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Featured Story: BETTER STORAGE MEANS BETTER COFFEE October 22, 2013 |
 Ever wonder why gourmet and specialty coffee shops serve the best and, not to mention, the most expensive cups of coffee?
It’s a known fact that coffee is best served when it’s at its freshest. Freshness is a big deal especially in the coffee business...
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Posted on
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
The process of adoption is a long, tedious process that costs money. California’s family law provisions allow for such legal adoptions to qualified parents in the state. In Orange County, depending on the type of company or firm used to make the adoption, the process can cost potential parents tens of thousands of dollars.
So it comes as no surprise that many parents are resorting to using social media instead of conventional means. Sites such as Facebook’s Marketplace or Youtube provide opportunities to biological and adoptive parents to connect get to know each other and arrange the adoption – and it only costs a fraction of what it would cost if parents go through an agency.
Often, parents create a page where they can post media content. This is the means by which they introduce themselves to other parents who are looking to either adopt or offer their child up for adoption.
Experts however warn parents about potential issues with this unconventional method. While it may work for some families as it expands the search, this method presents certain risks to parents. One issue experts worry about is how social media sites handle privacy. While most sites do have good privacy settings, most parents tend to ignore these settings. As a result, information posted online end up getting used against posters.
The FBI has investigated certain cases wherein the birth mom involved tricked families into paying expenses without any intention of actually handing over the child. Experts warn that the internet have vulnerabilities that make scams easier.
According to experts, anyone taking this course should involve a legal professional immediately who knows the many adoption scams in the country. The adoption process involves many, often tricky, legal documents that necessitate parents and legal professionals to confirm information. The process also needs a legal professional to review and sign any legal documentation.
Adoption may cost money but if done right, it is money well-invested. A legal professional may prove helpful during adoption to avoid all other family legal issues that may arise.
Read More
So it comes as no surprise that many parents are resorting to using social media instead of conventional means. Sites such as Facebook’s Marketplace or Youtube provide opportunities to biological and adoptive parents to connect get to know each other and arrange the adoption – and it only costs a fraction of what it would cost if parents go through an agency.
Often, parents create a page where they can post media content. This is the means by which they introduce themselves to other parents who are looking to either adopt or offer their child up for adoption.
Experts however warn parents about potential issues with this unconventional method. While it may work for some families as it expands the search, this method presents certain risks to parents. One issue experts worry about is how social media sites handle privacy. While most sites do have good privacy settings, most parents tend to ignore these settings. As a result, information posted online end up getting used against posters.
The FBI has investigated certain cases wherein the birth mom involved tricked families into paying expenses without any intention of actually handing over the child. Experts warn that the internet have vulnerabilities that make scams easier.
According to experts, anyone taking this course should involve a legal professional immediately who knows the many adoption scams in the country. The adoption process involves many, often tricky, legal documents that necessitate parents and legal professionals to confirm information. The process also needs a legal professional to review and sign any legal documentation.
Adoption may cost money but if done right, it is money well-invested. A legal professional may prove helpful during adoption to avoid all other family legal issues that may arise.
About The Author
Victor Dela Casa
is a Filipino-Canadian who spent over a decade working as a business
professional in Canada. Worked in IT, finance, marketing, international
trade, public service, project management and the maritime industry.
Earned degree in Economics from the University of the Philippines and
Business Administration Honours from Eastern College. Currently based in
the Philippines and working as a professional writer for a
multi-national business processes firm.
Posted on
Thursday, April 25, 2013
When Jamie Carpentier divorced with his wife 10 years ago, little did he knew that he would also lose custody of his Basset Hound, Ginger. After his former spouse got the puppy, she had the dog given up to a local animal shelter without Carpentier's knowledge.
The pup was soon adopted by an older couple who cared for her until they couldn't anymore. Ginger was once again sent to an animal shelter.
That's when Carpentier happened to check the listing of adoptable dogs on the Humane Society for Greater Nashua, N.H. He read about a Basset named Ginger. The dog is about the same age as the pup he once lost. After seeing the pictures, a connection was made.
Carpentier arrived at the shelter as Ginger was waking up from a nap. Her eyes lit up when she heard her former master's voice. Immediately, she ran to Carpentier and gave him a couple of licks and kisses.
"She knows who I am, she remembers my voice," Carpentier said.
The story was recently featured in the Nashua Telegraph. Click here for the full story.
Read More
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| Carpentier and Ginger |
The pup was soon adopted by an older couple who cared for her until they couldn't anymore. Ginger was once again sent to an animal shelter.
That's when Carpentier happened to check the listing of adoptable dogs on the Humane Society for Greater Nashua, N.H. He read about a Basset named Ginger. The dog is about the same age as the pup he once lost. After seeing the pictures, a connection was made.
Carpentier arrived at the shelter as Ginger was waking up from a nap. Her eyes lit up when she heard her former master's voice. Immediately, she ran to Carpentier and gave him a couple of licks and kisses.
"She knows who I am, she remembers my voice," Carpentier said.
The story was recently featured in the Nashua Telegraph. Click here for the full story.
About The Author
Victor Dela Casa
is a Filipino-Canadian who spent over a decade working as a business
professional in Canada. Worked in IT, finance, marketing, international
trade, public service, project management and the maritime industry.
Earned degree in Economics from the University of the Philippines and
Business Administration Honours from Eastern College. Currently based in
the Philippines and working as a professional writer for a
multi-national business processes firm.
Posted on
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
For the players of the National Football League, the excitement and adulation of fans comes with a price. Injuries are synonymous to professional sports but in football, injuries can get very fatal and sometimes, can result in wrongful deaths.
Brain injury concerns are the hottest topic in the NFL today. With the deaths of several former players and long-lasting injuries to those still alive, many are questioning and suing the league alleging that money was more important than the health of players.
Last week, the lawsuit filed by the family of deceased former NFL star Junior Seau was consolidated with the rest of the more than 1,000 lawsuits filed against the NFL over concussion-related brain injuries. Players are trying to make a push to have the class action case tried.
