Monthly Archives: August 2008

Re:The elderly!

When it comes to the word trouble or a group that is likely to cause trouble or be at odds with the long arm of the law in any country, one is likely to exclude, and rightly so, the elderly! This is due to the assumption that their many years of experience has taught them valuable lessons including how to live peacefully with all age groups!

However, if you were to take a poll on this group, you are likely to get mixed reactions! Take a look at the following:

1.If you talk to cashiers or customer service representatives, they will tell you that while others have lived to their reputation as respectful and peace makers, others are known to be trouble makers. Having served as a cashier for a number of years, I have witnessed ugly cases involving the elderly. A recent one involved a 74 year lady. In paying for her grocery, she wrote a check which unfortunately did not go through for who knows why! Immediately she started yelling insult at the cashier and the managers! She even went to the extent of calling the cops, who unfortunately would not control her! It was drama of the highest order!

2.Many of those who work at heath institutions can tell you that some of the elderly use words that one can hardly believe!

3.I once worked as a valet at a condominium that belonged to the elderly. My daily experience was one of frustration. There were days that I just wanted to quit right there!

4.In deep appreciation of the role the parents played in their lives, some have thought it a noble thing to have their elderly parents pay them a visit. While some have behaved well, others have been forced to return before their time thus leaving behind them a very bad reputation.

Whatever the reasons for such kind of behavior is any one’s guess! So where do we go from here!

1.Let us continue to treat them with all due respect!
2.Avoid taking it personal!
3.Remember that some of them have a bitter history that somehow keeps popping up!
4.Treat them like Jesus would have treated them!
5.If we live to be their age, let us purpose in out hearts to treat others better than what we are witnessing! Shall we!

Just a thought!

Pr Birai
612-386-4608
www.themaranathasdachurch.org

– – –
Date: Mon, 4 Aug 2008 05:19:59 -0700 (PDT)
From: Absalom Birai
Subject: Re:The elderly!

Reuters.com – Economic models predict clear Obama win in November

Joram Ragem has sent you this article.
Personal Message:
Reuters Thomson Reuters
Economic models predict clear Obama win in November
Fri Aug 01 20:54:55 UTC 2008

By Alister Bull

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – It really is the economy, stupid! Economic models that have correctly predicted the winner of almost all post-war U.S. presidential elections say recession fears will secure a victory for Barack Obama in November.

Three separate studies showed the Democratic presidential hopeful winning between 52 and 55 percent of the popular vote on November 4, based on current gloomy economic estimates.

Any further darkening in the economic outlook — many analysts think things will get worse between now and November — would reinforce that election outcome.

“The economy is certainly not going to be a positive for the Republicans,” said Ray Fair, an economics professor at Yale university who built the earliest of the models in 1978.

His model, which assumed tepid U.S. economic growth of 1.5 percent and a 3 percent rate of inflation, predicted the Republican candidate John McCain’s share of the vote would be 47.8 percent, handing Obama 52.2 percent.

“It is a decent margin but it is not a landslide,” said Fair, who ran the numbers in April. “It would have been much larger if there had been a recession in 2008.”

U.S. economic activity doubled in the second quarter to a 1.9 percent annualized pace. But previous data was revised lower to show output contracted 0.2 percent in the final three months of last year, the weakest performance since 2001, and expanded only slightly at the start of 2008.

“It’s the economy, stupid!” was a phrase extensively used during Bill Clinton’s successful 1992 presidential campaign against George H.W. Bush to remind voters that a recession occurred during Bush’s administration.

Fair’s model, and a version built by St. Louis-based forecasting firm Macroeconomic Advisers, blend political factors with economics to scientifically nail down the view that voters care first and foremost about their own wallets.

Indeed, opinion polls consistently find that the economy is the most important issue for U.S. voters.

HEADWINDS

Macroeconomic Advisers’ model incorporates whether the candidate is from the incumbent party, approval ratings and the length of time the incumbent party has held the White House to capture the extent voters may have tired of them.

Adding in its own estimates for U.S. economic growth, the unemployment rate and the change in energy prices, it finds that McCain will get just 45 percent of the vote.

“This model has correctly predicted the winning party 12 out of 14 times,” Macroeconomic Advisers said.

“The weak current state of the economy, and the sharp rise in energy prices pose a significant headwind to the McCain campaign, if voters weigh these factors similarly to how they have in the past,” they said in a note to clients.

The third work is a “Bread and Peace” model devised by Douglas Hibbs, a retired economics professor from the University of Goteborg in Sweden, who remains a senior fellow at the Center for Public Sector Research there.

He finds that U.S. presidential elections are well-predicted by just two fundamental forces: the weighted average per capita growth of real disposable income and the number of U.S. military deaths in foreign combat.

