“Work  for Citizenship”     A way to gain citizenship faster, legally and economically.  
By Peter Lewit , Discourse and Reflection    Aug. 23, 2017
  We know there are numerous foreigners coming into the United States illegally. Surprisingly, many pay enormous sums of money to be smuggled across the border. These sums can be far greater than the approximate $725 cost to go through a process and paperwork to become a citizen. They pay the extra cost because it gets them into our country faster. A solution to this problem might take the form of a work for citizenship program. The primary component is the work camp.  This work camp would be similar to construction and logging camps that were prevalent in the early days of building our country.  It was an idea that President Roosevelt promoted when he created the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930’s.
As an example, foreigners intending to immigrate could apply to the program for a tour of three months. They must remain in the camp in a guarded arrangement until their tour is complete or they decide to return to their place of origin. A tour would also include passing their citizenship requirements.  Illegals already here in the country could also apply. In their case they might go for an extended period of six months, the extra time being in the form of community (Govt) service in lieu of a fine, imprisonment or deportation.  A basic understanding of English would also be required.  Part of their wages would be garnished to cover camp, food and citizenship requirement costs.   Quarters would be in a group camp format as suitable to the area.  By consolidating the workers into camps they would not be incurring huge costs for meals, housing and transportation. They would still be able to send home to their family an allowance comparable to what they might earn with a green card. There would be areas for men and women and a choice of work for both.  The work would be on government projects or camp duties, which may include assisting in cooking sanitation and the like. Evenings would be spent in their citizenship training and English.
    While in the camp they would go through a vetting process and physical health inspection.  Removal to the place of origin would occur if there was failure to pass our government’s standards.  The whole program would be voluntary, details of time frames would be up to the federal government. It should be enticing so that all concerned parties benefit.  Altogether, this program would use foreign nationals intending to immigrate, to work on U.S. government sponsored programs:  “the wall”, for example. With the exception of building materials, it cuts government labor costs, provides a safe and secure environment for us and the workers. The country of origin will pay us by default; in other words, they lose a part of their workforce!  Volunteers with varied experience could be sought to enhance the program.  The federal government saves on costs for the project. The immigrants save costs, get in faster and above all, become legal!
[Submitted by Peter Lewit]

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Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Tbilisi S/S18 Avtandil 'Double Identity'Nov 2, 2017Location: Rustaveli TheaterImages, video captured, documentary film by Michael R Vanderpool "The Avtandil fashion show was surprising colorful in a spring trend delightful to see, with a style anticipating fresh memories to come. A pleasure to the eye, for the woman waltzing through the house or on the way to swift execution of a shopping list and activities to conquer." - Michael R Vanderpool, 

[Submitted by Michael Vanderpool]

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_B9_sEAUPA&t=4s

I Am Woman, Hear Me Roar

Why do women roar for equality? It is incredulous that in 2017, this question still needs to be answered. But, after a recent personal encounter with a millennial young women, I realized the importance of reiterating to the masses of men and women why women roar for equality. Our next generations of women fully need to comprehend why they are partaking in events as The Women’s March. 

This One's For The Girls
A new Off-Broadway Musical called ‘This One’s For The Girls’ is the impetus behind the question. Written by Dorothy Marcic, the show takes the audience through the decades of a woman — from the 1900s to present day — portraying the roles of women through drama and song. Forty of the Top 40 Hit songs about women are thread throughout the production including “Stand By Your Man,” “I Want to be Loved by You,” “Diamonds Are a Girls Best Friend,” “I Will Follow Him,” “You Don’t Own Me,” “Respect,” ‘I Am Women” and “This Girl’s on Fire.”

Couple that with a backdrop of slides showing photographs of prominent women and men over the century who have helped to frame the woman’s role such as civil rights activist Rosa Parks, heart throbs Bobby Darrin and David Cassidy, women’s advocate Gloria Steinhem, Actresses Marilyn Monroe and Jane Fonda, musician Janice Joplin — the list is endless.

One of the scenes in the show depicts the original American teenage girls from the 60s, waiting anxiously by the old-fashioned phone for a boy to call. We’re talking pre-cell phones, internet, Facebook, Snapchat and the like. It was at that point, that the young millennial women turned to me asking if that really happened?