A federal judge in Philadelphia is presiding and will decide if the class action can proceed. Her decision comes with huge financial repercussions for both sides. It is not expected that a ruling will come out immediately but the case is pretty strong against the league with a large possibility of actually going to trial.
One of the issues of concern contends that the NFL hid facts and failed to protect its players because the sport thrives from the amount of violence played. The NFL explains that they are not at fault and weren’t hiding anything from players who knew well the risks of playing the sport.
Despite the counter-claims, NFL has begun enforcing rules to ensure player safety from concussions and brain injuries, including investing on research to develop better gears. Experts see the moves to be connected to a recent study that ties concussions to brain injuries and caused the suicides and deaths of many former players including a few Hall of Famers.
Read More
Brain injury concerns are the hottest topic in the NFL today. With the deaths of several former players and long-lasting injuries to those still alive, many are questioning and suing the league alleging that money was more important than the health of players.
Last week, the lawsuit filed by the family of deceased former NFL star Junior Seau was consolidated with the rest of the more than 1,000 lawsuits filed against the NFL over concussion-related brain injuries. Players are trying to make a push to have the class action case tried.
A federal judge in Philadelphia is presiding and will decide if the class action can proceed. Her decision comes with huge financial repercussions for both sides. It is not expected that a ruling will come out immediately but the case is pretty strong against the league with a large possibility of actually going to trial.
One of the issues of concern contends that the NFL hid facts and failed to protect its players because the sport thrives from the amount of violence played. The NFL explains that they are not at fault and weren’t hiding anything from players who knew well the risks of playing the sport.
Despite the counter-claims, NFL has begun enforcing rules to ensure player safety from concussions and brain injuries, including investing on research to develop better gears. Experts see the moves to be connected to a recent study that ties concussions to brain injuries and caused the suicides and deaths of many former players including a few Hall of Famers.
About The Author
Victor Dela Casa
is a Filipino-Canadian who spent over a decade working as a business
professional in Canada. Worked in IT, finance, marketing, international
trade, public service, project management and the maritime industry.
Earned degree in Economics from the University of the Philippines and
Business Administration Honours from Eastern College. Currently based in
the Philippines and working as a professional writer for a
multi-national business processes firm.
Posted on
The judge presiding in the “Man in Black” bank robberies case wants to make sure that the defendant knew that self-representation may not be a wise move. The defendant is facing federal criminal charges after a string of felonies and armed bank robberies across the state that started in 2011. He is being tried in the U.S. District Court in St. Paul.
The alleged suspect told the judge that he understood the risks of self-representation. He will have a standby counsel who will provide the necessary help if he needs it.
The 50-year-old former nursing home executive is charged with 13 counts of armed bank robbery. The upcoming trial only involves a count with two more trials to split the other 12 counts.
According to sources, the defendant dismissed his appointed representation believing that the team is unfit to represent him. He cited that the original appointed team failed to get the court to try him separately for each counts believing he could be prejudiced in the eyes of the jurors if all counts are tried jointly. Mingling all evidences might confuse jurors and wrongfully prejudice the accused.
He has filed numerous motions in complaint about his jail food to standing when a judge or jury enters and leaves the courtroom. He has also questioned the lack of bank robbery data as well as possibility of fictitious testimonies against him. It is found that the accused is a follower of Islam.
He also sued both the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Federal Public Defender’s Office over wrongful claims, bad representation and rights violations.
It is yet to be seen if the accused can pull self-representation off in such a serious case as armed robbery. Often, it is highly recommended that a professional team be assembled to represent and defend an accused in such cases.
Keywords: Man In Black, self-representation
Read More
The alleged suspect told the judge that he understood the risks of self-representation. He will have a standby counsel who will provide the necessary help if he needs it.
The 50-year-old former nursing home executive is charged with 13 counts of armed bank robbery. The upcoming trial only involves a count with two more trials to split the other 12 counts.
According to sources, the defendant dismissed his appointed representation believing that the team is unfit to represent him. He cited that the original appointed team failed to get the court to try him separately for each counts believing he could be prejudiced in the eyes of the jurors if all counts are tried jointly. Mingling all evidences might confuse jurors and wrongfully prejudice the accused.
He has filed numerous motions in complaint about his jail food to standing when a judge or jury enters and leaves the courtroom. He has also questioned the lack of bank robbery data as well as possibility of fictitious testimonies against him. It is found that the accused is a follower of Islam.
He also sued both the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Federal Public Defender’s Office over wrongful claims, bad representation and rights violations.
It is yet to be seen if the accused can pull self-representation off in such a serious case as armed robbery. Often, it is highly recommended that a professional team be assembled to represent and defend an accused in such cases.
Keywords: Man In Black, self-representation
About The Author
Victor Dela Casa
is a Filipino-Canadian who spent over a decade working as a business
professional in Canada. Worked in IT, finance, marketing, international
trade, public service, project management and the maritime industry.
Earned degree in Economics from the University of the Philippines and
Business Administration Honours from Eastern College. Currently based in
the Philippines and working as a professional writer for a
multi-national business processes firm.
Posted on
The recent case of an adopted American Indian child who was returned to her biological father has reached the courtroom of the nation’s highest judicial body. In it, a dispute that pits a father’s right as well as his heritage against the rights of adoptive parents who only wishes what they believe is the best interest of the child.
The law protecting the rights of aboriginal children and their adoptions are under the care of a federal act, the Indian Child Welfare Act, which was passed in 1978 to ensure that the heritage of American Indians are continued and protected from consequences of adopting and assimilating these children into non-Indian families.
This act gives protection to a father who wants his daughter to grow within the confines of his racial and cultural heritage. But sympathy should also be directed towards the girl’s adoptive parents who have developed a deep bond with the child in hoped of providing a life believed to be better by our standards.
