Artegal

PETA Mistakenly Targets Alaska Church

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The pastor at Anchorage First Free Methodist Church was mystified. Why was the activist group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals chastising him? No animals are harmed in the church's holiday nativity display. In fact, animals aren't used at all.

People, however, do dress the parts — Mary, Joseph, the wise men, etc. The volunteers stand shivering at a manger on the church lawn in a silent tribute to Christmas.

The Rev. Jason Armstrong was confused by an e-mail this week from PETA, which admonished him for subjecting animals "to cruel treatment and danger," by forcing them into roles in the church's annual manger scene.

"We've never had live animals, so I just figured this was some spam thing," Armstrong said. "It's rough enough on us people standing out there in the cold. So we're definitely not using animals."

Jackie Vergerio, PETA's captive animals in entertainment specialist, said her organization tracks churches nationwide that use real animals in "living nativity scenes."

Seems the confusion started with the church's choice of phrase. PETA flagged Free Methodist's display as a "living nativity," and indeed, that's how the church describes it on its Web site.

To PETA, that means animals.

"Those animals are subject to all sorts of terrible fates in some cases," Vergerio said. "Animals have been stolen and slaughtered, they've been raped, they've escaped from the nativity scenes and have been struck by cars and killed. Just really unfathomable things have happened to them."

In the letter to Armstrong, Vergerio shared some sad fates of previous nativity animals — like Brighty the donkey, snatched from a nativity scene in Virginia and beaten by three young men. Ernie the camel fled a creche in Maryland but was struck and killed by a car. Two sheep and a donkey had to be euthanized after a dog mauling at a manger scene in Virginia.

Free Methodist's display is peaceful, Armstrong said. The congregation erects the stable. Members spread straw and don costumes. Some even dress as manger animals.

"We have some puppet camel things we put out," Armstrong said. "We have a cow hood thing that a person will wear that actually just looks spooky."

The volunteers stand beneath a brightly lit electric star as Christmas music fills the frosty air. They don't even speak.

"No one's come by protesting or thrown bloodstained fur at us or anything," Armstrong said. "We even use a plastic baby."

Homeless, felons help fill poultry jobs

South Georgia plant labors after immigration raid loss

By MARY LOU PICKEL

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Published on: 11/26/06

Stillmore — Felons on probation and homeless men have filled some of the poultry jobs left by illegal Mexican laborers deported in raids two months ago.

About 40 convicted felons from the Macon Diversion Center are bused in each day to work at the Crider Poultry plant in Stillmore — the focus of the raids.

Additionally, 16 men from the Garden City Rescue Mission in Augusta have come to work in the plant. Several from the mission have become shift leaders, said Lavond Reynolds, director of men's housing for the mission.

"Compared to the attrition rate [at the plant] in general, these guys have really stuck so far," Reynolds said. The mission might send another 15 soon.

Still, that's just a drop in the bucket. The Crider plant is operating at about 450 employees — less than half its preraid level of 1,000, company president David Purtle said.

The Mexican population in Stillmore has plummeted since immigration officials first visited the Crider plant in May, town residents said. Immigration agents estimated that 700 workers were using fraudulent IDs. The company began checking documents and confronting employees. Many were fired and hundreds of illegal immigrants left town on their own throughout the summer.

Then, over Labor Day, federal agents rounded up and deported more than 125 illegal immigrants working at the Crider plant or living in Emanuel and surrounding counties.

That left Crider with a big labor gap, and finding workers to fill the jobs has been a challenge. Among the efforts and changes at the plant since the raids:

• The company outsourced 250 jobs in its raw deboning operation to Alabama.

• Some processing has slowed because of the downturn in the work force.

• Crider has turned to an outside company to hire about 100 workers to clean the plant each night.

• The company raised starting wages by about 40 cents and now offers attendance bonuses to new hires. Before, it took a year to be eligible for the extra pay. (Starting base pay is $6 an hour; most workers earn more through bonuses and overtime.)

• The company is spending more on hiring and training as turnover is high among new employees.

For instance, Crider advanced money to house the homeless men from the mission in trailers and to turn on their utilities. The company also pays to bus state probationers from Macon each day and is busing workers from surrounding communities.

