Will the Japanese people get the money donated to relief organizations?

Every time a tragedy happens, relief organizations start asking for donations for the areas affected. Immediately, we also start reading articles by those saying we shouldn't donate because the money won't end up with the people who need help. So what is the truth?
Most of the organizations asking for donations will use a part of the donations for their own operating costs, and a lot of this money will end up re-located to other projects, since you would be donating to the organization, not necessarily to a country. So should you still donate?

The answer is: Absolutely yes!!

There are a number of articles from people who prefer to criticize those doing something than to actually do anything about it. It is much easier to find reasons not to do something if you can do it without feeling guilty about doing nothing. That way you can just watch things unfold on tv, say "oh, too bad.." and go on with your life. Though there are often things to criticize, most of these people have never bothered doing their homework to find out what these groups have actually done.

So why am I defending the organizations?

Because they have, time and time again, been of great support to those struggling during some of the most difficult moments in their lives. They have the infrastructure, funds and ability to mobilize that is necessary during emergencies. All of that is part of what you are supporting with your donations. And most importantly, they are international organizations, which means that they already have centers in a lot of the countries where the tragedies happen. That is also true for Japan which has several Japanese branches of these organizations.

Take for example the American Red Cross. During Katrina, it mobilized more than 244,000 relief workers for its hurricane response efforts, helped more than 1.4 million families (more than 4 million people) with direct emergency assistance, served more than 68 million meals and snacks, provided more than 3.8 million overnight stays in more than 1,400 shelters, distributed more than 540,000 comfort kits and clean up kits and made almost 597,000 health services contacts and more than 826,000 mental health services contacts.

The Salvation Army provided shelter, food, water, ice, cleaning supplies, baby supplies, and hygiene products as well as spiritual and emotional care. It mobilized 178 canteen units and set up 11 field kitchens to serve more than 5.7 million hot meals, and 8.3 million sandwiches, snacks & drinks.

Both of these organizations, and so many more, helped relieve some of the suffering , and in many cases, saved countless lives, due to the donations from people like us.

Japan is now facing its biggest challenge in modern times. Its government is incredibly organized, but yet, the needs are enormous and many organizations have already started sending doctors (Red cross sent 400 in the first 24 hours), distributing blankets (about 50 thousand in the first 24 hours), food and water to Japanese people who have lost everything and to foreigners stranded in Japan. Most other organizations are sending supplies via affiliated Japanese organizations and getting ready to send supplies and volunteers to the most affected areas.

Japanese people are the largest donors to foreign aid organizations in the world. It is time we show our support when they need us the most.

For a list of organizations supporting the victims in Japan, visit:

http://beholders.org/good-news/callforhelp/228-japan-earthquake-and-tsunami-how-to-help-and-other-resources.html

How to help Japan

A good list of resources and ways to help the Japanese people after the tragic earthquake and tsunamis of March 10th, 2011, can be found at:

http://beholders.org/good-news/callforhelp/228-japan-earthquake-and-tsunami-how-to-help-and-other-resources.html

Big Man Japan - Wow

So I've been going through a very Japanese phase. It started when I began studying Taiko drumming a few months ago, then I started studying Japanese language and decided to fully immerse myself, so have been watching nothing but Japanese tv, listening to Japanese music and watching Japanese movies. Mostly I have found some jewels, but recently I was looking for a comedy and decided to watch "Big Man Japan".

I can honestly say I have never watched a movie even vaguely like that one. I still don't know how I feel about it, but I am going by the assumption that since it left me with such a deep impression, it must be good, maybe very good, maybe unique, or maybe just.. awful?

Well, I couldn't stop watching it, and certainly couldn't stop being amazed.

The story is a mockumentary of Japanese superheroes, and follows an aging superhero who is incredibly flawed and has a quite depressing life. Parallel to that are his fights against monsters who are invading Japan. There are actually many very interesting social commentaries and some of the scenes made me tear up I was laughing so hard, but as a whole the movie is just very, very, very strange...

Should you watch it? if you want to see a movie like you've never seen before... sure. Otherwise.. well, see it anyway...

Should Muslims be allowed to build a mosque at ground zero?

