US: Dynasty candidates vs. Americans' yearning *Jersey City: A mayor's struggle against crime surge
Nigeria's senseless long holidays Bad weather, terrorism and police gun fires
Welcome to arms vs. Farewell to arms There she goes. Awo's inestimable jewel
Europe seeks solution after attack on Paris Welcome to arms vs. Farewell to arms
After Hebdo, Paris witnesses another slaughter Money, possession and humanity
\ Russians, the ISIS and air clashes Music and our lives
Death and its shocking visitations Civilized world: Is the house united?
Turkey's show for attention Trump, Sanders and Hillary
France acting against culture of freedom and democracy Media grilling of Trump fruitless
Donald Trump, fellowship and the truth San Bernardino: Shock, unbelief and grief
Civilized and uncivilized world and fellowship (2) Civilized and uncivilized world and fellowship
Leaders, followers and wealth
People ask that if the electorate really matters, why shouldn't every working family be properly housed, have access to health care and be certain of education for the kids, without having to develop blood pressure, while pursuing these essentials of life.
Modern leaders don't go to war, but they send others to war, unlike Beowulf, the leader of his people (the Geats) and a leader of war against a dragon, the guard of a hoard, where the rich keep their wealth, which none of their offspring is alive to inherit.
Unlike Beowulf in the old English Literature, who died fighting to get back the wealth stashed away by unknown wealthy people, modern leaders have become like the rich and the wealthy, they also covet to be rich and not seeking to die fighting for the protection of the poor. People are saying that no modern leader will go into the type of battle Beowulf engaged himself against the dragon for the people.
Modern leaders don't go to war, but they send others to war, unlike Beowulf, the leader of his people (the Geats) and a leader of war against a dragon, the guard of a hoard, where the rich keep their wealth, which none of their offspring is alive to inherit.
Unlike Beowulf in the old English Literature, who died fighting to get back the wealth stashed away by unknown wealthy people, modern leaders have become like the rich and the wealthy, they also covet to be rich and not seeking to die fighting for the protection of the poor. People are saying that no modern leader will go into the type of battle Beowulf engaged himself against the dragon for the people.
A visitor's view of London
One day in London is like one day in heaven. Why? You see as much people thronging the streets around Westminster and the Trafalgar Square, as one see people in places like the Grand Central and Times Square in New York City, places regarded as heavenly places, by people visiting from other parts of the world.
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The journey, the suffering and the cause
There are political and economic struggles In virtually every country of the world, and there is no country that can claim to be an oasis of peace from the argument about the human journey, the human suffering and the cause.
Every child grows up to learn about the peculiarity of what has become a scene of trouble in his or her own country, through various religious stories and tales. |
Traffic confusion and attendant headache
By Abi Giwa
Vehicular traffic
Traveling anywhere in peak or rush hours with associated headache and heartache is universal. It has nothing to do with any particular country or ant part of the world. Whether in Lagos, New York, Johannesburg, London, Paris or Tokyo, the rule of the thumb is whenever one has an appointment in peak hours, leave the house or whatever is your place of departure, hours ahead of time. This is because there are too many vehicles, including your's, clogging the road. Weekends, when less traffic will be be anticipated, is getting worse too.
What is a peak or rush hour, some seems to want to know. Experts say the peak hour or rush hour is a period when the roads are busy and the traffic is messy, and you can never get to your destination on schedule, unless by a miracle. There is no traffic magic to beat the peak hour's craziness since a car cannot fly above other cars in the traffic. It is a period hours the buses and the trains are filled to the brim and the hours the tuneless also experience its own version of hold ups.
Whether you are traveling from Brooklyn into to Manhattan or New Jersey into New York City, the rush hour dictates leaving the house hours ahead of time, just like when you drive from Ikeja to Lagos. Recently, a traveler from Brooklyn to Manhattan on No 5 train speaks about an experience of traveling on No 5 express train in New York City, but that in spite of its running express, and because of having left home scheduled on a normal timing in a peak period, he arrived at the 14 Street in the city much against his appointment.
What is a peak or rush hour, some seems to want to know. Experts say the peak hour or rush hour is a period when the roads are busy and the traffic is messy, and you can never get to your destination on schedule, unless by a miracle. There is no traffic magic to beat the peak hour's craziness since a car cannot fly above other cars in the traffic. It is a period hours the buses and the trains are filled to the brim and the hours the tuneless also experience its own version of hold ups.
Whether you are traveling from Brooklyn into to Manhattan or New Jersey into New York City, the rush hour dictates leaving the house hours ahead of time, just like when you drive from Ikeja to Lagos. Recently, a traveler from Brooklyn to Manhattan on No 5 train speaks about an experience of traveling on No 5 express train in New York City, but that in spite of its running express, and because of having left home scheduled on a normal timing in a peak period, he arrived at the 14 Street in the city much against his appointment.
Jesus Christ: Celebrating the fountain of life
By Abi Giwa
The Cross
It is the weekend of the Easter celebration. Activities have begun a week earlier with the commemoration of Palm Sunday, in remembrance of Jesus Christ's entry into Jerusalem, much against persuasion of his disciples of the danger involved. Christ was not the type of man who exercised fears about the unknown. The scripture said Christ knew more than his disciples what awaited him in Jerusalem. And the good book confirmed it that Christ submitted to the travail for humanity's sake, having been ordained as a ransom to save humanity.
At the point of his arrest, Peter was ready to do battle with a spear drawn, cut off the ear of one of the arresting officers, but Christ ordered Peter to shield his sword, replaced the severed ear of the arresting officer and accused Peter of ignorance about what was to happen.
Many other people in Christ's shoes would have used the mysterious power he had to save themselves than submit to travail, humiliation and very painful death on the cross. From the point of his arrest, Christ was whipped, beaten and flogged until it seemed there was no more strength in him to bare continued dehumanization of his physical body. His disciples disappeared into the thin air in fulfillment of a prophesy he had given that they would deny him in the face of trouble.
At the point of his arrest, Peter was ready to do battle with a spear drawn, cut off the ear of one of the arresting officers, but Christ ordered Peter to shield his sword, replaced the severed ear of the arresting officer and accused Peter of ignorance about what was to happen.
Many other people in Christ's shoes would have used the mysterious power he had to save themselves than submit to travail, humiliation and very painful death on the cross. From the point of his arrest, Christ was whipped, beaten and flogged until it seemed there was no more strength in him to bare continued dehumanization of his physical body. His disciples disappeared into the thin air in fulfillment of a prophesy he had given that they would deny him in the face of trouble.
Water, water everywhere
May 6 2015 By Abi Giwa
Does this picture amuse or raises a serious question about the girl in the picture seen lapping from the water in a stream?
She is well clad in a nice multi-colored long skirt and a light green blouse with a pair of clean brown shoes. There is no question about her sanity. Is there any?
But the question is about the type of thirst that will make a girl go on her kneels to lap from a running stream. The answer to the question could be that she lacked a cup to scoop water from the stream, and she was so thirsty and had no choice than to do the needful - satisfy her thirst.
Apparently, the stream is far away from the town and she cannot wait to get to where she can get portable water.
Is there anything unhygienic drinking from a running stream? Certainly not if lessons from elementary science is anything to go by. But if it is a stationery water, the danger can be real.
The picture is a perfect reminder of a saying, "Water, water everywhere, and the board did shrink," by Samuel Taylor Coleridge in "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner".
She is well clad in a nice multi-colored long skirt and a light green blouse with a pair of clean brown shoes. There is no question about her sanity. Is there any?
But the question is about the type of thirst that will make a girl go on her kneels to lap from a running stream. The answer to the question could be that she lacked a cup to scoop water from the stream, and she was so thirsty and had no choice than to do the needful - satisfy her thirst.
Apparently, the stream is far away from the town and she cannot wait to get to where she can get portable water.
Is there anything unhygienic drinking from a running stream? Certainly not if lessons from elementary science is anything to go by. But if it is a stationery water, the danger can be real.
The picture is a perfect reminder of a saying, "Water, water everywhere, and the board did shrink," by Samuel Taylor Coleridge in "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner".
Nigerians' Jacob and Esau scenario
By Abi Giwa
Most times, people are faced with a dilemma of making a choice between two hard situations. It happens more in an election as it is currently in the Nigerians' case, who are faced between voting for an incumbent president or the opposition candidate. In Nigeria's case, It is like being asked to choose between Sharia and the economy. The economy represents assurances about food and money in the pocket, while Sharia represents living with insecurity from religion insensitivity and the danger it connotes.
Food is important for human survival just as money is. Hunger can make a man denounce his right or rights just like Esau denounced his birth right when he had need for food and found himself at Jacobs' mercy. And Nigerians will in four days choose which way to go to either choose to fill their stomach like Esau at the risk of having Sharia driven or forced into their lives either by coercion or through back door in the course of their lives. It is all that the presidential election of March 28 about and not any other.