Purtle said about 50 percent of applicants since the raids either did not pass the drug test or reference checks. Many of those who did have poor attendance or quit quickly.

"Our challenge is — in hiring unskilled people — their ability to understand what's expected of them," Purtle said. "Attendance is important. No acting up, no mouthing off. They just haven't learned."

The raids not only affected the chicken plant, but the surrounding community.

At least two landlords near Stillmore who rented to immigrants have put their properties up for sale. The Hispanic-run stores in town are operating at reduced hours.

"There's no people anymore," said Liliana Santos, 24, the clerk behind the counter at Salinas Surcusal No. 2 in downtown Stillmore.

"They don't have any jobs," she said in Spanish.

"Before, people would be walking around downtown," said Manuel Mendoza, 22, who stopped to buy tortillas. The store's jukebox played Mariachi music to an empty sideroom pool hall.

Mendoza has been in the United States 10 years and says he has a Social Security card and a job making pallets for $8.50 an hour. His hometown of Oaxaca, Mexico, has descended into anarchy with armed fighting in the streets, and he is in no hurry to return home.

Pastor Ariel Rodriguez drives around Stillmore, explaining what happened to each of the Mexican families that used to live in trailers and apartments.

"The majority of people have gone to Kentucky," he said. They knew a priest who used to live in the area and followed him up there, Rodriguez said. Other residents have gone back to Mexico.

At least one local businessman said his business has gone up since the raids. The churn of new folks applying and working at Crider has brought new customers to Mighty Mike's Hot Stop gas station and convenience store in town.

"They come in here and shop," said manager Willie Gordon. "Our inside sales have gone up $3,000 per week since the raids."

It's been a mixture of new clientele. But Gordon, who is African-American, attributes a good part of the increase to more black workers coming into town. Gordon notes: "You gotta be legal now."

As others have said you can't file single if you are actually married. I would either complete the W7 for the ITIN or file for an extension. In my case I filed for the W7 and yes my wife did have to go to the US Embassy in her country and get a copy of her passport notorized by the Consular. When you file your tax return with a W7 it cannot be filed electronically--it must be a manual return submitted to the Phil. PA office. There was an extreme delay in my situation and the IRS paid me interest on top of my return as an apology for the delay--however they also sent me a 1099 the next tax year calling the interest taxable income--go figure what a twisted scam they run. Anyway either way you will have a delayed refund because you will file the W7 or request an extension. Also note that when my refund arrived the check was sent out in a paper check not EFT to my bank account--but the paper check was written to both of us as Mr and Mrs. And therefore because of the Patriot Act no banks would cash the check--until I showed all of our VISA packets showing that I was a sponsor and financially responsible for my wife--finally after that they did allow me to deposit the check.

mawilson,

Sounds like a good poll topic. (And a poll protects the identities of people who might be inclined to answer 'yes'.)

Yodrak

Just curious

However, bi-sexuals and bi-curious people should be inclined to answer "maybe."

U.S. citizenship test no longer a 'trivial' pursuit

BOSTON, Massachusetts (AP) -- In an effort to make the citizenship exam more meaningful, the federal government said Monday it will test an exam that relies less on trivia and more on an applicants' grasp of American democracy.

The new exam will be given to volunteers beginning this winter in Albany, New York; Boston, Massachusetts; Charleston, South Carolina; Denver, Colorado; El Paso, Texas; Kansas City, Missouri; Miami, Florida; San Antonio, Texas; Tucson, Arizona; and Yakima, Washington.

The current test is heavy on historical facts and includes questions about the colors of the U.S. flag and the name of the form used to apply for citizenship. The new exam will ask about the Bill of Rights and the meaning of democracy.

"The idea is not to toss up roadblocks, it's to make sure people who apply for citizenship and want to become citizens understand and adhere to the values we have as a society, the values that are part of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights," said Shawn Saucier, spokesman for the Office of Citizenship and Immigration Services.

The current exam doesn't guarantee knowledge of those values, Saucier said. A person may know which state was the 49th to be added to the union, for example, but not understand voting rights, he said.

The portion of the citizenship exam used to test basic English reading and writing skills also will be changed to include civic vocabulary words, Saucier said.

"We want them to study and look at this information not toward the eye of memorizing it for a trivia exam," he said.

