Thursday, April 30, 2009

DALILI ZA KUPATWA NA KIHARUSI

Imetoka kwa Dr. Weil.com (tafsiri ya Kiswahili ni yangu).

1. Upofu wa ghafla wa jicho moja au yote mawili
2. Kuishiwa nguvu au kupoteza fahamu sehemu moja ya mwili, pamoja na usoni
3. Kuongea kwa shida
4. Kuchanganyikiwa au kupoteza kumbukumbu
5. Kujisikia kizunguzungu, viungo kushindwa kujihimili
6. Kuumwa kichwa kwa ghafla bila chanzo maalum.

Be aware of these typical stroke symptoms:
  1. Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes
  2. Weakness or numbness on one side of the body, including the face
  3. Difficulty speaking
  4. Disorientation, confusion, or memory loss
  5. Dizziness, loss of balance, or loss of coordination
  6. Severe headache that comes on suddenly with no apparent cause

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

WENZETU UINGEREZA WAMEFIKIA HAPA KATIKA MASUALA YA KUFAHAMU UHALIFU

Online Punishment Checks For Local Crimes

People might soon be able to find out online how crimes committed in their area are being punished. Skip related content

Users would enter their postcode into a website to find out sentences relevant to their community and could also be able to search by the offender's name or the type of crime.

It means residents will be able to see which burglars and other criminals have targeted their neighbourhoods and what punishments they were given upon conviction.

The justice mapping site currently uses dummy information but could become a reality if it is successful.

The website is one of several measures designed to give communities more say in the way justice is delivered in their local areas, as well as making local criminal justice agencies more accountable.

Some of the initiatives, outlined in the Engaging Communities In Criminal Justice Green Paper, will be piloted in 30 areas across England and Wales.

They include introducing community impact statements so that local people can give their views on the effects of crimes in their area.

The Government will also be consulting on using "restorative justice" with adults.

Police have already used the technique with young offenders, confronting them with the consequences of their actions and giving them the chance to make amends to their victims.

The Government also plans to recruit magistrates from a wider range of backgrounds by looking at ways to make it easier for people working full-time to join the bench.

Justice Secretary Jack Straw said: "The package we are announcing represents a fundamental shift towards giving communities more of a say in the justice system.

"People must have more influence in how justice is delivered in their villages, towns and cities."

The website has the support of civil rights group Liberty.

A spokesman told Sky News: "This is a world away from the dangerous mob justice of requiring people to wear degrading uniforms or anything that whips up violence instead of preventing it."

TUOMBE TUSIFIKWE NA MAAMBUKIZI YA MAFUA YA NGURUWE

Imetoka realhealth@heathiernews.com - Dr. W.C. Douglass

THE UNHOLY ALLIANCE BETWEEN MEDIA AND BIG PHARMACIES ON SWINE FLU - Kumbe hali ya sekta ya Afya nchini Mexico haina tofauti na ya kwetu Tanzania, hivyo itokeapo tutapata mwambukizaji nchini mwetu, basi hali itakuwa hiyo hiyo kama ya nchini Mexico. Habari hii inathibitisha.

Media pigs misinforming public about so-called "epidemic" Dear Friend, Those filthy swine... The swine flu "epidemic" is only a few days old, and Big Pharma is already plotting to make a fortune. European drug maker Roche announced it was scaling up production of Tamiflu, giving a boost to its stock price and sending millions into the Roche coffers. GlaxoSmithKline, which makes the anti-flu drug Relenza, is also seeing its stock price climb, as investors hope this swine flu is the biggest thing since the bubonic plague. There's only one problem here – it's not going to happen. You read the Daily Dose because I always give you the straight scoop, and because I'm not afraid to tell you when the mainstream has it wrong. And they have it wrong on swine flu. It won't be an epidemic – it'll barely even be a ripple. I've run medical clinics in Africa – I know what an epidemic looks like. And this isn't it. The media is blowing swine flu out of proportion so it can feed its 24-hour news cycle – the same media, mind you, that had us convinced that avian flu was going to destroy the planet a few years ago. But here are the facts about swine flu – it has affected so few people in America that it's hardly worth discussing. There are 64 confirmed cases in America as I'm writing this – not 6,000 or even 600. There are 64. Of course, the media is fixated on the 100 or so people who have died in Mexico from the swine flu. But let me clue you into something that no one seems to be discussing – health care in Mexico is ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE. I know – I've been there more times than I can count. Disease spreads rapidly through Mexico because large areas of the country lack clean water and basic sanitation. Seeing a doctor – let alone a qualified doctor – is a luxury unavailable to most of the population. Of course the flu is killing people in Mexico – so are a lot of other diseases that are successfully treated in America. People in Mexico still die from diarrhea, for Pete's sake!

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

KUJIKINGA NA MAAMBUKIZI YA MAFUA YA NGURUWE

Tahadhari za maambukizi ya ugonjwa wa "Swine Flu" kama zilivyochapichwa ukurasa wa tano (5) wa gazeti la Washington, DC la "The Examiner" la Jumanne, tarehe 28 Aprili, 2009.

1. Ukijisikia unaumwa, usiende kazini wala wanao wasiende shule.
2. Osha mikono yako mara kwa mara kuliko zamani na tumia sabuni zenye kemikali za kuulia wadudu.
3. Funika mdomo wako unapokohoa au unapopiga chafya
4. Toa taarifa mapema kwa Waganga namna unavyojisikia ili nao wachukue tahadhari

NAMNA YA KUTAMBUA UGONJWA HUO
1. Kupata homa
2. Kukohoa
3. Kuugua Koo linalokwaruza
4. Kuziba pua
5. Kububujikwa na mafua puani.

Dr. Frank Calia wa Chuo Kikuu cha Maryland amesema ugonjwa huu huchukua kati ya siku moja hadi siku tatu kumpata binadamu. Ndio maana anaamini kwamba ni wale tu waliosafiri hivi karibuni nchini Marekani kuelekea kwenye nchi zenye ugonjwa huo ndio waliomo katika hatari ya kuuambukiza.

HASIRA ZA KUFIKIA KUJIDHURU KWA KUJITIA KILEMA?

Serbian's DIY amputation protest


Serbian's Do It Yourself (DIY) amputation protester Zoran Bulatovic used a hacksaw to remove his digit finger and said "it hurt like hell".

He said some workers at the Raska Holding textile factory in Novi Pazar had been waiting years to be paid, and had nothing to eat, so he ate his finger to make an example.

His colleagues threatened to follow suit, one at a time, but any further DIY amputations have been put on hold until talks are held with the Government on Tuesday.

Raska was once a major textile firm, but its workforce has dwindled from 4,000 in the 1980s to around 100.

Some of its staff have not been paid for years, only receiving benefits such as medical care.

USAMBAAJI WA UGONJWA HATARI WA "SWINE INFLUENZA"

Kama wenzetu waliondelea wanashindwa kudhibiti ugonjwa huu, sijui sisi katika nchi zinazoendelea tufanyeje?

Swine flu spreads, containment seen as 'unfeasible'

World health officials admitted they were powerless to halt the spread of swine flu and ratcheted up their pandemic alert level as the number of affected countries rose sharply on Tuesday.

As Mexico, epicentre of the outbreak, said 152 people were now believed to have died from the virus, the number of known cases in the US more than doubled while six other countries said they had confirmed their first casualties.

In Asia, where memories of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak in 2003 remain fresh, governments tried to contain the spread of the virus, screening travellers from affected areas and advising against non-essential travel to Mexico.

But the World Health Organization (WHO) said border screenings "don't work," while the EU's health commissioner said there was no need for travel restrictions.

"Border controls do not work. Screening doesn't work," WHO spokesman Gregory Hartl said in Geneva.

"If a person has been exposed or infected... the person might not be symptomatic at the airport," he said. "We learn as we go on. SARS was a huge learning experience for all of us."

The WHO raised its flu pandemic alert level from three to four on Monday night -- signalling a "significant increase in the risk of a pandemic."

Keiji Fukuda, acting WHO assistant director-general for health, security and the environment, said late on Monday that given the widespread nature of the virus, all corners of the world are at potential risk.

"I think that in this age of global travel, where people move around in airplanes so quickly, there is no region to which this virus could not spread," Fukuda said.

The outbreak was too "widespread to make containment a feasible" strategy, he added.

Nevertheless, he stressed that the UN health agency did not recommend closing borders or restricting travel.

"With the virus being widespread... closing borders or restricting travel really has very little effects in stopping the movement of this virus," he said.

Fukuda's line was echoed by the European Union health commissioner Androulla Vassiliou who said that while precautionary measures were advisable, "at this juncture I don't see any point on restricting travelling."

But reflecting the split in how to deal with the outbreak, France joined Britain in advising against all but essential travel to Mexico.

The sense of gloom was compounded by predictions from leading experts that a pandemic was now all but inevitable.

