Teen star Demi Lovato, PACER’s National Center for Bullying Prevention and Facebook want cyberbullying to end. That’s why they’re teaming up during National Bullying Prevention Month in October to spread the word on how everyone—including teens—can play a part in making cyberspace a safer place. Sponsored by PACER Center, National Bullying Prevention Month encourages communities, families, schools and students to get involved in bullying prevention by using resources at PACER.org. Lovato, Facebook and PACER especially encourage teens to join the cause and show that they care—because no one deserves to be bullied on or offline. Teens can watch Lovato’s video message about the month on her Facebook Page (facebook.com/demilovato), “Like” Facebook’s Safety Page (facebook.com/fbsafety) to find dynamic information about being responsible and keeping safe on the web, and sign the “End of Bullying Begins with Me” petition on PACER’s Facebook Page. “Educating people about the lasting impacts of bullying is a responsibility shared by parents, teachers, organizations like PACER, and services like Facebook,” said Joe Sullivan, Facebook’s Chief Security Officer. “We’re proud to be collaborating with PACER and Demi Lovato on this important initiative, and look forward to working together in the future.” On her official site, Demi Lovato left a letter explaining why she decided to work with PACER.
Hi, I'm Demi Lovato
Thank's for checking out PACER's Teens Against Bullying Web site and for finding out why I have chosen to be a part of this important cause. I was bullied in middle school. It got so bad I chose to leave and be homeschooled. Many people think of bullying as getting beat up in school, but it is so much more than that. For me it was all of the verbal harassment I had to deal with. People say sticks and stones may break your bones but names can never hurt you, but that's not true. Words can hurt. They hurt me. Things were said to me that I still haven't forgotten.
I was lucky, though. I had really supportive parents, other education options, and I had outlets like music and acting. I actually used all of the bullying as a motivation to succeed. I think I have actualy become a stronger person because of it.
But I know that many kids and teens do not have all of the support and outlets I have, and that's why I want to do something about bullying. I want to make it stop. And I've teamed up with PACER and TeensAgainsBullying.org as their spokesperson to create a movement. A bullying prevention movement made up of kids and parents and teachers everywhere who want it to stop, too.
We're going to use the information on this website (http://www.pacerteensagainstbullying.org/) to help people learn how to address bullying. And we're trying to get as many schools as possible to join us in October for National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month.
Join me in the movement to put an end to bullying. The end of bullying begins with you.
TEENS AGAINST BULLYING
MAYBE IT'S TIME TO GO VEGETARIAN
Studies have shown that in addition of shading unwanted pounds, people who switch to a vegan diet reduce their risk of heart disease, cancer and strokes.Many people choose a vegetarian diet out of concern over animal rights or the environment. And lots of people have more than one reason for choosing vegetarianism. Here's why.
CACHE SAID NO TO REAL FUR
After PETA sent Cache women's specialty retailer a video showing animals being poisoned, gassed, skinned alive, and killed in other cruel ways, the company agreed to stop selling fur. Tom Reinckens, the chief executive of Cache, informed PETA that "Cache has made the decision it will no longer sell any apparel or merchandise that contains real fur." By going fur-free, Cache is saving countless animals from pain and suffering. Fortunately, more and more retailers are refusing to sell fur of any sort. Although no company should have been selling fur in the first place, it's a positive sign that so many retailers are realizing just how cruel and unpopular fur is. Cache, which operates 295 stores in more than 40 states, joins an ever-growing list of major retailers that refused selling any more fur: JC Penny, Kenneth Cole, Ann Taylor, Express, GAP, Polo Ralph Lauren, Liz Claiborne, Forever 21, American Eagle Outfitters, Lane Bryant and Calvin Klein.
WHOSE SKIN ARE YOU IN?
When you think of fur one word comes to mind- elegance- because the fur clothes that you see in magazines or commercials are a symbol of elegance, rafinament and luxury.But what you don't see in these commercials or stores is how the original owners of these coats met their gruesome deaths. How millions of animals including foxes, raccoons, coyotes, bobcats, lynxes, opposums, nutria, beavers and others are killed each year on fur farms by anal and vaginal electrocutation; drowning, trapping or beating. And all in the name of fashion. So next time when you stop to buy a fur coat, don't forget the rest of it.