For example, a Nigerian newspaper, Daily Sun, on Monday had its front page dressed with a story on the issue of Sharia, the picture of the opposition party's presidential candidate and a statement :" Buhari - Electing APC candidate president will be disaster for Nigeria, Africa." The statement originally originated from Robert Grenell, a United States' expert, in an interview first published by the Washington Post. Sharia is one of the topical issues in the current current election campaign along with the state of economy, insecurity and corruption.
Food is important for human survival just as money is. Hunger can make a man denounce his right or rights just like Esau denounced his birth right when he had need for food and found himself at Jacobs' mercy. And Nigerians will in four days choose which way to go to either choose to fill their stomach like Esau at the risk of having Sharia driven or forced into their lives either by coercion or through back door in the course of their lives. It is all that the presidential election of March 28 about and not any other.
For example, a Nigerian newspaper, Daily Sun, on Monday had its front page dressed with a story on the issue of Sharia, the picture of the opposition party's presidential candidate and a statement :" Buhari - Electing APC candidate president will be disaster for Nigeria, Africa." The statement originally originated from Robert Grenell, a United States' expert, in an interview first published by the Washington Post. Sharia is one of the topical issues in the current current election campaign along with the state of economy, insecurity and corruption.
When seven of us are taken by fire
By Abi Giwa
A happy family visited by fire
The society has developed from using firewood for cooking to using stoves powered with kerosine and later gas and there is also the electric hot plate. But the advancement to technological breakthrough from the use of firewood has its consequences, because things can go wrong as it has on several occasions with loss of lives as witnessed few days ago, when seven Brooklyn kids lost their lives from fire in their home.
The chief fire officer, Daniel Nigro, who operated on the night of the incidence said it was seven years ago that the city last experienced such a tragedy. Some people say Nigro may have spoken in term of magnitude, but that the society witnesses fire incidences and loss of lives all the time.
The news of burial of the seven kids was all over the news on Monday. Their photographs graced the front page of the New York Post. Photographs show sympathizers swarm around the kids' father at the burial ceremony, recalling the news of the children's mother crying asking people to help save her kids who are trapped in their rooms and the voice if the kids crying for their mother to save them, while mother and her one 15 year-old daughter have made their way out of the burning home.
The chief fire officer, Daniel Nigro, who operated on the night of the incidence said it was seven years ago that the city last experienced such a tragedy. Some people say Nigro may have spoken in term of magnitude, but that the society witnesses fire incidences and loss of lives all the time.
The news of burial of the seven kids was all over the news on Monday. Their photographs graced the front page of the New York Post. Photographs show sympathizers swarm around the kids' father at the burial ceremony, recalling the news of the children's mother crying asking people to help save her kids who are trapped in their rooms and the voice if the kids crying for their mother to save them, while mother and her one 15 year-old daughter have made their way out of the burning home.
Night shift, health and compensation
By Abi Giwa
Example of a night shift worker
Carlos lives and works in New York City. During a recent conversation, he said he is working more hours these days and sleeping less, because there would be a time he will sleep without waking. The message is clear and understandable.
Many people are in Carlos' shoes. They don't allow threat of impaired health or untimely death bother them. To them, one has to do what has to be done.
There is rent or mortgage to be paid. There are other utilities bills to be paid. No creditor will take excuses instead of getting paid. Why do people have to sleep more at home rather than be at work making money? Well, health specialists have warned again and again that enough sleep is good for health than skipping sleep and hoping to make up for it later.
Today, another news report in the BBC say study has shown that not having enough sleep may lead to obesity and diabetes. The statement is made by a team from two universities, from a study of loss of hours of sleep in weekdays and weekend. We need sleep and there is a need to satisfy nature. Maintaining the balance has led to a conflict. Since no one wants to live a beggarly life by being jobless, tendency to cheat nature by taking any work has become common routine.
Many people are in Carlos' shoes. They don't allow threat of impaired health or untimely death bother them. To them, one has to do what has to be done.
There is rent or mortgage to be paid. There are other utilities bills to be paid. No creditor will take excuses instead of getting paid. Why do people have to sleep more at home rather than be at work making money? Well, health specialists have warned again and again that enough sleep is good for health than skipping sleep and hoping to make up for it later.
Today, another news report in the BBC say study has shown that not having enough sleep may lead to obesity and diabetes. The statement is made by a team from two universities, from a study of loss of hours of sleep in weekdays and weekend. We need sleep and there is a need to satisfy nature. Maintaining the balance has led to a conflict. Since no one wants to live a beggarly life by being jobless, tendency to cheat nature by taking any work has become common routine.
Humanity's triumph over evil
By Abi Giwa
Pope Francis exhibits unconditional love
There are photographs of Iraq soldiers all over the news on Tuesday celebrating the country's victory over ISIS in Tikrit. The latter having lost the position it held in the city. The Iraq soldiers wore radiant smiles; held up their arms and manifestly felicitate with one another. Two reasons could be adduced for the soldiers' joy.
First they humiliated the ISIS against general expectation of its formidability. Secondly, Iraq soldiers did not lose battle or become ISIS's captives to be on the waiting list of those awaiting slaughter.
We all know ISIS's favorite past time. They slaughter their captives. Before now, it had been widely reported that Iraq soldiers had mastered abandoning the battle front for the fear of becoming captives to be on the list of those to be slaughtered. And why won't they rejoice for this one time triumph over evil that has shown ISIS can be defeated?
What happens in Iraq's city of Tikrit, the hometown of Saddam Hussein is nothing short of setback for the ISIS, coming few days after the Nigeria's Boko-Haram had pledged its allegiance. The event in Tikrit and Nigeria's Boko-Haram's allegiance is something that reminds observers of a statement in the scripture warning the Israelis not to rely on nations around it for fight against its enemies, but to rely on the arms of the Almighty.
The event in Tikrit further elucidates the stupidity and sinking ground for terror in battle fronts. The battle front of terror in Syria and Iraq are under fire of international coalition powers, just like the terror battle front in Nigeria. Iraq soldiers have taken Tikrit back, while Nigerian soldiers have redeemed several towns around Maiduguri from Boko-Haram in the last three weeks.
First they humiliated the ISIS against general expectation of its formidability. Secondly, Iraq soldiers did not lose battle or become ISIS's captives to be on the waiting list of those awaiting slaughter.
We all know ISIS's favorite past time. They slaughter their captives. Before now, it had been widely reported that Iraq soldiers had mastered abandoning the battle front for the fear of becoming captives to be on the list of those to be slaughtered. And why won't they rejoice for this one time triumph over evil that has shown ISIS can be defeated?
What happens in Iraq's city of Tikrit, the hometown of Saddam Hussein is nothing short of setback for the ISIS, coming few days after the Nigeria's Boko-Haram had pledged its allegiance. The event in Tikrit and Nigeria's Boko-Haram's allegiance is something that reminds observers of a statement in the scripture warning the Israelis not to rely on nations around it for fight against its enemies, but to rely on the arms of the Almighty.
The event in Tikrit further elucidates the stupidity and sinking ground for terror in battle fronts. The battle front of terror in Syria and Iraq are under fire of international coalition powers, just like the terror battle front in Nigeria. Iraq soldiers have taken Tikrit back, while Nigerian soldiers have redeemed several towns around Maiduguri from Boko-Haram in the last three weeks.
Bye cold, welcome sunshine
By Abi Giwa
Discomfort is nobody's friend. New Yorkers slug against what seems like a deprivation of comfort for as long as the punishing winter weather lasts. Snowfall upon snowfall and maddening cold weather becomes an order. Many people who hitherto have said they love the winter and the cold weather begin to change with visitation of the avalanche of snow fall.
So on Monday for the first time in a long time, people are outside their homes with jacket zippers down, what many considered a welcome change from extremely cold weather to a little warm weather and a reminder of Jimmy Cliff's song, "Hello sunshine, will you be my friend?"
A Nigerian guy of Ibo tribe said it was a long time ago he had witnessed so much snowfall, probably in the seventies. He said at the Times Square bus line on his way to Hackensack, where he lives in New Jersey.
"Are you sure the winter is over," a woman at Woodridge in New Jersey beckoned and asked this reporter after crossing the street. "I am sure the winter has ebbed if not completely over," the reporter responded. "I believe you," she interjects and walk away, saying the snow has been too hard.
So on Monday for the first time in a long time, people are outside their homes with jacket zippers down, what many considered a welcome change from extremely cold weather to a little warm weather and a reminder of Jimmy Cliff's song, "Hello sunshine, will you be my friend?"
A Nigerian guy of Ibo tribe said it was a long time ago he had witnessed so much snowfall, probably in the seventies. He said at the Times Square bus line on his way to Hackensack, where he lives in New Jersey.
"Are you sure the winter is over," a woman at Woodridge in New Jersey beckoned and asked this reporter after crossing the street. "I am sure the winter has ebbed if not completely over," the reporter responded. "I believe you," she interjects and walk away, saying the snow has been too hard.