The adoptive parents have to prove to the courts that being with the child’s biological father is not beneficial to her. By law, in a case such as this, children are not to be taken from their Indian families unless if there is reasonable doubt that custody by an Indian parent will likely results in serious emotional or physical damage to the child.
Other underlying angles are also disputed. A court brief for the adoptive parents and for the guardians began to suggest that the ICWA might cause a racial preference which should be voided under the Equal Protection Clause. It was justified that the issue is more political than racial in nature to accommodate Indian tribes as a dependent nation and not a race.
It is difficult to measure such a case and one could only feel bad for the child caught in the middle. For the judges presiding, their decision will have a great impact in future decisions as well as possible federal laws covering the topic.
Keywords: father's rights, paternity case, Indian Child Welfare Act
Read More
The law protecting the rights of aboriginal children and their adoptions are under the care of a federal act, the Indian Child Welfare Act, which was passed in 1978 to ensure that the heritage of American Indians are continued and protected from consequences of adopting and assimilating these children into non-Indian families.
It is difficult to measure such a case and one could only feel bad for the child caught in the middle. For the judges presiding, their decision will have a great impact in future decisions as well as possible federal laws covering the topic.
This act gives protection to a father who wants his daughter to grow within the confines of his racial and cultural heritage. But sympathy should also be directed towards the girl’s adoptive parents who have developed a deep bond with the child in hoped of providing a life believed to be better by our standards.
The adoptive parents have to prove to the courts that being with the child’s biological father is not beneficial to her. By law, in a case such as this, children are not to be taken from their Indian families unless if there is reasonable doubt that custody by an Indian parent will likely results in serious emotional or physical damage to the child.
Other underlying angles are also disputed. A court brief for the adoptive parents and for the guardians began to suggest that the ICWA might cause a racial preference which should be voided under the Equal Protection Clause. It was justified that the issue is more political than racial in nature to accommodate Indian tribes as a dependent nation and not a race.
It is difficult to measure such a case and one could only feel bad for the child caught in the middle. For the judges presiding, their decision will have a great impact in future decisions as well as possible federal laws covering the topic.
Keywords: father's rights, paternity case, Indian Child Welfare Act
About The Author
Victor Dela Casa
is a Filipino-Canadian who spent over a decade working as a business
professional in Canada. Worked in IT, finance, marketing, international
trade, public service, project management and the maritime industry.
Earned degree in Economics from the University of the Philippines and
Business Administration Honours from Eastern College. Currently based in
the Philippines and working as a professional writer for a
multi-national business processes firm.
Posted on
Monday, April 22, 2013
A Texan woman received a spooky surprise when she realised she'd unknowingly taken a picture of a ghost on her smart phone.
Marcella Davis of Cleveland, was trying to take a picture of her nephew outside his school when he turned away and asked her to stop snapping.
But later, when her daughter looked through the photos on her cellphone, she called her mother's attention to a ghostly apparition lurking in the background wearing a light pink Seventies style suit.
'To me, it was awesome,' Ms Davis told the Houston Chronicle. 'It's not scary to me.'
A mother of two teenagers herself, Ms Davis admits she didn't know the sophisticated ins and outs of her cellphone which is why her daughter had been showing her how to zoom in on her pictures after she took them on April 15.
Recalling the evening, she said: '[My daughter] goes, "Mom, look at this." I was like, "What?" and she showed me the picture of the ghost. You could see straight through it.'
Indeed, on close examination, a male figure in a bell-bottomed suit and a dark shirt hovers alongside a set of railings as Ms Davis' nephew turns his back on her in the foreground.
Less visible is a female standing next to him.
Unlike most people though, Ms Davis remains unphased by her supernatural discovery. Though she's never seen a ghost or heard of any encounters in her area, she told the Chronicle: 'To me, it's not something that's not normal.'
She added: 'People pass away all the time. Until you're the one who passes away, you don't honestly know what happens to you.'
To the sceptics who might accuse her or her daughter of doctoring the photo with a cellphone app like GhostCam, she insisted she wouldn't even know how to use such an app even if she had one.
'I can promise you I did not make that picture up,' she maintains.
Read More
Woman snaps photo of ghost on cellphone - and he's wearing a pink Seventies style suit
By Victoria Wellman, Mail Online
A Texan woman received a spooky surprise when she realised she'd unknowingly taken a picture of a ghost on her smart phone.Marcella Davis of Cleveland, was trying to take a picture of her nephew outside his school when he turned away and asked her to stop snapping.
But later, when her daughter looked through the photos on her cellphone, she called her mother's attention to a ghostly apparition lurking in the background wearing a light pink Seventies style suit.
'To me, it was awesome,' Ms Davis told the Houston Chronicle. 'It's not scary to me.'
A mother of two teenagers herself, Ms Davis admits she didn't know the sophisticated ins and outs of her cellphone which is why her daughter had been showing her how to zoom in on her pictures after she took them on April 15.
Recalling the evening, she said: '[My daughter] goes, "Mom, look at this." I was like, "What?" and she showed me the picture of the ghost. You could see straight through it.'
Indeed, on close examination, a male figure in a bell-bottomed suit and a dark shirt hovers alongside a set of railings as Ms Davis' nephew turns his back on her in the foreground.
Less visible is a female standing next to him.
Unlike most people though, Ms Davis remains unphased by her supernatural discovery. Though she's never seen a ghost or heard of any encounters in her area, she told the Chronicle: 'To me, it's not something that's not normal.'
She added: 'People pass away all the time. Until you're the one who passes away, you don't honestly know what happens to you.'To the sceptics who might accuse her or her daughter of doctoring the photo with a cellphone app like GhostCam, she insisted she wouldn't even know how to use such an app even if she had one.
'I can promise you I did not make that picture up,' she maintains.
Posted on
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
The rule of thumb is that custody is decided based on what is best for the welfare of the child. Unfortunately, there are still holes in the system that may or may not be necessarily beneficial to the child or the father.
