Showing posts with label Social Causes. Show all posts

Gay marriage supports want a date with Chick-Fil-A's CEO



Gay marriage supporters are petitioning for a dinner with Chick-Fil-A's CEO Dan Cathy.

Marylsa and Marci Alt, a gay couple who have two children, started a petition on Change.org a day after Chick-Fil-A's successful Appreciation Day.

"I hope Mr. Cathy will join my family for dinner, where we can share a respectful dialogue about our faith, work , and families here in Georgia," said Marci. "It's important that Mr. Cathy meet the people his company is donating millions to stand against. I'll even make chicken."

The Alt family also organized a protest called, " National Same-Sex Kiss Day at Chick-Fil-A."

Gay couples will spend the day taking photos of themselves kissing in front of the Christian-oriented restaurant.

It will take place in Decatur, Georgia on Friday.

Christians support Chick-Fil-A in a big way



Thousands of Christians joined in on Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day on Wednesday.

"The goal is simple," said Former Arizona Governor Mike Huckabee. "Let's affirm a business that operates on Christian principles and whose executives are willing to take a stand for Godly values we espouse by simply showing up and eating at Chick-Fil-A on Wednesday, August 1."

Over 600,000 people RSVP'd the event after Huckabee's announcement.

The restaurant, which is openly Christian-oriented, faced criticism after Chick-Fil-A CEO Dan Cathy revealed that he does not support gay marriage.

India faces largest power outage in its' history



India faced the largest power outage in its' history on Tuesday.

The blackout happened after 3 power grids collapsed.

Even though power was restored in most areas later that evening, it still did not keep people from feeling disappointed in their country.

"Now my power is empty. I am hungry. I am tired. The government is responsible," said Jaswant Kaur, a 62-year-old woman whose train was stalled after the shortage.

Bharatiya Janata's Parkash Javadekar called it, "a huge failure."

Over 650 million people were affected by outage.

(Source)

Colorado shooting suspect charged



Colorado shooting suspect James E. Holmes was charged on Monday.

The suspect was charged with 24 counts of first degree murder and 116 counts for attempted murder.

He was also charged with one count of possession of explosives and one count of a crime of violence.

Holmes' court appearance was not televised this time around, but he did speak to the judge after being asked about a bail hearing in November.

Last week, the world was introduced to a red-headed Holmes who killed 12 and wounded 58 during a Batman screening.

(Source)

FBI find shocking notebook mailed from Colorado shooter



The FBI announced the discovery of a notebook mailed from Colorado shooter James E. Holmes to a university professor on Wednesday.

Officials told media that the notebook featured detailed writings and illustrations mapping out plans for a mass murder.

Police found the notebook after Holmes described it in grave detail on Monday.

Holmes' attack on moviegoers during a Batman screening left 12 dead and 58 injured.

Christian Bale visits Colorado

[caption id="attachment_3944" align="aligncenter" width="485"] via twitter.com/7Marshall[/caption]

Batman's Christian Bale visited Colorado shooting victims on Tuesday.

The picture (above) features Carey Rottman, a victim who was shot in the leg, with Bale in the hospital.

Bale released a statement on the tragedy last Saturday.

"Words cannot express the horror that I feel," he said. "I cannot begin to truly understand the pain and grief of the victims and their loved ones, but my heart goes out to them."

The shooting, which took place during a Batman screening, left 12 dead and 58 wounded.

(Source)

 

Sally Ride, the first American women in space, has died



Sally Ride, the first American women to fly in space, died after a battle with pancreatic cancer on Monday.

Ride became the first American women to fly in space on the U.S Challenger in 1983.

"As the first American women to travel in space. Sally was a national hero and a powerful role model," said U.S. President Barack Obama. "She inspired generations of young girls to reach for the stars and later fought tirelessly to help them get there by advocating for greater focus on science and math in our schools. Sally's life showed us that there are no limits to what we can achieve and I have no doubt that her legacy will endure for years to come."

She was 61.

(Source

Colorado shooting suspect makes first court appearance


Colorado shooting suspect, James E. Holmes, made his first court appearance on Monday.

The 24-year-old red head looked dazed and spent most of his time trying to stay awake.

Over 40 of the victim's family members watched in the courtroom. He did not answer any questions.

The nation was shocked on Friday after Holmes killed 12 and wounded 59 during a Batman screening.

'The Joker' kills 12 during Batman screening



A man who goes by 'The Joker' killed 12 and wounded 59 at a Batman screening in Colorado on Friday.

The suspect, whose real name is James E. Holmes, gassed the theater before shooting at his victims with an AR-15 rifle, 12 gauge shotgun, and a .40 caliber handgun.

Witnesses say he was dressed in full body protective gear, a gas mask, and black gloves.

The filmmakers behind the movie are "deeply saddened" by the incident and have canceled the movies' Paris premiere.

Sean Hannity interviews George Zimmerman

Fox News' Sean Hannity sat down with George Zimmerman, who killed 17 year old Trayvon Martin, on Wednesday.

During the interview, Zimmerman told Hannity: "I hope it's the most difficult thing I'll ever have to go through in my life."

When Hannity asked, "Do you feel you wouldn't be here for this interview if you didn't have that gun?"

Zimmerman  replied, " I feel it was all God's plan..."

Tracey Martin, who is the mother of Trayvon Martin, released a statement, saying : "We must worship a different God because there is no way that my God would have wanted George Zimmerman to kill my teenage son."

