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From Iraq Veterans Against the War: In the past 48 hours, armed militants have taken over cities all across northern Iraq. Today, Navi Pillay, the top UN human rights official, expressed "extreme alarm at what she termed summary executions, rape, reprisal killings and shelling of civilians.

Hundreds of human lives have been lost, and thousands of people have been injured. More than 300,000 people have been displaced - in addition to the 500,000 that have already been displaced since January after fighting broke out in Anbar Province.

Read more... )MADRE is collecting emergency donations for OWFI to help them relocate the residents of their women's shelter to safer places.You can make an emergency donation now by clicking here: https://app.etapestry.com/hosted/Madre/OnlineDonation.html?fund=ContributionsIndividual&campaign=Emergency%20and%20Disaster%20Relief&approach=2014%20Iraq%20Emergency%20Eappeal&title=Support%20Women%20Facing%20Violence%20in%20Iraq&cc1=2080

This emergency relocation effort will cost $25,000; OWFI cannot help these women meet their immediate needs without your help. Please consider making a donation today, and please share this email with your contacts. The safety of these women and their children depends on people like us.

Thank you in advance for your generosity.


In Solidarity,

Joyce, Matt, Maggie, Julia
IVAW Staff
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http://alltogethernow.org.au/news/category/discussing-racism/ All together now.org promotes multiculturalism and prevention of racist behaviour through social marketing. :) The people there seem quite nice and inclusive, and explain things in ways that are easy to understand. There are videos on people's experiences in Australia regarding multiculturalism and racism. Some videos include "Were you expecting racism only to be welcomed, which made me happy. Other videos include L Fresh the Lion's (the great hip hop artist) thoughts on racism.

The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission's website seems to be down for somereason.:/ They can be contacted for questions on how to address racism on a smaller or larger level.

For the state of NSW in Australia:you can speak to your human resources department. They can explain if further action can be taken. If they are helpful, then that's great. Read more... ).

For multiculturalism resources in the state of Victoria, in Australia: http://justitia.com.au/race-discrimination/racism-in-the-workplace This link has other links to the Fair work commission, Fair Work Ombudsman,Vic lawyers Health Line. It also has much needed information on how racism affects people's lives (in the workplace and your legal rights.

http://jimhines.livejournal.com/647393.html Jim Hines'fantastic post. This post is extremely helpful and important reading. On addressing sexual harrassment the right way. Backing someone up and Not Creeping.

http://whatever.scalzi.com/2012/05/18/the-big-idea-michelle-sagara/ A lovely article/post by John Scalzi. On portrayals of female friendships, Aspergers, and great female characters.

http://msagara.livejournal.com/72872.html#com
Quote from Michelle Sagara's informative and helpful post on Asperger's:"I get a little bit tired of having Asperger's brought up as an excuse for harassment. It's not. My son is fully aware that he doesn't always parse or notice social signals Read more... )Holding someone else responsible for the "wrongness" of his thoughts would never even occur to him."
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Hi everyone,

Please read the email below from Senator barbara Lee of the US Congress.

Please Support HR 198 - Repeal of the Authorization for Use of Military Force - legislation that will reexamine and ultimately repeal the flawed blank check authorization to the president to wage war, anywhere at any time.

Now is the time for the U.S. Congress to repeal the overly broad 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force.
On September 14, 2001, I was the sole member of either house of Congress to vote against the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force. That misguided resolution is a blank check for war. It has been used to justify activities, such as warrantless surveillance, indefinite detention and the lethal use of drones, that fly in the face of our constitutional values. I am convinced that military engagement with no end in sight actually undermines our long-term national security.Read more... )

Click here to learn more and add your name to my petition to Congress, to ask them to repeal the blank-check authorization of war by supporting HR 198.

Thank you for your support.

Rep. Barbara Lee

http://org.credoaction.com/petitions/tell-congress-repeal-the-blank-check-for-perpetual-war?akid=8062.3000764.tmXa2J&rd=1&t=5
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From the Credo Action wesbite:

As a result, the post office has closed branches in some of the most rural areas, where it was the only government-affiliated location for miles around.

Rural post offices in particular are important institutions. Closing them, especially in areas with little or no access to broadband internet service, could have a major impact on the communities they serve. And closing them won't save much money.

This is reminding me of Terry Pratchett's marvellous Discworld novel Going Postal (which is all about saving the Post Office and the virtues of snail mail). I never thought I'd see life imitating art. On a more serious note, please help save the US Post Office. It's achieved vital work delivering mail at very cheap prices especially for people in rural areas with limited or no access to the internet. This petition can only be signed by Americans. If you're not American, then please feel more than free to spread the word. Thank you for your support! :) http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/usps_sat_delivery/

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reblogged from samlett's tumblr:

"Please everyone that follows me this is very serious. I need all of you to reblog this and read this
.

This is Alyssa Marie Bryne-she has been missing since 8 last night.

We are doing everything we can to help locate her. She was at SnowGlobe in Tahoe, California. Last time anyone talked to her she was leaving her friends at the festival to go back to the hotel around 8pm. The hotel said she never came back.

