minnesota United States
Description:
SISTERS NEED A PLACE (SNAP)
Some Muslim women are alone and afraid. They are mostly new to this country and do not know the process of getting help – often they don’t even know there is help to be gotten. They are not accessing services in the community.
(16) Peaceful Families Project Great Falls, Virginia United States
Description:
The Peaceful Families Project (PFP) is an American Muslim organization that joins other faith communities in recognizing that domestic violence is a form of oppression that affects people of all faiths. We believe that Islam should never be used to justify domestic violence.
(17) Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago, Illinois United States
Description: The Council's goals and objective are to: facilitate and coordinate communication and key initiatives for Chicago-area Muslim organizations; provide effective advocacy on critical civil liberties and social justice issues impacting American-Muslims.
(18) Islamic Society of Baltimore Baltimore, Maryland United States
Description: To provide Islamic services to Muslims and non-Muslims alike in the Baltimore Metropolitan area.
(19) Indian Muslim Council - IMC-USA New York, New York United States
Description: Indian Muslim Council - USA strives to promote the common values of pluralism, tolerance and respect for human rights and to preclude extremism in all forms and in all communities in the Indian (as in India) Diaspora in the U.S.
(20) Atlanta Masjid Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Description: We are a place of worship dedicated to the upliftment of mankind through teaching the wisdom of the Holy Quran and the example of Prophet Muhammad. We offer weekly services, and social events.
(5) UNITED STATES FUNDING GRANT OPPORTUNITIES:
USAID (UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT)
(1) Nigeria: USAID
Abuja has posted a cooperative agreement for registered Nigerian indigenous organizations, U.S. and non-U.S. non-governmental organizations (NGO), faith-based organizations (FBO), community-based organizations (CBO), foundations, private organizations affiliated with public academic institutions, parastatals, professional organizations, non-profit organizations, and for-profit organizations willing to forego profit. They are looking for proposals to strengthen civil society to combat HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. As of August 15, 2008, the closing date for this announcement is January 31, 2009. Support to Civil Society Organizations/Faith Based Organizations Network to Provide HIV/AIDS Prevention, Care and Treatment Services
Abuja has posted a cooperative agreement for registered Nigerian indigenous organizations, U.S. and non-U.S. non-governmental organizations (NGO), faith-based organizations (FBO), community-based organizations (CBO), foundations, private organizations affiliated with public academic institutions, parastatals, professional organizations, non-profit organizations, and for-profit organizations willing to forego profit. They are looking for proposals to strengthen civil society to combat HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. As of August 15, 2008, the closing date for this announcement is January 31, 2009. Support to Civil Society Organizations/Faith Based Organizations Network to Provide HIV/AIDS Prevention, Care and Treatment Services
(2) Sudan: USAID
USAID seeks observation applications covering the entirety of the electoral process, from establishment of the National Election Commission through resolution of post-polling disputes. As of August 15, 2008, the closing date on this announcement is February 16, 2009.
(3) Tajikistan: USAID
TAJIKISTAN MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH ANNUAL PROGRAM STATEMENT
TAJIKISTAN MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH ANNUAL PROGRAM STATEMENT
(APS) solicits applications from prospective partners to implement maternal and child health activities in Tajikistan. USAID expects that the total level of funding available under this APS for activities in Tajikistan would be up to $3.5 million. Based on these figures, funding requests are expected to range from a minimum of $200,000 up to a maximum of $3.5 million (if activities are proposed to cover all program objectives), for expenditure over a period of up to five years. Funding will not exceed $700,000 per year; awards for projects of more than one year will be funded incrementally. All awards are subject to the availability of funding. As of August 15, 2008, the closing date of this announcement is June 24, 2009.
(6) Miscelleneous:
(ED NOTE: One of the unique attributes of this E-Zine is that it covers a variety of topics ultimately with the goal of members of the Ummah not only becoming aware of the sufferings and situations of other members across the globe but also sharing information that could help other members. Such information could be on any topic including positive ideas for children, exercise, tips of saving gas (petrol), advice to prospective job applicants et.c.