This age saw many socio-economic changes. Women’s rights, gender equality, workplace equity, so on and so forth. These ideals are not particularly applicable only to women but also men, especially with the recent shift from the traditional structures to a reversal of roles in modern times.
While we can’t blame judges for leaning towards mothers, it is hoped that divorcing couples agree on a joint or shared custody arrangement – if there are no factors that could hinder it. If both parents are capable of taking good care of their children, and both are living within the same area, then both should be given equal opportunities at raising their child.
Read More
The traditional structure of families includes a father that works, a mother that cares and children that are being raised. That has been how it worked until recently. Nowadays, both parents work with the ability to sustain themselves individually.
During a divorce and the subsequent child custody dispute, when the parents can’t agree on the terms concerning the welfare of their children, it is the court that decides for them. In Orange County, most courts lean towards giving primary care to the mother with the dad gaining only limited access to the child or children.
Many dads have questioned why they can’t have primary custody of their own children. Some believe that the traditional structure and roles of each family member is where the courts base their decisions. Unless if the mother is deemed unfit only will they decide awarding the father primary custody.
During a divorce and the subsequent child custody dispute, when the parents can’t agree on the terms concerning the welfare of their children, it is the court that decides for them. In Orange County, most courts lean towards giving primary care to the mother with the dad gaining only limited access to the child or children.
Many dads have questioned why they can’t have primary custody of their own children. Some believe that the traditional structure and roles of each family member is where the courts base their decisions. Unless if the mother is deemed unfit only will they decide awarding the father primary custody.
With the growing numbers of capable dads who act as househusbands and moms who work long hours, there’s some credence to this inquiry.
The rule of thumb is that custody is decided based on what is best for the welfare of the child. Unfortunately, there are still holes in the system that may or may not be necessarily beneficial to the child or the father.
This age saw many socio-economic changes. Women’s rights, gender equality, workplace equity, so on and so forth. These ideals are not particularly applicable only to women but also men, especially with the recent shift from the traditional structures to a reversal of roles in modern times.
While we can’t blame judges for leaning towards mothers, it is hoped that divorcing couples agree on a joint or shared custody arrangement – if there are no factors that could hinder it. If both parents are capable of taking good care of their children, and both are living within the same area, then both should be given equal opportunities at raising their child.
About The Author
Victor Dela Casa
is a Filipino-Canadian who spent over a decade working as a business
professional in Canada. Worked in IT, finance, marketing, international
trade, public service, project management and the maritime industry.
Earned degree in Economics from the University of the Philippines and
Business Administration Honours from Eastern College. Currently based in
the Philippines and working as a professional writer for a
multi-national business processes firm.
Posted on
Monday, April 15, 2013
At age 15, Combrink was raped by a boy she'd known since middle school, and when she told her friends what had happened, she says they turned on her, posting ugly messages online and sending texts accusing her of lying about the assault.
"I never actually attempted suicide, but there was a time when I considered it," Combrink told Crimesider. "I was so depressed and felt so hopeless. I felt like a zombie walking down the halls at school, with everyone staring at me, and judging me."
In just the last five days reports have surfaced of two teen girls - Rehtaeh Parsons and Audrie Pott - who both committed suicide after allegedly being raped and then having pictures of the sexual assault distributed electronically among their peers.
Their cases echo the recent Steubenville rape case, where two Ohio teen boys were convicted of rape after photos of the victim on the night of the assault went viral, with hashtags like #rape and #drunkgirl accompanying the shared images.
On Thursday, three teen boys were arrested for sexual battery against Pott, a California 15-year-old who was allegedly raped in September 2012, and then subjected to further shame and humiliation when photos of the assault reportedly went viral. She killed herself eight days later.
In an interview with Crimesider, Citron said that as it becomes easier to post or text or comment on a photo, sexual cyber-bulling and cyber-stalking is becoming "more pervasive, more common, and more acceptable."
"It's not getting better, it's getting worse," she said.
New York City high school junior Temitayo Fagbenle told Crimesider that when she and her friends talked about the social media postings that the Steubenville victim was subjected to after her assault, they said they were glad the case was getting attention because "things like this happen all the time."
Fagbenle is a member of WNYC's Radio Rookies and late last year produced a segment entitled "Sexual Cyberbullying: The Modern Day Letter A."
"It's so easy to just click and share on Facebook," says Fagbenle, 17. "People don't understand their part as a bystander. People think, 'I'll just comment but I'm not involved.' But in that interaction, you're becoming a bully."
Citron says that she believes law enforcement generally lacks understanding and training about the realities of how the old problem of so-called "slut-shaming" and blaming rape victims for things like how they dress or what they drank has evolved in the digital age.
That may, however, be changing. Trent Mays, one of the two teens convicted of rape in the Steubenville case, was also convicted of using a minor in nudity oriented materials and sentenced to an extra year in juvenile detention because he sent the photo of the victim in various states of undress.
"Calling it 'bullying' almost trivializes it," says Citron. "What happened to Audrie Pott is a profoundly serious crime."
Anna Combrink agrees. After her rape, she says she was depressed and struggled to rebuild her sense of self, and being attacked online made it so much worse.
"It broke my heart when I heard about Rehtaeh," she says. "I know exactly what she was feeling. It's such a dark hole to climb out of."
Sex is a good thing...but not like this...never like this.
Source: CBS News
Read More
 |
| Rehtaeh Parsons |
The downside of cyberspace and cellular technology: Rehtaeh Parsons and Audrie Potts were victims of rape and cyber-bullying in what is a growing trend among teens. Maggots are being schooled to run the world someday.
For 21-year-old Texas college student Anna Combrink, the suicide of Rehtaeh Parsons, the Canadian teen who hung herself after allegedly being raped and cyber-bullied, hit very close to home.
For 21-year-old Texas college student Anna Combrink, the suicide of Rehtaeh Parsons, the Canadian teen who hung herself after allegedly being raped and cyber-bullied, hit very close to home.
