Friday, February 19, 2010

Prohibitions, Religion And Criminal Records Of Sex Offenders

It’s definitely a violation on Human Rights. In a recent published article by Times, dated October 14, 2009, a man named James Nichols was arrested for just attending church. The police’s reason: criminal records state him as a registered sex offender.

North Carolina is known to be take religion seriously. This makes it no surprise for people here to question more the law which most U.S. states are beginning to include in their governance—the law which prohibits sex offenders from coming within 300 ft. to any facility which caters to supervision of minors. In James Nichols case, N.C. folks did have their eyebrows raised with the man’s while worshipping in a place which cannot be denied to have facility on keeping watch on children while the parents pray.

The law is clearly placing a hard fight for those whose criminal records state them to have been convicted of sexual offense. The places they visit after serving their time, paying for the said crime, has been limited due to the fact that most establishments do have their facility for minors. The 300ft limitation—a distance almost the length of a football field—is already a violation for their right. Nichols arrest for one is like going against the mission of the church, or any other religious sect for that matter, to reach out and spread goodwill to all. This is total irony: a man being taken by the police because of doing a non-offensive act. It’s like asking “when does going to church a crime?”

Other states have made more moves against sexual offenders. In the state of Georgia, convicted sexual offenders are not even allowed to work or live 1000 ft away from places which facilitates to taking care of minors. This makes N.C.’s ruling of a 300ft distance definitely lighter compared to theirs. There have been questions rising particularly on religion specifically on the sexual offender’s partake in church activities like volunteering for kitchen duties of singing in the choir.

Georgia’s Southern Center for Human Rights had already made a motion to this law. They made note that this is a clear violation of the First Amendment. There are churches that have made themselves fit to the needs of convicted persons; their way of acknowledging chance to those who seek the church’s help as means to deal with their problem especially their past offenses. Nichols is but one who is presently attending such a place of worship.

The said law was passed by Sen. David Hoyle after Jessica Lunsford, the Florida girl who was kidnapped and killed by a sexual offender in 2005. The girl was born in Dallas where the senator also lives. After many years since the incident, sexual offenders are limited of the places they would go to. Unfortunately, even with the goodwill of children in the senator’s mind, this bill do has some flaws to it, especially with his belief that their constitutional rights should not be worried about especially with the act of taking advantage of a child is in mind.

Nichols happens to have then reported a co-worshipper at the church, where he was arrested, who was fondling a 12 year old girl. But instead of giving him the treatment of a man who deserves praise for changing his ways, he was taken instead. This is one remorseful situation if not for the church where he presently attends to, headed by Pastor Grace Kim. It’s good that he has still made a turn to God after the events that happened. What matters in that occasion was his move to show how he wishes to change—for that is one of his rights in the eyes of man especially of God.

Source : http://www.articlesbase.com/criminal-articles/prohibitions-religion-and-criminal-records-of-sex-offenders-1846723.html

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Home Page > News and Society > Nature > In Need Of Help: Haiti’S Devastation After The Earthquake In Need Of Help: Haiti’S Devastation After The Eart

t is presently the most devastating news that struck the world. One of the poorest countries that have struggled to live up with the problems from politics to health to environment has experienced damages and death. Last January 12, 2010, a massive intensity 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti, leveling the buildings and killing thousands. This is the worst disaster to ever hit the region after more than 200 years.

Haiti occupies an area almost the size of Maryland. This is found in the Caribbean Island of Hispaniola. The said devastated part of the earthquake is in the countries capital where nearly 8.7 million residents are of African descent and speak Creole and French—Port-au-prince.

People find the devastation as one cruel joke for the people of Haiti. Being the poorest country plus the most to be hit by storms, the earthquake with such strong intensity seems like the biggest stroke of bad luck. In this event both poor and powerful people are affected gravely.

Among the said devastated landmarks in Port-Au-Prince are the cathedral, the UN headquarters and the National Palace. Archbishop Joseph Serge Miot, 63, was one of those found dead in the ruins of his office. Haiti’s Senate President was among those trapped alive inside the Parliament building.

Red Cross and other aid groups presently had already announced their plans for major relief operations to help Haiti. President Preval of Haiti stated that it will take at least two to three days to complete the retrieval since many are feared to be trapped inside.

Already, there are 100,000 people reported to be found dead and more so to speak, speculated to be 500,000 all in all with others still trapped inside. After the quake, people find themselves looking for relatives among piles of dead bodies place on the side streets.

With many loosing homes and others still trapped inside, countries began giving their support for Haiti. US President Barrack Obama promised an all out rescue. At the sight of the devastation, agencies that were sent their—missionaries and the UN peacemakers—are even occupied not in their mission to help the people affected but by checking for survivors from their damaged headquarters. An American missionary drove 100 miles to search for her wife with the same occupation as she was also one of those trapped. He dug the grounds of place where she was for almost an hour before finally getting her out with another missionary. They were featured in CBS news. An estimated 40,000 to 45,000 Americans live n Haiti. Presently the US Embassy has no confirmed reports of deaths among the said US citizens.