Incredulous, right? It was at that point that I realized how uninformed our next generation — especially of women — are on the hows and whys of the women’s movement. I am guestimating that most of the young girls and women who advocated and walked during this year’s Women’s March were clueless on how long the female sex has been striving for equality and the long history of why women are roaring now.

Ignorance Is Not Bliss When It Comes To Women’s Rights

“Every mom should be taking their daughter to see this show. And, wouldn’t it be fabulous if their sons would see it, too?” — Abbe Sparks, Socially Sparked News

As a mother to a millennial, I speak the truth when I say, “every mom should be taking their daughter to see this show. And, wouldn’t it be fabulous if their sons would see it, too?” I repeat, “ignorance is not bliss” but an eye opener to the evolution of a women’s role in society and the women’s movement.

I leave you with a quote I heard from Together For Girls‘ Daniela Ligiero cited from an ancient Chinese proverb.

“When Sleeping Women Wake, Mountains Move.”

Abbe is Socially Sparked !   Abbe Sparks, www.sociallysparkednews.com  Tweet @sosparkednews & @asparks01

‘This One’s For The Girls’, written by Dorothy Marcic is playing open-ended at St. Luke’s Theatre Off-Broadway in New York City. Visit their website for ticket information. http://thisonesforthegirlsthemusical.com

[Submitted by Abbe Sparks]

September Sparks awareness for many wonderful health iand social justice nitiatives including Suicide Prevention, Ovarian and Prostate Cancers, Food Safety plus money others.
 
The return to Fall starts an active calendar of monthly and weekly health and social issue initiatives all designed to make an impact for progress, finding cures and social change

September brings National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time to share resources and stories in an effort to shed light on this highly stigmatized topic. The month focuses on reaching out to those affected by suicide, raising awareness and connecting individuals with suicidal ideation to treatment services.

Each year, more than 41,000 individuals die by suicide, leaving behind their friends and family members to navigate the tragedy of loss. In many cases, friends and families affected by a suicide loss are left in the dark. Too often the feelings of shame and stigma prevent them from talking openly. 

With the back to back recent tragic suicide deaths this summer by two of the music industry’s beloved musicians — Chester Bennington and Chris Cornell, the conversations were put front and center – hopefully as a reminder of the importance of recognizing signs and seeking help. If you are in crisis or know someone who is, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741-741.

September 10 -16: NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION WEEK – September 10-16 is National Suicide Prevention Week. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention offers an easy way to show your support for the fight to #StopSuicide by changing your profile picture and posting to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram all week. 

PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS MONTH – Go Blue this September. Prostate Cancer is the second-most common cancer in U.S men. The Step Up For Blue campaign empowers men to take control of their health — and encourages their loved ones to support them. There are 3 million U.S. men living with prostate cancer and countless families fighting this disease worldwide. 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed in their lifetimes. The good news is that prostate cancer is 99 percent treatable if detected early. Education and screening are key. 

Helpful Tips from The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF), and its Step Up For Blue campaign can be found at their website: www.pcf.org


OVARIAN CANCER MONTH – Go Teal this September to raise awareness for Ovarian Cancer. According to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC), one in 75 women will be diagnosed with the disease. More than 22,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year, and over 14,000 women die from the disease. Unfortunately, most cases are diagnosed in later stages, when the prognosis is poor. However, if diagnosed and treated early, when the cancer is confined to the ovary, the five-year survival rate is over 90 percent. That is why it is imperative that the early signs and symptoms of the disease are recognized, not only by women, but by their families and the healthcare community. 


FOOD SAFETY EDUCATION MONTH – It’s National Food Safety Education Month and National Family Meals Month, an annual awareness initiative to educate the public on the preparation of safe and healthy family meals. The campaign began in 1994 by the Partnership for Food Safety Education.


There are many more wonderful awareness campaigns and coordinating events occurring this September nationally, locally and on the world stage including World Alzheimer’s Day, Out of the Darkness Walks for Suicide Awareness, and concerts for Prostate Cancer. 

[Submitted by Abbe Sparks]