At age 15, Combrink was raped by a boy she'd known since middle school, and when she told her friends what had happened, she says they turned on her, posting ugly messages online and sending texts accusing her of lying about the assault.
"I never actually attempted suicide, but there was a time when I considered it," Combrink told Crimesider. "I was so depressed and felt so hopeless. I felt like a zombie walking down the halls at school, with everyone staring at me, and judging me."
In just the last five days reports have surfaced of two teen girls - Rehtaeh Parsons and Audrie Pott - who both committed suicide after allegedly being raped and then having pictures of the sexual assault distributed electronically among their peers.
The downside of cyberspace and cellular technology: Rehtaeh Parsons and Audrie Potts were victims of rape and cyber-bullying in what is a growing trend among teens. Maggots are being schooled to run the world someday.
Their cases echo the recent Steubenville rape case, where two Ohio teen boys were convicted of rape after photos of the victim on the night of the assault went viral, with hashtags like #rape and #drunkgirl accompanying the shared images.
On Thursday, three teen boys were arrested for sexual battery against Pott, a California 15-year-old who was allegedly raped in September 2012, and then subjected to further shame and humiliation when photos of the assault reportedly went viral. She killed herself eight days later.
 |
| Audrie Potts |
Will the teens also be charged for sending photos of the alleged assault? Sexual cyber-stalking expert Danielle Citron doubts it.
"Law enforcement is behind the times on this," says Citron, a professor at the University of Maryland Frances King Carey School of Law and the author of the upcoming book "Hate 3.0: The Rise of Discriminatory Online Harassment and How to Stop It."
"Law enforcement is behind the times on this," says Citron, a professor at the University of Maryland Frances King Carey School of Law and the author of the upcoming book "Hate 3.0: The Rise of Discriminatory Online Harassment and How to Stop It."
In an interview with Crimesider, Citron said that as it becomes easier to post or text or comment on a photo, sexual cyber-bulling and cyber-stalking is becoming "more pervasive, more common, and more acceptable."
"It's not getting better, it's getting worse," she said.
New York City high school junior Temitayo Fagbenle told Crimesider that when she and her friends talked about the social media postings that the Steubenville victim was subjected to after her assault, they said they were glad the case was getting attention because "things like this happen all the time."
Fagbenle is a member of WNYC's Radio Rookies and late last year produced a segment entitled "Sexual Cyberbullying: The Modern Day Letter A."
"It's so easy to just click and share on Facebook," says Fagbenle, 17. "People don't understand their part as a bystander. People think, 'I'll just comment but I'm not involved.' But in that interaction, you're becoming a bully."
Citron says that she believes law enforcement generally lacks understanding and training about the realities of how the old problem of so-called "slut-shaming" and blaming rape victims for things like how they dress or what they drank has evolved in the digital age.
That may, however, be changing. Trent Mays, one of the two teens convicted of rape in the Steubenville case, was also convicted of using a minor in nudity oriented materials and sentenced to an extra year in juvenile detention because he sent the photo of the victim in various states of undress.
"Calling it 'bullying' almost trivializes it," says Citron. "What happened to Audrie Pott is a profoundly serious crime."
Anna Combrink agrees. After her rape, she says she was depressed and struggled to rebuild her sense of self, and being attacked online made it so much worse.
"It broke my heart when I heard about Rehtaeh," she says. "I know exactly what she was feeling. It's such a dark hole to climb out of."
Sex is a good thing...but not like this...never like this.
Source: CBS News
Keywords: sexual cyberbullying among teens, teen suicides
About The Author
Victor Dela Casa
is a Filipino-Canadian who spent over a decade working as a business
professional in Canada. Worked in IT, finance, marketing, international
trade, public service, project management and the maritime industry.
Earned degree in Economics from the University of the Philippines and
Business Administration Honours from Eastern College. Currently based in
the Philippines and working as a professional writer for a
multi-national business processes firm.
Posted on
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Read More
The world is filled with beautiful places to visit and discover. Here are a couple of beautiful places you probably don't know actually existed and may want to go see before you die.
1. Plitvice Falls National Park (Croatia) - more info
2. Wisteria Tunnel (Kitakyushu, Japan) - more info
3. Cinque Terre (Liguria, Italy) - more info
4. Tunnel of Love (Ukraine) - more info
5. Blue Lagoon Hot Springs (Iceland) - more info
6. Ball Pyramid (Lord Howe Island) - more info
7. The Great Barrier Reef (Queensland, Australia) - more info
8. Underground River (Puerto Princesa, Philippines) - more info
1. Plitvice Falls National Park (Croatia) - more info
2. Wisteria Tunnel (Kitakyushu, Japan) - more info
3. Cinque Terre (Liguria, Italy) - more info
4. Tunnel of Love (Ukraine) - more info
5. Blue Lagoon Hot Springs (Iceland) - more info
6. Ball Pyramid (Lord Howe Island) - more info
7. The Great Barrier Reef (Queensland, Australia) - more info
8. Underground River (Puerto Princesa, Philippines) - more info
Posted on
Thursday, April 11, 2013
The cutoff amount is set at $600. This means that creditors that agreed to reduce the outstanding debt by an amount lower than the cutoff is not obligated to pay any taxes while a higher amount than the cutoff is taxed automatically. Failure to recognize this and not declaring it can put someone at risk of being audited or hit with penalties and interests.
Debtors assume that pardoned debts are not considered as income since no actual money changed hands during the settlement. Many creditors and debt settlement companies too are guilty of not disclosing this information after the debt has been settled.
No laws are in place that obligates creditors to provide the information. Debtors just find out about it once the 1099-C from arrive in the mail or if the IRS calls them for not paying taxes on the tax liability reported by the creditor.
A 1099-C form is a complicated debt forgiveness form that requires all information is correct and accurate. Those intrepid enough to file their own will find that filing it and paying the taxes is better than having to endure thousands of dollars of interest accruing debts.