“Average per capita real income growth probably will be only around 0.75 percent at Election Day. Moreover, cumulative U.S. military fatalities in Iraq will reach 4,300 or more,” he said in a June update of his model.

“Given those fundamental conditions, the Bread and Peace model predicts a Republican two-party vote share centered on 48.2 percent.”

(Editing by Eric Walsh)

– – –
Date: Sun, 3 Aug 2008 21:46:59 +0000 (UTC)
From: “Reuters_News@reuters.com”
Subject: Reuters.com – Economic models predict clear Obama win in November

Re: When @ a social gatherings!

Social gatherings are great! People meet, eat together, talk, share jokes, and laugh. In the end, there is always a feeling of having had good time together or as some young people put it,”I really had fun!”

The only problem I have with social gatherings is that there are no rules. It therefore becomes the responsibility of those in attendance to remember the following:

1.Just remember that others want to be heard as well!
2.Therefore avoid dominating the talk!
3.As you share jokes and information know when to talk and when to let others talk as well!
4.Avoid jokes and talks that will make others un-comfortable
5.In the midst of having good time, avoid sharing that will might haunt you after wards!

But perhaps the most important thing to remember is to apply the golden rule, “Do unto others that which you would like to be done unto you.” Mathew 7:12

Next time I find myself in a social gathering, I will not only remember the above points but will also put them to use. How about you my friend!

Just a thought!

Pr Birai
612-386-4608
www.themaranathasdachurch.org

– – –
Date: Sun, 3 Aug 2008 05:12:09 -0700 (PDT)
From: Absalom Birai
Subject: Re: When @ a social gatherings!

Re:If you want a penny…….Take one!

Just the other day, I walked into a store to buy staples. At the cashier’s register, was a container with pennies, and a piece of paper that read thus:

If you want a penny……..Take one!
If you want two…………Take two!
If you want three———-Get yourself a job!

Mmmmm….! “I thought to myself!” ” I really think that this makes a lot of sense,!” I whispered to myself as I paid for the staples and left!

On my way home from the store, I recalled of a story! It was a story that took place when I was a student at Andrews University,Berrien Springs,Michigan!

There was this student who timed his visits to other students homes always at lunch time! Why! So that he would find something to eat; nothing wrong except for the fact that he went around bragging that there was no need for him to buy food as he would easily eat anywhere!

When word went around,no one was willing to accept his visitation anymore; leave alone giving him something to eat!.

Writing to the Thessalonian believers, the apostle Paul said, “For even when we were with you ,this we commanded you,that if any would not work, neither should he eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:10.)

What if anything does all these imply? While, I am a stronger believer of helping those in needy and can deny myself basic needs so as to help, the following have been and remain great concerns! It seems to me that many people are too careless when it comes to spending hand outs! Reflect on the following:

1.Whenever there is a fundraiser for such things as funeral,pre-wedding, wedding, etc, such money more often than not is spent anyhow. The beneficiaries hardly take time to ponder that such money was hard earned!

2.Stories reaching us from Africa indicate that a lot of the money that is sent there is carelessly used! Why? Because they know that more will be coming!

3.Do you recall people that you see at some corners in major cities begging for money? Some of those are able to work. Sometimes I wonder why some of them can not get some kind of job!

4.It’s a known fact that some of the people who have won lotteries, in time,return to the streets! Why! Money that you don’t work for you hardly know how to manage it!

We are not saying that anyone should not help! The point I am putting a cross is that no one has easy money to dish out! So whenever you get some help, be careful how you spent it. Better still, let every person learn how to fish. In this way, we can give others a break! Shall we?

Just a thought

Pr Birai
612-386-4608
www.themaranathasdachurch.org

– – –
Date: Sat, 2 Aug 2008 21:18:47 -0700 (PDT)
From: Absalom Birai
Subject: Re:If you want a penny…….Take one!

More info about my dad’s funeral

Hi some people called me and asked me to provide a way that anybody could assist me.
 
As I posted before my dad Paul Onyango passed away in his home at Kabura in Alego Usonga. His body is currently at Siaya District Hospital Mortuary and burial will take place on 8/8/08.
 
For those who are busy but willing to assist me, this is how you can do it
 
 
My mailing address is
Mercy Onyango
1553 N. Schrader Blvd # 3A
Hollywood, Ca, 90028
323-872-3867
Email – mercyatis@yahoo.com
 
If u need my bank info ie account number, please email me and I ll give it to u
 
Thanks guys for your prayers and support

– – –
Date:   Sat, 2 Aug 2008 21:17:39 -0700 (PDT)
From:   Mercy Onyango
Subject:   More info about my dad’s funeral

Let the Minister Hon. Martha Respond

Folks,

We earlier put a request that Ministers clean their Ministries and put their houses together so to provide services to the public responsibly.