Valentine expectations
By Abi Giwa
"It will be extremely cold in the North East of the United States on Valentine's weekend and meaning people will be home making babies, because the cold will not allow people to go out," a woman talked jokingly about this Valentine's weekend and the weather forecast that the weekend will be insanely cold.
"What is wrong with people making love on Valentine's day or weekend and resulting in procreation? Is that not how it is supposed to be?"
It is how some New Yorkers foreshadow how the Valentine will be celebrated in the city and other parts of the North East of the United States, where the weather has been extremely cold in the past few days and where it is still expected to be maddeningly cold this weekend.
Signs of Valentine are already there with men clutching flowers on the streets. As usual every year, restaurants and theaters are expected to make the weekend a source of earning providing for entertainment conscious people.
"What is wrong with people making love on Valentine's day or weekend and resulting in procreation? Is that not how it is supposed to be?"
It is how some New Yorkers foreshadow how the Valentine will be celebrated in the city and other parts of the North East of the United States, where the weather has been extremely cold in the past few days and where it is still expected to be maddeningly cold this weekend.
Signs of Valentine are already there with men clutching flowers on the streets. As usual every year, restaurants and theaters are expected to make the weekend a source of earning providing for entertainment conscious people.
God, humans and inequality
31 January 2015 By Abi Giwa
There is a woman I fondly call 'Sheepshead' in New York City, because she lives in Sheepshead Bay in Brooklyn. Last week at the height of the shut down of the subway in New York, I saw her approaching her place of work, and I asked how would people return home in view of the Juno storm scare and the subway shutdown. She said she had no choice than to be where Mayor Bill de Blasio wanted her to be.
"De Blasio is god; he talks and we obey," she said jokingly as she walked away. Suddenly, following day it turned out there had been a misread of the weather by Meteorologists who all apologized for what turned to be their great miss. People understand they are humans and that they cannot be perfect all the time.
However, New Yorkers witnessed de Blasio's office attempt to dodge responsibility, saying shutting down the subway was Governor Andrew Cuomo's decision, and that the governor announced the shutting down on television before the decision was communicated to the mayor's office. Whatever happened was that a decision that impacted millions of New Yorkers was taken based on a wrong weather forecast, and the administrators took a decision they believed would save lives. They did not try to act god as my Sheepshead Bay acquaintance had jokingly said.
"De Blasio is god; he talks and we obey," she said jokingly as she walked away. Suddenly, following day it turned out there had been a misread of the weather by Meteorologists who all apologized for what turned to be their great miss. People understand they are humans and that they cannot be perfect all the time.
However, New Yorkers witnessed de Blasio's office attempt to dodge responsibility, saying shutting down the subway was Governor Andrew Cuomo's decision, and that the governor announced the shutting down on television before the decision was communicated to the mayor's office. Whatever happened was that a decision that impacted millions of New Yorkers was taken based on a wrong weather forecast, and the administrators took a decision they believed would save lives. They did not try to act god as my Sheepshead Bay acquaintance had jokingly said.
Snowstorm as moral equivalent of war
26 January 2015 By Abi Giwa
You know it will come, but the day it will come is what you don't, until the weather men on the television give their revelation. I am talking about the snow storm. When you live in New York City or anywhere near the North East in the United States, you cannot escape the snow storm experience in winter.
It is seasonal. It puts the government, people in public authority and the people, all over the area at alert. No one wants to be caught unprepared. People go to the stores and purchase essential needs to be stored away for emergency. Government releases information about how it is handling the coming of the storm to avert terrible experiences.
Snowing ordinarily don't stop people from going to work. but as a storm with a wind guzzle capable of uprooting trees, the government may have no choice than shut down the entire system. It is a war. And the war has since begun a day to the beginning of the storm. The news says about 6000 flight have already been cancelled. Schools have been closed. A newspaper, 'Metro' published in New York City calls it "Snowmaggedon". Another news source calls it "Ninobeaster". The New York Times reports "Travel ban in North East as Region Braces for Blizzard". New York Post says, "NYC braces as blizzard whips the city".
It is seasonal. It puts the government, people in public authority and the people, all over the area at alert. No one wants to be caught unprepared. People go to the stores and purchase essential needs to be stored away for emergency. Government releases information about how it is handling the coming of the storm to avert terrible experiences.
Snowing ordinarily don't stop people from going to work. but as a storm with a wind guzzle capable of uprooting trees, the government may have no choice than shut down the entire system. It is a war. And the war has since begun a day to the beginning of the storm. The news says about 6000 flight have already been cancelled. Schools have been closed. A newspaper, 'Metro' published in New York City calls it "Snowmaggedon". Another news source calls it "Ninobeaster". The New York Times reports "Travel ban in North East as Region Braces for Blizzard". New York Post says, "NYC braces as blizzard whips the city".
Marriage as big newsmaker
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My eyes and election results
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New Year and three horrible homicides
By Abi Giwa
It is still a new year. Some people are still heralding people with 'Happy New Year' wishes, and radiating joy. But in three different homes in the United States on Saturday and Sunday, the sounds of the gun ended the joy that came with the new year, reports said.
In New York, a son shot his millionaire father point blank to the head. In Oklahoma, a woman shot her two grown up children to death before taking her own life. In Kansas City, an eight old boy became victim of a drive by shooting.
"My husband has been shot by my son," a New York Post report said of how Mrs. Sherry Gilbert, wife of the shot millionaire reacted to the killing of her husband by her son.
According to reports, trouble began between son and father over a $200.00 cut in allowance by Thomas Gilbert Sr. to his son. Gilbert Sr. is reported to have been generous to his son by paying his $2400 a month rent and at the same giving him $600.00 a month out of pocket allowance. But Gilbert Jr. rejected an impending cut of $200.00 from the $600.00 out of pocket allowance.
In New York, a son shot his millionaire father point blank to the head. In Oklahoma, a woman shot her two grown up children to death before taking her own life. In Kansas City, an eight old boy became victim of a drive by shooting.
"My husband has been shot by my son," a New York Post report said of how Mrs. Sherry Gilbert, wife of the shot millionaire reacted to the killing of her husband by her son.
According to reports, trouble began between son and father over a $200.00 cut in allowance by Thomas Gilbert Sr. to his son. Gilbert Sr. is reported to have been generous to his son by paying his $2400 a month rent and at the same giving him $600.00 a month out of pocket allowance. But Gilbert Jr. rejected an impending cut of $200.00 from the $600.00 out of pocket allowance.
2014 grim end
By Abi Giwa
A journey from Surabaya in Indonesia by 162 people, in an AirAsia jetliner, ended in the bottom of the ocean without survivors. Two police officers' lives ended on a Brooklyn Street by a mugger. An accidental discharge from a 2-years-old toddler in Idaho, United States, ended a 29 years old mother's life, from a gun she kept in her bag.
The news of the discovery of debris of the aircraft and some bodies among the passengers, and that there were no survivors led to agony for relatives, some of who were still expecting either father or son from an ill-fated journey.
When two police officers in New York left their home to work, they least expected a hoodlum will make them candidates for mourning and burial, before the year's end.
The news of the discovery of debris of the aircraft and some bodies among the passengers, and that there were no survivors led to agony for relatives, some of who were still expecting either father or son from an ill-fated journey.
When two police officers in New York left their home to work, they least expected a hoodlum will make them candidates for mourning and burial, before the year's end.
Inside bombed Kano Mosque
By Abi Giwa
The Imam who led the prayers at the bombed Kano Central Mosque ran, following sounds of explosion inside the Mosque, during Jumat prayers.
"The Chief Imam who led the aborted Jumat prayers, betrayed emotion after the first blast and the twin blasts right inside the Mosque, because everyone including the Chief Imam ran for dear lives," Muhammadu Inuwa who witnessed everything told the Nigerian Vanguard newspapers. According to him, he made his way out of the rubble unaware a six years old survivor clung to him.
Ahmad Inuwa said that one of the ironies was that another young man who was one of the assailants - in his mid twenties - begged for mercy after he had killed innocent people. He explained how some worshippers who recovered from initial shock after the blasts arrested five gun men who shot at people running away from the blasts.
Jabiru Ibrahim said, "I saw hell, sniffed death and slept among the dead in the house of God, but I remain grateful I am alive to tell the the story."
"The Chief Imam who led the aborted Jumat prayers, betrayed emotion after the first blast and the twin blasts right inside the Mosque, because everyone including the Chief Imam ran for dear lives," Muhammadu Inuwa who witnessed everything told the Nigerian Vanguard newspapers. According to him, he made his way out of the rubble unaware a six years old survivor clung to him.
Ahmad Inuwa said that one of the ironies was that another young man who was one of the assailants - in his mid twenties - begged for mercy after he had killed innocent people. He explained how some worshippers who recovered from initial shock after the blasts arrested five gun men who shot at people running away from the blasts.
Jabiru Ibrahim said, "I saw hell, sniffed death and slept among the dead in the house of God, but I remain grateful I am alive to tell the the story."
Vietnam veteran's joyful birthday
By Abi Giwa
I am a great grand father and 67. I have much to cheer that I am alive. When I talk not many people understand what I am talking.
