Ariz. governor signs immigration enforcement bill - Washington Post

Ariz. governor signs immigration enforcement bill - Washington Post


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/23/AR2010042301250_pf.html

By PAUL DAVENPORT and JONATHAN J. COOPER
The Associated Press
Friday, April 23, 2010; 9:32 PM

PHOENIX -- Gov. Jan Brewer ignored criticism from President Barack Obama on Friday and signed into law a bill supporters said would take handcuffs off police in dealing with illegal immigration in Arizona, the nation's busiest gateway for human and drug smuggling from Mexico.

With hundreds of protesters outside the state Capitol shouting that the bill would lead to civil rights abuses, Brewer said critics were "overreacting" and that she wouldn't tolerate
racial profiling.

"We in Arizona have been more than patient waiting for Washington to act," Brewer said after signing the law. "But decades of inaction and misguided policy have created a dangerous and unacceptable situation."

Earlier Friday, Obama called the Arizona bill "misguided" and instructed the Justice Department to examine it to see if it's legal. He also said the federal government must enact immigration reform at the national level - or leave the door open to "irresponsibility by others."

"That includes, for example, the recent efforts in Arizona, which threaten to undermine basic notions of fairness that we cherish as Americans, as well as the trust between police and their communities that is so crucial to keeping us safe," Obama said.

The legislation, sent to the Republican governor by the GOP-led Legislature, makes it a crime under state law to be in the country illegally. It also requires local police officers to question people about their immigration status if there is reason to suspect they are illegal immigrants; allows lawsuits against government agencies that hinder enforcement of immigration laws; and makes it illegal to hire illegal immigrants for day labor or knowingly transport them.

The law sends "a clear message that Arizona is unfriendly to undocumented aliens," said Peter Spiro, a Temple University law professor and author of the book "Beyond Citizenship: American Identity After Globalization."

Brewer signed the bill in a state auditorium about a mile from the Capitol complex where some 2,000 demonstrators booed when county Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox announced that "the governor did not listen to our prayers."

"It's going to change our lives," said Emilio Almodovar, a 13-year-old American citizen from Phoenix. "We can't walk to school any more. We can't be in the streets anymore without the pigs thinking we're illegal immigrants."

The Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund said it plans a legal challenge to the law, arguing it "launches Arizona into a spiral of pervasive fear, community distrust, increased crime and costly litigation, with nationwide repercussions."

Mexico has warned the proposal could affect cross-border relations. On Thursday, Mexico's Senate unanimously passed a resolution urging Brewer to veto the law.

"Police in Arizona already treat migrants worse than animals," said Francisco Loureiro, an activist who runs a migrant shelter in the border town of Nogales, Mexico. "There is already a hunt for migrants, and now it will be open season under the cover of a law."

The bill will take effect in late July or early August, and Brewer ordered the state's law enforcement licensing agency to develop a training course on how to implement it without violating civil rights.

"We must enforce the law evenly, and without regard to skin color, accent, or social status," she said. "We must prove the alarmists and the cynics wrong."

Brewer, who faces a tough election battle and growing anger in the state over illegal immigrants, said the law "protects every Arizona citizen."

Anti-immigrant anger has swelled in the past month, after rancher Rob Krentz was found dead on his land north of Douglas, near the Mexico border. Authorities believe he was fatally shot by an illegal immigrant possibly connected to a drug smuggling cartel.

Arizona has an estimated 460,000 illegal immigrants, and its harsh, remote desert serves as the corridor for the majority of illegal immigrants and drugs moving north into the U.S. from Mexico.

U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva, a Democrat, said he closed his Arizona offices at noon Friday after his staff in Yuma and Tucson were flooded with calls this week, some from people threatening violent acts and shouting racial slurs. He called on businesses and groups looking for convention and meeting locations to boycott Arizona.

The bill's Republican sponsor, state Rep. Russell Pearce of Mesa, said Obama and other critics of the bill were "against law enforcement, our citizens and the rule of law."

Pearce said the legislation would remove "political handcuffs" from police and help drive illegal immigrants from the state.

"Illegal is illegal," said Pearce, a driving force on the issue in Arizona. "We'll have less crime. We'll have lower taxes. We'll have safer neighborhoods. We'll have shorter lines in the emergency rooms. We'll have smaller classrooms."