According to US Geological Survey, the said quake struck the nation at around 4:53 in the afternoon and was centered 10 miles west of Port-Au-Prince as the depth of 5 miles. This was said to be the strongest earthquake since 1770.

Hospitals in Haiti are in trouble of not being capable enough to give medical attention to the great number of victims. Respiratory problem and diarrhea are said to be illnesses expected firstly because of the dust remnants from rubbles of buildings, the other health problem due to possible water contamination. More so Dengue, Malaria, and other ailments already experience by the Haitian people before the quake will definitely affect more people this time. Secondary ailments are also feared to develop as there are people with broken bones and other injuries possibly not to be given medical attention immediately.

Everybody is totally shaken. People with relative in Haiti—one of them is an award winning Haitian-American author—are worried as they try to contact relatives who are settled there. At present more devastating news are coming from the said countries as reports of death and buildings destroyed like the embassies (such as France), are destroyed. US coast guards and other aids such as Red Cross are gathering relief help especially medical aids to care for those affected by the quake.

Source : http://www.articlesbase.com/nature-articles/in-need-of-help-haitis-devastation-after-the-earthquake-1863566.html

Friday, February 12, 2010

Entertainment And Reality Television

By: Emma G. Fox

Television is one of the biggest avenues that influences man’s way of thinking. At this point there are many reasons why people would think that being thin is pretty and why being rich makes man happy. There are many dramas around in the entertainment business that real life becomes locked up in the box. At this point it has captured much attention and people at times seem frustrated once they cannot seem to meet the make-believe world flashed in front of their eyes by actors and actresses. With the advent of Reality Television however everything changes.

The term “reality television” actually became more familiar to people as it pertains to show that features ordinary people instead of actors. Although such shows existed long ago, it was only during 2000 that the term was actually used. There are shows which are not included to this call such as news and sports programs.

This program follows a wide range of formats from game quiz shows to surveillance production shows. These shows was said to be “real-life-dramas” that many viewers have grown engrossed in watching these them. After many got hooked with programs that sort of make most people search for something material, reality programs have gotten them realize that this is the real world and there are many things that may happen. We may not like it but this is real and we must learn from these experiences.

The first reality show, and was called the granddaddy of reality television, was Candid Camera by Allen Funt. This was based on his 1974 radio show Candid Microphone which broadcast unsuspecting ordinary people react to certain pranks played on them by the production. Sensations such as this continued as it evolved to quiz shows, dating games and a beauty pageant named Miss America. Ladies representing each state in the nation competed where the winner achieved national celebrity status.

At present there are dozens of reality shows that has given fame to some of our most well known stars. Most of reality television seems to be more focused on finding talents and further more giving ordinary people a chance to shine. American Idol is now in its 9th season. During their previous shows it has give fame to some of today’s greatest music artists. X Factor in Britain and Britain’s Got Talent even gave surprising artists that people now look up to. It cannot be denied how people search for something that can get them to success which many do believe is what stardom can give them.

Surveillance type of programs featuring people dealing with daily issues like Big Brother, Survivor and The Biggest Looser are also at the heap of getting people’s attention. Viewers then tend to hate and love those involve in these shows where they themselves tend to learn life’s lessons.

As people search for more shows that may serve as entertainment and at the same time enlightenment, TV and movie productions think of possible shows that may make people love, laugh and cry. But at this point real life and those who have learned to keep things simple is what we consider lucky in terms of finding the greatest entertainment in the world that can keep them moving and going…their lives….

Source : http://www.articlesbase.com/television-articles/entertainment-and-reality-television-1813811.html

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Prison Break the Right Way from the Man who made a Difference

As to how he made a difference is the fact that he moved on from his troubled past and walked into a more promising future for him and his family.

It was only recent that I read the article on a former bank robber turned promising legal counsel. His name is Shon Hopwood, aged 34, was a former bank robber. Pre employment background checks notes him as once the Jailhouse lawyer as he helped his co inmates check out their cases and have them reopened.

It was during the time when he was serving his sentence in jail (convicted of five robberies in Nebraska in the late ‘90s and was sentenced to 13 years) that he was introduce to the prison law library. It was at this point that he realize he was better in understanding the law rather than breaking it. With staying and reading he then became at the top levels of the American bar from behind bars—“an accomplished Supreme Court practitioner” as what Adam Liptak wrote in his feature of Hopwood in New York Times.

For his first task, he wrote a petition for cert for fellow inmate John Fellers in 2002. The petition was granted that even Supreme Court advocate Seth Waxman was impressed. He held the case (free of charge) with the condition that Hopwood worked with him.

With Waxman delighted with Hopwood’s performances and his help with his fellow inmates, he backed him up for a job as a printer of the Supreme Court where his employer was once reluctant to hire him. fortunately Waxman was respected and looked up for a lawyer that nobody doubted him.

At present Hopwood hopes to apply to law school next year. Richard Friendman, a law professor at the University of Michigan who had worked with Hopwood in recent Supreme Court case said he has already vouched for him for the admission office to save him a spot. Things are definitely looking up for Shon Hopwood.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Tenant screening agencies


Tenant screening agencies collect information about prospective tenant in-order to ensure that the tenant is capable to pay the rent on time, and that the aspiring tenants are not criminals or troublesome for which the landlord would be answerable for. It is a business that provides records information to prospective landlords..

