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The Red Cross bans Christmas

The Red Cross bans Christmas

 

STEVE DOUGHTY

Daily Mail

 

Christmas has been banned by the Red Cross from its 430 fund-raising shops.

Staff have been ordered to take down decorations and to remove any other signs of the Christian festival because they could offend Moslems.

The charity's politically-correct move triggered an avalanche of criticism and mockery last night - from Christians and Moslems.

Christine Banks, a volunteer at a Red Cross shop in New Romney, Kent, said: 'We put up a nativity scene in the window and were told to take it out. It seems we can't have anything that means Christmas. We're allowed to have some tinsel but that's it.

'When we send cards they have to say season's greetings or best wishes. They must not be linked directly to Christmas.

'When we asked we were told it is because we must not upset Moslems.'

Mrs Banks added: ' We have been instructed that we can't say anything about Christmas and we certainly can't have a Christmas tree.

' I think the policy is offensive to Moslems as well as to us. No reasonable person can object to Christians celebrating Christmas. But we are not supposed to show any sign of Christianity at all.'

Labour peer Lord Ahmed, one of the country's most prominent Moslem politicians, said: 'It is stupid to think Moslems would be offended.

'The Moslem community has been talking to Christians for the past 1,400 years. The teachings from Islam are that you should respect other faiths.'

He added: 'In my business all my staff celebrate Christmas and I celebrate with them. It is absolutely not the case that Christmas could damage the Red Cross reputation for neutrality - I think their people have gone a little bit over the top.'

The furore is a fresh blow to the image of what was once one of Britain's most respected charities.

The British Red Cross lost friends this year over its support for the French illegal immigrant camp at Sangatte and its insistence on concentrating large efforts on helping asylum seekers.

Yesterday officials at the charity's London HQ confirmed that Christmas is barred from the 430 shops which contributed more than £20million to its income last year.

'The Red Cross is a neutral organisation and we don't want to be aligned with any political party or particular philosophy,' a spokesman said.

'We don't want to be seen as a Christian or Islamic or Jewish organisation because that might compromise our ability to work in conflict situations around the world.'

He added: 'In shops people can put up decorations like tinsel or snow which are seasonal. But the guidance is that things representative of Christmas cannot be shown.'

Volunteers, however, said they believed the Christmas ban was a product of political correctness of the kind that led Birmingham's leaders to order their city to celebrate 'Winterval'.

Rod Thomas, a Plymouth vicar and spokesman for the Reform evangelical grouping in the Church of England, said: 'People who hold seriously to their faith are respected by people of other faiths. They should start calling themselves the Red Splodge. All their efforts will only succeed in alienating most people.'

Major Charles Heyman, editor of Jane's World Armies, said: 'There is really nothing to hurt the Red Cross in Christmas, is there? Would the Red Crescent stop its staff observing Ramadan?

'In practice, the role of the Red Cross is to run prisoner- of-war programmes and relief efforts for civilians. Those activities require the agreement of both sides in a conflict in the first place. Celebrating Christmas in a shop in England could hardly upset that.'

Major Heyman added: 'Moslems are just as sensible about these things as Christians. The Red Cross is just engaging in a bit of political correctness.'

British Red Cross leaders have, however, not extended the ban to their own profitable products. Items currently on sale include Christmas cards featuring angels and wise men and Advent calendars with nativity scenes.

The spokesman said: 'The Red Cross is trying to be inclusive and we recognise there are lots of people who want to buy Christmas cards which they know will benefit us.'

The charity's umbrella body, the Swiss-based International Red Cross, has also had politically-correct doubts about its famous symbol. But efforts to find an alternative were abandoned in the face of protest and ridicule five years ago.



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-152361/The-Red-Cross-bans-Christmas.html#ixzz18O4WiNQd

Entry #3,615

House Passes Tax Deal

House Passes Tax Deal 277-148, Sending Bill To President

First Posted: 12-17-10 12:17 AM   |   Updated: 12-17-10 01:24 AM

Tax Cut Deal House Vote

Ryan Grim and Arthur Delaney contributed reporting.

WASHINGTON -- A coalition of Republicans and conservative Democrats combined to push the Obama-GOP tax-cut deal through the House by a vote of 277-148 in Friday's early morning hours. The bill slashes the estate tax, extends all the Bush tax cuts and reauthorizes unemployment insurance for 13 months. The bill will now go to the president for his signature.

The crucial vote was not on final passage of the tax cuts, but on the vote before, to reduce the generosity of the estate tax cut. Had it been included in the final measure, the bill would have gone back to the Senate. An identical version of that amendment passed in December 2009 with 225 votes, but it failed this time 233-194, with 60 Democrats voting against tightening the estate tax.