Can Hon. Minister Martha Karua comment to the General Public about this outfit of disrespectful behaviour on the Institution of the Judiciary.

People, what does this mean?

Are the Officials serving on these Institutions earning salaries for these kind of shoddy careless jobs? Are they worthy of Tax Payers Money? Can we and the General Public request for staffing overhaul so work can commence and be seen to follow Judiciary protocals and proceedural laws as laid down?

We have people in Public Services whose usefulness are long spent and are questionable. Can they be given leave of Office so they are replaced with vibrant work oriented personnel?

What is the Law here?

Judy Miriga
USA

– – – – – – – – – – –

National News

Arrest order out for politician
Updated on: Saturday, August 02, 2008
Story by: Alphonce Mung¢ahu
…….

A NAIROBI court yesterday issued an arrest warrant against Kamukunji constituency parliamentary candidate Simon Mbugua Ng¢ang¢a for failing to appear for a criminal case.

The politician is facing charges of stealing over Sh1.1 million. Mbugua, who is a car dealer, is facing other counts of obtaining money by false pretences and issuing fake cheques while knowing his account had no funds.

When the case came up for him to take plea, police Superintendent J. Cairo informed trial magistrate Stella Muketi the accused was not in court. He, however, applied for his arrest warrant for failure to turn up to plead to the charges. The magistrate granted the prosecution¢s application and subsequently issued the arrest order against Mbugua.

She also directed that the case be mentioned on August 15, 2008 upon which Mbugua was expected to have been arrested by investigators. The charge against Mbugua states that on September 8, 2007, at Langata Road Motors, in Lang¢ata, Nairobi, he stole Sh1, 100, 000 which he received on account of one Khalid Ashur Muhud. He also faces a second count that states that on February 13, 2008, at Lang¢ata Road Motors, Mbugua with intent to defraud, falsely obtained Sh700, 000 from Mwaniki Patrick Thuo.

He received the cash after allegedly falsely pretending that a motor vehicle registration number KBA 335M, Toyota Spacio, he was selling was registered with the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and issued with a log book, a fact he knew to be false.

The parliamentary contender is also charged with obtaining Sh750, 000 from Ondieki Benson Nyagah by falsely pretending a motor vehicle registration number KAV 245N (Toyota Corona) he was selling to him is registered with KRA and issued with a logbook.

The offence is said to have been committed on February 28, 2006 at Lang¢ata Road Motors. He is further accused of issuing two bad cheques number 001331 for Sh510, 000 to one Munsukh Kholsa knowing that his account No. 1200000969 held at the NIC Bank, had insufficient funds. He is also accused of issuing another bouncing cheque No. 001295 for Sh255, 000 to one Harpreet Singh.

– – –
Date: Sat, 2 Aug 2008 08:37:54 -0700 (PDT)
From: Judy Miriga
Subject: Let the Minister Hon. Martha Respond

MIGORI POLICE WAR ON THUGS PRAISED; KANO PLAINS PEOPLE TO BUY BACK MIWANI SUGAR COMPANY FARM;

MIGORI POLICE EARNS PRAISE BY THE PUBLIC ON WAR AGAINST ARMED THUGS

accurately pointing to the direction an routes the gangsters had followed, the police vigorously pursued the armed gangsters into Rongo District about 30 km away from the scene of crime.

And at about 2 pm the police caught up with the gangsters near Uriri Trading Center. Sensing that the police were in hard pursuit, the gang branched off Migori-Awendo highway and followed an access road used by Sony Sugar for transportation of sugar cane. But within minutes the police caught up with the gang in the sugar plantation. The police opened fire crippling the car. Some of the deceased were shot while still seated in the car while others who were successful jumped and were about to flee the scene, but it was too late. Brave policemen pursued the gangsters on foot who some home. A heated exchange of fire followed.

A member of the gang who had tainted death was later seen on his feet fleeing the crippled vehicle and escaped inside sugarcane.

Members of the public received the news of this killing with jubilation. Migori Police Station was jumped to capacity by members of the public who gathered there to have a glimpse of slain gangsters.

Police dispelled the rumour that two of the gunned down gangsters were members of the police force and one was an AP while the other was a regular policeman from Rongo Districvt. By Thursday none of the gangsters would be positively identified.

The as they fled the town, the gangsters shot dead one elderly man who was standing by the roadside and this enraged members of the public who blocked the gang escaping route on the Migori Bridge and they braved the sound of gun burst and pelted the thugs with stone forcing to quickly change the escape route. Instead of driving toward the Tanzania border the gang followed a marrum road toward Nyasare on their way to Awendo.

The police recovered one loaded AK47 automatic rifle with 18 rounds of live ammunitions and a toy pistol were found with the slain thugs.