New test could be harder

During the pilot, officials hope to work out any problems with the test and refine the exam. The revised test will be given to all applicants for naturalization beginning in 2008.

Officials will test 125 new questions on 5,000 people and eventually narrow the group of questions to 100, the same number that can be asked on the current exam.

To pass, immigrants must correctly answer six of 10 questions given. If they fail, they will be given the option of taking the old test.

The changes could make the exam more difficult for some people, said America Calderon, the program manager at the Central Resource Center, a Washington, D.C., organization that offers citizenship and other programs to Latino immigrants.

She guessed it also could push more people into formal classes, instead of trying to learn the information on their own.

"It's more difficult because the typical immigrant is trying to struggle with English and trying to learn the 100 questions right now," Calderon said.

But she supports the idea, because it could push new citizens to participate in their government, a goal of her organization.

"In a way, it's good they have a path to civic participation," she said.

All U.S. citizens -- not just new ones -- could brush up on their civic knowledge, said Roger Clegg, president of the Center for Equal Opportunity, a conservative think tank that supports the assimilation of immigrants.

"It's also good for the people who are already here, because there will be fewer problems and fewer friction if we all understand what America is all about," he said.

I would like a feature if it does not currently exist (Didn't see how) to search within a specific topic. The only way I see to search now is to search an entire forum--but I would like to search just within a specific topic. Some of the topics (threads) are very lengthy and it would be neat if I could search just within the topic.

Do you guys know how long we can wait after your water breaks to go to the hospital? I would rather spend the majority of the time at home then in a cold hospital room

cant blame you for wanting to be home and comfy while you do most of your laboring… hopefully, you will be able to… however, once your water breaks, you should contact your dr/midwife… if your membranes are ruptured for more than a certain period of time (12 – 18 hrs depending on which dr you have), there is an increased chance of infection for the baby… the longer they are ruptured before delivery, the higher the risk of infection (or you might hear it called sepsis)… it could mean at least a 3 day run of antibiotics for the baby in the NICU

after your membranes are ruptured, you should have your temperature and your baby’s heartrate monitored for any possible signs of infection

From what I understand, have read, and have been told--you do not wait if your water breaks naturally--you call your practicianer and go to the hospital or his/her office.

Also what I understand, have read, have been told, and experienced--quite often your water will not break--but it will be ruptured artificially in the hospital when you have dilated substancially.

Macgyver can't win he has the Visa curse. Just like Bob Dole-who also did Visa commercials.

I suspect the large number of Filipina marriage-based immigrants is due to the common language and the country's long history with the U.S.

No comment on the 'sorry American women you suck I need a servant but no offense' type comments. I don't think that's representative of most Filipina-American relationships.

Pretty intelligent comments--and very true. Since at one time in our nation's history we almost contemplated making the Phillipines another US State--which you do not see with other countries like Japan, Korea, etc--where we also have a strong US presence--but as conquering occupying armies--where as in Phillipines it was a little different and the common language which does not exist in Japan and Korea.

I have never "dated" a filipina--but I did have "webPals" from there and the common language was a big plus. That's the reason I learned Spanish before I went cyper-dating Latinas--so I would not have a language barrier.

UPDATE: Principal Steps Down.

"A Clayton County high school principal who told a group of Hispanic students they could face deportation if they caused trouble in school has agreed to step down at least through the end of the semester. . . . On Friday, superintendent Pulliam was at Forest Park to announce the move and talk to staff about school climate at the district's most culturally diverse high school. Forest Park is 60 percent black, 20 percent Hispanic, 9 percent Asian and nearly 8 percent white. Systemwide, Hispanics make up 12.8 percent of the district's enrollment. . . .Invoking immigration officials appears to violate the spirit of a 1982 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that guarantees immigrant students, including illegal immigrants, the right to attend k-12 public schools. Under the ruling, known as Plyler vs. Doe, schools are barred from seeking information about a students' legal status or taking other action that could "chill" an immigrant student's right to attend school."