It is great to be alive after dropping off a plane in Vietnam and 13 weeks in a jungle with only radio contact. My friends died and I put them in body bags. Here I am still alive and talking.
I was 18. I was drafted against my wish and only son of my father, a world war 2 veteran. I did not sign up. I fought in the jungle and survived.
James says he is on medication and I cannot to talk to the press. "My doctors will not allow me to do it. I am just happy for being alive. My friends died and I put them in the bag home."
It is great to be alive after dropping off a plane in Vietnam and 13 weeks in a jungle with only radio contact. My friends died and I put them in body bags. Here I am still alive and talking.
I was 18. I was drafted against my wish and only son of my father, a world war 2 veteran. I did not sign up. I fought in the jungle and survived.
James says he is on medication and I cannot to talk to the press. "My doctors will not allow me to do it. I am just happy for being alive. My friends died and I put them in the bag home."
Apple's marvel and NICE driver's honesty
23 October 2014. By Abi Giwa
Apple's tracking technology and a Nassau Inter County Express, NICE,driver's honesty led to recovery of a Mini-Ipad I lost on a NICE bus on Sunday. The Apple's tech enabled remote locking of the device and allowed me leave my phone number for whoever may have found it to call me.
"Are you Mr. Giwa? Someone found your Ipad on the bus and gave it to me," a NICE driver called and told me on Monday evening. "Please go to NiCE depot and pick it up, he further instructed.
Losing a bag that contained an iPad, a hand written notebook and other valuables, coming back from an event for a news report can be traumatic.
"Are you Mr. Giwa? Someone found your Ipad on the bus and gave it to me," a NICE driver called and told me on Monday evening. "Please go to NiCE depot and pick it up, he further instructed.
Losing a bag that contained an iPad, a hand written notebook and other valuables, coming back from an event for a news report can be traumatic.
West Africa Ebola affected area
16 October 2014 By Abi Giwa
Ebola is the talk of town. It has been the talk of the town since the beginning of its near decimation of the population in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia in West Africa.
News report and data show Liberia and Sierra Leone have been hardest hit. Liberia and Sierra Leone share common border to the south of Guinea that shares a common border with Sierra Leone and Liberia.
The world heard about how a Liberian national traveled from Liberia to Nigeria and died in Nigeria from Ebola he took to Nigeria from Liberia and also infected some nurses in a Nigerian hospital, where he was treated and two of the nurses died.
The news has now been heightened with another Liberian who traveled to the United States and died in a Dallas hospital in Texas. Everyone talks about Ebola and West Africa as if the entire West Africa has been enveloped with Ebola, and anyone from West Africa where Ebola has not even touched are suspected of Ebola. This has led to many West Africans voicing their opposition to what they see as ignorance that has made people to view a tiny area of West Africa as representing the entire sub-region.
Countries like Guinea-Bissau, Mali and Côte d'Ivoire that share border with Liberia and Guinea are untouched by Ebola. Moreover, Nigeria and Senegal that experienced a passing touch with Ebola had received clean bill of health from the United States - currently fighting off the virus from spreading in its own enclave.
News report and data show Liberia and Sierra Leone have been hardest hit. Liberia and Sierra Leone share common border to the south of Guinea that shares a common border with Sierra Leone and Liberia.
The world heard about how a Liberian national traveled from Liberia to Nigeria and died in Nigeria from Ebola he took to Nigeria from Liberia and also infected some nurses in a Nigerian hospital, where he was treated and two of the nurses died.
The news has now been heightened with another Liberian who traveled to the United States and died in a Dallas hospital in Texas. Everyone talks about Ebola and West Africa as if the entire West Africa has been enveloped with Ebola, and anyone from West Africa where Ebola has not even touched are suspected of Ebola. This has led to many West Africans voicing their opposition to what they see as ignorance that has made people to view a tiny area of West Africa as representing the entire sub-region.
Countries like Guinea-Bissau, Mali and Côte d'Ivoire that share border with Liberia and Guinea are untouched by Ebola. Moreover, Nigeria and Senegal that experienced a passing touch with Ebola had received clean bill of health from the United States - currently fighting off the virus from spreading in its own enclave.
Life's rough path
28 September 2014 By Abi Giwa
Once upon a time, a Nigerian politician and a preisdent of the country, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe said, "No condition is permanent", when he found himself in a storm of life after a period of life in office.
The circumstance that caused the former wordsmith and respected journalist to say these words could happen to anyone in the topsy-turvy of human life.
You are up today and down the next day. You have hope of a better tomorrow; and something just happens that takes the hope away and sinks you into despair.
Yesterday, you had little or nothing going for you, but the next day you suddenly found more than you can grasp, and seeking more time to work to finish a day's job and felt or said no sufficient time to meet your schedule.
It is about life's experiences from which dramas are created.
The circumstance that caused the former wordsmith and respected journalist to say these words could happen to anyone in the topsy-turvy of human life.
You are up today and down the next day. You have hope of a better tomorrow; and something just happens that takes the hope away and sinks you into despair.
Yesterday, you had little or nothing going for you, but the next day you suddenly found more than you can grasp, and seeking more time to work to finish a day's job and felt or said no sufficient time to meet your schedule.
It is about life's experiences from which dramas are created.
Wicked Impotence
By Abi Giwa
The impotence in discourse here is not what makes a man looks like a whimp before a woman. Agreeably, impotence comes in various forms characterizing weakness. But the most popular one known to people is when a man is lacking the ability to show a woman that he is indeed a man. One can never know about the wickedness of sexual impotence until one has seen or read about a man, who has made a woman's affection nought for inability to give it to her and make her happy. Let us turn to Ernest Hemingway in this regard…..
New York's West Indians Labour Day Partying
By Abi Giwa
September 1 is usually a different day in Brooklyn, New York City. Yes, it is the labour day and a public holiday. Unlike other days and public holidays, it is a day that Carribeans host the Labor Day Parade called the West Indian Parade.
They say it is the only day set aside to get together out of 365 days in a year, and remaining days devoted to work. The weekend before today had been filled with merriment and parties.
They say it is the only day set aside to get together out of 365 days in a year, and remaining days devoted to work. The weekend before today had been filled with merriment and parties.
Getting and keeping your love
It has a reason humans are created. The good book tells us that when Adam was created, he was alone, but the creator saw that it was not good for him to be alone and took the bone of his rib and created a woman. They were together in spite of the curse,the trouble in child bearing and the endless work without getting rich. No story that Adam abandoned Eve.
Some people believe that Eve must have been beautiful inside and outside. This means that she must been physically beautiful with manners. |
Dressing sense and dressing well
A man or a woman requires proper adornment no matter where one lives. In the beginning, humans were naked and when the eyes were opened, they discovered their nakedness and they thought it was right that their nakedness be covered. And that was a long time ago.
Today, only an insane fellow will walk the street naked as such will attract not just shame, but condemnation from the society. The early people covered their nakedness with leaves. But today civilization has advanced with the discovery of clothing... |
Another Spring of Our Lives
24 March 2014 By Abi Giwa
It is still cold in New York, but people are aware that it is officially Spring. And soon the cold weather will give way to a warm season. The change will be gradual and it will affect all aspects of our lives. Already, curious observers would have noticed that the weather is not as bitingly cold as it has been couple of weeks before now.
Missing Plane's Worst Scenario
9 March 2014 By Abi Giwa
It must be hard, really hard for relatives of passengers of the missing Malaysian aircraft and officials, after 48 hours of fruitless search for the missing aircraft
Is the plane down somewhere and are the passengers alive or not? It is a difficult question to answer.
Is the plane down somewhere and are the passengers alive or not? It is a difficult question to answer.
New York's Bitter Cold
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Valentine and the Price of Love
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The World's Balance of Terror
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Movement of the People
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Thanksgiving Makes Life Go Round
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Mother and Child
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Effects of Alcohol and Drug
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Boehner's Vindication 19 November '13 By Abiodun Giwa
President Barack Obama and the Democrats are suddenly in a mess they hardly thought could be their lot, when they overwhelmingly passed the Affordable Act Bill in 2010.
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A Traveler's Impression of Africa
7 November 2013 By Ken Allen
From the time I was a child, I had always wanted to make a trip to the African continent. I was around ten years old when my dad began telling me stories of his journeys to some of the countries he had visited there. My dad was in the Navy and had visited six countries in various parts of the continent. His stories and eye witness accounts were always amazing, funny and full of enchantment. From the way my dad told these stories to me, he made me believe that Africa was the land of Oz.