I received an email today from a young friend who had been sent some material against the proposed mosque at ground zero. He asked me about some points that troubled him. Whether it is insensitive to build a mosque there. Whether Muslims should be allowed to build a mosque in HIS city if they don't allow non-Muslims in Mecca. Why the west is tolerant of Islam if Islam isn't tolerant of America. He wanted to know if I agreed with those ideas. The questions caused me a lot of concern, so below was my answer:

Hi hon,

I am usually not for following the example of the lowest common denominator, by that I mean I don't follow the example of those I find to be small minded and hateful. First, I don't believe most Muslims want to destroy westerners. I believe that is an idea that is sold to Americans the same way that the idea that all Americans are like Bush, set on destroying Islam is sold to Arabic nations. I refuse to fall for that ridiculous claim. I believe that kind of hatred is most prevalent on uneducated or isolated groups, because the only information they have is fed to them by fundamentalists. Exactly like what happens here.

Ironically (or not), those ideas are mostly spread by people who have never had a relationship with Muslims, don't know anything about Islam, have never visited a Muslim country, don't speak Arabic, and have never had an educated conversation with Muslim communities. Somehow, nobody finds it odd that those people say they understand the minds and religion of Muslims. It's the same thing as saying that the religious fanatics in Arab countries understand Americans or Christians completely even though they have never visited the USA, don's speak English, don't understand Christianity and have based all their opinions on what some manipulative leader has told them. Odd, but commonly accepted here. Fundamentalists and prejudiced people here somehow find that is a legitimate way of judging 1.6 billion people, failing to see that if they really felt that way, we wouldn't be having a few terrorist attacks around the world, but instead, we would have a bomb exploding on a western country every minute.

Comparing all Muslims to terrorists is like comparing all Americans to the white supremacists (there are probably more of them in the world than terrorists anyway).

I think a mosque on the the WTC site is a great thing for human as well as practical reasons. For

human reasons because it would show that we have learned what intolerance, ignorance and hatred can cause, and that we know better than to follow that shameful example. That we understand that Muslims also died in the WTC attacks and that approximately 300 000 Muslims have been killed by American activities in the past 50 years. 100 times more people than were killed in the 9/11 attacks. The practical reasoning is that a new WTC would again become a major target for terrorist groups trying to make a point, and that having a mosque in the building could serve as a deterrent to attacks, since the heads of those cells would have to justify attacking a mosque to their brainwashed followers.

As for non Muslims being barred from entering Mecca. First, do keep in mind that Mecca is the holiest place in Islam, not a touristic spot. You are not a Muslim, so why would you need to go there? Secondly, the main way to tell when someone is not Muslim is because when someone doesn't know how to properly show respect, what their traditions are and what the respectful way to behave is, they aren't allowed in. Those kinds of limitations are common in most religions. On the other hand, non Muslims are welcome into most Muslim temples (and I can testify to that myself, since I have visited many) where people are sometimes guarded (no surprise), but welcome questions and discussions. I'd love to see if a Muslim woman wearing a Hajib entered some fundamentalist Christian church if they would get the same welcoming. Apparently people don't even want them to build a temple in NYC...and the Hijab was just banned in France... imagine that....

Secondly, it's not YOUR city. By YOUR city you are making the assumption that the city belongs to white, mostly Christian Americans. You aren't even in that group yourself, since you aren't religious. 40 - 50 percent of NYC are from another country. Muslims have been in the USA since the 1700's and about 10 - 15 percent of NYers are Muslims. This is their city too. They were also attacked when the WTC towers fell.

My opinions are not without criticism of both sides. I believe that both, moderate Muslims and moderate Christians aren't doing enough to educate people. Mostly that is caused by the large number of websites with extreme points and media like Fox (which is running, excitedly, the campaign against the Mosque if you look around) and the fact that the news media like extreme stories, not everyday people doing the right thing in peaceful ways.

Brainwashing people is easy, building up hatred is easy, blaming others for your problems is easy, fooling yourself that you are better than others is easy, spreading lies is easy. Just look around and see how people fail to see their own behavior when they blame others for acting just like them.

Doing the right thing... that's hard.