SEDU HAIR STYLE
Sedu style is the right hair style for straight and silky looking fashion. The style is perfect for the woman who already have straight hair or it can be achieved with the help of hair straightener.
CAN YOU SPOT THE VICTIM?
Animals are the silent victims of domestic violence. Most people treat pets as members of the family. Unfortunately, when it comes to domestic violence, pets are also deemed part of the family unit and forced to suffer in silence at the hands of abusers. Some studies estimate that:
• | 50% of domestic violence victims delay seeking help out of concern that their pet may be harmed by the abuser |
• | 88% of companion animals living in houses where domestic violence occurs are routinely threatened, harmed or even killed |
HORROR OF THE DEMONIC
Horror movies strive to elicit the emotions of fear and terror by involving themes of death and supernatural. All the major studios and many respected directors, starting with Alfred Hitchcock, Roman Polanski, John Carpenter, Sam Raimi or Francis Ford Coppola have made forays into the genre. The early 20th century brought more milestones for the horror genre, including the first monster to appear in a full-lenght horror film - Quasimodo - the hunch back of Notre-Dame who had appeared in Victor Hugo's novel, "Notre-Dame de Paris". The horror-of-the-demonic movie is one of the sub-genres of the horror film that grew out of mid and late 20th Century American culture. As described by Charles Devy, the horror-of-the-demonic film suggested that the world was horrible because of the evil forces that were constantly undermining the quality of existence. These evil forces could remain mere spiritual presences or they could take the shape of demons or devils. From George Melies 1896 film "The Devil's Manor" to more recent productions such as Roman Polanski's "Rosemary's Baby" and "The Ninth Gate", diabolism has been a significant foundation for films which explore religious subject matter. In American movies, Satan has been represented as human, as the creator of the Antichrist, as a beast, as a spirit or abstract figure. The overall debate about Satan and popular ignorance of him allows filmmakers the opportunity to illustrate varying interpretations. Films become a way to investigate the Devil's character. Popular cinema has the ability to fill the void of knowledge about the Devil. In the Bible, Satan plays a minor role, and his personality is not discussed in its text. Although human and beastlike representations were the most common in the Middle Ages, many religionists believed that the Devil was a spirit who could possess humans. The Catholic Church believes most cases of possession are inflicted on the victims by their own doing, either by worshipping Satan or practicing sinful lifestyles. The Church does admit, however, that there have been many documented cases of possession where there has been no fault or blame placed on the afflicted individual. Possession and exorcism themes are certainly prevalent in American movies, the best example being "The Exorcism of Emily Rose". Similarly, by suggesting that in order to create the Antichrist, the Devil must have sex with a woman, Satan is often represented in American cinema as a type of incubus. Naturally, sex with humans can result in offspring.
The critical and popular success of "Rosemary's Baby" directed by Roman Polanski led to the release of more films with occult themes, such as "The Exorcist" and other movies in which the Devil represented the supernatural evil, often by impregnating women or possessing children. The idea of the Antichrist being half-human is explored in movies such as "The Omen" or "Point Pleasant". Invincible to human intervention, Satan became the villain in many horror films with a postmodern style and a dystopian worldview.