The incident involving the shoot out exchange of fire had left the residents of the densely populated Rombe -Uriri villages in Kanyamkago Central location, Uriri Division of Rongo District traumatized. Some women who heard the intensive bursts of gun fire which lasted nearly 3o minutes are still hiding inside the sugar cane plantations long time after the police had removed the bodies of the gangsters and took them to Migori District hospital morgue.

Migori, one of the busiest border towns, is believed to have been invaded by many gun totting thugs in recent past. There are numerous cases of robberies with violence. The most vulnerable are the country buses destined to the town from Nairobi. On many occasions, these buses have come under attacks, particularly those ferrying passengers at night.

The most dangerous spots are the main Kisii-Migori road, which winds up at Sirare border past town on the Kenya – Tanzania border. Thugs from Tanzania are also reported to be working in cohort with their local agents in planning series spates of robberies in Migori.

Taxi drivers operating brand new vehicles are known to have lost their lives cars to the gun totting thugs.

Residents of Migori and its environment are happy with the quick action by the police led by Gerald Baraza and hoped the police vigilance would continue until all undesirable criminal elements are eliminated.

Residents say there are too many illegal guns currently in the hands of people of suspicious character. Some of the guns were used during the post-election violence that gripped Kenya in January-February this year following presidential elections. The residents say such guns were openly displayed by thugs in public places with impunity.

Other reports say scores of people being killed and their bodies dumped in the rivers are
in increase in the area. It is very unsafe for lonely motorists to drive out or into Migori
town after 7 pm in the evening and even inside the town itself after dark.he town has
also experienced a big influx of street into the muggers town .

A few level minded residents have also painted the bad picture and habit of by a section of residents who have formed the bad habit of throwing stones at the police whenever they are conducting high risk operation or chasing escaping dangerous criminals.

The shooting to death of an onlooker this week by the fleeing robbers would serve as a deterrent warning to the public to keep away from both operations of the police and not to risk their lives moving close to armed thugs.

End
leooderaomolo@yahoo.com

– – – – – – – – – – –

THE PEOPLE OF KANO PLAINS PLANS TO BUY MIWANI SUGAR COMPANY FARM BACK AS IT WAS THEIR ANCESTRAL LAND.

By Leo Odera Omolo.

THE controversy involving the future status of the Miwani Sugar Company has taken a new political dimension with the residents of Kano plains now demanding that their ancestral land should revert to its original owners.

They vowed to raise money for the purpose of buying the firm altogether with its assets intact.

The land in dispute is the 10,000 nucleus estate farm owned by the run down Miwani Sugar Mills, which is currently under the official receivership together with the neighbouring Muhoroni Sugar Mills Ltd.

A meeting of stakeholders was recently held at the Ahero Multipurpose Centre which brought together all the elite within the Jokano sub-clans who deliberated and brainstormed together to decide on the fate of Miwani Sugar farm.

It was unanimously resolved that a private company with the limited liabilitys be established and charged with the task of bidding for the purchase of the Miwani Sugar Company from its current owners, the government of Kenya. And that the new company after its inception and registration within the office of the registrar of Companies would be open to all shareholders and investors either locals or foreuign..

The meeting was held under the auspices of the Riwruok Dongruok Jokano Manyien (RIDOKAM) whose chairman is Mzee Walter Kitoto Adera chaired the crucial meeting.

In an electrifying speech narrating how an attempt was made recently by a cabal of wealthy Asians businessmen and farmers to acquire the company’s prime land fraudulently was only thwarted after long and grueling legal tussles through the court.

At the Ahero meeting, former Commissioner of Police was appointed Mr. Philemon Abong’o to chair six men committee which will look into legal issues and financial status of Miwani Sugar Company.

This committee was also charged with the responsibility of drafting the article of association of the new Company and has it registered as soon as possible. It will also conduct a thorough search for all relevant information regarding the current financial status of the Company since it was placed under the joint official receivership and report back at a future meeting.

Several names were suggested for the new Company and will be forwarded for a search at the office of the registrar of Companies and the one picked by the registrar will be registered as a new commercial and land buying Company.

The meeting was opened with prayers conducted by Archbishop Silas Owiti of the Salvation and Healing Church who had the gathering that history will judge the current generation of the Kano sub-clans if they fail to raise sufficient money and buy Miwani Sugar Company which stands on an ancestral land.

The meeting heard that Miwani, one of the oldest white Sugar manufacturing owed its creditors between Kshs. 7 and 10 billion. And the group want these figures verified by a team of competent accountants before making a bid for the company.

Miwani was established by a white Australian Settler farmer in 1922 and it has since changed hands to various companies, the last being Venessa, a Company which is associated with the controversial Kenyan Business magnet Mr. Katar Somaia who had acquired 51 per cent shares with the government of Kenya retaining 49 per cent.