"It is very likely we are at the beginning of a pandemic. We are near there," said Yuen Kwok-yung, head of microbiology at the University of Hong Kong.

And Dmitry Lvov, head of the Russian Academy of Sciences' Institute of Virology, said: "The risk of a pandemic in the world is very high."

The Mexican government meanwhile said the probable national death toll from the virus had risen to 152, while the number of cases under observation reached 1,614.

Faster and more effective laboratory tests for the flu were to begin on Tuesday, Health Minister Jose Angel Cordova said.

"We're in the decisive moment of the crisis. The number (of deaths) will continue rising," Cordova said.

Mexico City, home to around 20 million people, remained eerily quiet with the capital's zoos, museums, churches, courts and many restaurants closed.

British tour operators, including Thomas Cook, halted holidays to Mexico after two people who returned to Scotland from a honeymoon in the resort town of Cancun fell ill with the swine flu virus.

Apart from Britain, the only confirmed cases of the virus in Europe were in Spain but suspected cases are being probed in Germany and Austria.

A total of 44 people are thought to have been infected in the United States while Canada has six cases.

And in a further illustration of its global reach, Israel and New Zealand both confirmed their first swine flu casualties.

In Asia, Thai medical authorities placed a woman in quarantine in hospital while South Korea investigated a "probable" victim. Australia meanwhile probed 70 possible cases.

WHO officials in China said they were investigating several people with suspicious symptoms, but played down the chances that any were likely infected.

"Swine flu is an international problem now, it's crossed two continents, it's got to be dealt with by international agreements," said British Prime Minister Gordon Brown as his government called a meeting of its COBRA crisis cell.

TUJIHADHARI VIPI NA HII "SWINE FLU"?

Katika habari hii, hatuelezwi na wataalam kwamba tujihadhari au tujikinge vipi na ugonjwa huu hatari.

First Mideast swine flu case confirmed in Israel

In the first case of swine flu in the Middle East, an Israeli man who recently returned from Mexico was on Tuesday confirmed to have contracted the potentially deadly virus, officials said. Skip related content

"The virus was confirmed," said Matilda Schwartz, spokeswoman for the Laniado hospital in the coastal city of Netanya, where the man had been under observation since Sunday morning.

"He is in quarantine, he is feeling well," she said, referring to 26-year-old Tomer Vajim who had returned from a trip to Mexico on Friday.

"It is now official that the swine flu has arrived in Israel," said army radio in announcing the results of the tests performed on Vajim.

It marks the first confirmed case in the Middle East of a flu that the World Health Organisation has warned has "pandemic" potential.

Vajim was hospitalised over the weekend complaining of flu symptoms.

Another 49-year-old Israeli who had also recently been to Mexico is currently under quarantine in a hospital in the centre of the country while undergoing tests to determine whether he has contracted the flu.

"It is an epidemic that is affecting the entire world, there is no reason that Israel would escape it," said Ran Balitzer, a doctor who has been put in charge of dealing with the swine flu issue at the Israeli health ministry.

He said ministry officials were holding consultations to determine whether to introduce any new prevention measures following the confirmed flu case.

Because pork is banned under Jewish law, Israel's Deputy Health Minister Yakov Litzman of the ultra-religious United Torah Judaism party has said the virus should be called "Mexican flu" in Israel, although his call appeared to go unheeded.

The multi-strain virus has swept the world in recent days, with at least 17 countries far beyond worst-hit Mexico reporting confirmed or suspected infections.

Mexico, the epicentre of the outbreak, said the number of confirmed and suspected deaths from the flu had risen to 152, while some 1,600 people were thought to be infected there.

The number of confirmed cases in the United States more than doubled to 44 and Britain and Spain both said they had registered patients sick with swine flu, the first cases in Europe.

In Asia, South Korea said it was investigating one suspected infection, while New Zealand, which is already treating 10 people who are expected to prove positive, reported a further 56 suspected cases.

In Australia, five people, including children, had tested positive for a type A virus -- to which swine flu belongs -- in the state of New South Wales, with a further 65 possible cases spread across the rest of the country.

The virus is believed to be a mix of a human flu virus and an avian flu that first came from swine.

The strain has aroused particular concern because it appears to be transmitted from human to human and in Mexico has afflicted healthy young adults rather than infants or the elderly.

Influenza caused three epidemics during the 20th century, the worst being the Spanish flu between 1918 and 1919 that killed at least 40 million people, according to the WHO.

Monday, April 27, 2009

WAHAMIAJI WAJUMUIKA KUANDAMANA KUDAI HAKI ZAO

Nchini Marekani kuna Wahamiaji wengi sana. Nazungumzia Wahamiaji wenye elimu ya Kusoma na Kuandika wasio na Ugwiji katika jambo lolote lile.

Kuna wale waitwao Wahamiaji Halali ambao huingia kwa misimu kwa Ruhusa Maalum ya Serikali ya Marekani kuja kuchuma maua na pilipili na mboga zingine mashambani wakati wa kuzivuna. Hii ni nguvukazi ambayo hutokea nchi jirani na Marekani kama vile Mexico. Kisha kuna wahamiaji wengine ambao huingia kama vile wanakuja likizo kwa ndugu zao kisha kuzamia wakitafuta riziki ya kibarua chochote ili waishi. Hawa ndio Wahamiaji Haramu maana hawafahamiki na Serikali na Serikali yenyewe imeacha siku nyingi kushughulika kuwatafuta watu kama hawa. Namna ya kuweza kuwafahamu tu ni pale itokeapo mtu amefanya kosa na katiwa mikononi mwa polisi. Kimbembe ndio kinaanzia hapo. Na sehemu kubwa ya wanaoandamana kudai haki zao siku hiyo ya Wafanyakazi Duniani ya Mei Mosi, 2009 ndio hawa. Tangazo lao hili hapa chini.

May 1st 2009: March for Immigrant Justice (Andamana kwa ajili ya Haki za Wahamiaji)

(aquí para información en español)

Friday, May 1st

3 pm- Malcolm X Park (direction are here)

4 pm- March to the White House

Our Demands:

-Stop the Raids and Deportations

-Just and Humane Immigration Reform

-End the 287(g) Agreements (No Local Enforcement of Unjust Immigration Law)

This is a critical time for all those who support the immigrant community to mobilize. President Obama has restated his commitment to putting forward immigration reform legislation this year. We need to mobilize to make sure that this change becomes reality. Please join us!

This mobilization is sponsored by The National Capital Immigrant Coalition http://www.ncicmetro.org

NCIC includes: All Souls Church, American Friends Service Committee-DC, Archdiocese of Washington, African Resource Center, Barbara Chambers Children's Center, CASA of Maryland, Inc., Carlos Rosario International Public School Charter, Central American Resource Center (CARECEN), Centro Nía, Columbia Heights/Shaw Family Support Collaborative, Comité de Solidaridad Monseñor Romero, Detention Watch Network, Foundry United Methodist Church, Guatemala Human Rights Commission, Korean American Association of Maryland, La Clinica del Pueblo, La Unidad Latina-Gamma Epsilon Chapter, Laborers Union - Local 11, Latin American Youth Center, Latino Economic Development Corporation, Latino Federation of Greater Washington, Legal Aid Justice Center, Mary Center, Mexicanos Sin Fronteras, Migrant and Refugees Cultural Support, National Day Laborer Organizing Network, Public Justice Center, SEIU- Local 32BJ, SEIU MD-DC State Council, Stand for Our Neighbors, Tenants and Workers United, Unite Here Mid-Atlantic, and the United Food and Commercial Workers, Local 400

Endorsed by: CISPES, Amnesty International USA, Busboys and Poets, DC Alliance for Immigrant Justice, DC 51 Artist Collective, DC Jobs with Justice, DC Resistance Media Collective, DC Statehood-Green Party, DC Students for a Democratic Society, Empower DC, FMLN-DC, Global Justice Action, Gray Panthers of Metropolitan Washington, International Socialist Organization, Metro D.C. Interfaith Sanctuary Network, National Immigrant Solidarity Network, Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ, School of the America's Watch, SHARE Foundation, La Union de Trabajadores, and the Washington Peace Center

To endorse please email dthurston@casamd.org

VITA YA WENYEWE KWA WENYEWE ILIYOUNGANISHA SHIRIKISHO LA NCHI YA MAREKANI

Aprili 18, 2009 kikundi chetu cha Wanafunzi watokao Mataifa Yanayoendelea (Humphrey Fellows) tunaofadhiliwa na serikali ya Marekani (USA) tulitembelea uwanja wa mapambano ya Vita ya Wenyewe kwa Wenyewe wa Gettysburg, uliopo jimboni Pennsylvania. Katika uwanja huo ndipo ilipopiganwa vita kali kuliko zote katika miaka minne (4) ya Vita ya Wenyewe kwa Wenyewe ya Wamarekani kati ya mwaka 1861 hadi 1864.