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Those who struggle to pay their debts have several options available to them. Speaking to a bankruptcy and debt solution professional is one. Others can opt to settle debts on their own.
If a debtor opts to do the latter, they may find that it can get complicated especially for those lacking the negotiation skills needed for such tasks. For those who can, however, talking to creditors to settle or lower credit card debts can be a rewarding experience.
If a debtor opts to do the latter, they may find that it can get complicated especially for those lacking the negotiation skills needed for such tasks. For those who can, however, talking to creditors to settle or lower credit card debts can be a rewarding experience.
Many creditors are willing to negotiate to settle debts if they know that the customer will not be able to pay in full. With the economic crisis as it is, many took advantage of debt forgiveness opportunities last year. What many doesn’t know is that settling debts and any debts forgiven are considered by the Internal Revenue Service as taxable income and will be taxed come tax season.
The cutoff amount is set at $600. This means that creditors that agreed to reduce the outstanding debt by an amount lower than the cutoff is not obligated to pay any taxes while a higher amount than the cutoff is taxed automatically. Failure to recognize this and not declaring it can put someone at risk of being audited or hit with penalties and interests.
Debtors assume that pardoned debts are not considered as income since no actual money changed hands during the settlement. Many creditors and debt settlement companies too are guilty of not disclosing this information after the debt has been settled.
No laws are in place that obligates creditors to provide the information. Debtors just find out about it once the 1099-C from arrive in the mail or if the IRS calls them for not paying taxes on the tax liability reported by the creditor.
A 1099-C form is a complicated debt forgiveness form that requires all information is correct and accurate. Those intrepid enough to file their own will find that filing it and paying the taxes is better than having to endure thousands of dollars of interest accruing debts.
About The Author
Victor Dela Casa
is a Filipino-Canadian who spent over a decade working as a business
professional in Canada. Worked in IT, finance, marketing, international
trade, public service, project management and the maritime industry.
Earned degree in Economics from the University of the Philippines and
Business Administration Honours from Eastern College. Currently based in
the Philippines and working as a professional writer for a
multi-national business processes firm.
Posted on
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
The best advice is to stop, pull over or wait until destination is reached before text messaging or replying to any messages. This also includes answering phone calls and surfing the internet.
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| It can wait: Texting while driving can cause fatal accidents |
Losing a loved one in an accident is a very painful experience especially if the accident is caused by something as mundane and easily avoidable as text messaging or texting.
With our society’s dependence on communication gadgets, texting while driving has become an unwanted distraction that have caused several car accidents; and students from a local university wants to prove and send an important message across.
Students at the University of South Carolina had a simulated look at texting while driving and how it can lead to unnecessary car accidents when AT&T allowed students to try out their simulator recently. The effort is part of the telecommunication company’s “It Can Wait” campaign.
The three dimensional simulator lets students get behind the wheel while they interact with realistic text messages that appear on a smart phone hooked into the machine. It simulates what could happen as students attempt to read or message back to texts that appear as they drive. Many call the experience frightening after suffering simulated accident scenarios.
The campaign comes at a time when the National Safety Council reported that 100,000 crashes occur each year involving unfocused drivers who are texting. Many of these drivers cause life-changing injuries and wrongful deaths to themselves, their passengers and other motorists or pedestrians.
Students at the University of South Carolina had a simulated look at texting while driving and how it can lead to unnecessary car accidents when AT&T allowed students to try out their simulator recently. The effort is part of the telecommunication company’s “It Can Wait” campaign.
The three dimensional simulator lets students get behind the wheel while they interact with realistic text messages that appear on a smart phone hooked into the machine. It simulates what could happen as students attempt to read or message back to texts that appear as they drive. Many call the experience frightening after suffering simulated accident scenarios.
The campaign comes at a time when the National Safety Council reported that 100,000 crashes occur each year involving unfocused drivers who are texting. Many of these drivers cause life-changing injuries and wrongful deaths to themselves, their passengers and other motorists or pedestrians.
According to experts, texting while driving has a 23 percent probability of causing accidents.
The best advice is to stop, pull over or wait until destination is reached before text messaging or replying to any messages. This also includes answering phone calls and surfing the internet.
Currently, state legislators are considering proposed bills that could ban such activities with the growing cases of accidents resulting from texting while driving. While the legal process of putting a law takes a while, experts are asking the public to do the right thing, that is, to wait.
About The Author
Victor Dela Casa
is a Filipino-Canadian who spent over a decade working as a business
professional in Canada. Worked in IT, finance, marketing, international
trade, public service, project management and the maritime industry.
Earned degree in Economics from the University of the Philippines and
Business Administration Honours from Eastern College. Currently based in
the Philippines and working as a professional writer for a
multi-national business processes firm.
Posted on
There are still other reasons why the court may throw out a prenuptial agreement. Some are simple mistakes. According to a recent article, careless mistakes such as the paperwork not properly filed or were signed without proper legal representation may cause the court to deem the agreement invalid.
But there are also cases wherein the prenuptial agreement contains certain ridiculous and lopsided provisions that may require the court to disregard it. Such agreements include a no child support clause or provisions that discriminate and exclude a partner. These prenups will surely be thrown out during a divorce proceeding.
To be valid, parties to a prenup must have legal representation to review and witness the signing. It should be written in a readable format, is conscionable and signed without coercion. It is executable only upon full disclosure of assets and liabilities. Failure to abide by these simple protocols may lead to invalidity.
For more on prenuptial agreements, parties to a marriage may talk to a legal professional specializing in family laws. Prenuptial agreements are often complex documents that require the legal knowledge of experts who can discern through the convoluted provisions of these documents to ensure fairness and transparency.
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One powerful tool for divorcing couples actually comes before marriage. While it may be difficult to discuss prenuptial agreements, this legal document actually has many functions that establish certain agreements between the marrying parties.
Often used by many couples to specify assets belonging to each prior to marriage, it can also serve in determining child custody and support, and alimony. For older couples, it can also be an estate planning tool with more gray couples divorcing in recent years.