CARLY POPE HURT IN A CARJACKING
Carly and her brother Kris were hurt in a Vancouver carjacking. Carly suffered a broken rib and two cracked vertebrae, while Kris suffered severe injuries to his ankle when a pedestrian tried to steal their vehicle and crashed it into the new CBC building on West Georgia Street. Vancouver police have confirmed David Fomradas, 31, of Alberta is facing eight charges in relation to the incident, including: kidnapping, aggravated assault, assault with a weapon, dangerous driving, mischief to property. Carly, Kris and one other unidentified victim were treated in hospital following the incident and have since been released. Fomradas was also treated in hospital and remains in police custody. The two were in Kris's BMW on Tuesday morning when a pedestrian leaped onto the hood of the vehicle and started yelling at them to run him over, according to witnesses. After Kris left the vehicle, the pedestrian jumped behind the wheel of the car and reversed it through traffic, dragging the pair and one other person along with them, and hitting three other vehicles before crashing into the CBC building. "My daughter was thrown from the car at some point," said Dale Pope. "My son, who grabbed on to the door of the car to try and stop this person from kidnapping his sister, was thrown from the vehicle and received quite severe injuries to his ankle, his arm and his face. My daughter suffered a broken rib and two cracked vertebrae, and some stitches to her face. We feel very blessed that they're with us because this person could have had a weapon," he added. "I don't know if he did or did not, but he could have had a weapon and used it on my daughter, or my son, or both." The Pope family source said Kris was released from the hospital Tuesday night, but Carly remained in the hospital.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Let this coming year be better than all the others. Vow to do some of the things you've always wanted to do but couldn't find the time. Call up a forgotten friend. Drop an old grudge, and replace it with some pleasant memories. Vow not to make a promise you don't think you can keep. Walk tall and smile more. You'll look ten years younger. Don't be afraid to say 'I love you'. Say it again. They are the sweetest words in the world. (Ann Landers) Have a great year filled with all the joy and happiness in the world. Wishing you a very Happy New Year!
STALKING:ANOTHER TYPE OF CRIME
O amenintare nu necesita intotdeauna cuvinte. O mana indreptata spre tine in forma unui pistol transmite un mesaj cat se poate de clar, mai ales daca e urmata de corespondente sau telefoane amenintatoare. Un buchet de trandafiri ofiliti in fata usii tale, un animal mort sau o fotografie cu imaginea ta taiata poate sa comunice acelasi sentiment. In intreaga lume, sute de oameni au cazut victime unor indivizi care s-au concentrat pe ei in mod obesesiv. Si odata ce ai fost o victima, sti cat de distrugator poate fi acest lucru pentru viata ta. Urmarirea obsesiva si hartuirea este o problema cat se poate de reala. Pana de curand, stirile aveau in vizor cazuri ale unor celebritati. Dar aceasta fapta nu se rezerva doar la cei bogati si faimosi. In timp ce cazurile proeminente atrag cat mai multa atentie din partea presei, majoritatea victimelor nu sunt figuri publice, ci oameni obisnuiti. Cu toate ca majoritatea hartuitorilor nu ataca, pericolul violentei este dedus, ceea ce inseamna ca, chiar si acele victime care nu sunt ranite din punct de vedere fizic, sufera enorm din cauza fricii, anxietatii si a intreruperii rutinei de zi cu zi. Din pacate, victimele pur si simplu nu stiu ce sa faca cand se confrunta cu o hartuire de acest fel. Si nici fortele de ordine sau sistemul juridic. De ce? Pentru ca, in multe cazuri, hartuitorii isi terorizeaza cu succes victimele fara sa incalce legea. Lee Gilman, in varsta de 25 de ani, a atras atentia unuia dintre vecinii ei. Cele doua duzine de crizanteme lasate in fata usii sale erau insotite de un bilet in care scria "Te admir. Esti frumoasa." Semnat "Stanley". Biletul avea o fata vesela la sfarsit. In urmatoarea luna, admiratorul ei i-a trimis scrisori lipsite de sens, unele dintre ele continand pagini intregi de poezii incoerente. Insa toate continand aceeasi fraza: "Daca vrei sa ma cunosti, lasa un bilet sub roata din dreapta a masinii tale." Era evident ca cineva ii urmarea fiecare miscare. "Devenisem total paranoica in acel moment." A sunat la politie care i-a spus ca nu puteau face nimic pana cand autorul acelor bilete nu-i va face ceva fizic. Speriata, a chemat un fost prieten, care a venit cu motocicleta, sa stea cu ea noaptea. "Nu ma bazam pe prietenul tau cu motocicleta," scria in ultimul bilet primit a doua zi. De aceasta data, o fata trista o inlocuia pe cea vesela. Intr-un final, a incetat sa-i mai scrie. "Se pare ca nu ai de gand sa-mi raspunzi," preciza ultimul bilet. Lee nu a mai auzit nimic de la el. O luna mai tarziu insa, i-a disparut pisica. Intr-o zi, cand a deschis cutia de scrisori, i-a gasit zgarda aproape rupta. In ziua de azi, invadarea vietii private a capatat o terifianta dimensiune tehnologica. Hartuitorii, asemeni altor sute de oameni din intreaga lume, au gasit calea internetului pentru a exploata tehnologia in favoarea lor. In zone precum San Diego, 20% din cazurile de hartuire au inclus cyberstalking-ul. In New York, numarul ajunge pana la 40%. "Foloseam internetul de aproximativ 3 ani. Si trebuie sa recunosc ca am trecut prin multe. E uimitor cat de mult iti poate afecta viata. Mi-au trebuit 3 ani sa invat sa fiu mai precauta. Toate din cauza unui tip. L-am cunoscut pe un joc online. Scria poezii sa-si exprime sentimentele, la fel ca si mine. Poeziile pe care le scria ma faceau sa cred ca era doar un alt ratat care avea nevoie de un prieten. I-am dat numarul de telefon si i-am zis sa-mi promita ca nu-l va da altcuiva, etc...etc...evident ca nu am facut un lucru bun. Am vorbit un timp. Dupa aceea, din nu stiu ce motiv, relatia noastra a luat o turnura drastica. Sentimentele lui pentru mine s-au transformat in ura. M-a acuzat ca l-am ranit. Intr-o noapte mi-a spus ca vrea sa vorbim. Ne-am luat o camera de chat privata si nici nu pot sa spun tot ce s-a intamplat in acea noapte. Imi era atat de frica. Avea numarul meu de telefon, a cautat mai multe informatii despre mine. Primul lucru pe care mi l-a aratat cand am intrat pe chat, a fost adresa mea. Apoi a inceput sa ma ameninte. A inceput sa spuna cele mai ciudate lucruri. Ca o sa-si ia pusca si o sa vina la mine sa ma impuste, ca o sa-si faca o pagina web cu toate informatiile despre mine si o sa-mi faca viata un iad cum i-am facut-o si eu pe a lui. Nu stiam ce sa fac. Am incercat sa discut cu el, sa lamuresc lucrurile. Mi-a zis sa ma astept la un telefon in fiecare zi de 13 a lunii. Tocmai implinisem 14 ani cand s-au intamplat toate acestea, si nici macar nu pot spune in cuvinte cum m-am simtit. Am avut cosmaruri in fiecare noapte." Nu toti hartuitorii isi urmaresc fizic victimele, cu un aer viclean si vag dezechilibrat. Orice forma de comportament poate inspira frica; de la apeluri, la vizite nedorite sau scrisori. De cele mai multe ori, hartuitorul este o persoana pe care victima o cunoaste, cineva care se concentreaza pe un anumit aspect al vietii sale fara sa isi dea seama ca acest comportament reprezinta o amenintare pentru victima. Hartuitorii sunt persoane singure, izolate, atat din partile dezavantajate, cat si din cele instarite ale societatii. Din punct de vedere medical, ei se incadreaza in randul persoanelor ce sufera de tulburari mintale, precum paranoia. "Cand eram la colegiu, am inceput sa folosesc cat mai mult internetul. Un coleg a inceput sa ma tot sune cand eram pe mess si eu, fiind naiva in acea perioada, eram flatata ca facea asta. Eram flatata de atentia oferita. Cu toate ca locuiam in acelasi campus, nu ne intalnisem niciodata fata in fata. Parea dragut cu mine si intr-o seara m-a invitat la o cafea. Nu-l consideram atractiv in vre-un fel, dar era amabil si simpatic, asa ca am acceptat sa-i mai dau o sansa. Ne-am intalnit timp de cateva saptamani, nu mai