As a landlord, he/she must take extra efforts to screen the prospective tenant to whom the property will be rented. The burden of checking all the details by the landlord is time consuming. There are numerous tenant screening agencies to help the landlord in this regard. The landlord can verify tenant identification, run tenant background checks easily through tenant screening agencies.

Tenant screening companies collect pertinent information from credit reports, court records of evictions, bad check reports, state courts, utility companies etc for information about potential tenants. They also verify social security numbers, employment and employment history, and previous landlords and also check the National Sex Offender Database and terrorist databases for more information.

Tenant screening agencies provides the landlord the following reports on prospective tenants:

* credit reports:
* court reports (evictions):
* Tenant Identification
* bad check reports
* previous landlord verification
* criminal background checks
* terrorist database
* sex offender report
* social security number verification
* And More

Tenant reference agencies will also offer a rent guarantee and rent on time insurance. Reference agency will bear all the legal expenses and make rental payment in case of failure to pay the rent by the tenant.

There are two types of checks available.

Express referencing: Express referencing offers essential reference checks such as personal identity checks, anti-fraud checks, credit checks, bankruptcy checks etc.
Comprehensive referencing: It offers an in-depth report and is done by highly experienced tenant reference appraiser who is trained to identify fraud. The appraiser carries out Employer's reference check and previous landlord's reference check thus helping the landlord to identify high-risk, deceptive or otherwise undesirable and misleading tenants before letting the property for rent.

To avail the service of a tenant screening agency, the landlord has to submit the tenant’s rental application to the screening company.

Tenant screening agencies also offer a risk prediction score. It is a number that is calculated based on the information contained in the tenant screening company’s database. The landlords can decide quickly on prospective renters with the help of the risk score.

Posted by : James kahn
Source : http://www.articlesbase.com/real-estate-articles/tenant-screening-agencies-1772292.html

Monday, February 8, 2010

Unlisted Phone Number Reverse Lookup – Reverse Phone Look Up Sites

Unlisted phone number reverse lookup is a useful tool where you can track down all the pertinent telephone numbers
of people you come in contact with. If you are not able to recall a particular number, then it is possible to use the reverse lookup service to trace and locate the owner of the number as well as its address.

With the use of unlisted phone number

reverse lookup, you can certainly trace down even the details of other communication medium such as fax machines and other unlisted numbers on your directory that would be difficult to obtain by any other means.

However, this comes with a price and getting access to a wide array of numbers from different databases has membership fees and other charges.

Some phone number reverse sites charge a reasonable fee which is usually less than $10 per detailed search.

There are other functions available as well. Some of the features comprise of cell phone lookups, residential phone lookups, people search information and even civil and criminal records.

Having these kinds of feature can also be used in determining prank callers. The reverse look up has the capacity to identify a caller’s number as well as the background information of a person.

The main advantages of using such reverse phone lookup services is the fact that you can also run personal background checks and investigations to people you want to personally keep an eye with. These phone numbers and other personal records are all kept by different phone companies.

In fact, many private investigators also use the same service to track down people that clients have asked them to follow.

The unlisted phone number reverse lookup is definitely one great innovation that you can take full advantage of for any kinds of purposes you prefer.


Posted by : Ricky Lim

Source : http://www.articlesbase.com/cell-phones-articles/unlisted-phone-number-reverse-lookup-reverse-phone-look-up-sites-875874.html



Wednesday, February 3, 2010

RB bans comments on court cases

A quick review of the postings of this blog reveals that most of them have been critical of the MMD government. I have therefore been on the look out for some positive stories to address the imbalance. The Daily Mail (29/04) has provided an opportunity....

PRESIDENT Banda has banned Government ministers, members of Parliament and MMD party officials from commenting on matters that are before the courts of law because this is prejudicial.
This is according to a statement issued in Lusaka yesterday by State House Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations, Dickson Jere.
Mr Banda said it is incorrect for Government officials and members of the ruling MMD to continue issuing statements which are prejudicial to the cases currently before the court of law.
The President said every citizen, including MMD national secretary Katele Kalumba, has the right to a free trial which should be respected by all.
“Let us allow the due process of the law to take its course. We should all refrain from making comments, which may be prejudicial to the ongoing criminal cases before the courts of law,” he said.

The President is correct to ask Beeny Tetamashimba to shut up and stop calling for Katele Kalumba to resign as MMD national secretary. Kalumba is entitled to his day in court to answer the allegations that have been levelled against him. Tetamashimba is displaying double standards by calling for Kalumba to resign while remaining quiet on Dora Siliya. We should also remember that the current MMD chairman Michael Mabenga was found guilty by the supreme court of having abused the Constituency Development Fund sometime back. But the MMD still welcome him into their ranks.

The PANEL

Source : http://panel-on-zed.blogspot.com/2009/04/rb-bans-comments-on-court-cases.html