No one can get a hold of her. No one knows where she is. We are all worried sick. In two more hours she will legally be a missing person.


If you have any information please message me.(sammlett.tumblr.com) or http://www.facebook.com/sammmwatson

Please help us find her.

Reblog this please, I'm literally begging you. It will not ruin your blog.

You could be helping save a life."
http://sammlett.tumblr.com/post/39444535044/please-everyone-that-follows-me-this-is-very

http://www.ktvn.com/story/20489479/young-woman-goes-missing-in-south-lake-tahoe rom the 2News website:
Alyssa is 5’3” tall and weighs around 125 pounds with black hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing a black sweatshirt, black snow boots, and black yoga-type pants with her hair pulled back.

If you have any information, call Douglas County Dispatch at 775-782-5126 or Investigator Dennis Slater at 775-586-7255.

Thank you so much.

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Hi there,

This is for any Americans out there, as the website doesn't allow non Americans to write to the American Senate or their president. :) If you are a non American, you can still email the US's White House here http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/submit-questions-and-comments

From the Roots Action website:

"The U.S. Senate has 100 senators, but 41 make almost every decision.
The filibuster, now employed routinely, allows this minority-rule. Any step for peace or justice will be an even steeper uphill climb with the filibuster in place.

This Senate rule is not in the Constitution or any law. It can be changed or eliminated on Day 1 of the new session by a simple majority of 51 senators. "Fixing" minority rule so that the 41 deciders of our public policies are "required" to talk about what they're doing at length on television will not solve the problem.

Please click here to write to your two senators right now, with a CC to the President, urging them to end the filibuster: http://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=7046  

Please forward this email widely to like-minded friends.

-- The RootsAction.org team"


Please spread the word. Thanks so much for your support! You might not think you're doing much, but each person's support really counts. :)
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Hi all,

Here are two simple ways to support ill children and homeless people:

STREAT http://www.streat.com.au/about STREAT trains young homeless people in cooking and hospitality to help them get off the streets. When you buy food or drink from STREAT cafe, all the money goes towards supporting young people who are living on the streets or at risk of becoming homeless. They make a ripping good Earl Grey tea, for tea lovers out there. :) 

STREAT is based in Melbourne, Australia. It has cafes located in Melbourne Central Station (ground floor, near the escalators to the trains), Flemington (305 Racecourse Road, Flemington) and 5 McKillop Street, Melbourne. I've been to the one located in Melbourne Central Station. Their stall has a table shaped like a roadsign saying, "Stop homelessness the delicious way." You can't miss it. There's a small pole near their stall with several handwritten signs. The one saying 'Coles' is upside down, which I found funny and adorable.The menu at the Flemington cafe changes seasonally. The STREATS food cart at Federation Square is relocating to Melbourne University.

At Sydney Domestic Airport: When you enter the food court, there's a Donut King section with a donation box. The money goes to Starlight Children's Foundation (to help sick children in hospital). :)

Throughout Melbourne Tullamarine Domestic Airport there are boxes where you can donate to Vision Australia and the Guide Dogs Association.
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Hi everyone,

Here's some information on charities below:

Below are the websites for organisations where you can volunteer or donate to support children around the world:

http://www.savethechildren.org.au/ Save the Children Australia. Save the Children also works in different countries around the world.  You can also donate here to support people whose lives have been devastated by Typhoon Bopha in the Philippines.

http://www.avert.org/aids-projects.htm    AVERT is a UK based charity that raises money to help people around the world to raise awareness and respond to HIV and AIDS. You can donate at their website. This link has information on how their projects help educate people about AIDS, their legal rights and addressing sexual violence.

http://child-aid.org/ Child Aid raises money to train teachers, deliver books and teach children how to read.

If you can't donate, you can always raise awareness - which makes a huge difference. Thanks so much! :)

Edited to add: I have found information from raremedium.org http://raremedium.org/2007/10/31/charity-navigators-vital-mission-hides-flawed-rankings/ that Charity Navigator has flaws in gathering / interpreting information and deciding which charities are accountable, transparent and spend the most money on the people they assist. I do apologise for putting up information on Charity Navigator before.

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Hi,

This is for all Americans. If you're not American, you can help a lot by spreading this message. Please tell Congress here to protect your privacy by sending this letter: http://www.vanishingrights.com/

You can also edit the letter to use your own words. That will make a much stronger impression. :)

The fourth Amendment protects your privacy online and offline. It's the part of the Constitution that makes sure that the police, the IRS, or the FBI need a good reason to search your home, and — in some circumstances — a judge's permission. The government should obtain a warrant from a judge to read your documents, or to track your location using your mobile/cell phone. More courts are agreeing with this. Prosecutors, regulatory agencies and other government officials should not be able to issue their own subpoenas to read your emails.

But the US Department of Justice claims the Fourth Amendment does not require a warrant to search webmail, texts, Facebook messages, Google Docs, Dropbox documents and anything else in the cloud. This is simply unacceptable!

Thanks so much for your help. You might not think you're making much difference, but every person doing their it really does count. Use your vote and have your say!
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Fandom_aid fanfiction for the_glow_worm

Fandom: The Demon's Surrender, by Sarah Rees Brennan. Naturally, I don't own any of this. All mistakes are mine.