One thing we learned recently, however, is that the court can invalidate a prenuptial agreement if it found substantial proof of coercion and fraudulent intent during its preparation and signing that could cause hardship to a former spouse. A recent New York story posted here can be used as an example where the judge threw out a prenup because it blatantly intended to set the spouse up to destitution.
Often used by many couples to specify assets belonging to each prior to marriage, it can also serve in determining child custody and support, and alimony. For older couples, it can also be an estate planning tool with more gray couples divorcing in recent years.
One thing we learned recently, however, is that the court can invalidate a prenuptial agreement if it found substantial proof of coercion and fraudulent intent during its preparation and signing that could cause hardship to a former spouse. A recent New York story posted here can be used as an example where the judge threw out a prenup because it blatantly intended to set the spouse up to destitution.
To be valid, parties to a prenup must have legal representation to review and witness the signing. It should be written in a readable format, is conscionable and signed without coercion. It is executable only upon full disclosure of assets and liabilities. Failure to abide by these simple protocols may lead to invalidity.
There are still other reasons why the court may throw out a prenuptial agreement. Some are simple mistakes. According to a recent article, careless mistakes such as the paperwork not properly filed or were signed without proper legal representation may cause the court to deem the agreement invalid.
But there are also cases wherein the prenuptial agreement contains certain ridiculous and lopsided provisions that may require the court to disregard it. Such agreements include a no child support clause or provisions that discriminate and exclude a partner. These prenups will surely be thrown out during a divorce proceeding.
To be valid, parties to a prenup must have legal representation to review and witness the signing. It should be written in a readable format, is conscionable and signed without coercion. It is executable only upon full disclosure of assets and liabilities. Failure to abide by these simple protocols may lead to invalidity.
For more on prenuptial agreements, parties to a marriage may talk to a legal professional specializing in family laws. Prenuptial agreements are often complex documents that require the legal knowledge of experts who can discern through the convoluted provisions of these documents to ensure fairness and transparency.
Keywords: child custody and support, full disclosure of assets and liabilities, legal professional, prenuptial agreements
About The Author
Victor Dela Casa
is a Filipino-Canadian who spent over a decade working as a business
professional in Canada. Worked in IT, finance, marketing, international
trade, public service, project management and the maritime industry.
Earned degree in Economics from the University of the Philippines and
Business Administration Honours from Eastern College. Currently based in
the Philippines and working as a professional writer for a
multi-national business processes firm.
Posted on
Monday, April 8, 2013
Marrying couples use prenuptial agreement as a document that outlines many legal aspects of the parties heading into marriage. Provisions for the fair division of marital assets and spousal support are commonly outlined and described. Although a prenuptial agreement is not a favorite conversation topic among couples, its popularity has become widespread in recent years.
There are unique cases however wherein a prenuptial agreement can be dismissed by the court. While most agreements are completely legal, there are a few exemptions in extreme cases such as one explained during a recent ruling.
After a year fighting what she believes is an unfavorable and aggravating alimony and marital asset distribution, a woman was finally given vindication by the local appellate court by overturning a prenuptial agreement she signed prior to her marriage.
Her husband, whose net worth is around $30 million, prepared the prenup which he promised to revoke once the couple has a child together. It stipulates that the ex-wife is only entitled to $25,000 for each year they are married. It also adds that all marital properties earned during the time of marriage will go to the husband.
According to legal documents, the appellate court agreed that provisions for alimony and property division in the prenup, including the acts of coercion and failure of the husband to make good on his promise, were fraudulent and intends to cause undue hardship to the female spouse. The court felt that it can’t allow such an agreement to be enforced in any legal manner.
The overturning, handed down in Brooklyn, New York, was the first of its kind in the country and legal experts are excited about it. Many are claiming that it sets legal precedent for prenuptial agreements which rarely gets overturned.
Prenuptial agreements are effective legal tools that set provisions for alimony after a split and the separation of assets earned prior to marriage. However, it is only good as long as it’s not fraudulent in nature and does not set a spouse up to destitution.
Read More
Marrying couples use prenuptial agreement as a document that outlines many legal aspects of the parties heading into marriage. Provisions for the fair division of marital assets and spousal support are commonly outlined and described. Although a prenuptial agreement is not a favorite conversation topic among couples, its popularity has become widespread in recent years. There are unique cases however wherein a prenuptial agreement can be dismissed by the court. While most agreements are completely legal, there are a few exemptions in extreme cases such as one explained during a recent ruling.
The overturning, handed down in Brooklyn, New York, was the first of its kind in the country and legal experts are excited about it. Many are claiming that it sets legal precedent for prenuptial agreements which rarely gets overturned.
After a year fighting what she believes is an unfavorable and aggravating alimony and marital asset distribution, a woman was finally given vindication by the local appellate court by overturning a prenuptial agreement she signed prior to her marriage.
Her husband, whose net worth is around $30 million, prepared the prenup which he promised to revoke once the couple has a child together. It stipulates that the ex-wife is only entitled to $25,000 for each year they are married. It also adds that all marital properties earned during the time of marriage will go to the husband.
According to legal documents, the appellate court agreed that provisions for alimony and property division in the prenup, including the acts of coercion and failure of the husband to make good on his promise, were fraudulent and intends to cause undue hardship to the female spouse. The court felt that it can’t allow such an agreement to be enforced in any legal manner.
The overturning, handed down in Brooklyn, New York, was the first of its kind in the country and legal experts are excited about it. Many are claiming that it sets legal precedent for prenuptial agreements which rarely gets overturned.
Prenuptial agreements are effective legal tools that set provisions for alimony after a split and the separation of assets earned prior to marriage. However, it is only good as long as it’s not fraudulent in nature and does not set a spouse up to destitution.
About The Author
Victor Dela Casa
is a Filipino-Canadian who spent over a decade working as a business
professional in Canada. Worked in IT, finance, marketing, international
trade, public service, project management and the maritime industry.