Somaia had placed the company under hired local management consisting of a cartel of wealthy Asians under Chanan Agricultural Contractors (CAC) in whose hand the company went burst and was placed under what the then agricultural Minister Chris M. Obure described as protective official receivership for 90 days.

The receivership was meant to reorganize the company’s finances and write its books of accounts. But the receivership has since lasted for close to 10 years eventually leading to the closing down of its mills.

Members of the Abong’o committee are consisting of a group of six top brass intellectuals and two prominent lawyers, former administration and professional accountants.

Miwani nucleus farm had recently featured prominently in legal tussle in Kisumu High Court after the joint official receivers of Eng. Martin Owiti and Mr. K. Bett discovered that its 10,000 acres nucleus estate farm had been allegedly fraudulently auctioned last December and the title deed issued to a new buyer.

The whistle blower was the finance Assistant Minister Dr. Oburu Oginga who stunned the nation when he revealed that the 10,000 acres nucleus estate was auctioned secretly at a throw away peanut price of Kshs. 28 million following a court case filed in 1993 against its former owners.

But the plaintiff whose name was given as Mr. Nagendra Saxena remained a mystery and phantom. The plaintiff had claimed, according to court documents that he had rendered consultative services to the former owners of Miwani Sugar Company in 1987. The services were worth USD 400,000.

A Kisumu high Court Judge Justice John Mwera after hearing the argument advanced by lawyers for both parties had annulled the alleged sale by auction, but allowed the plaintiff the right to appeal within specific dates. The judge had also ruled the Miwani Sugar Company and all its assets revert to the former status.

The plaintiff later came back to the court to apply for the stay of execution, but this was again turned down and not granted on July 28th, 2008.

Now the Kano people who claim that the land on which Miwani Sugar Company stands on belonged to their ancestors. The land, they said was seized at gun point by the settler dominated colonial government which in turn handed the land to the former white settler on 99 year lease, This lease has since, expired. And the Kano people now want their land back, if the government has failed to get a potential or a credible and investors to privatize the company.

Members of the Abong’o team consistn of Mr. Stephen. Ogawa a former chairman of Nyando County Council, Mr. Jack Ranguma, a former Deputy Commissioner of KRA, and also former official receivers of Miwani and Muhoroni Sugar Companies, Mr.Mbache of Mbache Advocates Company in Nairobi and another lawyer, Mr. Samuel Onyango, Mr. Austin Odiko a former senior civil servant.

The group also resolved that it will welcome any private investors willing to join them in partnership either foreign or locals.

End.
Leooderaomoloyahoo.com

– – –
Date: Fri, 1 Aug 2008 07:02:14 -0700 (PDT)
From: Leo Odera Omolo
Subject: MIGORI POLICE WAR ON THUGS PRAISED; KANO PLAINS PEOPLE TO BUY BACK MIWANI SUGAR COMPANY FARM;

Kimunya guilty of gross misconduct, rules Marende

Hon. Marende,

Thats the way. Call a Spade a Spade. People must behave themselves and respect their electorates along with the Republic and its Institution irrespective of their wealth and position.

With such attitude, they become irrelevant since, although poor, the Mwanainchi is the boss – in which case Mwanainchi has the last say. Their Public bragging is an irresponsible behaviour. We see a bully of a person trying to vent his frustration by implicit show oblivious of peoples DEMANDS impetus.

Respect is earned not commandeered.

To some, dialogue is foreign, but action is understood to be the fixture mode here.

People, you are the custodians of your Assets…….

Keep on doing a good job. Bravo!!!!!

Thank you people and Enjoy your weekends.

I love you all.

Judy Miriga
USA

– – – – – – – – – – –

Kimunya guilty of gross misconduct, rules Marende
Published on 01/08/2008

Former Finance Minister Amos Kimunya was reprimanded for casting aspersion on the integrity, capacity and independence of the Speaker over the Grand Regency Hotel sale saga.

House Speaker Kenneth Marende said the utterances of Kimunya during the homecoming ceremony of Kinangop MP David Ngugi amount to gross misconduct.

Kimunya, during the ceremony, said that had the Speaker been on the Chair during a censure motion against him, he would not have allowed the matter to come to the House.

The Speaker gave the ruling following a complaint by Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo.

Midiwo had accused Kimunya of taking matters touching on the Grand Regency, currently been investigated by the Finance Committee, out of the Parliament against House rules.

Marende said judging from the statement made by Kimunya, there was no doubt that he took the debate outside the House and imputed improper motives on the Chair.

The Speaker said he had in the past asked members not to take debates outside the House and to desist from dragging the Chair into any debate even within the House.

bring house into disrepute

He said Members taking debate outside the Parliament no doubt lower its dignity and brings into disrepute.

Marende told members that it behoves all of them individually and collectively to uphold the dignity of the House.