As far as the job aspects are involved, the male editor of this E-Zine was a Clinical Supervisor for the largest outpatient mental health insurance company in the U.S. and as part of the job responsibilities, was involved in "hiring and firing". Too often, when Muslim applicants are denied a job, the first thing that may come to their mind is that the denial of the job was because he or she is a Muslim. While there may be some truth to it, we would like to challenge such a notion and state that it is not true in majority of the cases. There are so many other factors involved that ultimately leads to a job offer or job denial. And most important of all, we need to keep in mind that it is ALLAH THAT ULTIMATELY DECIDES ON OUTCOMES. We need to consistently do our best by focusing on things that we have control over and leave the rest to ALLAH).
As far as the job aspects are involved, the male editor of this E-Zine was a Clinical Supervisor for the largest outpatient mental health insurance company in the U.S. and as part of the job responsibilities, was involved in "hiring and firing". Too often, when Muslim applicants are denied a job, the first thing that may come to their mind is that the denial of the job was because he or she is a Muslim. While there may be some truth to it, we would like to challenge such a notion and state that it is not true in majority of the cases. There are so many other factors involved that ultimately leads to a job offer or job denial. And most important of all, we need to keep in mind that it is ALLAH THAT ULTIMATELY DECIDES ON OUTCOMES. We need to consistently do our best by focusing on things that we have control over and leave the rest to ALLAH).
(a) No Child left inside
(b) Biking as an exercise.
(c) Tips on saving Gas
(d) Advice to prospective job applicants: In the U.S how to respond to illegal questions that your potential employer may ask you and possible interview questions that you may be asked.
(a) CHILDREN:
Hey this is the Summer time; (Let the UMMAH follow the golden rule)
“NO CHILD LEFT INSIDE”
“NO CHILD LEFT INSIDE”
Thanks to the electronic baby sitter – TV and other electronic hi tech gadgets including Play Station and other video games, today’s kids are suffering from NDD (Nature’s Deficit Disorder). Richard Louv, author of LAST CHILD IN THE WOODS is a part of a growing movement to reconnect modern kids with the primal joys of nature. One activist group is NO CHILD LEFT INSIDE – a broad-base coalition across the U.S that supports environmental education.
You can follow up on above in your own local area. Just type your ZIP code and “parks” into your YAHOO, Local to find a list of parks in your town. The Playborhood blog is a great resource for parents trying to get their kinds outside. A team of parents post about how and where to help kids cut loose and have fun outdoors.
(b) EXERCISE: BIKING:
Biking is healthy, saves money, is zero-emission vehicle. Biking is good for public finances too. The Australian govt estimates that it saves $227.2 million per year in health costs, thanks to folks on bikes. Aussie cycle sales have spiked for eight years straight. About.com has useful tips for buying and maintaining a bike. Please join the more than a billion bikers around the world.(Above source: "17 reasons why biking is a good idea". Trystan L Bass. Green.yahoo.com)
(c) TIPS ON SAVING GAS IN CURRENT PERIOD WHEN THE PRICES ARE SO HIGH:
(2) Pulse-and-glide driving is how those ultra-efficient hypermilers get great mileage even without a hybrid car.
(3) Don’t sit idle: When you let your car idle, you might as well light a dollar bill on fire and toss it out of the window. It’s been proven that stopping and restaring a car uses the same gas as leaving a car idling for six seconds with the air conditioner on. Today's fuel-injected cars don’t need to warm up in cold weather either.
(3) Don’t sit idle: When you let your car idle, you might as well light a dollar bill on fire and toss it out of the window. It’s been proven that stopping and restaring a car uses the same gas as leaving a car idling for six seconds with the air conditioner on. Today's fuel-injected cars don’t need to warm up in cold weather either.