MMA as Bad PR for Nigeria
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On a Train of Parental Love
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Cancerous Tumor against Humanity
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Living in a Chameleonic World
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Egypt's Army Fiasco
Published: 24 July 2013 By Abiodun Giwa
It happened suddenly, though momentum for Mohamed Morsi sack from office by his foes had built from day one of his election. People say it is for his membership of the Muslim Brotherhood. They say what his foes were powerless of
immediately was stop his election. They were shocked by his election and wanted to see which direction his government would go. Would it be against their wishes and in support of his group’s interest or against his group’s interest in support of their own interest? Obviously one of the charges against him was that he had chosen to toe his group’s interest, as if it
was a new development for a party that won an election to rule based on its program. Morsi’s foes attempt a new meaning to inclusiveness and forget that this does not mean total abdication of power by the ruling party.
immediately was stop his election. They were shocked by his election and wanted to see which direction his government would go. Would it be against their wishes and in support of his group’s interest or against his group’s interest in support of their own interest? Obviously one of the charges against him was that he had chosen to toe his group’s interest, as if it
was a new development for a party that won an election to rule based on its program. Morsi’s foes attempt a new meaning to inclusiveness and forget that this does not mean total abdication of power by the ruling party.
Injustice Against Trayvon
Published: 17 July 2013 By Abiodun Giwa
Trayvon Martin
Trayvon Martin was not a burglar. He was not found walking on or into anyone’s property. He was walking on the street when sighted by George Zimmerman. He was not caught breaking into anyone’s home or apprehended on anyone’s home that would have warranted a gun man shooting him in self- defense. Moreover, Martin was unarmed. If he was armed and found breaking into a property not his own, then the issue of self-defense would be tenable. The gun man called the police and the police told him to leave the young man alone. “Don’t follow him,” was the police command to the gun man. But the gun man disregarded the police order, followed Trayvon and killed him! (Read More)
The Absurd Rent
Published: 10 July 2013 Abiodun Giwa
About two weeks ago, Maria Lucia, a Brazilian, spoke about issues surrounding the week long protest in her country. Her voice was presented in a video by the New York Times. The aim here is to discuss the issue of the absurd rent,
like one of the ills in Brazil Maria mentioned. She was obviously talking about
high rent which she saw as an absurdity. High rent is one of the evils that poor people grapple all over the world. Politicians know the importance of housing and they always promise to ease the pain, if elected. But no sooner they may have been elected that other issues detract their attention. (Read More)
2 Dies in San Francisco's Air Crash
Published: 6 July 2013
Courtesy:newyorktimes.com
An aircraft Boeing 777 belonging to Asiana Airline, flying from Seoul, early today crash landed in San Francisco International Airport, killed 2 and
injured 10, amid a large number of survivors and some unaccounted passengers, major news networks reported
Barriers Against Life and Business
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Tithonus, Mandela and God
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Mothers, Everyday is Your Day
Published:12 May 2013 By Abiodun Giwa
Everyday is mother's day, but she is remembered and honored today, for her contribution to humanity. She carries a child in the womb for nine months before delivery. The period of pregnancy and delivery is regarded in traditional terms as an existence between life and death. When the woman delivers the child, the voice of the baby is heard and the mother is alive, words of congratulations will begin to pour in. At this time, the woman has just begun the work of ensuring that the child lives, grows and in good health with the support of a husband or family. At times she does not have any support, and it does not deter the woman from doing her natural core: taking care of the child with watchful attention, ensuring the child is fed, clothed, happy and educated. Today, the world remembers and appreciates her contribution to humanity. Just as Jimmy Cliff and Nico Mbarga have sung respectively in honor of motherhood. (Read More)
Mandela as an Inspiration
Published:29 April 2013 By Abiodun Giwa
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela, former president of the Republic of South Africa is gold. Do you know he is? South Africans call him “Madiba”, and he is known to the world as “Mandela”. A new title has been added to Nelson Mandela’s title. Apart from being the former president of South Africa, there are people who also see him as Africa’s former president. Can you believe that? It is true and you need to know. Yes, everyone knows that Mandela is gold. But not everyone has that hindsight to know that he is not just a former president of South Africa, but that of Africa as a whole. Now, South Africans should not be so possessive to think that Mandela belongs to them alone. The world says that he personifies everything that is good about Africa. (Read More)
The Child as a Victim
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Dispensing Joy Their Own Way
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Nigeria's President Struggles for Relevance
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Reprieve for Suspect in Ricin Case
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When Service Becomes a Clog
Published:25 February 2013
By Remilekun Oladele Giwa
Nigeria Youth Service Corps members
I was excited to get into the National Youth Service Corps orientation camp in March 2012, for the three weeks orientation program enforced on Nigerian university graduates, having graduated in Sociology from Crawford University, Igbesa, Ogun State, in 2011.
My first posting was to Jigawa in the northern part of the country. I dreaded attending the orientation in Jigawa due to Boko Haram crisis in some parts of the north at the time, which had claimed many lives of corps members around the region. (Read More)
My first posting was to Jigawa in the northern part of the country. I dreaded attending the orientation in Jigawa due to Boko Haram crisis in some parts of the north at the time, which had claimed many lives of corps members around the region. (Read More)
Gay Marriage in a Divided World
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Not Yet a Safer World...as America's Embassy is Bombed
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Immigration Bottleneck for Undocumented
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Nigeria and Venezuela's Political Role Play
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Endless Strife and War
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Algeria's Fiasco Claims 81 Lives
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Women, Respect, Rape and Blame Game
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232 Die in Brazil's Club Fire
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No Longer Christmas of Love and Service
Published December 25, 2012 By Abiodun Giwa
This is a time for soul
searching about our attitude toward ourselves, others and humanity.
Is your attitude one of love and service toward humanity or you don’t care? Do you still have God in your view as creator of the universe and yourself? Or, is your attention on money and fame, and not how to make the world a better place? Do you know that no matter we choose to be as individuals that the society comes first?
These are the questions by a female preacher during a bus ride in a part of Brooklyn, New York, on Christmas Eve, in the ears of a reporter who has gone chicken hunting for Christmas like other fellows who hope to eat and be filled in celebration on the birth of a man, whose sermon is evergreen about love and selfless service.
In all black apparel, she rips into her audience, as a part of larger society she says has gone away from a path of reason and wisdom, in pursuit of money and fame. According to her, the love of money and fame has replaced the love of humanity and service. The celeb-culture, she says, is wrecking the society.
She says education is no longer about the teaching of morality, but immorality. She attributes the problem in the society to the immorality that has taken root. People, she says live in fear of the gun. She makes a reference to recent killings in Newtown, Connecticut; describes the killer as mentally ill and a victim of the type of modern education. She asked whether the killer in Aurora wasn’t a PhD. student, and whether he wasn’t also ill. She paints a picture of a society where people who are frustrated and in despair resort to the gun. She reminds acute listeners of Caryl Phillips’ Color Me English about the emperor, the story teller and the silencing of the moral voice by the emperor.
She traces these problems to what she calls the abandonment of God’s wisdom to the embrace of worldly teachings. She says God and words of God no longer have a place in schools. Our schools, she says have become places for distribution of contraceptives and where some teachers have turned our daughters to prostitutes against their will. She uses passages from the scripture to support her arguments.
Majority among her audience in agreement with her, and she genuflects in response. The reporter is bemused that in spite of words of reason and wisdom coming from a woman like this, the political and ideological divide in the society isn’t part of the problem she mentioned. To the reporter, one doesn’t need to be a liberal or conservative to agree with the preacher. The women's sermon makes him reflect on the sermons often preached by leaders around the world at Christmastide for people to emulate Jesus Christ’s good example of love and service to humanity; healing the infirm, feeding the poor and laying down his life that others may live.
The reporter says in solitude that unlike Jesus Christ, modern leaders preach sermons they don’t live. If leaders live their sermons, he feels his native country, Nigeria, will not be a laughing stock of the world, but a breadbasket for Africa like America is to the world, and the failing is because his country’s leaders love filling their bank accounts, serving self, rather than serving the people. He reflects further that leadership counterfeiting is almost becoming global, wondering how politicians in Washington have abandoned the serious fiscal problem facing the U.S for Christmas holiday jamboree. He feels that Jesus Christ would not have left such a serious problem for a holiday without first finding a solution, for the love of people and service to humanity.
Is your attitude one of love and service toward humanity or you don’t care? Do you still have God in your view as creator of the universe and yourself? Or, is your attention on money and fame, and not how to make the world a better place? Do you know that no matter we choose to be as individuals that the society comes first?
These are the questions by a female preacher during a bus ride in a part of Brooklyn, New York, on Christmas Eve, in the ears of a reporter who has gone chicken hunting for Christmas like other fellows who hope to eat and be filled in celebration on the birth of a man, whose sermon is evergreen about love and selfless service.
In all black apparel, she rips into her audience, as a part of larger society she says has gone away from a path of reason and wisdom, in pursuit of money and fame. According to her, the love of money and fame has replaced the love of humanity and service. The celeb-culture, she says, is wrecking the society.
She says education is no longer about the teaching of morality, but immorality. She attributes the problem in the society to the immorality that has taken root. People, she says live in fear of the gun. She makes a reference to recent killings in Newtown, Connecticut; describes the killer as mentally ill and a victim of the type of modern education. She asked whether the killer in Aurora wasn’t a PhD. student, and whether he wasn’t also ill. She paints a picture of a society where people who are frustrated and in despair resort to the gun. She reminds acute listeners of Caryl Phillips’ Color Me English about the emperor, the story teller and the silencing of the moral voice by the emperor.