Wamarekani wa Majimbo ya Kusini na wale wa Majimbo ya Kaskazini wakati huo walipigana Vita hivyo kwa sababu kuu ya kuachana na Utumwa. Wale wa Majimbo ya Kusini waliokuwa wakitegemea sana uchumi wao kwenye Kilimo kilichokuwa kikichangiwa nguvu kazi yake kuu na watumwa (Waafrika), na wale wa Kaskazini waliotaka kutokomeza Utumwa ili Watumwa hao watumike viwandani katika kuzalisha bidhaa mbalimbali. Hiyo ilikuwa ni sababu kuu mojawapo. Kama zilikuwapo nyingine msomaji wa habari hii utazikuta vitabuni kwani Wamarekani ni Mahiri sana katika kuandika Historia yao kinaga ubaga.

Tulipofika katika eneno la mapambano, kwanza tulipewa somo la kufahamu wakati huo vita ilipiganwa kwa kutumia silaha gani. Kila askari alitakiwa afungashe nini akienda vitani na medani ya vita yenyewe ilipiganwaje. Tukaambiwa hiyo bunduki ya uzani wa pauni 12 iliyotumika wakati huo ilikuwa ikitoa risasi moja moja tu. Kwa hiyo kila askari akilenga na kufyatua risasi moja, ilimbidi aingize risasi nyingine ili alenge adui mwingine. Kwa hiyo umahiri wa kutumia silaha hii ulitokana na mambo mawili. Kwanza ni uwezo wa kuingiza risasi haraka sana na uwezo wa kulenga shabaha kwa askari mwenyewe. Wakati huo magwiji wa kulenga shabaha "snipers" ndio waliokuwa wakiheshimiwa sana kwa sababu uwezo wao huo ndio uliokuwa tija kwa jeshi lolote. Pia katika upiganaji wao, Makamanda walikuwa wakipanda farasi katika uwanja wa vita, wakati askari wapiganaji walikuwa wakitembea kwa miguu.

Tulionyeshwa chakula waliokuwa wakisafiri nacho askari hao (aina ya mkate mgumu), risasi, bunduki, vifaa vya kulia chakula, kikombe cha maji, chombo cha kuchukulia maji/pombe, kinanda cha kuliza usiku, kifuko kilichokuwa na sindano na uzi wa kushonea jamanda la kijeshi likichanika vitani, na kadhalika.

Katika vita hivyo vya Gettysburg vilivyopiganwa kwa muda wa siku mbili, askari zaidi ya 51,000 waliathirika (casualties). Kuathirika huku ni pamoja na waliokufa, walioumia na waliopotea na kutojulikana walikokwenda, baada ya kuhesabiwa. Vita hivi vilipiganwa askari wakiangaliana kutoka mita kati ya mia tano na mia moja toka mstari wa adui hadi wa adui wa upande wa pili. Askari waliotoka majimbo ya Kusini waliitwa "Confederates" na wale waliotoka majimbo ya kaskazini waliitwa "Union". Kwa ujumla wake vita hii ilianza huo mwaka 1861 Confederates walikuwa na jeshi la askari zaidi ya 90,000 wakati wenzao wa kaskazini walikuwa na askari walizidi kidogo 60,000. Silaha za bunduki wakati huo zilikuwa zikitengenezwa katika viwanda jimboni Connecticut, ambalo ni jimbo la kaskazini. Hivyo wenzao wa Kusini walikuwa wakitegemea zaidi kuagiza silaha kutoka nchi za nje hasa Uingereza na Canada.

Kwa ujumla wake, wanahistoria wa Eneo hili la Gettysburg (Gettysburg National Military Park) wanasema Majeshi ya Kusini yalikuwa yanashinda vita hivyo na yalikuwa yanaelekea kwenye kupata ushindi wa jumla katika vita. Mapambano yaliyofanyika katika eneo hili ndio yalibadilisha matokeo ya vita hivyo kwa kuwa majeshi ya majimbo ya Kaskazini yalishinda chini ya Amiri Jeshi wao Mkuu, Rais Abraham Lincoln, rais wa 16 wa nchi hiyo aliyeingia madarakani mwaka 1860. Rais huyu anaheshimiwa sana katika historia ya nchi hii kwani ndiye aliyehakikisha kwamba Marekani haijitengi kuwa nchi mbili tofauti ya kusini na kaskazini bali inabaki kuwa nchi moja iliyotokomeza Utumwa chini ya utawala wake.

Katika mji huu mdogo wa Gettysburg, Wamarekani wameamua kuubakisha mji wao kama ulivyokuwa wakati wa Vita ya 1863. Sio katika maeneo yote, lakini sehemu kubwa ya majengo ya mji huu, mandhari yake, mavazi yake, vyakula vyake, na historia yake imehifadhiwa katika sehemu kubwa ya mji huu. Nilitembelea katika nyumba moja iliyoonyesha mashimo ya risasi iliyovurumishiwa wakati huo; mashimo yaliyozidi 100 na nyumba hiyo ilisimama imara (ya tofali la kuchoma).

Dada mmoja mchoraji mahiri aitwaye Bi. Amy V. Linenberger; ambaye ana ofisi yake hapo Gettysburg na anafanya maonyesho ya picha alizochora tulipomtembelea; alinionyesha baadhi ya michoro ya picha za askari wa wakati huo walivyokuwa wakionekana na majamanda yao ya kijeshi. Kuna hadithi inasimuliwa kwamba usiku kuna Msukule wa askari anakimbia mitaani akiwa ameshika mkono wake uliokatwa na unavuja damu( huku wanaita "ghosts" na kwetu tunaita Misukule). Dada huyu alinithibitishia kwamba hakutokei MSHINDI katika vita yoyote ile duniani, nami nilikubaliana naye.

Nikakumbuka vita yetu ya Kagera mwaka 1978 tuliyopigana tokana na uchokozi wa Nduli Iddi Amin Dada wa Uganda kuvamia Mkoa wa Kagera, nchini Tanzania, na nikaamini kweli hakuna MSHINDI vitani kwa sababu Tanzania ya leo hii mwaka 2009, bado inalipa madeni ya vita ile iliyochukua kama miezi miwili tu. Seuze hii ya miaka minne!. Hakuna Mshindi vitani.

Taarifa tunazopewa na vyombo vya habari kwamba eti Mmarekani au Tanzania imeshinda vita ni Siasa Tupu. Hakuna mshindi vitani kwa sababu gharama yake inakuwa ni kubwa sana na wala sizungumzii fedha. Gharama ya kupoteza binadamu vijana walio katika upeo wa maisha yao, wanaoumia na wanaopata Mifadhaiko, wanaoachwa wajane, vilema, mayatima, na mengine mengi ambayo hayahesabiki kifedha. Ni gharama kubwa mno kwa upande wowote ule wa pande mbili zinazopigana.

Katika matembezi yetu katika Hifadhi hiyo ya Majeshi ya Gettysburg, tulikutana na Mchungaji mmoja aliyetupatia picha ya watoto watatu iliyokutwa katika mmoja wa askari waliouwawa vitani hapo. Yaelekea askari huyo alikufa akiwa anaiangalia picha hiyo ya watoto wake waliokuwa kati ya miaka 3 na 6 hivi. Picha hiyo ilichukuliwa na kupelekwa katika vyombo vya habari wakati huo. Vyombo hivyo vikaitangaza picha hiyo magazetini na mama ya watoto alipatikana akiwa New York. Mama huyo alikuwa ameachana na mume yule askari. Baada ya kutangazwa aliwafuata watoto wake hao huko Gettysburg. Wasamaria wema na vyombo vya habari ndio vilisaidia kutangaza (hatima ya watoto hao) na michango yao ndio iliyosaidia kuanzisha Nyumba ya Kwanza ya Watoto Yatima mjini Gettysburg baada ya kumalizika vita hivyo.

Vita hii ilipiganwa kwa siku tatu mwezi Agosti, 1863. Kuanzia 1 - 3 Agosti, 1863. Siku tatu na kuacha Waathirika zaidi ya 51,000 ambao walikuwa wengi zaidi kuliko waathirika wa Vita vyote vya Vietnam waliopigana Wamarekani pia, vita iliyopiganwa miaka ya 1970; wakati ambao askari wa Marekani walikuwa na silaha kali zaidi, zilizouwa watu wengi zaidi kwa mara moja na silaha za kemikali za sumu. Silaha kama vile mabomu ya nyuklia, "Agent Orange", na "Machine Gun" zilizoweza kumwaga risasi kama upupu. Naomba tuelewane hapa. Hii idadi ya zaidi ya elfu hamsini ni ya askari wa Marekani TU waliouwawa. Sio idadi ya mamilioni ya Wananchi wa Vietnam walioangamia katika vita hii.