mult de o luna, cand am decis ca acea relatie nu avea sa mearga. Aveam un conflict de interese despre orice si ne certam des. Si acest temperament ma speria. Cateva minute mai tarziu, dupa ce m-am despartit de el, m-a sunat, implorandu-ma sa il primesc inapoi. Dupa ce am incercat sa-l fac sa inteleaga cu frumosul, lucrurile s-au transformat intr-un fel de meci la telefon. I-am spus atunci tot ce credeam despre el. Apoi i-am inchis. Bineinteles, trebuia sa imi verific si mailul. Erau doua de la el. Ambele implorandu-ma sa-i spun ce facuse ca sa ma supar pe el. Asa ca am intrat sa vorbim pe mess si atunci m-a rugat sa ies cu el la o plimbare la 1 noaptea. I-am spus nu pentru ca era foarte frig si nici nu vroiam sa-l vad. Apoi mi-a trimis 7 mailuri; de la te rog nu ma parasi, la te iubesc si la o sa ma sinucid daca nu ma vrei. Nu eram speriata atunci, doar foarte, foarte furioasa. Am uitat sa mentionez ca in mail mai spunea ca statea de o ora in fata caminului sa ma vada cand ies. Asa ca a trebuit sa ma furisez pana in camera, ceea ce m-a facut si mai furioasa. O ora mai tarziu am primit 13 mailuri, toate spunand aceleasi lucruri. Unele erau lungi de 7 pagini cu nimic in afara de te iubesc, iar altele la fel de lungi cu te urasc, o sa ma sinucid. Asta m-a infuriat si mai tare si i-am scris si eu un mail, intr-un final, spunandu-i ca daca vroia sa se sinucida o facea de mult, fara sa imi mai spuna atata. Cand am intrat mai tarziu pe mail, imi sparsese parola si imi stersese tot ce aveam. A spus ca daca el nu ma poate avea, nu ma va avea nimeni, ca ma va face sa-l iubesc si asa mai departe. Apoi, intr-o noapte, a venit la usa camerei mele, plangand, cu trandafiri, implorand-o pe prietena mea sa il lase sa ma vada. Plangea intr-una, spunand ca ma iubeste si ca stie ca si eu il iubesc, ca a fost de ajuns prin cate l-am facut sa treaca si ca a trecut testul meu si era demn de dragostea mea. Inca mai primesc mailuri de la el in care imi spune ca ma iubeste, de ce mai continui sa ma port asa si cand o sa le spun celorlalti ca il iubesc. Am ales sa ignor acele mailuri. Toate acestea s-au intamplat acum 2 ani." A convinge un hartuitor sa te lase in pace este foarte complicat. Problema este ca nu le plac oamenii rationali si cred ca atentia pe care ti-o acorda este ceea ce vrei si daca persista suficient de mult, intr-un final, eforturile lor vor fi rasplatite. In plus, reactia victimelor agraveaza si mai mult problema. Printre greselile facute de victime se numara felul usor de a refuza o persoana in situatia in care nu doresc sa se implice intr-o relatie. Ideea de baza este ca un hartuitor cauta atentie. Cauta o reactie pozitiva din partea victimei, cu toate ca se multumeste si cu una negativa stiind ca astfel face parte din viata ta. Chiar daca implici politia, tot tu esti persoana potrivita sa te protejezi cel mai bine. Urmatoarele sfaturi sunt o mica parte din cartea lui Linden Gross, "Surviving a Stalker". Pentru inceput, daca nu vrei sa dai curs unei relatii, spune "nu" de la inceput, direct si clar. Din moment ce oamenii vad si aud ce vor cand vine vorba de propriile lor sentimente, daca nu le spui un "nu" explicit, nu vor intelege mesajul. De indata ce vezi ca cineva este foarte persistent, trebuie sa tratezi problema cat se poate de serios. Cu toate ca hartuitorul s-ar putea sa nu recurga niciodata la violenta, atentia nedorita iti va produce mai mult ca sigur discomfort si neplacere. In momentul in care situatia incepe sa degenereze in cazul in care ai mentionat clar ca nu ai nici un fel de interes pentru acea persoana, intrerupe orice fel de contact; inclusiv amenintarile de a te lasa in pace sau eforturile de negociere. A pune capat tuturor comunicarilor include si a nu raspunde amenintarilor sau intimidarilor, indiferent cat de frica iti este. "Daca cineva te suna de patruzeci de ori pe zi si, in disperare, raspunzi celui de-al patruzecelea apel pentru a incerca sa cazi la o intelegere cu acea persoana, acest lucru nu face decat sa ii dea de inteles ca numai dupa atatea incercari iti poate capta atentia."