President Obama whipped support for the tax-cut deal in the final days leading up to the vote. One member told HuffPost that Obama, a Hawaii native, personally called Hawaii Democrat Mazie Hirono to urge her to support the deal. (She voted against the tax-cut deal and for increasing estate taxes on wealthy heirs, despite the pressure.)

The bill was a major priority for Obama, who ironed out the deal with congressional Republicans earlier this month. It passed easily through the Senate on Wednesday in a rare bipartisan vote, with 81 senators voting for the bill and 19 voting against it.

The bill reauthorizes extended unemployment benefits through 2011, meaning more than a million people whose benefits lapsed this month will receive retroactive lump-sum payments within a few weeks.

Rep. Earl Pomeroy (D-N.D.), a Blue Dog, sponsored the amendment that would have altered the estate tax deal and, say Republicans, blown up the bargain. His fellow Blue Dogs rebuffed his attempts throughout the past few days to lobby them to his side.

Rep. Heath Shuler (D-N.C.) played a leading role in organizing Blue Dogs to hold together to beat back the estate-tax amendment and preserve the deal. "We realized pretty quickly that the House hands were completely tied. The deal was struck with the Senate and the Senate wouldn't accept anything going forward," he told HuffPost. "Listening to Vice President Biden, we realized pretty quickly there wasn't no give or take."

In the House, rank-and-file Democrats bemoaned tax cuts for the rich in the deal, arguing they would threaten the future of Social Security and other social programs. Most of the 148 dissenters were Democrats.

As the Democratic leadership struggled to find a way to move the bill through the House, they settled on a procedure that allowed one amendment, introduced by Pomeroy, which would set the estate tax at 45 percent for inheritances of $3.5 million or higher.

The amendment was chosen over several other ideas to change the tax deal, including a resolution by Rep. David Wu (D-Ore.) to extend unemployment benefits to two years -- the same length tax cuts for the wealthy were extended in the tax deal.

Choosing the estate-tax provision doomed the package to passage.

"Unfortunately, Democratic votes, of all the good liberal issues, that's the one where people are weakest," Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) told HuffPost about the estate tax amendment. Frank said that a few other members opposed the estate tax amendment not on its own merits but because they didn't want to disturb the deal. "We lost a few people who were afraid of the consequences of the thing failing. There is this risk aversiveness on the part of some members," he said.

Earlier in the evening, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) made a concession to Republicans when he gave up on an omnibus spending bill that would have funded Democratic spending priorities for the next year. Instead, Reid announced the Senate will pass a continuing resolution to fund the government for 45 days, meaning Republicans will have further opportunities to push for cuts in the near future.

Debate over extending the tax cuts will now take place in 2012, when Obama, all House members and some senators are up for reelection.

HuffPost asked Wu -- who pushed for the unemployment extension to last as long as the tax cuts extension -- for his final thought on the bill as he went down a flight of stairs just off the House floor. He paused for several moments before delivering his answer: "Screwed again."

Entry #3,614

Cell phones, sex and correctional officers

3 Broward deputies arrested in jail contraband, sex investigation

Charges range from sex with an inmate to bringing cell phones into a county jail

 

Kiara Walker, Salisia Pascoe and Roderick Lopez (BSO, courtesy)

Kiara Walker, Salisia Pascoe and Roderick Lopez (BSO, courtesy)
Linda Trischitta and Tonya Alanez, Sun Sentinel




FORT LAUDERDALE —

Three Broward Sheriff's Office deputies are facing third-degree felony charges in an investigation of contraband and sex at a Broward County jail.

The arrested corrections deputies — Salisia Pascoe, 29; Kiara Monet Walker, 21, and Roderick Lorenzo Lopez, 29 — appeared in Broward Magistrate's Court on Thursday evening.

Pascoe is charged with two counts of using a two-way device — a cell phone — to facilitate a felony. She is also charged with one count of sexual misconduct with an inmate and one count of introduction of contraband to a detention facility.

Referring to an arrest affidavit, Judge John "Jay" Hurley said Pascoe admitted having consensual sexual intercourse with a male inmate in a jail storage room. Her bond was set at $3,500 on the first three counts and $2,500 on the fourth charge.

Pascoe joined the Sheriff's Office in August 2004.

Walker is charged with one count of introduction of contraband to a detention facility, one count of official misconduct and one count of using a cell phone to facilitate a felony. Her bond was set at $5,000 for each charge. She joined the Sheriff's Office in April 2008.

Lopez faces one count of introduction of contraband — a cell phone— to a detention facility and official misconduct. His bond was set at $1,500 on the first count and $1,000 for the second charge. He joined the agency in July 2006.

All three deputies were released from jail Thursday night. If convicted, each defendant could receive a five-year prison sentence for each charge.

"There is an ongoing investigation initiated by us and we're not releasing any information this evening," said Broward Sheriff's spokesman Mike Jachles. He declined further comment.