Earth day and green grubbing - whitehatfirm

Earth day and green grubbing - whitehatfirm

http://whitehatfirm.com/news/earth-day-sprouts-several-sites-that-advertise-green-products/2327.html


Many Companies and websites promoting organic products using Earth Day and on the Internet explodes revolt against eco-consumerism. On the Internet there are those who hastened to buy bottles made entirely of recyclable material on social networks and those who shout their dissent to the echo -rampant consumerism. “Money and profit are the real problem. Many lose sight of the real objectives,” says a gentleman on Twitter. “Now everything has become a business. It reflects well the current state of our society,” says another girl.

It was April 22, 1970 when 20 million Americans, in response to an appeal launched by Senator Gaylord Nelson, participated in a historic rally to defend the planet. 40 years later, the world is mobilized again. And from Washington to Kabul, from Beijing to Paris, are million of action on “green” planning.Numerous events happened .

Ecologists and not compete to participate in concerts at the National Mall and the Circus Maximus. Online, then, over 5 thousand people make now a good deed to support the environment.

But the spirit is really the same as the early pioneers? On the web by typing “Earth Day” sprout several sites that advertise green gadgets and companies riding the wave environmentalist launching new organic products.

So, from food to toys, everything uses the “name” of the Earth. As reported by the New York Times, Bahana Umbrella has sold a special umbrella with a mechanism to recycle rainwater.

Gray Line, an agency that organizes tours to New York is promoting a tour of “Earth Week” and discovers the wonders of the botanical gardens and flower markets. “Also the FAO Schwarz, a business of games for children, presented to the public his new toy: a penguin made with soybean fiber that gives smaller “green sign”. All this ridiculous marketing has lost sight of the concept of what is truly” green, “says Said Denis Hayes, national coordinator of the first Earth Day ‘and’ tragic ‘ending the ecologist.

Many complains were received that remember the Earth only once a year. “We should celebrate our planet every day and not only when it suits someone,” says a tweet.

The controversy spreads Network “Sustainability is not a social responsibility, is a way to make money,” says an ironic message. And the new technologies the web is divided. “We make fun, was not made any progress. It’s just a waste of money, “says an angry boy.

In contrary to above mentioned views, ” If we do not invest at least those not able to save the Earth. ”

Jamie Oliver’s last show airs tomorrow but the Food Revolution continues via SMS petition votes

Jamie Oliver’s last show airs tomorrow but the Food Revolution continues via SMS petition votes

http://www.examiner.com/x-42554-DC-Family-Fitness-Examiner~y2010m4d22-Jamie-Olivers-last-show-airs-tomorrow-but-the-Food-Revolution-continues-via-SMS-petition-votes

he British chef of the popular program, Food Revolution ends his series this week but the battle is not over for America’s schools. Opposition to healthful reform to school lunch programs is bound to be overcome as the nation faces the raw facts – our children are getting fatter! Americans across the US are rallying via text message petition signatures.

After the stunning allegation lead by US Senator Richard Lugar and Mission: Readiness, that school lunches are “a national security threat”, parents must evaluate their family’s future and contribute to promotion of change. A new attitude is breaking in both legislature and in the American family; get up and move personally within your area of influence and support change in government and in school systems.

In rebuttal to those who oppose positive changes such as removing french-fries, hamburgers and sugar flavored milk from our school lunches, Oliver surmised the challenge facing us appropriately by saying, "Kids don't want to learn English or math, either. They want to play Nintendo. All I can tell you is that it takes six to eight months. . . . There's no on-off button. I could have put foie gras and oysters and langoustines in there, and you would have had issues with students liking it or not liking it."

Chef Oliver is asking Americans to join his cause by signing a petition via a text message to cast their vote in favor of positive change. Over 400,000 supporting signatures have been gathered already and the number is steadily climbing.

Food service providers in the DC area can join the battle for healthier lunches by attending Industry Boot Camp 2010 in National Harbor, MD on May 6-7. The event is described as, “an intense educational seminar designed to help industry members understand the ins and outs of the school nutrition marketplace.” This program, provided by the School Nutrition Association (SNA) is only offered twice a year and seating is limited.

The SNA, a national orginazation, has a page dedicated specifically to "Parents". Detailed information is available about School Nutrition Programs and how to “Talk to your School Nutrition Director” or “Take Action” through legislation to promote nutrition in your local school system.

Fruits and Vegetables are Low or No Sodium Foods

Fruits and Vegetables are Low or No Sodium Foods

http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/?page_id=128&recordid=338


Institute of Medicine Says Americans Consume Unhealthy Amounts of Sodium

Hockessin, Del. -

In a report just released by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), the organization states that Americans consume amounts of sodium in their food that far exceed public health recommendations. In 2008, Congress asked the IOM, which falls under auspices of the National Academies, to suggest strategies for reducing sodium intake to levels recommended in the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. In their report, Strategies to Reduce Sodium Intake in the United States, which can be read on the IOM website, the committee concludes that reducing the sodium content of foods requires a coordinated approach that includes new government standards for accept­able levels of sodium in processed foods and restaurant meals.