NEW YEAR'S DAY
"Happy New Year!" This greeting will be said and heard for at least the first couple of weeks as the new year gets under way. The celebration of the new year is the oldest of all holidays. During the Middle Ages, the Church was opposed to celebrating the New Year. January 1 has been celebrated as a holiday by Western nations for only about the past 400 years. It was thought that what you do or what you eat on the first day of the year can affect the luck you will have throughout the coming year. Due to that, it has become common for people to celebrate the first few minutes of the brand new year in the company of friends and family. One, it was also believed that the first visitor on New Year's Day would bring either good luck or bad luck, for the rest of the year. Traditional New Year foods are also thought to bring luck. Many cultures believe that anything in the shape of a ring is good luck because it symbolizes "coming full circle"; completing a year's circle. For that reason, the Dutch believe that eating donuts on New Year's Day will bring good fortune. Cabbage is another "good luck" vegetable that is consumed on New Year's Day by many. Cabbage leaves are considered a sign of prosperity, being representative of paper currency. In some regions, rice is a lucky food that is eaten on New Year's Day.
CRIME AROUND THE WORLD
Comparative statistics of crime rates around the world concluded that the world we now live in is a safer place than it used to be. The factors that affect crime levels are:
-difference in legal and criminal justice systems, -rates of crime report and police recording, -differences in the point at which a crime is measured; some countries believe it is the time when the offense is reported, others only do the recording when a suspect is identified and the papers are transferred to the prosecutor, -differences in the ruling of which multiple offenses are counted, -differences in the lost of offenses to be included in the whole crime figures. BURGLARY: As of 2000, US has lower rates than Australia, Canada, Denmark, England, Finland and Wales. But it has higher rates than Korea, Saudi Arabia and Spain. HOMICIDE: US had been consistently high in homicide rates than most of the Western countries from 1980-2000. Though the rate was cut almost in half in the 90s, it is still higher, with the 2000 rate of 5.5 homicides per 100,000 people. RAPE: In the 80s and 90s, US rates were higher than most of the Western countries, but by 2000, Canada is leading. Rape reports are lower in Asia and the Middle East. ROBBERY: The past 2 decades saw a steady decline in the US. Countries with more reported robberies than US include England, Wales, Portugal and Spain. Those with fewer are France, Germany, Italy, Asian countries plus Middle East. In overall crimes, US ranks the highest, followed by Germany, UK, France and South Africa.
JACK-O'LANTERN
Pumpkin carving is a popular part of modern America's Halloween celebration. Pumpkins can be found everywhere in the country, from doorsteps to dinner tables during this period. People have been making jack o'lanterns at Halloween for centuries. The practice originated from an Irish myth about a man nicknamed "Stingy Jack". According to the story, Stingy Jack invited the Devil to have a drink with him. But he didn't want to pay for his drink, so he convinced the Devil to turn himself into a coin that Jack could use to buy their drinks. Once the Devil did so, Jack decided to keep the money and put into his pocket next to a silver cross, which prevented the Devil from changing back into his original form. Jack eventually freed the Devil under the condition that he would not bother him for one year, and when he should die, the Devil would not claim his soul. The next year, Jack again tricked the Devil into climbing into a tree to pick a piece of fruit. While he was up in the tree, Jack carved a sign of the cross into the tree so that the Devil could not come down until he promised Jack not to bother him for 10 more years. Soon after, Jack died. As the legend goes, God didn't allowed his soul into Heaven. The Devil, upset by the trick Jack had played on him and due to the fact that he had to keep his word about claiming his soul, didn't allowed Jack into Hell. Instead, he sent Jack off into the dark night with only a burning coal to light his way; and so, Jack has been roaming the Earth ever since.