 

7:40 p.m. EST, December 16, 2010

Entry #3,612

Kids write Santa this year for basic needs instead of toys

Kids write Santa this year for basic needs instead of toys

 
Updated 12/15/2010 11:12 AM ET  
Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY

 

 

Santa's Elf Frederica Green, right, and her workmates read the letters for Santa from kids. Each year for the past 112 years, the Santa letters come pouring in to New York City's main post office and postal workers (they calls themselves elves) field many of them as part of Operation Santa.

 

 

Santa's Elf Frederica Green, right, and her workmates read the letters for Santa from kids. Each year for the past 112 years, the Santa letters come pouring in to New York City's main post office and postal workers (they calls themselves elves) field many of them as part of Operation Santa.
Donna Leinwand, USA TODAY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Santa Claus and his elves are seeing more heartbreaking letters this year as children cite their parents' economic troubles in their wish lists

U.S. Postal Service workers who handle letters addressed to Santa at the North Pole say more letters ask for basics — coats, socks and shoes — rather than Barbie dolls, video games and computers. 

At New York City's main post office, Head Elf Pete Fontana and 22 staff elves will sort 2 million letters in Operation Santa, which connects needy children with "Secret Santas" who answer their wishes.   Fontana, a customer relations coordinator for the Postal Service, has been head elf for 15 years.  "The need is greater this year than I've ever seen it," he says.   "One little girl didn't want anything for herself.   She wanted a winter coat for her mother.

 

"MAP: Post offices participating in Operation Santa GIFT GUIDE: Christmas books for children  ECONOMY CLUES: Watch the bras

At more than 20 post offices, workers log every letter, black out identifying information except first name and age, and ask the public to respond.   Lobby displays promote the program.   People return with gifts and letters, which carriers deliver.

Cesar, 7, wrote for himself and his baby sister.  "This year my moom don't have much money to spend on Christmas gifts so I'm writing to you," Cesar told Santa.   "It would make us very happy if you and your elves would bring us toys and clothes. 

"There are more letters from unemployed parents asking for kids' gifts they can't afford, says Darlene Reid of New York City's main post office. 

One mom sent a turn-off notice from the electric company, Fontana says.   A single mother of a girl, 8, and a boy, 2, wrote that she recently lost her job. "I am unable to buy my children toys and clothes," she said.  "Santa may you help me with my family? 

"Tough times are shrinking the number of Secret Santas, Fontana says.  Meanwhile, "the percentage of people who need help has increased," says Mark Reynolds at the Postal Service's Chicago district, and about half the letters won't get answered.

Melanney, 9, asked Santa for a coat and boots.  "I have been a very good girl this year," she wrote.

Entry #3,611

Money flying from window gives away robbers

Cedar Bluff bank robbery suspects nabbed

 

Lisa Rogers
Times Staff Writer

Published: Tuesday, December 14, 2010 at 2:22 p.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, December 14, 2010 at 9:47 p.m.

 

Money was flying out of the window of a red car when Cherokee County Sheriff’s Deputy Tony Pettit saw it speeding on Alabama Highway 35 Tuesday morning.

“That was the first clue that this could be our bank robbers,” Cherokee County Sheriff Jeff Shaver said. This was minutes after four men armed with guns went in Union State Bank on Alabama Highway 68 in Cedar Bluff and took an undisclosed amount of money.

Six men, all from the Gadsden area, are in custody and expected to be transferred to Birmingham within 72 hours to face bank robbery and other charges.

An alert about the bank robbery was issued, and several residents were able to give accurate details about the car the men were believed to be in, Shaver said.

The men had switched cars within a half-mile of the bank, dumping a gold Chevrolet Malibu that had been reported stolen.

Shaver said deputies and other law enforcement officers already were setting up a perimeter in the area.

Pettit and deputy Keith Morgan were in Pettit’s patrol car and stationed on Alabama

Highway 35 near the intersection of Alabama Highway 273 in the Blanche community. They spotted a red Nissan Maxima on Alabama Highway 35 and saw money coming from inside the car. Pettit began a pursuit and had lost sight of the car when the deputies drove upon it after it wrecked a few miles away in DeKalb County, near New Canaan Church in the Adamsburg area between Fort Payne and Little River Canyon National Preserve.

The men already had bailed from the car, and officers quickly set up a perimeter in the area.

Deputies from Cherokee, Etowah and DeKalb counties, Fort Payne police officers and FBI agents responded.

DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office tracking dog and handler Jimmie Jones were called to respond and DeKalb County Sheriff’s Deputy Gerald “Red” Taylor went to the airport and got in the air in his own plane, DeKalb County Sheriff Jimmy Harris said.

A dog tracking team from St. Clair Correctional Facility was called, along with the state trooper helicopter.

Harris said the sheriff’s office tracking dog led officers to one of the men hiding in the cab of an apparent abandoned semi-truck.