Endapo Majimbo ya kusini ya Marekani yangeshinda vita hivi, maana yake ni kwamba Marekani leo hii ingeendelea kuwa na Utumwa, na nchi hii ingekuwa ni nchi mbili tofauti sio nchi moja kama ilivyo sasa. Rais Lincoln ananukuliwa katika hotuba yake Maarufu sana ya kuunganisha nchi, aliyoitoa Novemba 19, 1863 wakati wa lala salama ya vita hivyo; kwani baada ya kushinda Gettysburg, majeshi ya Kusini yakaishiwa nguvu kwa sababu ya uchumi uliokuwa ukididimia, kukosa silaha (kwa sababu watengenezaji wa nchi za nje walikataa kuendelea kuwauzia Kusini kwa sababu ya kuendeleza siasa za kukataa kutokomeza Utumwa) na kuzidiwa na bunduki kali zaidi zilizotoka Connecticut.

Ifuatayo ndio hotuba aliyoitoa Rais huyu Maarufu sana siku hiyo katika uwanja huu wa kivita wa Gettysburg:

"Forescore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation or any ntion so conceived and so dedicated can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of it as a final resting place for those who died here that the nation might live. This we may, in all propriety do. But in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead who struggled here have hallowed if far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, bu it can never forget what they did here.

It is rather for us the living, we here be dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from thesed honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation shall have a new birth of fredom, and that government of the people, by he people, for the people shall not perish from the earth. "

MSTAHIKI MEYA WA JIJI LA WASHINGTON MASHINDANONI

Habari hii imetoka kwenye Gazeti la Washington DC "The Examiner" la tarehe 27 Aprili, 2009 ukurasa wa 6, likiwa na habari za Mbio Ndefu kama ifuatavyo:

Mstahiki Meya wa Jiji la Washington DC, ambayo ni Makao Makuu ya Serikali ya Marekani (USA) Bw. Adrian Fenty ameonyesha tena umahiri wake katika mbio ndefu kwa kuisaidia timu yake ya American Odyssey Run Adventure kupata ushindi wa pili katika mbio hizo. Timu hii hukimbia ili kufanya harambee ya kwa ajili ya "The Wellness Community of Greater Washington DC".

Fenty alikuwa ni mmoja wa wakimbiaji 1,300 waliojitokeza kushiriki katika mbio hizo za "relay" iliyofanyika Ijumaa Aprili 25, 2009 kuanzia Gettysburg, jimboni Pennsylvania, kupitia jimbo la Maryland and kumalizikia Jumamosi katika Makumbusho ya Rais Washington. Meya Fenty hakupata shida kukimbia dakika za mwisho za mbio hizi, katika mbio hizo za zaidi ya saa 24. Mstahiki Meya Fenty alisema "nilipotea katika ngwe ya mwanzoni. Nimefurahi kwamba tunamalizia ngwe ya mwisho mchana kweupe"

Sunday, April 26, 2009

JAJI BALTASAR GARZON REAL WA SPAIN NA KESI YA WATESAJI USA

Chill the Champagne

The Bush Six to Be Indicted

By Scott Horton

April 14, 2009 "Daily Beast" --
Spanish prosecutors will seek criminal charges against Alberto Gonzales and five high-ranking Bush administration officials for sanctioning torture at Guantánamo.

Spanish prosecutors have decided to press forward with a criminal investigation targeting former U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and five top associates over their role in the torture of five Spanish citizens held at Guantánamo, several reliable sources close to the investigation have told The Daily Beast. Their decision is expected to be announced on Tuesday before the Spanish central criminal court, the Audencia Nacional, in Madrid. But the decision is likely to raise concerns with the human-rights community on other points: They will seek to have the case referred to a different judge.

Both Washington and Madrid appear determined not to allow the pending criminal investigation to get in the way of improved relations.

The six defendants—in addition to Gonzales, Federal Appeals Court Judge and former Assistant Attorney General Jay Bybee, University of California law professor and former Deputy Assistant Attorney General John Yoo, former Defense Department general counsel and current Chevron lawyer William J. Haynes II, Vice President Cheney’s former chief of staff David Addington, and former Undersecretary of Defense Douglas J. Feith—are accused of having given the green light to the torture and mistreatment of prisoners held in U.S. detention in “the war on terror.” The case arises in the context of a pending proceeding before the court involving terrorism charges against five Spaniards formerly held at Guantánamo. A group of human-rights lawyers originally filed a criminal complaint asking the court to look at the possibility of charges against the six American lawyers. Baltasar Garzón Real, the investigating judge, accepted the complaint and referred it to Spanish prosecutors for a view as to whether they would accept the case and press it forward. “The evidence provided was more than sufficient to justify a more comprehensive investigation,” one of the lawyers associated with the prosecution stated.

But prosecutors will also ask that Judge Garzón, an internationally known figure due to his management of the case against former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet and other high-profile cases, step aside. The case originally came to Garzón because he presided over efforts to bring terrorism charges against the five Spaniards previously held at Guantánamo. Spanish prosecutors consider it “awkward” for the same judge to have both the case against former U.S. officials based on the possible torture of the five Spaniards at Guantánamo and the case against those very same Spaniards. A source close to the prosecution also noted that there was concern about the reaction to the case in some parts of the U.S. media, where it had been viewed, incorrectly, as a sort of personal frolic of Judge Garzón. Instead, the prosecutors will ask Garzón to transfer the case to Judge Ismail Moreno, who is currently handling an investigation into kidnapping charges surrounding the CIA’s use of facilities as a safe harbor in connection with the seizure of Khalid el-Masri, a German greengrocer who was seized and held at various CIA blacksites for about half a year as a result of mistaken identity. The decision on the transfer will be up to Judge Garzón in the first instance, and he is expected to make a quick ruling. If he denies the request, it may be appealed.

Judge Garzón’s name grabs headlines in Spain today less because of his involvement in the Gonzales torture case than because of his supervision of the Gürtel affair, in which leading figures of the conservative Partido Popular in Madrid and Valencia are now under investigation or indictment on suspicions of corruptly awarding public-works contracts. Garzón is also the nation’s leading counterterrorism judge, responsible for hundreds of investigations targeting Basque terrorist groups, as well as a major recent effort to identify and root out al Qaeda affiliates operating in the Spanish enclaves of North Africa.

Announcement of the prosecutor’s decision was delayed until after the Easter holiday in order not to interfere with a series of meetings between President Barack Obama and Spanish Prime Minister José Zapatero. However, contrary to a claim contained in an editorial on April 8 in the Wall Street Journal, the Obama State Department has been in steady contact with the Spanish government about the case. Shortly after the case was filed on March 17, chief prosecutor Javier Zaragoza was invited to the U.S. embassy in Madrid to brief members of the embassy staff about the matter. A person in attendance at the meeting described the process as “correct and formal.” The Spanish prosecutors briefed the American diplomats on the status of the case, how it arose, the nature of the allegations raised against the former U.S. government officials. The Americans “were basically there just to collect information,” the source stated.The Spanish prosecutors advised the Americans that they would suspend their investigation if at any point the United States were to undertake an investigation of its own into these matters. They pressed to know whether any such investigation was pending. These inquiries met with no answer from the U.S. side.

Spanish officials are highly conscious of the political context of the case and have measured the Obama administration’s low-key reaction attentively. Although Spain is a NATO ally that initially supported “the war on terror” under Bush with a commitment of troops in both Iraq and Afghanistan, relations with the Bush administration deteriorated after Zapatero became prime minister and acted quickly to withdraw the Spanish contingent in Iraq. In the 2008 presidential campaign, Republican John McCain referred to Spain as a hostile state in comments that mystified Spaniards (it appears that McCain may have confused Spain with Venezuela and Zapatero with Hugo Chávez). Recently, the United States and Spain also wrangled over Spain’s decision to withdraw its troop commitment in Kosovo as well. Both Zapatero and Obama, however, have given a high priority to improving relations between the two long-standing allies. Spanish newspapers hailed the fact that Obama referred to Zapatero three times as “my good friend” during the recent European summit meetings, a sharp contrast with meetings at which former President Bush gave Zapatero a cold shoulder.

Both Washington and Madrid appear determined not to allow the pending criminal investigation to get in the way of improved relations, which both desire, particularly in regard to coordinated economic policy to confront the current financial crisis and a reshaped NATO mandate for action in Afghanistan. With the case now proceeding, that will be more of a challenge. The reaction on American editorial pages is divided—some questioning sharply why the Obama administration is not conducting an investigation, which is implicitly the question raised by the Spanish prosecutors. Publications loyal to the Bush team argue that the Spanish investigation is an “intrusion” into American affairs, even when those affairs involve the torture of five Spaniards on Cuba.

The Bush Six labored at length to create a legal black hole in which they could implement their policies safe from the scrutiny of American courts and the American media. Perhaps they achieved much of their objective, but the law of unintended consequences has kicked in. If U.S. courts and prosecutors will not address the matter because of a lack of jurisdiction, foreign courts appear only too happy to step in.