She traces these problems to what she calls the abandonment of God’s wisdom to the embrace of worldly teachings. She says God and words of God no longer have a place in schools. Our schools, she says have become places for distribution of contraceptives and where some teachers have turned our daughters to prostitutes against their will. She uses passages from the scripture to support her arguments.
Majority among her audience in agreement with her, and she genuflects in response. The reporter is bemused that in spite of words of reason and wisdom coming from a woman like this, the political and ideological divide in the society isn’t part of the problem she mentioned. To the reporter, one doesn’t need to be a liberal or conservative to agree with the preacher. The women's sermon makes him reflect on the sermons often preached by leaders around the world at Christmastide for people to emulate Jesus Christ’s good example of love and service to humanity; healing the infirm, feeding the poor and laying down his life that others may live.
The reporter says in solitude that unlike Jesus Christ, modern leaders preach sermons they don’t live. If leaders live their sermons, he feels his native country, Nigeria, will not be a laughing stock of the world, but a breadbasket for Africa like America is to the world, and the failing is because his country’s leaders love filling their bank accounts, serving self, rather than serving the people. He reflects further that leadership counterfeiting is almost becoming global, wondering how politicians in Washington have abandoned the serious fiscal problem facing the U.S for Christmas holiday jamboree. He feels that Jesus Christ would not have left such a serious problem for a holiday without first finding a solution, for the love of people and service to humanity.
Steps of Despair
Steps of Despair(Courtesy:mayheincrease.com)
Events in the City Suggest Dystopia
Published December 7, 2012 By Abiodun Giwa
Religion morality declines and intellectual morality ascends following the Renaissance. It marks the conquest of the Dark Ages, a forlorn period between the falls of Rome and Greek empires, and the rebirth. Events today is almost making people to ask whether the world isn't on a reverse to the Dark
Ages.
The world has been born again, and the old religion morality becomes a subject of extinction. People are asking questions about what is happening to humanity.
Two recent developments in New York call attention to the danger facing the world for embracing what people have described as crass intellectualism to the negation of religion morality.
A Police officer's act of compassion in the city is treated as a strange phenomenon that turns into a news story. If an act of compassion has become grievous and attracts news reporters like a bad incidence that is normally news in journalism, it means uncompassionate acts are orders of the day, no longer
shocks and it is why a compassionate deed arouses a large attention.
The officer's compassionate act is followed by rumors that the homeless man and beneficiary of the officer's act has sold the pair of shoes given to him. But the homeless man reacts that he is keeping the shoes away from the view of goon on the street.
Sources say the homeless man's family says he has a home and it is his choice to be on the street. And people wonder about what has become the real family tradition, and that the fall of the family ethos is part of the Dystopia the society finds itself today, part of imperfection and approval of everything that is morally odd.
Two weeks after the officer's act of compassion in our supossedly paradisaical part of the world, an act that ought to be everyday act to make the world the paradise we seek, another act that is its opposite and one that is fast becoming a norm takes place. A man reportedly tossed another man into a subway's path, resurrecting Geofrey Chaucer's Pardoner's Tale and everything that is wrong with the modern society: drunkeness, glutony,gambling, swearing, pride, lies, deceit, perjury, greed, and lechery. But drunkeness and Marijuana's influence stand out.
News said that the man who pushed another into a moving train's path was under Marijuana's influence and the man pushed into his death was drunk. Sadly, the dead man's wife confirmed that her husband was drunk and she resultantly drove him out of the house for his drunkeness.
Thomas More has made a disticntion between intellectual and moral qualities in his literary work, Utopia, pointing to moral qualities required for a sensible societal organization. But against More's counsel, the world has embraced intellectual qualities and leaving moral qualities for indvidual's decision. Herein is the danger of the modern world, religious moral code in the old world before the Dark Ages has become an aberration here.
Ages.
The world has been born again, and the old religion morality becomes a subject of extinction. People are asking questions about what is happening to humanity.
Two recent developments in New York call attention to the danger facing the world for embracing what people have described as crass intellectualism to the negation of religion morality.
A Police officer's act of compassion in the city is treated as a strange phenomenon that turns into a news story. If an act of compassion has become grievous and attracts news reporters like a bad incidence that is normally news in journalism, it means uncompassionate acts are orders of the day, no longer
shocks and it is why a compassionate deed arouses a large attention.
The officer's compassionate act is followed by rumors that the homeless man and beneficiary of the officer's act has sold the pair of shoes given to him. But the homeless man reacts that he is keeping the shoes away from the view of goon on the street.
Sources say the homeless man's family says he has a home and it is his choice to be on the street. And people wonder about what has become the real family tradition, and that the fall of the family ethos is part of the Dystopia the society finds itself today, part of imperfection and approval of everything that is morally odd.
Two weeks after the officer's act of compassion in our supossedly paradisaical part of the world, an act that ought to be everyday act to make the world the paradise we seek, another act that is its opposite and one that is fast becoming a norm takes place. A man reportedly tossed another man into a subway's path, resurrecting Geofrey Chaucer's Pardoner's Tale and everything that is wrong with the modern society: drunkeness, glutony,gambling, swearing, pride, lies, deceit, perjury, greed, and lechery. But drunkeness and Marijuana's influence stand out.
News said that the man who pushed another into a moving train's path was under Marijuana's influence and the man pushed into his death was drunk. Sadly, the dead man's wife confirmed that her husband was drunk and she resultantly drove him out of the house for his drunkeness.
Thomas More has made a disticntion between intellectual and moral qualities in his literary work, Utopia, pointing to moral qualities required for a sensible societal organization. But against More's counsel, the world has embraced intellectual qualities and leaving moral qualities for indvidual's decision. Herein is the danger of the modern world, religious moral code in the old world before the Dark Ages has become an aberration here.
Journalists Take Stock of Sandy's Coverage
Published Dec, 3 2012 By Abiodun Giwa
Hurricane Sandy posed greater challenges at covering disaster, some journalists in Long Island said on Nov. 28, at a discourse in Hofstra University. The event, held at Breslin Hall of the university revealed the journalists' experiences in the coverage of the Superstorm, and how these experieces will affect future reporting of disasters.
The panel of discussion was organized by The Press Club of Long
Island and Hofstra School of Communication with a theme: Covering Sandy:
Amazing Tales and Lessons Learned. All 5 journalists agreed that
Hurricane Sandy was huge, compared to any other they had witnesed in Florida.
Smart phone was a common tool for gathering and disseminating information by reporters to the newsroom; radio became a common source of information for memebrs of the public who ran out of power, and for the first time the community witnessed a disaster that became a springboard for gas and electricity problems, and how to cover an election in the melee.
"One thing we at the LongIslandNews.org have gained is that in the future, we would make some reporters cover gas issue, some will cover the electriicity issue and others the election issues, instead of sending them all out as general reporters," David Lopez, editor of the
organization said.
The journalists agree that Hurricane Sandy has given the press a wake up call. Judy Martins of News 12 said the storm was huge than had expected. Bruce Avery of WRHU and Martins agreed that instead of arguing over the cause of hurricane and global warming, the necessary measure to take is prepare for the future.
David North of Walk Radio explained how they at Walk Radio broadcasted from a safe location. One of the participants affirmed that media ethics in warfare is helping scientists communicate beyond science to get information across to the public that needs it, for evacuation to save lives. Avery said it was the need in a situation where people initially didn't take the evacuation information seriously. He spoke of a victim who said Sandy was the worst his 68 years old father had witnessed.
Kristen Maldonado, a female student reporter narrated her experience of working solo with just a cell phone to cover news in a storm, and found to her chargrin her cell lost power at a certain stage, and was helpless. "Ï was shocked that people were actually following what I was covering," she said with glee.
The panel of discussion was organized by The Press Club of Long
Island and Hofstra School of Communication with a theme: Covering Sandy:
Amazing Tales and Lessons Learned. All 5 journalists agreed that
Hurricane Sandy was huge, compared to any other they had witnesed in Florida.
Smart phone was a common tool for gathering and disseminating information by reporters to the newsroom; radio became a common source of information for memebrs of the public who ran out of power, and for the first time the community witnessed a disaster that became a springboard for gas and electricity problems, and how to cover an election in the melee.
"One thing we at the LongIslandNews.org have gained is that in the future, we would make some reporters cover gas issue, some will cover the electriicity issue and others the election issues, instead of sending them all out as general reporters," David Lopez, editor of the
organization said.
The journalists agree that Hurricane Sandy has given the press a wake up call. Judy Martins of News 12 said the storm was huge than had expected. Bruce Avery of WRHU and Martins agreed that instead of arguing over the cause of hurricane and global warming, the necessary measure to take is prepare for the future.