Two others were soon found in the same area — about a half mile from where they bailed — and all three were taken to the Cherokee County jail Tuesday afternoon for questioning.

Harris said numerous officers searched for the fourth man, but someone on Dean Road — unaware the man was wanted for the bank robbery - gave him a ride to a nearby store.

The man was able to hide behind the store and call some friends from Gadsden to come pick him up.

Harris said the man and his friend spotted deputies in the area and were spooked. The man jumped out of the car on Alabama Highway 35, ran through the woods, crossed Beason Gap Road and was hiding in a garbage can when the tracking dogs found him.

“They went right up the garbage can and just stopped,” Harris said.

He and the two men still in the car were taken into custody and also transported to Cherokee County jail about 5 p.m.

“We’re just glad we caught them,” Harris said.

Rob Savage, commander of the Etowah County Drug Enforcement Unit, initially responded because of the request through the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force.

Savage said he is familiar with some of the men and had dealings with them in the past.

Savage said another person was taken into custody in East Gadsden and detained at the Etowah County DEU headquarters as part of the investigation, but later was released.

He said the bulk of the money and some weapons also have been recovered.

Shaver praised the efforts of all of the involved law enforcement agencies which include Cherokee and DeKalb county sheriff’s offices, Cedar Bluff, Leesburg, Centre, Gadsden and Fort Payne police departments; Cherokee County District Attorney’s office, U.S. Park Service,Police, District Attorney’s Office, US Park Service, FBI, Alabama Marine Police, Alabama State Troopers, Etowah County DEU and Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia.

Entry #3,606

Woman loses cash finder will face felony charges

Woman loses cash; finder could face felony

 

Ty Tagami
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Metro Atlanta / State News 8:47 p.m. Tuesday, December 14, 2010
 

You can forget that old saying about finders being keepers.

 

A man in Dalton could face felony charges after he found an envelope full of cash at a gas station and then pocketed it.

Police there are looking for a suspect who was wearing blue jeans and a dark jacket with white shoulder stripes. On Friday around 4:30 p.m., security cameras captured grainy images of the man picking up an envelope containing $950. He then paid for his gas and drove off in a Toyota Camry or Corolla that was about two decades old.

The envelope belonged to a Dalton woman who had stopped at the gas station after cashing a check, police said.

Depending upon how uncooperative he is, the man could face a felony charge of theft of lost or mislaid property, Officer Will Bryan of the Dalton Police Department told the AJC.

"The main thing is we'd like to get the money back," Bryan said.

The crime is a violation of state law punishable by up to 10 years in prison if the value of the property exceeds $500. It's a misdemeanor for lesser amounts.

Bryan said people who find wads of cash -- or anything else of value -- should try to find the rightful owner. If ownership can't be determined, they should call police.

Dalton police spokesman Bruce Frazier said in such cases, officials would try to find the rightful owner. After a set period of time, in accordance with state law, lost cash then would go into the city's general fund, he said. If someone steps forward to claim money or anything else of value, the city can provide reimbursement after ownership is proven, he said.

Bottom line: Finders-keepers is out.

 

 

LINK TO VIDEO SURVEILLANCE

http://www.ajc.com/news/woman-loses-cash-finder-776786.html

Entry #3,604

Tea Party ramps up efforts against tax deal

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Tea Party ramps up efforts against tax deal

 

  Michael O'Brien - 12/13/10 12:13 PM ET

 

Conservatives aligned with the Tea Party ramped up pressure Monday on Republicans to vote down the tax deal before Congress.

A Tea Party umbrella group circulated a petition in opposition to President Obama's tax deal with Republicans, while another high-profile GOP lawmaker aligned with the grassroots movement said he's inclined to vote against it.

"The idea that this massive tax and spend bill has not yet even been written but may be voted on by the Senate this weekend is appalling, and has rightfully drawn the anger of the TeaPartyPatriots.org and other Tea Party activists, an anger that will not diminish," said a petition crafted by the Tea Party Patriots.

The pressure comes before a vote in the Senate expected Monday afternoon on the fate of the tax deal the president struck with Republicans.

GOP lawmakers have been largely supportive of the deal, which extends all expiring income taxes for two years in exchange for an extension in unemployment benefits and middle-class tax credits, as well.

But some conservatives have balked. Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) has announced his opposition to the deal, as have some other Tea Party-aligned Republicans.

"Today, as I understand this, I'm likely to be a no," argued Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa), another Tea Party favorite, on Monday on Fox News.

Republican staffers in Congress have sought to promote conservatives' endorsements for the deal to help give their members cover on the vote. FreedomWorks, another Tea Party umbrella group, endorsed the deal last week.

GOP staff is hoping to quell the idea of a rift — real or perceived — in the party's congressional representation, especially after a sometimes-tense primary season where Tea Partiers went after establishment GOP candidates and incumbents.

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