The IOM committee says the average American consumes more than 3,400 mg of sodium each day. That’s about 50 percent more than the 2,300 mg (about one teaspoon) per day recommended in the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Consuming too much sodium increases the risk for high blood pressure, a serious health condition that is avoidable and can lead to a variety of diseases. Analysts estimate that population-wide reductions in sodium could prevent more than 100,000 deaths annually.

“Some level of sodium is required in a healthy diet, however the IOM report suggests what we’ve long known, that most people are consuming too much,” said Elizabeth Pivonka, Ph.D., R.D., president and CEO of Produce for Better Health Foundation, the non-profit organization behind the Fruits & Veggies—More Matters® national public health initiative. “We know that high sodium intake is associated with an increased risk of high blood pressure and strokes, and that most fruits and vegetables are naturally low in sodium or sodium-free. If people simply focus on eating more fruits and veggies, both at home and when dining out, their diets will generally be lower in sodium, which could lower their risks for these health problems. Conversely, hypertension has also been associated with diets too low in potassium. Fruits and vegetables are some of the best sources of potassium in the diet, so adding more of them can help lower health risks in this way too.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains on their website that naturally occurring sodium in foods accounts for only 12 percent of Americans’ sodium intake and that salt, added either during cooking or at the table, accounts for only five and six percent of sodium intake, respectively. CDC goes on to say that sodium added as part of food processing makes up about 77 percent of Americans’ sodium intake.
Pivonka says that canned vegetables contribute very little sodium to the diet when compared with processed meats, cheeses, baked goods, and other foods.

“Several canned vegetables do contain added sodium. However, a study reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition about processed foods being the major contributors to dietary salt intake found that sauces, spreads, and processed meats were the highest in sodium food groups while cereal products and fruits and vegetables were the lowest in sodium. Also, the Journal of the American Dietetic Association reported that canned vegetables contribute less than one percent of sodium to dietary intake. This proves that fruits and vegetables, which are naturally low in sodium, are not the main contributors to a high-sodium diet.”

She adds that minimizing sodium from canned veggies is easy and quick, “Just drain and rinse! That’s something that can't be done with deli meats, hot dogs, bread, boxed dinner mixes, and other items.”

Pivonka suggests that fruits and vegetables can even be used to help adjust tastebuds to a lower level of sodium in foods.

“Try adding citrus juice or fresh herbs to dishes when cooking or at the table in place of salt. A combination of fruits and vegetables can work together to create a flavor profile where salt isn't even missed, like putting jalapeno and pineapple salsa over grilled chicken, fish, or pork.”

Pivonka offers the following advice for those trying to lower their sodium intake.

“Be aware of the salt and sodium content in the foods you eat by becoming a label reader. You can easily decrease your daily sodium intake by replacing some processed meats, cookies, and sweets with fruits and vegetables. Making sure you’re getting the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables daily is a great way to begin!”
She also suggests that food manufacturers and restauranteurs can help reduce sodium in their products by adding healthful fruits and vegetables, in their whole form, to side dishes and entrees.

“This is a delicious and easy way to add extra fiber and vitamins while reducing sodium in the finished dish.”

During a webcast held by the IOM to discuss the report, Dr. Jane Henney, chair of the committee that prepared it, stressed that the strategies suggested in the report were aimed at reducing sodium intake to levels specified in the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. These dietary guidelines are currently up for review and may be lowered when the new 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans report comes out later this year.

The IOM report, Strategies to Reduce Sodium Intake in the United States, can be read on the IOM website. A pie chart offering a breakdown of the sources of sodium in the American diet can be found on CDC’s website. For delicious fruit and vegetable recipes and nutrition information, including the sodium content of different fruits and vegetables, visit the Fruits & Veggies-More Matters website, www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org. While there, check out the About The Buzz news column on sodium.

Vox Populi: Confessions of an Aldi Shopper

Vox Populi: Confessions of an Aldi Shopper

http://www.carycitizen.com/2010/04/06/vox-populi-confessions-of-an-aldi-shopper/

by Mary Katherine Smith

Cary, N. C. – As a weekly shopper of the previously forbidden Aldi on Maynard Road, I left this store chuckling last week about how busy it was.

When we first discovered Aldi (recommended by another Mom buying for teenaged appetites!), this place was nearly empty. We had no difficulty picking up certain low cost items that are jacked up at other grocery story chains like strawberries or cream cheese.