Indeed, he said, a Member would not be able to prejudge what the Chair would rule on a matter as the Chair considers many explanatory variables and consults widely before taking a decision.

Marende said for a Member to allege that a person presiding over sittings of the House would make a decision that would be different if another member was presiding is far-fetched, speculative and unacceptable.

He reminded Kimunya that the Chair, as lawfully constituted, executes its mandate without fear or favour and yet fairly and firmly.

disgraceful manner

The Speaker said the former Finance Minister conducted himself in a most disgraceful and unsatisfactorily manner by taking debate outside the House.

Kimunya, the Speaker said, was contemptuous of the House and used language unfit for a honourable Member. Marende said using derogatory language in reference to Parliament in terms such as “upuzi”(nonsense) is beyond any acceptable standards of conduct of any member.

He cautioned Kimunya that he would not, in any circumstances, tolerate such conduct.

Marende appealed to ministers not to discuss matters raised in the House outside Parliament, as the Chair will always give them time to respond to them.

Kenyans, he said, look upon members for leadership and guidance.

– – –
Date: Sat, 2 Aug 2008 07:25:57 -0700 (PDT)
From: Judy Miriga
Subject: Kimunya guilty of gross misconduct, rules Marende

Fw: East African Community e-Newsletter 2008/09 Attached

— On Fri, 7/25/08, Steve M. Machage wrote:

From: Steve M. Machage
Subject: East African Community e-Newsletter 2008/09 Attached
Date: Friday, July 25, 2008, 9:09 AM

East African Community e-Newsletter  2008/09 Attached
In this Issue
·        EU-ESA meeting considers response to global food and oil prices crisis
·        EAC-USA Strategic Trade and Investment Agreement
·        Consultative Workshop to operationalise and extend EACJ Jurisdiction
·        LVFO set to upgrade status With EAC
·        India¢s High Commissioner visits EAC
·        Record Management System (TRIM) Training ongoing Appointments
·        Appointments
 
Editor¢s Note

The  contents of the e-EAC newsletter can be freely reproduced, broadcast, published in whole or in part free of charge provided the source is acknowledged.

The views expressed in the newsletter do not necessarily represent those of the EAC Secretariat.

Feedbacks and comments are encouraged to

eac-updates@eachq.org

EAC Update e-newsletter is published fortnightly on Fridays by the
Directorate of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs
East African Community (EAC)

You can also download the e-newsletter at www.eac.int
 
Steve Machage
Information/ICT Assistant
Corporate Communications and Public Relations
East African Community Secretariat
P.O. Box 1096 Arusha, TANZANIA
(: +254 724544494
): +255 724921093
8: machage@eachq.org
:: http://www.eac.int

EAC_e-NEWSLETTER_25_JULY.pdf application/octet-stream 1311.83 KB
Read or d/l document;

– – –
Date:  Fri, 1 Aug 2008 00:03:24 -0700 (PDT)
From:  Leo Odera Omolo
Subject:  Fw: East African Community e-Newsletter 2008/09 Attached

MAU FOREST land grabbers includes FORMER PRESIDENT MOI; Migori winning against organized crime;

FORMER PRESIDENT DANIEL ARAP MOI AND TWO MPs ARE AMONG THE LAND GRABBERS IN THE CONTROVERSIAL MAU FORESTCOMPLEX

By Leo Odera Omolo

Two MPs and former President Daniel Arap Moi are among thousands of the beneficiaries of land acquisitions in the Mau Forest water catchment area, our investigations has revealed.

Franklin Bett (Buret) and the late Kipkalya Kones (Bomet)and a Mr. Sam Chepkwony and a retired former Corporate Director of Brooke Bond Tea Company each own 100 acres of prime land in the Mau Forest and have so far planted tea and other crops in their farms, we can now authoritatively report..

The former MP for Ainamoi Noah Nondin Arap Too also own a 70 acres Tea farm right in the middle of the Mau Forest, while Moi has the Lion’s share in Olenguruone area known as Kaptagich where he has planted 3000 hectares as part of a nucleus estate farm to supportand supplying his privately owned Kiptagich Tea Factory with green leaves tea constructed right in the middle of Mau Forest about 10 years ago.

Kones and Bett acquired a portion of 400 acres of land which the Brook Bond Tea Company had surrendered back to the government for the conservation of water catchment areas.

The acquisition of the Mau forest land by the two MPs happened while Bett was serving the government as State House Comptroller. He invited school boyfriend Kones who was then serving in the cabinet’s powerful position of the Minister of State in the Office of the PresidentThe two had invited two other friends who pestered President Moi to allow them to grab the land which the Brook Bond had used for Tree Planting.

Noah Too’s 70 acres farm is very close to the Tea research Institute of Kenya Farm. It could be affected if the government insists on kicking illegal farmers out of the Mau Complex.