David North of Walk Radio explained how they at Walk Radio broadcasted from a safe location. One of the participants affirmed that media ethics in warfare is helping scientists communicate beyond science to get information across to the public that needs it, for evacuation to save lives. Avery said it was the need in a situation where people initially didn't take the evacuation information seriously. He spoke of a victim who said Sandy was the worst his 68 years old father had witnessed.
Kristen Maldonado, a female student reporter narrated her experience of working solo with just a cell phone to cover news in a storm, and found to her chargrin her cell lost power at a certain stage, and was helpless. "Ï was shocked that people were actually following what I was covering," she said with glee.
Police Names Suspect in Brooklyn Slayings
Published November 22, 2012 By Abiodun Giwa
Police in New York has named Salvatore Perrone as a suspect in a serial slayings of Vahidipour Rahmatollah-78, Mohamed Gebeli-65 , and Isaac Kadare-59. All were Brooklyn residents found killed in their respective stores, and at different times, between July and November. The news of a named suspect emerged amid sombre mood in three neighborhoods on this thanksgiving day.
Rahmatollah, reportedly killed last week Friday, was the latest victim in a line of killings that had put people in Brooklyn in a pensive mood, about yet unidentified man the police said had used same .22 calibre gun to send three innocent family heads to untimely death. Reports said Rahmatollah was found dead in his store, She-She Boutique, 834 Flatbush avenue, in the evening of Friday, Nov 16.
Reports said that the police had confirmed that Mohamed Gelebi and Isaac Kadere had been killed earlier in Bensonhurst and Bayridge areas of the borough, with the same gun used in Rahmatollah's case at Flatbush and Linden. All the deceased men were described as people from the Middle East. A serial killer was fingered as 'a person of interest' in a case that had given heavy minds to residents in Flatbush one week before the thanksgiving, a reminder of Bayridge and Bensonhurst's residents experience of July and August, respectively.
A day before the thanksgiving, there were reports that the police was close to resolving the case. The 'person of interest' in the photograph was reported to have walked into the police precinct, and was reliably questioned at two different venues. But the police said he wasn't a suspect yet. He remained 'a person of interest.'
However, neighbors who monitored the development in the last two days on television news reports said the police was reported as having discovered some items near the crime scene that would be of assistance in their investigations into the Flatbush killing, and possibly the two other killings at]Bayridge and Bensonhurst. There are also reports that the person of interest, Salvatore Perrone, has transformed into a suspect and charged for the crime
Rahmatollah, reportedly killed last week Friday, was the latest victim in a line of killings that had put people in Brooklyn in a pensive mood, about yet unidentified man the police said had used same .22 calibre gun to send three innocent family heads to untimely death. Reports said Rahmatollah was found dead in his store, She-She Boutique, 834 Flatbush avenue, in the evening of Friday, Nov 16.
Reports said that the police had confirmed that Mohamed Gelebi and Isaac Kadere had been killed earlier in Bensonhurst and Bayridge areas of the borough, with the same gun used in Rahmatollah's case at Flatbush and Linden. All the deceased men were described as people from the Middle East. A serial killer was fingered as 'a person of interest' in a case that had given heavy minds to residents in Flatbush one week before the thanksgiving, a reminder of Bayridge and Bensonhurst's residents experience of July and August, respectively.
A day before the thanksgiving, there were reports that the police was close to resolving the case. The 'person of interest' in the photograph was reported to have walked into the police precinct, and was reliably questioned at two different venues. But the police said he wasn't a suspect yet. He remained 'a person of interest.'
However, neighbors who monitored the development in the last two days on television news reports said the police was reported as having discovered some items near the crime scene that would be of assistance in their investigations into the Flatbush killing, and possibly the two other killings at]Bayridge and Bensonhurst. There are also reports that the person of interest, Salvatore Perrone, has transformed into a suspect and charged for the crime
Men of Power and Sexual Escapades
By Abiodun Giwa
General Petraeus and Paula Broadwell. Courtesy: FoxNews.com)
United States isn't the first place men have fallen for women or because of their lust for women. King David went after Uriah's wife and did the unthinkable. Thomas Hardy wrote in Jude the Obscure quoting from Esdras,"Many there be that run out of their wits for women, and become servants for their sake. Many also have perished, have erred, and sinned, for women....O ye men, how can it be but women should be strong, seeing they do?"
Before the publication of Hardy's book in 1895, humanity had contend with the Garden of Eden's story about the fall of man, and Adam's response to a question after his fall, "The woman whom thou had given to be with me made me to eat from the tree which thou said we shouldn't eat." The woman is still as powerful today. Between 1998 and 2010, 10 notable politicians have fallen victims to sexual escapade. It began with former president, Bill Clinton and through to the latest story about General David Petraeus.
When Clinton was asked about Monica Lewinsky in 1998, he said, "I didn't have sex with that woman. But the truth later surfaced and Clinton's second term ended under a cloud. Clinton's case seemed to have taught a lesson to Washington's men of power, because no other politician fell a victim to sexual impropriety until 9 years later, when Larry Craig was arrested for lewd behavior in airport's men's room and pleaded guilty to a disorderly conduct.
David Vitter, a Republican senator from Louisiana followed in the path of Craig. He acknowledged a serious sin of frequenting a prostitution agency managed by Deborah Jean Palfrey. This was followed in 2008 by Eliot spritzer and John Edwards donning of the toga of sexual perversion, culminating in their fall. In 2009, John Ensign, another Republican from Nevada and a Pentecostal Christian acknowledged an affair with Cynthia Hampton. This was followed simultaneously in 2010 when Mark Stanford reportedly misled his wife and constituent by hiding his visits to a mistress in Buenos Aires.
In 2011, it came to light that Arnold Schwarzenegger had fathered a child out of wedlock with a member of his household staff. In the same year, Anthony Weiner, Congressman from New York jumped into the fray for messaging lewd pictures of himself to women online.
Currently, General Petraeus is in the center of public rage for being between two women; his biographer with whom he admits a romp, and a whistleblower who thinks no one has a right to set booby traps for her.
Before the publication of Hardy's book in 1895, humanity had contend with the Garden of Eden's story about the fall of man, and Adam's response to a question after his fall, "The woman whom thou had given to be with me made me to eat from the tree which thou said we shouldn't eat." The woman is still as powerful today. Between 1998 and 2010, 10 notable politicians have fallen victims to sexual escapade. It began with former president, Bill Clinton and through to the latest story about General David Petraeus.
When Clinton was asked about Monica Lewinsky in 1998, he said, "I didn't have sex with that woman. But the truth later surfaced and Clinton's second term ended under a cloud. Clinton's case seemed to have taught a lesson to Washington's men of power, because no other politician fell a victim to sexual impropriety until 9 years later, when Larry Craig was arrested for lewd behavior in airport's men's room and pleaded guilty to a disorderly conduct.
David Vitter, a Republican senator from Louisiana followed in the path of Craig. He acknowledged a serious sin of frequenting a prostitution agency managed by Deborah Jean Palfrey. This was followed in 2008 by Eliot spritzer and John Edwards donning of the toga of sexual perversion, culminating in their fall. In 2009, John Ensign, another Republican from Nevada and a Pentecostal Christian acknowledged an affair with Cynthia Hampton. This was followed simultaneously in 2010 when Mark Stanford reportedly misled his wife and constituent by hiding his visits to a mistress in Buenos Aires.
In 2011, it came to light that Arnold Schwarzenegger had fathered a child out of wedlock with a member of his household staff. In the same year, Anthony Weiner, Congressman from New York jumped into the fray for messaging lewd pictures of himself to women online.
Currently, General Petraeus is in the center of public rage for being between two women; his biographer with whom he admits a romp, and a whistleblower who thinks no one has a right to set booby traps for her.
Women Seek Safe Environment
Dateline: New York By Abiodun Giwa 10/18/2012
New York's women, last Thursday expressed dismay over the increase in cases of violence against women, at a rally in the city hall. The women say debarring women below 21 years from internship and employment, which they say arises from investigations into Assemblyman Vito Lopez's harassment case, is outrageous and discriminatory. They frown and say, "any violence against women is unacceptable, where ever it takes place; in a private home, in an office or public office. " They demand full hearing of the facts in Lopez's harassment case.
Led by the president of the National Women Organization New York, Sonia Ossorio, they carried placards that read 'Albany Stop The Cover Up' 'Lawmakers Can Rope' 'Jscope Do Justice' and 'Women's Jobs, Women's Lives.'
"The women of New York are today on the steps of the city hall to say we cannot tolerate sexual harassment in any work place, but especially by lawmakers who are the people we elect to make laws, to make work places more equitable." Ossorio said. "Women in the city will no longer accept apologies from Albany. The sexual harassment policy should punish the perpetrators and not haunt the victims."
According to Ossorio, New York women want the investigation against Lopez to be broad in scope. She said women are against two rules; one for the powerful and one for everybody else. She asked,"If a lawmaker harasses an intern of 21 years old, should the case be stoppage of hiring interns and employment of women below 21 years?"
