OPINION: Belarus Sponsors Hijacking

By Darlene Mitchell June 15, 2021 June 15, 2021 Belarus, Censorship, Government, Human Rights, Journalism, Opinion, Russia

OPINION:

Belarus Government Sponsors Hijacking

HISTORY REPEATING

By T.K. McNeil

Arrest of a Dissident

It was like something from a cold war spy novel. A national government, without a great record on human rights, tricks a commercial airliner from another country into landing there, claiming there was a bomb threat. Absurd as it sounds, this is exactly what happened to Roman Protasevich. Protasevich is a Belarusian journalist and dissident critical of Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko. The critic was taken, with his girlfriend Sofia Sapega, from a Lithuania bound Ryanair flight on May 23^rd. Lukashenko was no doubt angered by the reporting of Nexta a news outlet founded by Protasevich and Stepan Putilo that has focused recent coverage on anti-Lukashenko rallies after the disputed election in 2020.

But It’s Current Year

The hijacking event was met with shock around the world. Many news outlets seemingly uncomprehending that such a thing was even possible. As though dogs had suddenly started reciting Shakespeare in Latin. It seemed like a relic from a different age, as though time runs in a neat line, drawing a straight path from then to now. Letting one take comfort in the idea that the badness has past. The sad truth is, history is more a set of ever repeating cycles, with little indication as to when things might come back around. The mentions of the Cold War and Soviet tactics disturbingly apt.

“Just Dave” Stop The Police Killings

By Darlene Mitchell May 29, 2021 May 29, 2021 Black Lives Matter, Calamity Politics, Calamity Video Casts, Ethics, Law Enforcement, Opinion, Police, Police Brutality

“Just Dave” Stop Police Killings

Calamity News and Politics Vlog Cast this week is about the escalating violence of police officers around country. Police Brutality is out of hand. “Just Dave” is really upset, and so is everyone else in the country with a soul. Calamity doesn’t like it when Dave gets upset. The heartbreak of the recent murders by police is more than our man can handle. If tears would fix the problem we could have already fixed it. End police brutality. The fear of the police by the people of the community needs to stop.

TIPS: Spot Fake News

By Darlene Mitchell May 29, 2021 May 29, 2021 Conspiracy Theories, Ethics, Lies and Corruption, White Supremacy Movement

How To Spot Fake News

Fake News Is Everywhere

Please don’t share bad, or fake information. Be sure what you are sharing is accurate. Don’t be part of the problem. The IFLA (The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions) has put together the above check list. Use it. Don’t pass on fake information.

OPINION: Ethics In Journalism

By Darlene Mitchell May 27, 2021 May 27, 2021 Journalism, Opinion, Social Issues

OPINION: Ethics In Journalism

What does a journalist owe his/her audience?

By William Jones And D. S. Mitchell

Society of Professional Journalists

Members of the Society of Professional Journalists believe that public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. Ethical journalism strives to ensure the free exchange of information that is accurate, fair, and thorough. An ethical journalist acts with honesty and integrity. There are four fundamental principles at the foundation of ethical journalism and the Society encourages their use in practice across all media.

1.) Seeking Truth And Reporting It.

Ethical journalism should be accurate and fair. Journalists should be honest and courageous in gathering, reporting, and interpreting information.

2.) Minimal harm

Ethical journalism treats sources, subjects, colleagues, and public members as human beings deserving of respect.

3) Acting independently

The highest and primary obligation of ethical journalism is to serve the public.

4.) Being accountable and transparent

Ethical journalism means taking responsibility for one’s work and explaining one’s decisions to the public.

Senior Worry: Stay Safe Behind The Wheel

By Darlene Mitchell May 24, 2021 May 24, 2021 Disability, Senior & Elderly Issues

Senior Worry:

Stay Safe Behind The Wheel

Elderly Drivers:

Stay Safe Behind The Wheel

Don’t Lose Your Car Keys, Stay Safe On The Road

D. S. Mitchell

Drivers Over 70 Increasing

Having a car gives a person freedom. Recently, two close friends lost their driver’s licenses. In both cases, medical issues were the cause. It made me think about driving despite advancing age. The number of drivers who are 70 years or older is increasing. There have been significant strides in reducing deaths among elderly drivers. Over the last two decades the number of people aged 70 or above killed in car crashes has dropped by nearly 20%. In fact, today’s older drivers are involved in fewer crashes per mile traveled than those in any previous generation.

Better Vehicles

Today people are walking away from crashes that might have killed their grandparents. One reason for the dropping death count is that vehicles are safer than ever before. The side air bag was introduced in 2008. The benefit of the side airbag has been dramatic with deaths dropping significantly. Furthermore many older drivers today enjoy better health than driver’s of the same age decades ago. Such factors allow older drivers to function safely longer. However, there will come a time when you will need to consider giving up your car keys.