Now, the parking lot is packed and we have to ask what days certain foods are delivered to get a shot at purchasing these deals along with everyone else that has discovered this grocery store jewel!

For example, cream cheese (which I use in a favorite appetizer), is generally $1.75 or more at “regular” chains but at Aldi it’s only about a dollar.

I am an admitted “shop hopper”, always looking for the best variety and price. Aldi does not have organic foods nor do they carry a lot of variety but the prices are unbeatable.

Right across the street, I meet the same shoppers I saw at Aldi, now at the deli at Food Lion alongside me. Then, when I trek off to Trader Joe’s, I often see a lot of the SAME folks I just saw at Aldi or Food Lion.

Almost “Banned” – Thankful It Wasn’t

How blessed are we to be able to “hunt and gather” our groceries without even having to leave town? One of the reasons I LOVE Cary.

Wait, didn’t Cary try to vote Aldi out altogether? Funny! Now you may have to bring your own grocery sacks (but aren’t we already moving in that green direction anyway?) and you may have to pay a quarter to use a shopping cart (which you get back as soon as you RETURN the cart, something we should all be doing anyway!) but it just cracks me up to see the luxury SUV’s and European sports cars in the parking lot and also to see some of these same people show up at the other great grocery shops that Cary has.

Thanks, CaryCitizen for letting me “flog” (fake blog)!

Wal Mart : No plans for sister Sam

No Plans for sister Sam

almart (NYSE: WMT) has been experiencing constant growth but the same can’t be said for its discount operation Sam’s Club. After two years of almost 5% in growth, Sam’s Club sales are going down. In just the last year, they shrank down 1.4% reveals the latest annual report.

While Walmart continues to go along with gusto, we’re left wondering what is going to happen to the sister company and it seems Walmart is too. There doesn’t seem to be too much of a plan in place to turn the discount club around. In the released annual report, there is mention of cutting inventory and eliminating ‘non-value added activities’ in an effort to cut costs. Specifically, the activities that are not instrumental in bring in new profits will go. Walmart tried reducing inventory but it wasn’t successful and it’s possible the same tactic could backfire for Sam’s Club as well. Walmart has fought back to improve profits but Sam’s hasn’t had the same luck.

There is talk of an investment of capital into remodeling stores. This may help lure more customers into the store but with an already basic warehouse format, customers aren’t expecting much in terms of upgrades so sales may not be affected by the changes. As of now, Sam’s is not planning to add any more stores in the US. Last year, Sam’s closed 10 units. Currently there are only five to ten new locations planned for 2010 bringing the total to under 600 stores. Sam’s Club competitor, the discount warehouse Costco (NASDAQ:COST) had sales rise 8% in 6 months. They have 575 locations but it is forecasted that Costco will bypass Sam’s in store count soon enough.

It seems during the down economy, Walmart is pleased to promote discounts to shoppers but have essentially dropped the ball on giving shoppers a reason to pay for a membership to shop at Sam’s because consumers can just as easily go to Walmart for much of the same merchandise at low process. Sam’s currently represents under 12% of the total sales for Walmart. The Walmart corporation is also planning a huge expansion overseas in 2010 with the establishment of 600 new stores. While Walmart will benefit regardless, Sam’s sales and growth potential seem to be at a standstill.

Most Coles Supermarket Checkouts Close today Due to Computer Crashing

Most Coles Supermarket Checkouts Close today Due to Computer Crashing
http://topnews.us/content/217746-most-coles-supermarket-checkouts-close-today-due-computer-crashing

More than 1,000 Coles Supermarket checkouts in South Australia were reportedly shut down today as the anti-virus supplier, McAffee's Security Update led to a crash in the computers.

Coles Group Spokesman, Jim Cooper said that around 10% of Coles supermarkets have been affected due to the computer crashing, nationwide. He shared that, in one of the stores at Port Adelaide, the consumer registers declined several times, testing everyone's patience.

"Particularly early on in the day there was obviously a lot of frustration because there wasn't a great deal of awareness on how widespread the problem was globally", he said.

He then appreciated the cooperation of the consumers and expressed his gratitude for their understanding approach towards the store operators.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia has also confirmed that it witnessed the effectiveness of the disastrous bug in McAfee's security software, which has also destroyed more than 25% computers in Virgin Mobile's PCs.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia is the latest Australian organization to confirm it was hit today, by the disastrous bug in McAfee's security software, which has also taken down a number of Coles stores and knocked out 25 percent of Virgin Mobile's PCs.
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