Scott Horton is a law professor and writer on legal and national-security affairs for Harper's magazine and The American Lawyer, among other publications.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

SPAIN YAWAKATIA KIU WAMAREKANI WATESAJI


Imetoka: Information Clearing House(ICH)

Kama kweli haki inatendeka duniani bila kujali "might is right" (mwenye mabavu ndio mwenye haki), na tuone basi Wahalifu waliotajwa katika habari hii watakavyoshughulikiwa na Mahakama ya Spain kwa niaba yetu sote. Baada ya kuwanasa hawa Changu, ndio tutapata matumaini ya kuvuliwa na wale Papa na Nyangumi baharini.

Can Spain really prosecute George W. Bush aides over torture?

By Johanna Neuman

April 15, 2009 "LA Times" -- The White House has discouraged any talk of prosecuting George W. Bush or any of his aides over the torture of terrorism suspects -- which President Obama has now outlawed. The new president says he just wants to move on from the policies of the old one.

But not everyone agrees. Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont has called for a Truth Commission, modeled on South Africa's transition from apartheid, to explore who was responsible for sending the United States down the path of torture. And now a court in Spain is weighing an investigation into whether Bush administration officials violated the Geneva Convention in authorizing waterboarding and other harsh interrogation techniques used with terrorism suspects after 9/11.



On the hit list: former Atty. Gen. Alberto Gonzales, former Justice Department lawyer John Yoo and his boss (now a judge) Jay Bybee, Bush-era Pentagon officials Doug Feith and William Haynes II, and David Addington, chief of staff and legal adviser to former Vice President Dick Cheney.

Spain argues that it has jurisdiction in the case because five Spanish prisoners at Guantanamo Bay allege they were tortured. And human rights organizations in the United States agree.

As Michael Ratner, president of the Center for Constitutional Rights, said last week, "the importance of this investigation cannot be understated. Contrary to statements by some, the Spanish investigations are not 'symbolic.' Just ask Augusto Pinochet, who was stranded under house arrest in England and who ultimately faced criminal charges in Chile because of the pressure of the Spanish courts.” He added, “If and when arrest warrants are issued, 24 countries in Europe are obligated to enforce them. The world is getting smaller for the torture conspirators.”

Can Spain really prosecute U.S. officials? Legal experts say they can. As Marjorie Cohn explained on alternet.org, Israel used the same concept of "universal jurisdiction" to prosecute, convict and execute Adolph Eichmann for his role in the Holocaust, even thought the crimes took place in other countries.

But even the human rights community acknowledges that if the United States was prosecuting the Bush team, other countries like Spain would back off.

So, back to you Mr. President.

-- Johanna Neuman

DAWA ASILIA ZA KUONDOA UCHOVU NA KUONGEZA UJANA

Imetoka kwa www.drweil.com.

Kama kuna anayefahamu majina ya Kiswahili ya dawa hizi atusaidie kujibu humu tuyafahamu na tuzifahamu dawa hizi ili na sisi tuzitumie kama zinapatikana maporini kwetu.

Feeling rundown, stressed out, and always catching whatever cold is going around? You may want to consider taking a daily tonic. Also known as adaptogens, these nontoxic, plant-based substances help to bolster your body's natural defenses and increase its ability to cope with daily stress. When taken long term, tonics may help boost energy levels, strengthen immunity, and increase resistance to disease. Some popular tonics include:
  1. Ashwagandha. This traditional herb (Withania somnifera) from India is much used in Ayurvedic medicine, where it is valued as a general tonic and adaptogen.
  2. Eleuthro. Formerly called Siberian ginseng, eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) is a distant relative of true ginseng. It can be useful for alleviating exhaustion, fatigue from heavy workloads, and lack of energy. Look for products that are standardized for eleutheroside content.
  3. Reishi. This distinctive, woody mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) is too bitter to be eaten, but can be taken in supplement form. Reishi is recommended in traditional Chinese medicine for increasing resistance and extending life, and has been studied for its ability to enhance immune function.
  4. Rhodiola. Also known as arctic root, rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea) contains a group of distinctive compounds that are at least partially responsible for the plant's remarkable properties - including anti-fatigue, anti-stress, anti-cancer, antioxidant, and immune-enhancing effects. It is useful for acute stress, mild depression and memory problems.

You should be able to find all these herbal products in health food stores - choose the one that best meets your needs, follow package directions, and give it about six to eight weeks to see how it helps. You can take tonics indefinitely, but some herbalists suggest taking a two-week-long break every three months to help maintain their effectiveness.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

MHESHIMIWA JAJI...

Imetoka: eFlusMedia

Judge On Fire For Animal Sex Photos On His Website

By Ona Zachary
14:49, June 12th 2008
103 votes
Vote this story



An obscenity trial in Los Angeles, California, USA has been suspended after the Los Angeles Times reported that the judge presiding it had posted sexually explicit photographs and videos on his own website.

The newspaper reported that Judge Alex Kozinski of the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals had posted sexually explicit material on his website and then blocked access after he was asked about the issue Tuesday evening.

Kozinski defended himself, saying that, even though some of the material was inappropriate, he considered most of the videos funny, rather than obscene. He also declared he thought the content on his website was private and had no idea it could be seen by the public.

"Is it prurient? I don't know what to tell you," he told the Times. "I think it's odd and interesting. It's part of life."

One video on Kozinski’s website showed a half-naked man cavorting with a sexually aroused farm animal, while a photo was of nude women on all fours painted to look like cows. The judge characterized the latter as "degrading ... and just gross" and said he would delete some of the material from his site. He also added he never used appeals court computers to maintain the site.

Kozinski, 57, was named chief judge of the 9th Circuit last year. Born in Romania as the son of two Holocaust survivors, Kozinski emigrated to the U.S. at the age of 12. His career was very successful, with President Ronald Reagan appointing him to the federal bench in 1985. He is known for being a defender of the 1st Amendment Right to freedom of speech and expression. Some years ago, the open-minded judge was against the move initiated by court administrators, who had placed filters on computers blocking access to pornographic sites and other such materials.

The trial suspended Wednesday by Kozinsky concerned Ira Isaacs, who is charged with obscenity for selling sexual fetish videos depicting bestiality and defecation. Isaacs, who admitted the videos were a bit extreme, claims he is a “shock artist,” implying that the material was artistic.

Due to his lifetime tenure, Kozinski could only be removed from the office for an impeachable offense, a federal judge said.

WANASIASA WAKIBEZA VYETI BANDIA SAWA LAKINI SIO VITIVONI

Wanasiasa wakebehi vyeti vya elimu kuchunguzwa uchagauzi 2010


Na Fidelis Butahe na Salim Said

SIKU moja baada ya Kamisheni ya Vyuo Vikuu nchini (TCU) kutangaza nia yake ya kuhakiki vyeti vya wagombea 2010, baadhi ya wanasiasa wameponda mpango huo kwa madai kuwa umewekwa mahali pasipohusika.

Juzi Katibu Mtendaji wa TCU, Profesa Mayunga Nkunya alisema ukubwa wa tatizo la wagombea kutokuwa na elimu linazidi kudhihirika kutokana na taasisi mbalimbali kuzidi kufichua walioghushi vyeti ili kupata elimu ya juu.

Profesa Nkunya alisema hatua madhubuti zisipochukuliwa kiwango cha elimu kitazidi kuporomoka na hali ya usalama wa taifa itakuwa hatarini.

Pia alimtaka Mwenyekiti wa tume ya uchaguzi nchini kuwasilisha vyeti vya wagombea mbalimbali wa nafasi za uongozi ili kuthibitisha sifa wanazojinadi kuwa ni kweli au la.

Wakizungumza na Mwananchi jana kwa nyakati tofauti baadhi ya wanasiasa walisema, sifa za mtu kuwa mgombea wa uchaguzi katika nafasi fulani hazihusiani na kiwango chake cha elimu.

Mwenyekiti wa Chama cha Wananchi (CUF), Ibrahim Lipumba alisema mpango huo, umewekwa mahali pasipohusika kwa sababu ili mtu agombee anatakiwa kujua kusoma na kuandika na kufafanua kuwa suala la elimu halina nafasi katika siasa.

“Tume ya uchaguzi inafanya kazi na sheria ya uchaguzi, ninachofahamu ni kwamba mgombea anatakiwa kujua kusoma na kuandika, sasa hao TCU wanapozungumza suala la elimu na vyeti tuwaulize lipo katika kipengele gani cha sheria.

“Nimepata taarifa nyingi juu ya wabunge wanaoghushi vyeti sina tatizo na hilo ila ninachosikitika ni kwamba suala hili limepelekwa mahali ambako si pake,” alisema Lipumba.