Chronic Diseases

Many health conditions can compromise driving skills. Some of the most common conditions are cataracts, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, sleep apnea, and diabetes. The decision to quit driving is a major life decision, it can have resounding effects. Emotionally the former driver may feel less competent and capable, more dependent and as such more vulnerable. They may become depressed. With that aside, the most important question to ask is it safe to keep driving?

Warning Signs It May Be Time To Stop Driving

1.) Has reading road signs become difficult?

2.) Are you anxious and stressed while driving?

3.) Have family or friends said they are scared to have you drive?

4.) Physical limitations ? (Such as not being able to look over your shoulder).

5.) Taking medications that cause drowsiness or side effects that impair driving ability.

If you said yes to any of the above questions and you want to continue driving consider the following suggestions.

Night Driving And Difficulty Reading Signs

Cataracts are often the cause of poor night vision. Speak to your opthamoligist and consider having the surgery. Speaking for my self personally it was one of the best things I ever did. I see better than I have in years. I had spent at least two years not driving after dark because of the vision issues.

Addressing Physical Limitations

Here is another place to talk to your doctor about ordering Physical Therapy. As we age, bad posture and overall weakness create problems. Again, speaking for myself, I was noticing more and more difficulty looking over my shoulder. I was also having trouble putting plates on upper shelves, etc, etc. The doctor ordered PT and after a couple weeks of stretching and strengthening I was able to resume doing many activities that I thought were things of the past.

Rethink You Meds

If your medication makes you drowsy or interferes in your concentration you should talk to your doctor. Your doctor may be able to switch you to a medication without those debilitating side effects. In some cases your doctor can place restrictions on your license. A study found that older citizens successfully self regulate their driving after it becomes clear that certain restrictions are warranted. An examples would be no night driving. Here again work with your primary care physician to make sure you are taking medications that have the least side effects for you personally. Everyone responds differently and there are different meds that do the same thing that have less severe side effects.

A Consultant

A driver rehabilitation specialist can help a driver who has become anxious and uncertain about their continuing ability to drive safely. The specialist offers suggestions based on their assessment of the driver’s capabilities. For example he or she may suggest vehicle modifications that could help make the time behind the wheel less physically taxing.

Take A Class

The driving environment has changed dramatically over the last fifty years (since you got your first license). There are many new laws and there is much heavier traffic. Taking a class for older drivers can give a senior driver new confidence. Participating in a senior driving course could also qualify you for a car insurance discount.

Vehicle Upgrades

The Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has identified several upgrades that are proven to help reduce crashes for older drivers: rearview cameras that can help drivers see better while backing up; automatic emergency braking systems; collision warning systems; and blind spot and lane-departure warning systems that help drivers avoid lane change crashes.

Last Words

Being independent in our later years is important to us as individuals, to our families and our society. The longer you are able to drive safely, the longer you can be independent.

Israel Appears To Be An Apartheid State

By Darlene Mitchell May 19, 2021 May 19, 2021 Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu, Editorial, Israel, War and Conflict, White Supremacy Movement

Israel Appears To Be An Apartheid State

EDITORIAL: Israel Is Acting Like An Apartheid State

By William Jones and D. S. Mitchell

What is Apartheid?

The 1973 Apartheid Convention and the 1998 Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court defined apartheid as systematic and institutionally entrenched domination and repression by one racial group over another through “inhumane acts.” Among such acts are:

Arbitrary arrest and illegal imprisonment of the members of a racial group
Measures designed to divide the population along racial lines by the creation of separate reserves and ghettos for the members of a racial group or groups
Forcible transfer
Expropriation of landed property
Denial of the right to leave and to return to their country and the right to a nationality

David Shadrick “No Fear!”

By Darlene Mitchell April 25, 2021 April 25, 2021 Calamity Video Casts, David Shadrick, Immigration, Social Issues, The Wall, Videos

David Shadrick “No Fear!”

It’s Sunday and Dave Shadrick is back for another video cast. This week I think the rant is about blue-eyed blonde haired children. Anyway, whatever the discussion, Dave has plenty to say. Enjoy.

Digital Revolution: Kinda Awesome

By Darlene Mitchell April 22, 2021 April 22, 2021 Arts & Entertainment, Culture, Digital Freedom, Opinion, Social Media

Digital Revolution: Kinda Awesome

Trevor K. McNeil

Going Digital

Everything is going online, the so-called “Digital Revolution” generally considered to be as significant as the Industrial Revolution. For good or ill, more things are moving online from correspondence to media. The terms “old media” and “new media” going from cultural terms to more significant distinctions.

On the Bright Side

One of the positive impacts of the shift to New Media, and the general reduction in production costs, is the opening up of popular media to traditionally marginalized groups. People are more able to make their own media, free of the censorship, stigma and traditionalist bullshit still rife in the studio system. The sort of attitudes that would have female nominees banned from the red carpet for not wearing high heels.