Susan Lerner of New York Common Cause said women want thorough investigations and urges the assembly not to leave the public in the dark, and leave no question unanswered. She said the harassment case began with Assemblyman Lopez but said the case is broader than that, and that good government and accountability requires investigation into all questions and not just some of the questions.
Concerning assault and women's safety, Ossorio said, " New York City is the safest city in the world. However there are still a lot of assaults that take place. We work closely with the district attorney's office to make sure they give priority to investigating complaints and they indict perpetrators and take them off the street. But that doesn't always happen. Historically, the criminal justice has had a problem making this a priority, but we see a lot of good things from the local DAs."
Ossorio admits that homeless situation comes into focus when recent cases of rapes are considered, but emphasizes majority of rapes happen to women by people who they know. She noted rapists tend to be repeat offenders. She doesn't think lack of punishment causes repeat offense. She mentioned a case of a police officer who raped a woman and got 75 years and said that was more than most murderers got. The penalty, she says, is in place, but there is a need to indict perpetrators. She agrees the number of rapes may be up and say women have to be smart to be safe.
One woman who had been a victim of assault said, "I was hit once, and had a bulging right eye that took me out of work for weeks. One has to be smart and be ready to protect oneself, because the environment isn't perfectly safe."
Natasha Adams of Girls For Gender Equities said the harassment by the Assemblyman was a betrayal, and that the environment is no longer safe for young women, unless the assembly is rid of sexism and sexual violence. "Not to do so will be complicity in perpetuation of violence against women."
Led by the president of the National Women Organization New York, Sonia Ossorio, they carried placards that read 'Albany Stop The Cover Up' 'Lawmakers Can Rope' 'Jscope Do Justice' and 'Women's Jobs, Women's Lives.'
"The women of New York are today on the steps of the city hall to say we cannot tolerate sexual harassment in any work place, but especially by lawmakers who are the people we elect to make laws, to make work places more equitable." Ossorio said. "Women in the city will no longer accept apologies from Albany. The sexual harassment policy should punish the perpetrators and not haunt the victims."
According to Ossorio, New York women want the investigation against Lopez to be broad in scope. She said women are against two rules; one for the powerful and one for everybody else. She asked,"If a lawmaker harasses an intern of 21 years old, should the case be stoppage of hiring interns and employment of women below 21 years?"
Susan Lerner of New York Common Cause said women want thorough investigations and urges the assembly not to leave the public in the dark, and leave no question unanswered. She said the harassment case began with Assemblyman Lopez but said the case is broader than that, and that good government and accountability requires investigation into all questions and not just some of the questions.
Concerning assault and women's safety, Ossorio said, " New York City is the safest city in the world. However there are still a lot of assaults that take place. We work closely with the district attorney's office to make sure they give priority to investigating complaints and they indict perpetrators and take them off the street. But that doesn't always happen. Historically, the criminal justice has had a problem making this a priority, but we see a lot of good things from the local DAs."
Ossorio admits that homeless situation comes into focus when recent cases of rapes are considered, but emphasizes majority of rapes happen to women by people who they know. She noted rapists tend to be repeat offenders. She doesn't think lack of punishment causes repeat offense. She mentioned a case of a police officer who raped a woman and got 75 years and said that was more than most murderers got. The penalty, she says, is in place, but there is a need to indict perpetrators. She agrees the number of rapes may be up and say women have to be smart to be safe.
One woman who had been a victim of assault said, "I was hit once, and had a bulging right eye that took me out of work for weeks. One has to be smart and be ready to protect oneself, because the environment isn't perfectly safe."
Natasha Adams of Girls For Gender Equities said the harassment by the Assemblyman was a betrayal, and that the environment is no longer safe for young women, unless the assembly is rid of sexism and sexual violence. "Not to do so will be complicity in perpetuation of violence against women."
Lessons from Students' Forum
By Abiodun Giwa
A cross section of students at the forum (GP)
The communication department of Hofstra University held a reception for new graduate students at Tin Alley Grill in Garden City, Long Island, New York. It was attended by faculty and new students attending the school from different parts of the world. Some of the students are from Asian countries,some from African countries, some from European countries and some from North America. One factor unites them; all are communication students. Some major in Journalism, some in Public Relations and some in Rhetoric.
One uncommon feature that attracts the reporter's attention at the reception venue is the way television sets line the walls of Tin Alley Grill. It reminds one of the features in a popular Dystopian literature book, 'Fahrenheit 451,' which author, Ray Bradbury, passes recently. There are six or more television sets hanging around the Tin Alley Grill, volume muted but pictures in motion. The television sets remind a curious observer of the Fireman's hate for large sets of television that occupies entire three walls of his room; his wife's love for it and urge to cover the fourth wall with yet another set. But the sets at Tin Alley serve a purpose of entertainment and information for guests. As students interact with one another, and faculty gets to know their new students, the reporter curiously observe programs on the sets.
One set shows a soccer match in the UEFA Championship League between Mu and Gala on Fox Soccer Premier channel. At exactly 5.30pm, 22 minutes into the match, a player wearing No.16 jersey dribbled past the defense and the keeper, and tucked the ball in the net behind the keeper. He scored a goal! It reminds him that the business of the students and the faculty at the grill is getting to know each other informally, and charting a course toward achieving their goals.
Another set shows the CNN channel's situation room, the anchor in a discussion about how a French cartoon fuels Muslim anger. It is followed by an interview with Fouad Ajami, author of Syrian Rebellion, on what is behind Arab anger and violence and the fall-out over anti-Muslim film.
Another set on MASN channel shows a match between Los Angeles and Nats. And yet another set shows Anthony Stony-Point of WAFM
Sports Radio doing a commentary. One set has a word "Countdown" on its screen without blinking. (To Be Continued)
One uncommon feature that attracts the reporter's attention at the reception venue is the way television sets line the walls of Tin Alley Grill. It reminds one of the features in a popular Dystopian literature book, 'Fahrenheit 451,' which author, Ray Bradbury, passes recently. There are six or more television sets hanging around the Tin Alley Grill, volume muted but pictures in motion. The television sets remind a curious observer of the Fireman's hate for large sets of television that occupies entire three walls of his room; his wife's love for it and urge to cover the fourth wall with yet another set. But the sets at Tin Alley serve a purpose of entertainment and information for guests. As students interact with one another, and faculty gets to know their new students, the reporter curiously observe programs on the sets.
One set shows a soccer match in the UEFA Championship League between Mu and Gala on Fox Soccer Premier channel. At exactly 5.30pm, 22 minutes into the match, a player wearing No.16 jersey dribbled past the defense and the keeper, and tucked the ball in the net behind the keeper. He scored a goal! It reminds him that the business of the students and the faculty at the grill is getting to know each other informally, and charting a course toward achieving their goals.
Another set shows the CNN channel's situation room, the anchor in a discussion about how a French cartoon fuels Muslim anger. It is followed by an interview with Fouad Ajami, author of Syrian Rebellion, on what is behind Arab anger and violence and the fall-out over anti-Muslim film.
Another set on MASN channel shows a match between Los Angeles and Nats. And yet another set shows Anthony Stony-Point of WAFM
Sports Radio doing a commentary. One set has a word "Countdown" on its screen without blinking. (To Be Continued)
A Race to Save Lives
Dateline: New York By Abiodun Giwa
Finishing point of running from Brooklyn (Picture by Abiodun Giwa)
Stephen Siller, a fire fighter who ran from Brooklyn to save lives at the World Trade Center, but lost his own life was remembered today. It was the year's annual running race from Brooklyn in remembrance of his valiant enterprise, for taking it upon himself to be at the Ground Zero on September 11, 2001, though he was off duty.
About 6000 runners participated in this years race that began from Brooklyn and terminated at the Manhattan end of the tunnel.
"The race is in remembrance of Stephen Siller, a fire fighter who ran from Brooklyn to the Ground Zero to help save lives, but lost his own life." Andrew- an EMS with the FDNY, said.
A portion of the road between Warren and Murray Street on 200 West Street was closed to the traffic, and announcement blared from a public address system. Siller's photograph and name on a banner hung on the overhead bridge.
"I join the race because Siller's brother is my basketball coach," Nora, one of the participants in the race said, radiating joy. Another young woman was seen shedding tears and when asked why she was tearful, she said,"I remember," and walked away, shaking her head.
About 6000 runners participated in this years race that began from Brooklyn and terminated at the Manhattan end of the tunnel.
"The race is in remembrance of Stephen Siller, a fire fighter who ran from Brooklyn to the Ground Zero to help save lives, but lost his own life." Andrew- an EMS with the FDNY, said.
A portion of the road between Warren and Murray Street on 200 West Street was closed to the traffic, and announcement blared from a public address system. Siller's photograph and name on a banner hung on the overhead bridge.
"I join the race because Siller's brother is my basketball coach," Nora, one of the participants in the race said, radiating joy. Another young woman was seen shedding tears and when asked why she was tearful, she said,"I remember," and walked away, shaking her head.