Alisema TCU inatakiwa kutambua sifa ya mgombea miaka yote haiendani na elimu aliyokuwa nayo kwa kuwa katika ulingo wa siasa, kinachopaswa ni utendaji kazi na hoja za msingi za mgombea na si elimu wala vyeti.

Naye Katibu Mkuu wa Chama cha NCCR-Mageuzi, Samwel Ruhuza alisema suala hilo, halina msingi wowote kwa sababu wapo wanasiasa wanaojenga hoja nzito bungeni na kusaidia wananchi katika majimbo yao, bila kuwa na elimu ya juu.

Alisema katika siasa suala la elimu halina nafasi kwa sababu hata vigezo vya Tume ya uchaguzi kwa mujibu wa sheria ya uchaguzi, wagombea wanatambuliwa kwa kujua kusoma na kuandika na hakuna kipengele kinachuzungumzia suala la kiwango cha elimu kwa mgombea.


Maoni yangu:

Waheshimiwa viongozi wa vyama mbalimbali na Wabunge wanachosema ni sawa; kwamba; Ibara ya 67 (1)(a) ya Katiba ya Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania ya 1977 inatamka wazi kwamba "...mtu yeyote atakuwa na sifa ya kuchaguliwa au kuteuliwa kuwa mbunge endapo ni raia wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania, aliyetimiza umri wa miaka ishirini na moja (21); na ambaye anajua kusoma na kuandika katika Kiswahili au Kiingereza."

Kipengele hiki hata hivyo hakimuondoi hatiani Mbunge yoyote yule ambaye anafahamu kwamba cheti chake anachojisifia nacho ni cha kughushi. Hii ni kwa sababu kughushi ni kosa la jinai la Udanganyifu. Ni bora wangekiri kwanza kuwa wamefanya udanganyifu huo kisha umma wa Watanzania wawafikirie kuwasamehe au kuwafikisha Mahakamani kwa Udanganyifu wao.

Wahusika wakisubiri Tume ya Vyuo Vikuu nchini kuwaanika, maana yake wote wahusika wameshiriki katika kufanya Udanganyifu huo, hata kama walipopata vyeti hivyo, hawakufahamu kuwa vilikuwa vimeghushiwa (unaccredited). Hii ni kutokana na sababu kwamba serikali ilishawataka wote wanaohisi au kufahamu kwamba vyeti vyao havina sifa wavisalimishe ili vihakikiwe kisheria.

Monday, April 20, 2009

MIAKA 15 YA DEMKRASIA YA WENGI AFRIKA YA KUSINI

Leo nimehudhuria Mkutano uliojadili Domokrasia ya watu wengi huko nchini South Africa katika Chuo Kikuu cha Howard (Howard School of Law) kilichopo 2900 Van Ness Str. NW, Washington DC 20001.

Katika Mkutano huo, Profesa Penelope Andrews wa Chuo Kikuu cha Valparaiso, kilichopo jimboni Indiana, USA; aliyeandika kitabu kuhusu mchakato mzima wa Kuandika Katiba mpya ya Kidemokrasia ya Afrika ya Kusini (Post-Apartheid Constitution: Perspectives on South Africa Basic Law); amesema mwaka 1994 wakati wa kuandikwa Katiba Mpya, Afrika Kusini kulikuwa na Majaji 222 walioteuliwa kiholela na Waziri Mkuu. Profesa huyu aliyezaliwa, kukulia na kusomea Afrika Kusini amesema kati ya hao, kulikuwa na wawili weusi, wawili wasiofahamika rangi (coloured?) na waliobaki 218 walikuwa Weupe. Ni katika mazingira ya waheshimiwa hao, ambapo nchi hiyo ilitakiwa kuandika katiba mpya na kushughulikia Kesi za Mahakamani katika mtazamo mpya usiokuwa wa kibaguzi, chini ya Katiba ya Mpito.

Majaji hao kwa mara ya kwanza katika uzoefu wao wa kazi walitakiwa kufuata sheria za haki katika kutoa maamuzi yake, uwazi na ukweli, uwajibikaji, kutumikia dhamira zao (commitment) na kufuata misingi ya Katiba inayokubalika, badala ya kufurahisha mhimili wa utawala, kazi waliokuwa wakifanya huko nyuma.

Nae Balozi wa Afrika Kusini nchini Marekani Mheshimiwa Bwana Welile Nhlapo amekumbusha kwamba waheshimiwa wabunge wa Bunge la Makaburu (Apartheid) la wakati huo wa mwaka 199o ndio hilo hilo lililotakiwa lijitungie sheria lenyewe za KUJIENGUA katika uso wa mihimili ya dola la Afrika Kusini (legislate itself out of existence).

Bwana Welile amesema Mchakato wa nchi yake wa kuleta demokrasia ya watu wengi katika kuandika katiba yake umeigwa pia na Nothern Ireland, Iraq, Burundi, East Timor, Zimbabwe na Sudan.

Nami nikaona kwamba hiki ni kitendo cha kishujaa ambacho Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) nchini Tanzania hakiko tayari kufanya ili kujisababishia kifo chake chenyewe kwa kuachia demokrasi ya watu wengi kuamua kuhusu hatima ya Muungano wetu wa Tanganyika na Zanzibar; Kwa kuandika upya Katiba Shirikishi kama ilivyoandikwa Afrika ya Kusini; ili ijulikane walio wengi wanaamua aina ipi ya serikali ifuatwe na nchi zetu: yaani kati ya zile namna tatu za serikali kama inavyojadiliwa na wananchi kwamba:

1. Iwe serikali moja
2. Ziwe Serikali Mbili kama zilivyo sasa na migogoro yake kibaao inayozidi kunyekenya, au
3. Iwe nchi ya Shirikisho la Serikali Tatu.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

KODI WALIPAZO OBAMA NA BIDEN MAREKANI

Mambo ya ukweli na uwazi kama haya yaliyoanikwa na gazeti tajwa hapa chini ndio yanayowafanya wenzetu, angalau kuwa na imani na viongozi wao kwamba hawaliibii taifa. Tofauti na nchi zetu, hata sheria ikiwepo ya kutangaza mali kiongozi aingiapo madarakani, ETI kuna kipengele kinachosema hawezi kuwajibishwa kutangaza mali alizonazo atokapo madarakani. Ni ulaghai mtupu. Kwa mtindo huo, ni kiongozi gani katika nchi zetu za Afrika ambaye atachukuliwa kuwa ameingia na kutoka madarakani akiwa na uchungu na wananchi wake na nchi yake na kwamba hakukomba mali za taifa? Hakuna kigezo cha kupima uadilifu wa namna hii.

Habari hii nimeitoa katika gazeti la "The Examiner" la Washington DC la leo Alhamisi, Aprili 16, 2009. Jana kulikuwa na maandamano katika majimbo mengi tu katika nchi ya Marekani pamoja na Mji Mkuu wa Serikali haya Washington DC. Kwa hiyo leo kuna habari nyingi za maandamano yaliyofanywa jana ya kupinga ukatwaji wa kodi katika Bajeti ijayo, ukatwaji ulioidhinishwa na Serikali ya Rais Barack Obama. Katika kufafanua jambo hili, gazeti hili limechapisha pia mapato ya Obama kwa mwaka uliopita na kodi zake alizolipa yeye na zile za Makamu wake wa Rais Bw. Joe Biden.

Nchini Marekani, Aprili 15 ya kila mwaka ndio siku ya mwisho ya kujaza fomu za makato ya kodi za mwaka uliopita (2008/2009) wa kila rais mwenye kipato ambacho sio cha Chini kama inavyochukuliwa katika nchi hii. Kipato cha chini kama wastani ni $30,000 kwa mwaka. Kwa hiyo wapatao zaidi ya kiasi hicho wanawajibika kisheria kujaza fomu hizo ili wakatwe kodi.

Marekani kwa sasa ina deni la Dola trilioni 11 ($11.00 trillion). Kulingana na idadi yake ya watu katika nchi hii, kila mtu anadaiwa $184,000 gazeti hilo linasema.

Gazeti limesema kwamba Familia ya Obama ina kipato cha mwaka jana cha $2.7 milioni (Dola milioni mbili na laki saba) iliyopata zaidi kutokana na mauzo ya vitabu vya Obama ambavyo vinauzika sana tangu ameukwaa urais. Katika mapato hayo, Obama amelipa kodi zinazofikia $885,323.

Katika idadi hiyo, kodi ya kulipia deni la riba ya nyumba ni $50,000, na $172,050 wametoa sadaka (charity). Sadaka hizo ni pamoja na $25,000 walizotoa kwa NGO iitwayo CARE International na $25,000 walizotoa kwa The United Negro College Fund.

Kwa Upande wa Bw. Biden, yeye na mkewe mapato yao mwaka uliopita yalifikia $269,256 zilizotokana na mishahara kutoka Bunge la Senate, Widener University Delaware Tecnical & Community College pamoja na Mirahaba (royalties) toka katika Hakimiliki ya Kumbukumbu za Makamu wa Rais (audio).