Inception - The dream is real

Many movies have been made about dreams and the fine line that separates our idea of what reality is and what is simply a creation of our mind, but few succeed at bringing you into that philosophical discussion while using special effects to create an action filled 148 minutes that manages to keep you on the edge of your seat while throwing you into the possibilities of those concepts head on, water deep and with the full impact of one's most perplexing dreams.

Inception, nurtured by the genious of Christopher Nolan and with an the excellent cast headed by Leonardo DiCaprio, is probably the Matrix or Blade Runner of our decade, a rare breed of action movie that is both, full of suspense, but also mind boggling at times.

It discusses the nature of reality and the fact that what we believe to be true is nothing but our brain's interpretation of what it perceives our world to be and that our mind can perceive illusions as real and create physical reactions that respond to what it creates.

Inceptions delves lightly into topics of insanity, parallel realities and dimensions, but presents them to the audience while whole worlds are folding in half, mountains collapse, people fight in zero gravity space and, of course, among a lot of shooting and car chases.

The movie can appeal to those who love special effects, to quantum physicists and phychologists, as well as teenage boys, but its complexity will annoy those who aren't willing to take an incredibly bumpy ride with Nolan among dreams within dreams that are also within dreams. The depth and intricacy of the puzzle can make you believe at times that it is all a figment of your own very confused mind, creating a dream you'd like wake up from, but can't.

Inception is well worth the discomfort, if you are willing to read between the lines and consider all the doors it opens. Brilliantly done!

futurama eye-phone

Another video about the iPhone 4. Check it out!

The truth about the iPhone 4

Very funny (though rude) take on the battle of the phones, with very real information about the iPhone4.

Avatar 1d (Avatar Sands)

We live in a world that should be working on finding alternative forms of energy to free us from oil. Tar Sand oil is one of the dirtiest and most expensive oils. Ask president Obama to reject the permit for the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline, which will increase our addiction to this dirtiest of oils. Watch the video to learn more and sign the petition below:

http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/676/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=3027

Reasons to love Android :)

We are the World - Africa and Haiti

This unbelievable song has once again been recorded to help relief pain in the world. From helping people in Africa in 1985 to it's newest recording, helping people in Haiti in 2010, it seems as fresh and relevant as always.

For Lyrics of the new version and both videos, the 1985 "We are the World for Africa" and the 2010 "We are the World for Haiti" can be found at:
http://beholders.org/good-news/suggestionoftheweek/198-wearetheword.html

Below are the lyrics to the original version:

There comes a time

When we head a certain call

When the world must come together as one

There are people dying

And it's time to lend a hand to life

The greatest gift of all

We can't go on

Pretneding day by day

That someone, somewhere will soon make a change

We are all a part of

God's great big family

And the truth, you know love is all we need

[Chorus]

We are the world

We are the children

We are the ones who make a brighter day

So let's start giving

There's a choice we're making

We're saving our own lives

It's true we'll make a better day

Just you and me

Send them your heart

So they'll know that someone cares

And their lives will be stronger and free

As God has shown us by turning stone to bread

So we all must lend a helping hand

[Chorus]

We are the world

We are the children

We are the ones who make a brighter day

So let's start giving

There's a choice we're making

We're saving our own lives

It's true we'll make a better day

Just you and me

When you're down and out

There seems no hope at all

But if you just believe

There's no way we can fall

Well, well, well, well, let us realize

That a change will only come

When we stand together as one

[Chorus]

We are the world

We are the children

We are the ones who make a brighter day

So let's start giving

There's a choice we're making

We're saving our own lives

It's true we'll make a better day

Just you and me

Better than YouTube

YouTube was created in 2005, but much like Google, it feels like it’s been around forever. We post our videos on YouTube, look for some silly entertainment during boring afternoons and send videos along to friends much like old ladies used to spread gossip around town not very long ago. But should you be limited to YouTube?

Let’s be honest, there is a whole world of streaming video online that most people have never seen because they have settled for YouTube.

Most sites have the same features, or features even better than YouTube has and some have a more specialized selection or much higher quality videos.