Characters/pairings: Nick/Mae ageing, with a focus on Nick (as requested). The rest of the gang appears now and again.

Word count: 2,826 words. Please excuse the random dots throughout the story. I can’t seem to get rid of them, no matter what I try!

I hope you enjoy this fanfiction. Thank you so much for taking part in this great cause! :D


Read more... )
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Hi all,

My thread for the Fandom Aid is here: http://fandomaid.livejournal.com/52858.html?thread=759674#t759674 Feel free to bid for fic from me. Donations will go towards supporting people affected by Hurricane Sandy in the US.

http://fandomaid.livejournal.com/profile Fandom Aid is a fandom community supporting people worldwide affected by natural disasters. Please feel free to donate. If you don't have any money, then boosting the signal will help trememdously. Every bit of support *really* counts. Thank you all so much. :)
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http://www.scottlynch.us/ironsands.html Gogogogo! Read this, it is simply wonderful! :D Science fiction as it should be. I am no expert on science fiction (although I do enjoy reading Vonnegut and H G Wells). But I read it and loved it. This is science fiction with adventure, passion and wonder. Unlike old science fiction tales / planetary romances that excuse or minimise racism, slavery and imperialism (I am *looking* at you, Mr Edgar Rice Burroughs), Lynch examines how brutal and horrifying those practices are.

I am making this sound way too heavy too read. It isn't. It is really accessible. I took a chance on this, and I loved it. Violet is a tough, funny and generous lady. I fell in love with Lynch's portrayal of Texas, and Violet's family life. The scenes on World War Two are well researched and so poignant too. The action heats up when Violet reaches Mars. I won't spoil the rest.

If you do choose to donate, the money helps Scott Lynch maintain his page. The more you donate, the more chapters he will upload. The money also goes towards supporting Jay Lake, a patient who requires cash for cancer treatments. Every bit helps a lot, more than you could imagine. Even if you can't donate, you can always boost the signal and post about this. Thank you so much!
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http://www.cbtrust.org.uk/support/index.shtml  The Children’s Burns Trust website is a valuable resource on keeping your children and loved ones in general safe from burns. This website page focuses on the Do’s and Don'ts of keeping children and adults safe from burns / scalding.

 

Katie Piper is a courageous and positive survivor of a vicious rape and burns attack. She has started the Katie Piper Foundation to support people who have survived burns attacks and disfigurements. You can help support Katie’s amazing work at her website here: http://www.katiepiperfoundation.org.uk/support-links/

 


Read more... )

 

I’ve been unable to find equivalents of services in Australia that assist acid attack survivors and burns survivors (apart from Burns Units in various hospitals). If anyone can find information on the Australian equivalent, please let me know. Thank you.

 

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30 people are diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease every year. Anyone from any age group can get it.

From the PNSW website: Parkinson's disease is a movement disorder typically presenting with symptoms such as slowness of movement, muscle rigidity, instability and tremor. It was named after an English doctor, James Parkinson, who first described cases of a "shaking palsy" in 1817.

More support groups for different parts of Australia are springing up. Parkinson's NSW is a non profit community based organisation. It has books, videos and merchandise on Parkinson's. There are seminars that you can attend, and a phone support line where people can offer advice and counselling. You can also help others by taking part in clinical trials.

The Parkinson's NSW website is here:

http://www.parkinsonsnsw.org.au/

You can volunteer or donate to Parkinson's Australia here: http://www.parkinsonsnsw.org.au/support-us/donations/


The Parkinson's NSW Unity Walk occurs every year on 31st August, so if you come that'll be great!

I attended the Parkinson's Unity Walk today and it was a total blast! It's all for a great cause. Lovely people, great weather and an energetic walk through bushland as well. Fingers crossed I can attend the one for next year!

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My LJ Friend rosehiptea’s father recently passed away. She’s had to cover his final expenses and her own living costs, so she’s really struggling financially. You can read more about her situation here:

http://rosehiptea.livejournal.com/879342.html


erin_c_1978is offering botanical prints for a $25 donation to rosehiptea's PayPal here: http://erin-c-1978.livejournal.com/291637.html

senoritafish is also offering art for $10, $15 and $25 donations.

http://senoritafish.livejournal.com/739846.html#comments


I’d like to do something similar if anyone’s interested in an original short story or free verse (non rhyming) poetry. I’m willing to write a 1000-2000 word story for people who will donate $15, especially stories that are a twist/different versions on well known myths, legends or folktales. Samples of my fanfiction can be read here, however I will only be writing original fiction and poetry to help rosehiptea. http://anglerfish07.livejournal.com/73820.html#cutid1

I’m fine with writing free verse poetry if anyone will donate $15 or more. Feel free to message me via livejournal for more details.

I’m also willing to write a 2000+ word story for people who will donate $20 or more. I’ve had positive reactions to some of the stories I wrote for charities like help_haiti, so let me know if you’re willing to add your support. I’d definitely appreciate it if anyone could link to this. J Thank you.

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