Wao wamelipa kodi kiasi cha $46,952 kutokana na mapato yao ya Serikali Kuu, $11,164 ni kodi iliyolipwa katika jimbo la Delaware na $1,885 wametoa sadaka mbalimbali.

MWENZETU KOSA LAKE NI KUIBUA MAOVU KATIKA JAMII (WHISTLEBLOWING!)

Kumbe hata kwa wenzetu uhuru wa kutoa maoni; hasa uhuru wa kulalamika kwa serikali pia unafinyangwa kama huyu mwenzetu Nesi alivyoipatapata Uingereza. Je sisi tutathubutu kweli pamoja na Ibara ya 18 ya Katiba ya Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania ya mwaka 1977?

Nurse struck off for secret filming

A nurse who was struck off after she secretly filmed the neglect of patients has called for a review of how the NHS deals with whistleblowers.


Margaret Haywood broke down in tears as she was struck off by the Nursing and Midwifery Council panel and said she was "absolutely devastated" by the decision.

She insisted that recording the appalling conditions at the Royal Sussex Hospital in Brighton for the BBC's Panorama programme in July 2005 was the right thing to do.

But the NMC panel told the 58-year-old, who has worked as a nurse for more than 20 years, that her misconduct was a "major breach" of the profession's code and "it would not be in the public interest for her to be able to practise as a nurse".

Speaking after the hearing, Ms Haywood, of Liverpool, said: "There was no other way of getting the full picture. I am absolutely devastated and upset by it all. I think I have been treated very harshly.

"It is a serious issue and I knew it was a risk I was taking but I thought the filming was justified and it was in the public interest.

"I did voice my concerns through my immediate line manager and I also went to my ward manager but nothing was really taken on board."

Ms Haywood, who was found guilty of misconduct, said she had "owed it to the people on the ward" to expose the neglect.

Referring to last month's Healthcare Commission report which ound "appalling conditions" at Stafford Hospital, Ms Haywood called for a review of the system for NHS whistleblowers.

"Nurses are afraid to speak out about what is happening and the whole process needs to be reviewed so nurses can make it easier to voice their concerns," she said.

VITA KATI YA CHATU NA BINADAMU KENYA

Jamani, huyu mwenzetu siku yake ilikuwa bado. Nguvu za chatu akishajiviringisha mwilini mwa binadamu, kuweza kujikwamua sio mchezo!

Man bites python in epic struggle

A Kenyan man bit a python during a fierce three-hour struggle after the snake wrapped him in its coils and hauled him up a tree.

Related photos / videos

Man bites python in epic struggle

Ben Nyaumbe stepped on the serpent in the Malindi area of Kenya's Indian Ocean Coast when it was apparently hunting for livestock.

Mr Nyaumbe said: "I stepped on a spongy thing on the ground and suddenly my leg was entangled with the body of a huge python."

It dragged the farm manager up a tree, but when it eased its grip, Mr Nyaumbe said he was able to take a mobile phone out of his pocket and phone for help.

When his supervisor came with a policeman, Mr Nyaumbe smothered the snake's head with his shirt to prevent it from swallowing him, while the rescuers tied it with a rope and pulled.

"We both came down, landing with a thud," said Mr Nyaumbe, who survived with damaged lips and bruising after being forced to bite the snake on the tip of its sharp tail.

The snake was later taken to an animal sanctuary but escaped.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

DHAMIRA BAYANA YA KUJIENZI PAMOJA NA UMASIKINI WETU

TUMVULIE KOFIA JAJI MZALENDO HUYU KWA MAAMUZI HAYA YA BUSARA NA HEKIMA! HEKOOOOO JAJI CHOMBO, MALAWI !

IN THE HIGH COURT OF MALAWI
LILONGWE DISTRICT REGISTRY
ADOPTION CASE NO. 1 OF 2009




IN THE MATTER OF THE ADOPTION OF CHILDREN ACT CAP. 26:01

AND

IN THE MATTER OF CJ (A FEMALE INFANT) OF C/O MR. PETER BANETI, ZOMBA (for the purposes of protecting the identity of the infant in these public records I will refer to the infant by the initials CJ)


COROM: HON. JUSTICE E.J. CHOMBO
Mr. A Chinula, Counsel for the Petitioner
Mrs. Munyenyembe, Court Interpreter

IN ATTENDANCE: The Petitioner, Ms. Madonna Louise Cicoone
Mr.S.w. Chisale – Guardian ad-Litem
Mr.Peter Baneti and Mr.Chekechiwa–Family Representatives of the Infant CJ



RULING

CHOMBO, J

On 30 March 2009 the Petitioner, Ms Madonna Loiuse Ciccone (hereinafter called the Petitioner) presented her petition to the Court desiring to adopt a female infant CJ. The said petition is supported by affidavits and skeletal arguments.

Background
The said infant CJ is presently three years old whose 14 year old mother died shortly after the birth of CJ in Zomba. The Probation Officer and Guardian ad-litem, Mr. S.W. Chisale submitted comprehensive reports on the circumstances that have led to the said infant being the subject of this application. A full and comprehensive report of

the Petitioner disclosing all the necessary information for the purpose of an adoption was also submitted.

The Court had opportunity to find out from the family representatives if they had been properly counseled on the implications of an adoption. They both confirmed to the Court their understanding of the implications of adoption and their family’s decision to have the said infant adopted; which facts confirm the affidavits of the Petitioner and I find the same to be true.

The Law
I will restrict the discussion in this section to two provisions of the law under the Adoption of Children Act,
Section 3(5) of the Act provides that:

An adoption order shall not be made in favour of any applicant who is not resident in Malawi or in respect of any infant (child) who is not so resident.

Notably the word resident is not defined in the Act. Much discussion dwelt on the issue of residence in the previous adoption case by the same Petitioner before Court. At the close of the day Nyirenda J, (as he then was) came to the conclusion that:

It might well be that the definition of ‘residence’ is at large and might be equated, in the circumstances of the case, to mere physical presence in the country at the time of the petition so that the court can make its own assessment of the Applicants and how committed they are in the undertaking. The requirement as to residence, in my view is also intended to enable the system in Malawi to verify the standing and disposition of the applicants with some degree of certainty. But all these considerations in my judgment are intended to establish that the infant child will be in safe and secure hands

There is a wealth of authorities from different jurisdictions that has dealt with the interpretation of the word ‘residence’ in a comprehensive way that I have found to be instructive and I would like to borrow from. This may, of necessity, involve lengthy quotations to buttress the point being raised. The National Court of Justice in Papua New Guinea in GN and RN, an Application {1985} PNGLR 121 (17 May 1985) quoted with approval the words of Ashworth J, in the case of Brokelmann v Barr {1971} 3 All ER 29 at 36 that:

In the judgment of this court, there has gradually been developed and established a rule of construction that prima facie at least residence involves some degree of permanence. As was said by Lord Justice Wdgery in Fox v Stirk
(9 supra) ‘It is imperative to remember in this context that residence implies a degree of permanence, In the words of the Oxford English Dictionary, it is concerned with something which will go on for a considerable time. Consequently, a person is not entitled to claim to be a resident at a given town merely because he pays a short, temporary visit, some expectation of continuity, is a vital factor, which turns simple occupation into residence. (underlining supplied)

Section 6(4) of the Adoption of Infants Act of Fiji is almost word for word with that of Malawi. In November 1997, Byrne J in re S (an infant) 1997 FJHC 183 quoted with approval the holding of Harman J in RE Adoption Application No. 52/1951 {1952} 1 Ch. 16 as follows:

His Lordship then quoted the remark of Lord Cave L.C. in Levene v IRC {1928} A.C 217 at 222 who cited the Oxford English Dictionary saying:
the word ‘reside’ is a familiar English word and is defined in the Oxford English Dictionary as meaning ‘to dwell permanently or for a considerable time, to have one’s settle or usual abode, to live in or at a particular place…Again I quote from Mr. Justice Harman in Adoption Application No. 52/1951 at p.23 referring to an argument by counsel for the Applicants that while the Applicants were on leave in England, they were for the time being ‘resident’ there. His Lordship said “I should say they were for the time being staying here”, and I do not think that is the same as being resident.

It was further observed by His Lordship that “residence denotes some degree of permanence. It does not necessarily mean the applicant has a settled headquarters in this country. It seems dangerous to try to define what is meant by residence. It is unfortunate that it is not possible to do so, but in my judgment, the question before the court is in every such case whether the applicant is a person who resides in the country. In the present case I can only answer that question in the case of the wife by holding that she is not resident in this country; she is merely a sojourner here during a period of leave. (underlining supplied)

And Byrne,J. went on to say that:

The court must be able to postulate at the critical date that the applicant is resident, and that is a question of fact. (underlining supplied)


According to information from the global media the Petitioner jetted into the country during the weekend just days prior to the hearing of this application. I take judicial
notice of the reports in the media that the last time that the Petitioner was in the country was in 2008 at the time of the final adoption order for David Banda. In my considered opinion this would completely remove the Petitioner from the definition of a ‘resident’ as defined by the Oxford English Dictionary and adopted in the celebrated cases sited herein.