So here is a small sample of video sites you should check out that many people feel are better than YouTube.
Check out my article at:
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/top-12-sites-watch-videos-youtube/

10 Free Joomla Extensions You Can’t Live Without

Joomla is one of the most popular Content Management Systems (CMS) in the world, used in over 30 million sites, with over 200,000 community users and endless amounts of extensions. There are extensions for almost every purpose: social networking, advanced comment services, checkout services, easy-to-setup photo albums, the list is endless.
So how do you sort through all of them to find those that can really improve your visitors’ experience?
Click below for some of the free Joomla extensions you shouldn’t be without:
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/10-free-joomla-extensions-live/

Our Wish for you... That you keep on moving...

Happy Holidays :)

Another 9/11

I have found myself dreading the acknowledgement that it is again 9/11 for many reasons. Partly because it's a reminder of such a terrible tragedy, though I feel it is necessary to be reminded of those who died that day with a sense of respect and wishes for those left behind, who, because of the media attention, won't be able to pretend today is just another day like any other.
The second reason is because it reminds me of how the Bush administration has used all that suffering for its own benefit and has, as a result, caused twice as many deaths of Americans and an incredible number of civilian deaths. The justification for this atrocity is so beyond my comprehension I decided to just let the numbers speak for themselves.

Number of deaths 9/11 2001 = 2,993
Number of deaths of American soldiers in Iraq as of today = 4,261
Number of Iraqi deaths (mostly civilians) as of today = 101,539

Then how is one to face yet another 9/11? I decided to just allow myself to be reminded of how we felt then, when compassion from others for the violence we had suffered and a deep sense that killing people unjustifiably was an unreasonable and vicious act was the focus. When we couldn't imagine causing those deaths ourselves. Who knew what was to come...

David Letterman's words that day. A rare and raw moment of humanity in american television:

Tay Zonday, underdog conquers obstacles

Tay is one of those unique musicians that would never have been considered "cool enough" for most music companies. Well, the power of the internet has showed its face because he is becoming an overnight sensation. His unique style, unique voice, and, gee, unique everything else has given him a cult following.

Michael Jackson in Brazilian slum

Michael Jackson singing "They don't really care about us" with a school of samba in one of Brazil's largest slums.

Why do people care that Michael Jackson has died?

It is during a time like this, when a huge celebrity dies, when people are gathering on the streets and crying over the loss that makes us all wonder why. Why do people care that much? Why is it that all the media outlets that constantly used him as a way of making money by pointing every single flaw, now treat him like a dear lost friend? The answer is simple:

There is one thing this culture enjoys more than making idols, and that is to destroy them, and it's particularly successful at that. Truth is, we will never know for sure what Michael Jackson did, what he didn't do. Is it possible that he's done a lot of harm? Of course it is, but we simply don't know. It is also very possible he paid people off for knowing he would have never had a chance in court. His weird behavior had been reported by the media for years and had become a joke of sorts. He exposed himself and his flaws in the most human of ways, and yet, people stopped looking at him as a human being, a child prodigy who was made even more flawed by living such a surreal life. People forget that behind the shiny gloves and the dance moves, was someone's child, someone's parent, someone's friend and that some basic human courtesy is due.

What cannot be denied is that he was the creator of the songs that permeated millions of lives. To me, he represents kids dancing on the streets while we tried to copy Thriller, dance parties and dressing up with a single shiny glove and having people think that was cool. Wondering what moves he'd come up with and understanding we could have never guessed.

He was absolutely unique. Not thinking and behaving like everyone else is what made him so brilliant, even if that is what made him lose his boundaries later in life.

"We are the World" was my first exposure to the fact that children were hungry in places other than Brazil and that solving it at home was not enough. "Beat it" showed homeless kids in the streets of Brazil that they could dance like "Makel"( how they called him) and make enough to have a few meals and have people actually clap and sing along instead of pretending they didn't exist. People all over the world have stories, moments in their lives and reasons to associate them with one of his songs and the wonder that it just seemed soooo perfect at the time.

That joy and that talent is what people are mourning. It is sad to know we will never see that talent in action again. RIP, Michael. It's about time...

Amazing follow up on Filipino singer, Charise Pempengco.

First saw this filipino girl sing when she was 12 years old doing a crazy Korean talent show and she blew me away. Few people can sing with their whole soul no matter how old they are. Amazingly she is even better today, at 16!!!

Below, Charise today with lyrics to her new song: Note to God.

It is our turn. Help president Barack Obama. Service is the way to change things.