The trend seems to be that house prices will continue to decline. Especially now that it is November--as winter soon comes the housing market declines--even in sunny Florida. But also there are way too many homes on the market--and no end in sight on the building. I would make a lower offer of 265K continue to shop around and see what else you can find. But if you like where you are at and they say its location that maters most then maybe buying the place you are at might be your best option. 1 Bedroom is not a big deal yet--you have 9 months of carrying the baby--then when he is born you will have him in the bedroom with you for a while after that. So I would say 2 years before you are even really in need of a 2nd bedroom.

But let me ask you this--what are you paying in Rent now for the condo versus what you would pay in Mortgage for the same condo? Don't forget that the little one will be an added expense to your household. And then you need to think where do you want your kid to go to school? What kind of area do you live in, is it a good place for children? Maybe in say 5 or 6 years you might want to move to another location, a house with a yard and near good schools etc.

Which Celebrity Divorce has been Most Shocking?

In Forest Park, GA, Clayton County. High School Principal Delphia Young called 9th and 10th grade Spanish Speaking students to the school lunchroom and told them that she was tired of all the gang violence and that she didn't want the gangs tagging in her school and if it didn't stop she would call Immigration to have students deported.

Okay this is offensive but what offended the Hispanics in this community was not that they were all branded Gang-Bangers, nor that they were accused of being violent and defacing school property--the hispanic students and parents were offended that the Principal stated she was start making referrals to Immigration. Some of the hispanic students replied that they were not the only ones in gangs that many different gangs exist and that all students should have been warned about gang membership and committing gang violence.

Okay what the hell? Being labelled a gang-banger, a thug, a vandal, someone without respect of human life or public property is okay--but when someone states that they will have immigration investigate your immigration status you then take offense???

Also in a reaction the Principal's comments the school system and the Principal have apologized and the School Superintendant stated that Immigration Officers are not allowed on school property.

Interesting Ranking, but contrast the Best Country to Live in list with the list of Suicide Rates.

I guess too much of a good thing is a bad thing: Notice World Health Organization's list of the same top 8 countries in Suicide Rates:

Country Females Males All /100,000

JAPAN 36.5 14.1 25.3

SWEDEN 19.7 8 13.85

NORWAY 19.5 6.8 13.15

AUSTRALIA 21.2 5.1 13.15

CANADA 19.5 5.1 12.3

ICELAND 19.1 5.2 12.15

IRELAND 18.4 4.3 11.35

USA 17.6 4.1 10.85

Ranked Most Suicides to Least / 100,000

StevenJinky

Funny quotation in your signature line about the Question of Bush to Brazilian President do you have blacks too?

Its funny but yet sad because it shows how lacking in world history our nation is--in that--a lot of Americans really do not know much about the Americas outside of America. Not really the topic of this thread, but anyway.

Back on topic here, also let Gays get married and divorced and have all kinds of head aches just like Straight people--and while we are at it don't give Gay people a pass on Dying in Iraq or any other war--let them serve its stupid to boot them out of the military for gayness. And anyway once Gays get all the same rights as straights then we will all be boring and nothing special for either sexual orientation.

Please see this thread: Getting Married in Peru

In a related story:

Mexico City approves gay civil unions By E. EDUARDO CASTILLO, Associated Press Writer

2 hours, 16 minutes ago

Mexico City's assembly on Thursday voted for the first time in the country's history to legally recognize gay civil unions, a measure that will provide same-sex couples with benefits similar to those of married couples. The mayor was expected to sign the measure into law.

The bill, which does not approve gay marriage, allows same-sex couples to register their union with civil authorities, granting them inheritance and pension rights, as well as other social benefits. Lawmakers were still finalizing the details.

Heterosexual couples who are not legally married can also be registered under the legislation.

The bill was severely criticized by the Catholic Church and conservative civil groups. It passed by a vote of 43-17, with all the opposition coming from the National Action Party of President Vicente Fox and president-elect Felipe Calderon.

The party is known for its opposition to abortion and its support for traditional families.

Mexico City is a federal district with its own legislature, and the law will apply only to residents of the capital, with a population of 8.7 million. This is the first time any state legislature has approved such a law anywhere in Mexico.

Comming Soon: Exit/Entry Visa Forum: Where US Citizens can find information on filing the I-666 for exit and entry from the USA.