Earned degree in Economics from the University of the Philippines and
Business Administration Honours from Eastern College. Currently based in
the Philippines and working as a professional writer for a
multi-national business processes firm.
Posted on
Thursday, April 4, 2013
The United States is a country that adopts more children than anywhere. There is this lingering gap in opinion when it comes to who is adopting.
In a recent article, the National Council for Adoption noticed the different responses of American households when it comes to celebrity adoption. They responded that celebrity adoptions are such a big deal whereas regular folks don’t make the news. For them, this is a reflection of our society.
As legal professionals sort through the complicated laws involved in domestic and international adoption, celebrities are mostly kept mum about this excruciatingly long endeavor that doesn’t guarantee any success certainties. Perhaps this is why celebrity adoptions are desperately kept hushed until they are later spotted with their new child.
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In a recent article, the National Council for Adoption noticed the different responses of American households when it comes to celebrity adoption. They responded that celebrity adoptions are such a big deal whereas regular folks don’t make the news. For them, this is a reflection of our society.
As legal professionals sort through the complicated laws involved in domestic and international adoption, celebrities are mostly kept mum about this excruciatingly long endeavor that doesn’t guarantee any success certainties. Perhaps this is why celebrity adoptions are desperately kept hushed until they are later spotted with their new child.
The hope for many celebrity parents, like most parents, is that the right baby would find them. As long as parents remain patient during the waiting game portion of the process, and if they can give what the law believes to be the best interest of the child, things will all work out.
The fact is that a wannabe celebrity mom goes through the same trials and legal hoops as regular folks. For all their popularity, the same rules and adoption issues still apply with only one exception – money. Having deeper pockets, and maybe the connections, allow celebrities to pay for the adoption right away and kick start the legalities involved in such an undertaking.
Unfortunately, there is this pertinent public opinion that celebrities get an edge because they are able to bend certain rules. Experts believe this to be unfounded. The myth was born out of our own desire to succeed, albeit inconspicuously, through celebrities who epitomize the meaning of the “great American experience.”
Many celebrities argue that they didn’t bypass any roadblocks that lengthen the adoption process. In fact, the government is more suspicious of them with issues of privacy always a top concern. Their inability to attend required seminars and training is often scrutinized as well. In that light, regular folks might have the slight advantage.
The hope for many celebrity parents, like most parents, is that the right baby would find them. As long as parents remain patient during the waiting game portion of the process, and if they can give what the law believes to be the best interest of the child, things will all work out.
Through proper legal channels and efforts of a trustworthy legal professional, it will eventually. Most celebrity adoptions are anonymous affairs where the role of legal professionals is of such great importance in the success of the adoption.
Unfortunately, there is this pertinent public opinion that celebrities get an edge because they are able to bend certain rules. Experts believe this to be unfounded. The myth was born out of our own desire to succeed, albeit inconspicuously, through celebrities who epitomize the meaning of the “great American experience.”
Many celebrities argue that they didn’t bypass any roadblocks that lengthen the adoption process. In fact, the government is more suspicious of them with issues of privacy always a top concern. Their inability to attend required seminars and training is often scrutinized as well. In that light, regular folks might have the slight advantage.
The hope for many celebrity parents, like most parents, is that the right baby would find them. As long as parents remain patient during the waiting game portion of the process, and if they can give what the law believes to be the best interest of the child, things will all work out.
Through proper legal channels and efforts of a trustworthy legal professional, it will eventually. Most celebrity adoptions are anonymous affairs where the role of legal professionals is of such great importance in the success of the adoption.
About The Author
Victor Dela Casa
is a Filipino-Canadian who spent over a decade working as a business
professional in Canada. Worked in IT, finance, marketing, international
trade, public service, project management and the maritime industry.
Earned degree in Economics from the University of the Philippines and
Business Administration Honours from Eastern College. Currently based in
the Philippines and working as a professional writer for a
multi-national business processes firm.
Posted on
Keywords: tax season, identity thieves, federal theft charges
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Each year, around April, Americans are engaged in the annual tax rage. With tax season in its final month, Americans are hurrying to prepare their 1040 tax returns.
At the same time, several media outlets, including the government, are warning filers of identity thieves and scam artists on the prowl for their next victims. These individuals could face federal theft charges and serious penalties if proven and convicted of such crimes.
As theft activity rises, the Internal Revenue Service or IRS released their annual top 12 or “dirty dozen” list of tax-time frauds and scams for 2013. In it, identity theft and refund fraud once again led all other 11 listed crimes remaining as the most prevalent and common form of criminal activity this time of the year in the last few years.
There is big money involved and desperate criminals are known to dip their hands into that cookie jar risking getting caught. With the emergence of new technology, criminal minds have taken their business into cyberspace as well. They’ve invaded social media and cellular technology making it a global operation.
The list also includes other top criminal activities such as phishing, return preparer fraud, income hiding, false reporting, and social security scams just to name a few.
Identity theft, of course, remains to be a major problem. The IRS reportedly investigated more than 1,460 cases since October 2011. Last year alone, 12.6 million Americans were hit by identity fraudsters and over $21 billion were stolen including tax refund monies.
There is big money involved and desperate criminals are known to dip their hands into that cookie jar risking getting caught. With the emergence of new technology, criminal minds have taken their business into cyberspace as well. They’ve invaded social media and cellular technology making it a global operation.
Because of this, the IRS warns tax-filers to be cautious and careful of their identities this time of the year. Their website offers tools and other tips that might help individuals from falling prey to scam artists.
Keywords: tax season, identity thieves, federal theft charges
About The Author
Victor Dela Casa
is a Filipino-Canadian who spent over a decade working as a business
professional in Canada. Worked in IT, finance, marketing, international
trade, public service, project management and the maritime industry.
Earned degree in Economics from the University of the Philippines and
Business Administration Honours from Eastern College. Currently based in
the Philippines and working as a professional writer for a
multi-national business processes firm.