Due to brevity of time it has not been possible to consult the Hansard at Parliament and investigate the spirit of the law at the time the Adoption of Children Act came into being. That notwithstanding I wish to hazard a rationale that this was primarily for the protection of the child, who has to adjust to her/his new family in the local jurisdiction under the supervision of the probation officer with a possibility of discontinuance of the adoption should adverse traits be observed in the infant. Section 7 provides that where the court decides to postpone the determination of an application for adoption the court may make an interim order which shall not exceed the period of two years. My convictions are further fortified by the proposal of the Malawi Law Commission in a Bill that is still before Parliament which, among other things, provides that a new Section 3(5) be enacted to include that:

(d) The applicants or one of the applicants if not a relative of the child, has, while in Malawi, fostered the child for a period of one year.

Whilst there is a felt need to open a window for inter-country adoptions there is caution and clearly some felt tension between the rights of the child to adequate welfare and the need to protect the subject of the adoption.

Put simply courts do make law by the process of precedents, and Ms Madonna may not be the only international person interested in adopting the so-called poor children of Malawi. By removing the very safeguard that is supposed to protect our children the courts by their pronouncements could actually facilitate trafficking of children by some unscrupulous individuals who would take advantage of the weakness of the law of the land. It is necessary that we look beyond a particular petitioner, and maybe even a particular benefactor but go beyond them, and consider the consequences of opening the doors too wide. Anyone could come to Malawi and quickly arrange for an adoption that might have grave consequences on the very children that the law seeks to protect.

Records at the High Court Registry will actually show that the adoption of David Banda is not the first inter-country adoption. The sole sore-thumb difference is that the residence of the applicants therein was never an issue. To date there has only been one case that has departed from the mandatory requirement of the period of residence prior to the making of an application for adoption. The issue of residence, I find, is the key upon which the question of adoption rests and it is the very bedrock of protection that our children need; it must therefore not be tampered with. As wisely
put by G. K. Chesterton, “Don’t ever take a fence down until you know the reason why it was put up”.

The Adoption of Children Act Section 4(b)
The second issue to be considered is the issue of the welfare of the child. In my attempts to make sense of this requirement under Section 4 of the Act I referred to two international instruments; the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACHPR) to which Malawi is a signatory. Section 4 provides as follows:

The court before making an adoption order shall be satisfied-
(b) that the order if made will be for the welfare of the infant, due consideration being for the purpose given to the wishes of the infant, having regard to the age and understanding of the infant.

The Act does not however offer any definition or interpretation as to the meaning or what constitutes ‘the welfare of the infant’, especially where the infant has no capacity to make any decision of its own as in the present case; thus my referencing the two international instruments. The welfare of the child has occupied many a minds culminating in the birth of these two instruments. Article 3(1) of the CRC and Article 4 (1) of the ACHPR provide that the ‘best interest of the child shall be the primary consideration’. In qualifying the term ‘the best interest of the child’ as provided for in the two instruments above I want to rely on some profound pronouncements of Bhagwati J in the case of Lakshmi Kant Pandey vs Union of India of 6 February 1984 found in AIR 1984 SC 469

It is obvious that in a civilized society the importance of child welfare cannot be over-emphasized, because the welfare of the entire community, its growth and development, depend on the health and well being of its children. Children are a ‘supremely important national asset’ and the future well being of the nation depends on how its children grow and develop…. Now obviously children need special protection because of their tender age and physique mental immaturity and incapacity to look after themselves.

It is commonplace knowledge that there are irreconcilable differences between the western world and, specifically, Malawi and what the Petitioner can provide for the infant CJ. The point need not be overemphasized that material needs of a child in America and the West in general are better provided for than in Malawi. And, I must confess that there is a gripping temptation to throw caution to the wind and grant an adoption in the hope that there will be a difference in the life of even just one child. However in our guest to ensure that the children are well provided for it should be borne in mind that inter-country adoptions may not and are not the only solutions. I
have no doubt that the framers of the international instruments had this in mind when in their wisdom they included Article 24 which provides that States Parties, which recognize the system of adoption shall ensure that the best interest of the child shall be the paramount consideration and they shall:

(b) recognize that inter-country adoption in those States who have ratified or adhered to the International Convention on the Rights of the Child or this Charter may as the last resort, be considered as an alternative means of a child’s care, if the child cannot be placed in a foster or an adoptive family or cannot in any suitable manner be cared for in the child’s country of origin. (underlining supplied)

Clearly inter-country adoption is supposed to be the last resort alternative. In my internal struggle to come to some sane conclusion I asked myself a number of questions. Can CJ be placed in a foster or adoptive family? Incidentally the Act does not define what ‘a foster or adoptive family’ is. The answer therefore is neither here nor there. It is evident however that CJ no longer is subject to the conditions of poverty of her place of birth as described by the Probation Officer since her admission at Kondanani Orphanage. In the circumstances can it be said that CJ cannot in any suitable manner be cared for in her country of origin? The answers to my questions are negative. In my view ‘in any suitable manner’ refers to the style of life of the indigenous or as close a life to the one that the child has been leading since birth. Presently CJ is in the care of Kondanani Orphanage and no evidence to the contrary has been brought as to the inability or unwillingness of Kondanani Orphanage to continue looking after CJ. This situation must be distinguished from the case of David who, according to facts on record, was to be returned to his biological father within a period of six months from the time that Mchinji Orphanage had admitted him. This is the same father that had desperately appealed for help after the death of his wife because of his incapacity to look after David and the unwillingness of wife’s family to care for the child. And, after six months the child was supposed to be returned to him. It is not known how much would have changed within six months.


CONCLUSION
As I make the order I am acutely aware of the high expectations that the family of CJ, and possibly other independent well-wishers, had about the unlimited opportunities that the proposed adoption would avail CJ. I have no doubt that all hope is not lost with the Petitioner’s noble and immediate ideas of investing in the improvement of more children’s lives with her projects in Malawi. It is my prayer that CJ would be among the first children to benefit from that project. Having said all this then, at the end of the day I must decline to grant the application for the adoption of the infant CJ.
MADE in chambers this 3rd day of April 2009.





E.J. CHOMBO
J U D G E

MAPAMBANO YA TEKINOLOJIA YA HABARI

From BBC News.

EU takes legal action against UK over Web privacy
12 mins ago

The European Commission said on Tuesday it was launching legal action against Britain over concerns about the government's failure to protect Internet users' privacy.

The European Union's executive arm gave London two months to reply to the formal warning, after which Brussels could sue the Brown government before an EU court if it is not satisfied by the answer.
The commission took the action after receving complaints about behavioural advertising technology known as Phorm -- after the US company that pioneered it -- which tracks Internet users surfing to target them with ads.
The commission said it has identified "structrual problems" after following up complaints over British authorities handling of communications company BT's testing of Phorm without letting customers know.
Under EU law, a person's personal information cannot be used without their consent.
In addition to concern about Britain's interpretation of the scope of the law, the commission was also concerned that Britain does not have an independent supervisory authority to deal with intercepted information cases.
More generally, the European Commission wants to clamp down rules on the use of such behavioural advertising technology.

Monday, April 13, 2009

NAMNA YA JITIHADA ZA KUZUIYA SARATANI YA MATITI

FROM Dr. Weil.com

6 Ways to Prevent Breast Cancer

Each Monday in April the Daily Tip will cover ways to reduce risks of common cancers. We encourage you to pass the information along to loved ones.

According to the American Cancer Society, every three minutes on average, another woman learns she has breast cancer. The good news is that there are several strategies that can help reduce risk. Try incorporating the following lifestyle changes into your daily routine:

  1. Get active. Regular physical activity (at least 30 minutes on most days) has been shown to be protective against breast cancer.
  2. Maintain your health care. Early detection is key: in addition to monthly self examinations, women between ages 20 and 39 should have a clinical breast exam performed by a health care professional at least every three years; women 40 years of age or older should have annual breast exams and talk with their doctor about mammograms.
  3. Supplement wisely. Folic acid, vitamin D and antioxidants all may help decrease risk.
  4. Reduce exposure to xenoestrogens. These chemicals with estrogen-like activity are found in common pesticides and industrial pollutants and as hormone residues in meat, poultry and dairy products.
  5. Avoid exposure to radiation. Limiting the number of chest x-rays you receive, especially at a young age, may decrease the risk of breast cancer.
  6. Talk with your doctor. If you have close relatives with breast cancer, your personal risk is increased. Let your doctor know your family history, and discuss other ways you can help to prevent breast cancer.