Well what we thought was an erupting tooth is not a tooth according to my baby's doctor. The Doctor stated that our baby has a salivary port cyst and that it will go away on its own--its pure white like a tooth but on the side of the gum just below the gum-line so we thought it might be the corner of his tooth. Regardless it is not bothering him in the least bit--but still has anyone heard of a salivary port cyst? I am trying to google it but can't seem to find what I am looking for.

Found this on the Army Website, or was it Senator Kerry's?

Marilyn -- I understand your concern, but Hang in there. You aren't bringing down nothing, your pain and loss will help us all in our own circumstance, should we too have to face such a situation--and with courage I only hope I would handle the facts of life as graceful and open as you have--we are here for you as you have been here for us, not just in this thread but on VJ in general.

You have honored your son with dignity, respect, and with courage and viligence--we should be so lucky all to have parents like you and your husband, whether we live a moment or a lifetime. The care and support you have shown and love for young Noah--is not a downer to anyone--its a source of strength--your example is the true honor you have shown your son--though the tattoo of him with Jesus is amazing--your story will give me strength--still not faced with the loss of a close loved one--yet knowing that day will come as it must for all of us--I will think of Noah, and of you Marilyn and your family and know this I will live to be as courageous and understanding as you have been and continue to be. Thank you so much for sharing Noah's brief life with me--and I will continue to have him, you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

PS: Not to break the mood or make a joke or anything but my son already has a tooth at age 4 weeks--is this weird? Any advice if any of you have experienced this would be appreciated.

It would actually help your case more if you did travel more to see each other. Whether you go there, she comes here, or you both go to some other country.

With the constant rumors about Hillary Clinton in 2008, Barak Obama and even a Stalker wanting Oprah to run for president there has been a lot of pundits talking about the next president being a woman or an African-American, but is that really the trend?

With 53% of all foreign-born residents being from Latin America, and Latin Americans in the US having a nearly 3 births per woman fertility rate and the only group with a positive population growth--wouldn't it be more likely that the next non-white male president would be a Latino?

If Hillary Clinton does run and win the election I hope she will tackle health care insurance and medical cost--its just really out of hand. Energy cost, housing depreciation, health care cost, rising education cost, war on terror, uncontrolled illegal immigration, eroding of our civil liberities, and the constant exportation of jobs should be the key issues. Unfortunately it would appear that issues such as abortion on demand, movie and music piracy, FCC and decency regulations, flag buring, gay marriage, pseudo immigration policies, and the Iraq War will be the only topics discussed.

But who would want to be the president--you will inherit a failed policy in the middle east--be at war on several fronts without any plan for victory/resolution, the world is increasingly chaotic with new alliances and alienation post cold-war-haters, and an economy that for the middle class is tanking.

Do you think that traveling to Peru on a one-way ticket will cause me any problems when I am going through customs there??

I'm praying that my husband and I will be able to fly back together, but we are keeping our schedule somewhat flexible, so we don't have an exact return date planned.

Just curious if I should expect any problems.....

I know that by now you have already flown to Peru. But I will make a suggestion for others anyway:

Buy a Round Trip ticket and not one-way as round trip tickets are cheaper--you can change your return trip with the airline once you are in Lima. I did this even at the last minute--as I was boarding the plane I told them I wanted to change my flight--they let me change with a little hassle--extra paperwork and ensure none of my bags were on the plane (US Law FAA prohibits unaccompanied bags). Also the immigration people in Peru coming and going have almost always asked to see my boarding pass, but not my tickets. Now you do need to give them an Idea of when you will be returning back to the USA--I believe 90 days is the maximum you can stay on a tourist visa in Peru, but you might want to double check that. Anyway tell them how many days you will stay as you do not want to have an overstay--there will be a fine imposed if you do overstay your visa. The only other hassle you will have is at the airport in Lima--airport security when you are returning to the USA will ask you for your ticket--if you do not have one simply tell them you have an electronic ticket and they will just look at your passport and let you go.

Ditto, Yeah stuff was so easier to do in Peru--you know the city is so compacted and there is such good public transportation in the form of Taxi and Micro/minibus, whereas in the USA stuff is spread out and expensive--you have DUI police down on you like Nazi SS and who needs the hassle and the expense etc. But yeah I do wish we went out partying more here in the USA. But now with the baby can't really afford it, will one day soon, get a baby sitter and go out at least for like 4 hours.