Mau Complex is the source of close to 13 important major rivers emptying waters in to Lake Victoria, therefore its wanton destruction will have a serious environmental repercussions and consequences to million of people not only in Kenya, but in the neighbouring countries like Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda and to a far field like Egypt and the Sudan.

United Nations Environmental Programme has warned that Kenya stands to lose USD 300 million in revenue from tea, tourism and energy if the forests of the country’s Mau Complex continue to be degraded and destroyed.

For the past few years, the United Nations Environmental Programme has been documenting the continued destruction and erosion of the vital ecosystem. It has reached a point where if no measures are taken, Kenya will lose one of its fundamental assets, said UNEP executive Director Achim Steuner.

The excision and the widespread encroachment have led the to the destruction of nearly quarter of the Mau Complex area over the 15 years,” observed Kenya’s prime minister Raila Amolo Odinga at a recent forum convened by the government to highlight the need to restore the forest.

“Such extensive and ongoing destruction of key natural asset for the country is nothing less than a national emergency,” Mr. Odinga was quoted extensively by the weekly EASTAFRICAN as having told the participants at the forum.

“A high level talk force was established to address encroachment in to the forest”

Mr. Odinga told the participants that a new enforcement structures will also be set up to tackle rampant illegal logging and charcoal burning in the area.

The forum highlighted the need to restore the forest,” We are looking at restoring the largest water tower of this country and all the services it provides top the nation. We are looking at securing the livelihoods of millions of people who depend directly and indirectly on the Mau Forest Complex,” added Mr. Odinga.

The market value of goods and services generated annually in Tea, Tourism and Energy sectors to which the forests of Mau Complex have contributed, is over Kshs 20 billion (USD 303 million).

This does not reflect provisional services such as water supply for urban area like Bomet, Egerton University, Elburgon, Eldama Ravine, Kericho, Molo, Nakuru, Narok and Njoro- or support to rural livelihoods, in particular in the Lake Victoria basin outside the Tea growing areas.

The estimated potential hydro power generation in the Mau Complex Catchments is about 535 MW, representing 57 % of the current total electricity generation capacity in Kenya.

Degazettement of forest reserves and continuous widespread encroachment have led to the destruction of some 104,000 hectares representing 0ver 24 % of the Mau Complex area over the last 10 years.

Smallholderr tea farmers appear to have been hardest hit by the decline in production.

For instance, Mr. Soy said, the average earning per small holder farmer in the area dropped from Kshs 2,295 (USD 35) in 2005 to a mere 2Kshs 447.50( USD 3.75) one year later.

Players in the tea sector have urged the government of Kenya to protect indigenous forest and conserve water catchment areas at all costs.

The country’s agricultural based economy could change forever should the government fail to relocate the people settled in the Mau Forest Complex.

Players in the tea Sector say the confirmed destruction of the forests led to a drop of 89 % production among small holder’s producers between the year 2005 and 2006 respectively.

This is because unlike other crops, tea thrives well in optimal climatic conditions found on forested hilly areas.

“Tea growing areas are located near mountains forests,” according to Mr. Wilson K. Soy, a representative of the Mau region Tea sector, during a workshop called recently by the government to chat forward away out of the environment crisis.

Soy explained that the tea crops needs constant moisture, modest soil temperature-between 16 and 25 degree Celsius-and equally pleasant temperatures-10to 30 degrees. Such conditions can only be found in a forest highland. And that the Mau region is a major contributor to tea production in Kenya, is underscored by the fact that last year alone, farmers there produced 966 million kg of green tea valued at Kshs. 19 billion (USD 288 million)

In addition, as many as 366,000 people are directly employed in tea production there, while up to 2,150,000 others depend on it indirectly. Apart from this, various tea factories in the area have been producing 4.25 Megawatts of electricity.

But with the ongoing destruction of the 400,000hectare forest complex, the area’s importance in tea production is likely to suffer irreparable damage.

The destruction has not only led to a reduction in the total amount of rainfall in tea growing areas, but has also negatively affected rainfall distribution elsewhere, leading to drought.

According to the data presented by Mr. Soy a comparison between the average amount of rainfall over two 10-year periods-between 1986 and 1995 and from 1996 to 2005- shows that average rainfall has declined by 114.88 millimetres over the entire area.

For instance, the data shows that in the months shows that total rainfall eas above 401 mm, tea production rose from 411.3 to 428 tonnes per hectare. However, when monthly rainfall was below 100 mm, the entries region experienced dismal productivity that ranged between 0.7 and 113.5 tonnes per each hectare.

“Drought has caused a lot of suffering to farmers and has reduced consistently money circulation within business circles and the economic,” Mr. Soy added.