(4) Ditch the DRIVE-THRU: One test in Toronto found that you can get a fast-food breakfast faster and burn less gas in your car if you park and go into the restaurant. Considering how much idling cars do in drive-thru lanes, this isn’t surprising.
(5) Carry less junk in your trunk.
(5) Carry less junk in your trunk.
(6) Drive slower:
Driving just 10 miles slower can reduce fuel consumption by 20 percent. Pablo Paster says that the savings is real, because of aerodynamic drag. Basically “slower speed equals less drag” and you can reduce fuel consumption by 20 percent if you slow down from 70 mph to 60 mph. For comparision if you drive 10 mph faster over a 30 mile commute, you will only reduce four minutes off the total driving time.
Source of above: “Drive slow, save money – really”: Trystan L.Bass. green.yahoo.com
(d) Advice to prospective job applicants:
In the U.S how to respond to illegal questions that your potential employer may ask you and possible interview questions that you may be asked.
(Source of below: "THE "EVERYTHING" ONLINE JOB SEARCH BOOK" - Steven Graber)
"There are plenty of questions that an interviewer is not allowed to ask, by law, and you should be aware of these in case one comes up during the interview. Federal law prohibits employers from discriminating against a candidate because of sex, age, race, nationality or RELIGION. However (during the interview, if your prospective Supervisor asks you about your religion), avoid getting hostile. The truth is, many employers themselves don't know what is legal and what is illegal to ask an applicant.
The responses below outline some of the many ways in which you could respond to what essentially is an illegal question.
1. I make it a point not to mix my personal beliefs with my work, if that's what you mean. I assure you that I value my career too much for that.
2. I am not quite sure what you are getting at. Could you please explain how this issue relates to the position ?
3. That question makes me a bit uncomfortable, I'd really rather not answer it.
NOTE: Questions like "How old are you ?", "Are you married?", "Do you have children?" are also ILLEGAL questions.
SOME COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY BE ASKED:
Tell me about yourself
Why did you leave your last job ?
Why are you leaving your current job ?
What is the most exciting part of your current job ?
Where do you see yourself in five years ?
How much overtime are you willing to work ?
If I asked a previous employer to tell me someting about you, what do you think they would say ?
Tell me about a difficult situation that you have faced in the workplace and how you handled it.
What are your greatest strengths ?
What are your weaknessess ?
Describe a situation where you took initiative and went beyond your normal responsibilities ?
Why should we hire you ?
DEALING WITH REJECTION:
Just as a cover letter and a resume are always part of the job search process, so is rejection. Disheartening as it is, rejection is inevitable. We will all experience it at some point. Still, how you prepare for it in the job market is important, AS IT IS NOT SOMETHING YOU SHOULD TAKE PERSONALLY.
Don't swear off a company or start up an ABC company boycott just because they did not hire you; turn rejection around and make it work for you.One way you can do this is by contacting each of the interviewers who rejected you and thanking them for their time. You can also ask that they keep you in mind for any future openings. If you feel comfortable, you may even want to ask the interviewer for help. Ask them if they have any suggestons for how you might have a better chance of getting a job in the industry, or ask them for the names of any people or companies they may know off that are hiring.
Before you do contact a rejecting employer, be aware of two things. First, don't ask them why they did not hire you. In addition to be completely out of line, this is a question that will difinitely make the interviewer feel a bit uncomfortable. Second, if you do decide to ask for suggestions, make sure that it is not the only thing it sounds like you called for. Engaging this person in a friendly (but brief) conversation that eventually leads to offering suggestions will make them much more willing to talk to you.
(e) MUCH OF A MEAL IS FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
Though the BRAIN makes up only two percent of our total body weight, the brain demands TWENTY PERCENT OF THE BODY’S OXYGEN AND CALORIES. To keep our noggin well-stocked with resources, three major cerebral arteries are constantly pumping in oxygen. A blockage or break in one of them starves brain cells of the energy they require to function, impairing the functions controlled by that region. THIS IS A STROKE. (Source of above: "10 things you did not know about you". www.livescience.com)