Yes, we can...make history. Obama wins.

November 4th, 2008 will be known to history as the day Americans woke up from a dark, greedy, ignorant, aggressive, selfish, destructive, war loving and uneducated view of the world to a time of moderation, unity, intelligence, diversity and yes, major change.

As I walked down the street, shortly after the announcement that the African American Barack Hussein Obama (yes, even with a name like that) had been elected president of the United States, restaurants and bars exploded with cheer, people screamed Obama and honked their horns on the streets. Millions country wide felt a need to gather in public places and filled Times Square, national parks and surrounded the White House.
One stranger looked at me after I screamed Obama and said, "I am walking to Times Square. Who's with me?" And about 200,000 were there that night, with him. People of all races, all faiths, all social economic status were there to prove that what had separated us for so long had begun to finally crumble, not just in theory, but in a presidential election. Complete strangers gave me high fives when they recognized that my smile mirrored their own relief. And oh, so many of us cried tears of joy at the knowledge that a new era had begun, and that it had been brought about by people who had finally united to say ENOUGH...

Sometimes it takes hitting rock bottom for a revolution to happen and we'd been on the bottom for a while now. So now that the air feels lighter, and the world seems to once again be celebrating something American, what has really changed?

The basics are obvious. Obama has built his campaign on reform of the economy, so it benefits people, not large corporations. On health care reform, so people won’t die from lack of treatment in a country as rich as this one. On immigration reform, so those who are working the hardest jobs in this country will have a chance to do so legally and contribute with taxes. On international reform, so the rest of the world stops fearing that the USA will continue to bully smaller countries to take their resources and attack without provocation, which should bring more stability and less aggressive behavior against America, as well as reducing the number of unnecessary deaths of young American people who have been sent abroad under false pretenses. And also on the constitutional values that we are all created equal and should have the same rights, no matter what your race, religion or sexual preference.

It is also all about small, but major steps. It started early in the day, with the excitement brewing just beneath the surface, when I heard a teenage African American girl talking to a friend and saying "I think I could be a good politician. I care about injustices and my teacher says I am a really good debater."
That seems like a simple small comment, but embedded in it is the transition from the victimized, angry position which some African Americans have found themselves, to the knowledge that.. "Yes, you can.", and if you think the color of your skin is the reason not to try, look at your president. For once, the example African American youth will see are not drug dealers on tv shows and video games and rappers with women shaking their bodies to them and giant diamond jewelry with references to violence and crime, but a Harvard educated, gracious and centered minded man, who has at his side an equally educated, intelligent and independent woman. A man who cares about his family and who happens to have become the president of the United States, against all odds. Her comment also shows another change, the thought that politicians can be there to HELP people. Something we haven't seen in about 8 years.

Talking to another teenage friend, one who had traveled, called and knocked on doors during this campaign, I was moved by one of her comments. She said “In all of my life, this is the first time I have something good I can tell my children I've been part of. So far it has only been tragedies... Bush president, 9/11, wars, Tsunami, Katrina... This is the happiest thing I've ever been a part of." She is one of many teenagers I know who traveled from NYC to Pennsylvania, Ohio, North Carolina, not because their parents went, but because they wanted their voices heard, even if they couldn't vote. And their voices were loud, determined and demanding a better future. Young people made this election a success because they haven't learned to be cynical and hopeless yet. Now there is hope that they never will.

So here we are. In the same country that "elected" Bush for the second time only four years ago, with an African American president with a weird name. With young people participating in politics and people celebrating a new elected president with complete strangers.

As a poster seen on tv from the coverage in Chicago said:
“Hold on people. Help is on the way. Obama is president...”



The numbers are below:
By winning 52 percent of the popular vote, Barack Obama joined the ranks of FDR and LBJ in being the only Democratic presidents to get more than 51 percent of the popular vote in the past 100 years.
52.3% of the popular vote to McCain's 46.2%
349 of the electoral votes, to McCain's 159
18% of the voters were aged 18-29. 66% of them voted for Obama
1 in 10 voters were voting for the first time.
13% of the voters were African American. 96% of them voted for Obama.
77% of the Jewish vote
%55 percent of young white voters supported Obama. No Democratic president in history has won more than 45% of young white.
67% of the Hispanic vote