Watch the interview (below):



Aung San Suu Kyi to visit US



Burma's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi will be visiting the US in September.

During her visit, she will meet with government officials and receive awards from the US Congress and the Atlantic Council think tank.

Patrick Ventrell, a US State Department spokesperson, told media : "We look forward to an appropriate date welcoming Aung San Suu Kyi here to the State Department and her having bilateral meetings in the US."

Suu Kyi spent over 20 years on house arrest before being released in 2010.

She made her debut in the Myanmar Parliament after a 2 week European tour.

Nelson Mandela turns 94



Civil Rights Icon Nelson Mandela turned 94 on Wednesday.

Mandela, who was South Africa's first black president, will spend his birthday with his family in Qunu.

While Mandela celebrates privately, the world is celebrating in a big way.

Over 10 million South African children sung Happy Birthday to the anti-apartheid icon.

U.S President Barack Obama released a statement , saying: "Mandela has changed the arc of history, transforming his country, the continent, and our world."

Boy Scouts continue Ban on Gays



The Boy Scouts of America has decided to continue its' longtime ban on gays.

Bob Mazzuca, who is a Boy Scout chief executive, told AP that most are in favor of the policy.

'The vast majority of the parents of youth we serve value their right to address issues of same-sex orientation within their family, with spiritual advisers and at the appropriate time and in the right setting," he said. "We fully understand that no single policy will accommodate the many diverse views among our membership or society."

Eagle Scout Zach Wells is not in the majority and believes the organization used a biased committee to get its' way.

"Why not put out a call and make it a democratic process?" he said. "Why have a secretive committee make the decision?"

The ban was challenged in 2000, but won out with a 5-4 Supreme Court ruling.

First Woman voted to lead African Union Commission



The African Union Commission elected a female as its' head for the first time on Sunday.

South African Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma ran against Jean Ping and won 37-17.

When Dhlamini-Zuma was asked what she would bring to the African Union Commission, she said:

"Like a doctor, you first diagnose and then you treat. I will have to take it from there."

George Zimmerman wants a new judge



George Zimmerman, the man who killed Trayvon Martin, asked for a new judge on Friday.

Lawyers for Zimmerman accused Judge Kenneth Lester of being biased and giving 'a personal opinion' during a July 5 bond hearing.

"In doing so, the court has created a reasonable fear in Mr. Zimmerman that this court is biased against him and because of this prejudice he cannot receive a fair and impartial trail or hearing by this court," the statement said.

Zimmerman's legal team requested a new judge in April after finding that the presiding judge's husband was asked to join his defense team.

Saudi Arabia to send women to Olympics



Saudi Arabia will be sending women to compete for the first time in Olympic history.

The competitors, Woodjan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shanr Khani and Sarah Attar, were named by the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee after being invited by the IOC.

"The IOC has been striving to ensure a greater gender balance at Olympic Games, and today's news can be seen as an encouraging evolution," said International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge.

"With Saudi Arabian female athletes now joining their fellow female competitors from Qatar and Brunei Darussalem it means that by London 2012 every national Olympic Committee will have sent women to the Olympic Games."

Women in Saudi Arabia are still withheld the privilege of driving, voting, or going to school.

Episcopal Church approves same sex marriage



The Episcopal Church approved same sex blessing services on Tuesday.

The policy approving the service was passed by the church's House of Deputies after being approved by the House of Bishops 111-41 on Monday.

"We have authorized a blessing, and a blessing is different than a marriage," said media affairs representative Nancy Davidge. " A blessing is a theological response to a monogamous , committed relationship."

This decision makes the Episcopal Church the largest U.S. denomination to support same-sex relationships.

Warlord Thomas Lubanga sentenced



Warlord Thomas Lubanga was sentenced to 14 years in prison on Tuesday.

Lubanga was found guilty of using children, who were under the age of 15, for his rebel army.

The former warlord will receive a 6 year credit for time already spent in custody. He has 8 years remaining.

His sentencing was the first given by the 10 year old International Criminal Court.

George Zimmerman has been released from jail



George Zimmerman, the man who killed Trayvon Martin, has been released from jail.

Zimmerman was released one day on $1 million bond after a judge determined that his actions were not enough to hold him without bail.

His original bond of $150,000 was revoked after prosectors proved that he and his wife lied about thier finances.

"We we hoping the bail would be considerably less than what it was. And we will take the judge's comments to heart but we don't neccesarily agree with him and we will decide what's next," said Zimmerman's attorney Don West.

Trayvon Martin's parents spoke to media about Zimmerman's release.

"As we said from the beginning we have stong faith in God," said Trayvon's father, Tracy Martin. "And we'll continue to lean on God and ask him to give us the faith in the justice system, and justice will prevail."

Judge sets $1 million bond for George Zimmerman



Judge Kenneth Lester, the man who is overseeing the Trayvon Martin case, set a $1 million bond for George Zimmerman on Thursday.

Zimmerman's original $150,000 bond was revoked after prosecutors proved that Zimmerman and his wife lied about their finances.

Lester is certain that Zimmerman took advantage of the system, but he does not believe it is enough to hold him without bail.

The court order states: "The court has, thus far,declined to exercise its contempt powers and the state failed to prove that the defendant be held without bond."

The court said that Zimmerman has the money needed for his release.

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