With ongoing threat in mind, players in the tea sector have asked the government to set up a regional forest trust to oversee the welfare of the forest in each area in the region.

They have also urged the government to protect independent forests and conserve water catchment areas.

More importantly the stakeholders have called on Kenyans to plant more trees “imagine if 50 per cent of Kenyan or 18 million people plant and care for five trees each year. This would result in 90 million trees planted,” in years, we will have 900 million trees, which would enable us move towards the 10 per cent forest cover recommended by the UN, said Mr. Soy.

End.
leooderaomolo@yahoo.com

– – – – – – – – – – – –

POLICE in Migori are winning the war against organized crime which for sometime has been bedeviling the largest town close to the Kenya- Tanzania border.

By Leo Odera Omolo

There has been remarkable increase in cases of violence robberies in which the gangsters using sophisticated modern weapons have been terrorizing the business community in this fast growing town.

In most cases the gangsters are targeting the drivers of small taxis, which are commonly known as “oluenda”. Once these thugs seized the vehicle they immediately used it for hold up in major shops or by way laying country buses traveling from Nairobi to Migori or to the small border town of Sirare.
Early this week three gangsters were gunned down inside a sugar plantation near Uriri town. The police encountered the gangsters after hours of a well coordinated chase.

The gang of four or five had snatched a colossal amount of money from a woman employee of a major hardware shop in Migori Town. The female employee of the Jumbo store was taking the cash to a nearby Kenya Commercial Bank branch at about 9:30 am. A member of the gang had been seen mingling with customers inside the shops while three other were seated in a vehicle which was parked a few meters away from the shop.

As the female employee of the shop made a few steps outside the shop on her way to the bank, a two minute walk, she was grabbed by the neck by one of the gangsters who had been seen standing idly outside the shop. She screamed, but was overpowered when three or four other gangsters who were waiting in the escape car joined their colleague.

The gang grabbed the sum of Kshs. 960, 00 in hard cash. They immediately jumped into the waiting vehicle. But as they sped away, the woman’s attracted a dozen or so boda boda bicycle taxis and a gang of motor bike taxis who pelted their car with stones.

The gang opened fire with deafening outburst of guns from what looked like AK 47 rifle or a G3 rifle exploding more than six rounds of ammunition. The people in the nearby bar restaurants, kiosks and main shops ran helter skelter for their dear life.

It took something like ten minutes before the police from Migori Main police station arrived and joined in the chase. The officers were under the command of the deputy OCS Mr. Gerald Barasa. This time around the police which have always been vilified were highly praised.

– – –
Date: Fri, 1 Aug 2008 07:15:40 -0700 (PDT)
From: Leo Odera Omolo
Subject: MAU FOREST land grabbers includes FORMER PRESIDENT MOI; Migori winning against organized crime;

death and funeral announcement of my dad

Hi guys

My dad Paul Onyango Muyama passed away at his home in Kabura Alego yesteday july 31, 2008 in the morning. His body was taken to Siaya District Hospital and burial will take place in Kabura next Saturday the 8/8/08.

As the soul bread winner of the family who is alone in the US. I am requesting well wishers to assist me with financial to help with my dad’s funeral. Its because I amm not perfect as a human being and I cant handle everything from my pocket. I am sorry if this is a bother to some people. I hope you al understand.

For any questions, please email mercyatis@yahoo.com

If you can do anything, please call me at 323-872-3867. Please dont call me kunikatia or to talk non sense to me. The number is only for those who can help with monetary contributions. I will send everything this coming Thursday the 6th of august.

Thanks alot for your prayers and support.

Mercy.

– – –
Date: Fri, 01 Aug 2008 15:42:43 -0400
From: Mercy Onyango
Subject: death and funeral announcement of my dad
Date: Fri, 1 Aug 2008 12:51:27 -0700 (PDT)

Reuben Kigame on Angaza Family Radio

Hey all much greetings from AFR

Have you checked our new developments at ANGAZA FAMILY RADIO.

We have new music, more videos more spoken messages, and we are now receiving great inspiration messages from our sister station fish fm Kenya a purely Christian station directed by Reuben Kigame. Listen to the messages here.

For those in North Carolina dont miss the music concert and testimonies with Reuben Kigame tis SAto 8/2/2008

Thanks all for being part of us. One way you can help is passing the word around. Forward to your friends and who knows, you may help and save a soul.

A wise person says something when He has something to say;

A fool says something because He has to say something.

JOB

– – –
Date: Fri, 1 Aug 2008 07:36:12 -0700 (PDT)
From: Waweru Job
Subject: Reuben Kigame on Angaza Family Radio

West Coast Labor Day Weekend

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– – –
Date:  Fri, 1 Aug 2008 15:57:32 -0400 (EDT)
From:  “The Trio/Utake DJs/L.A Community”
Subject:  West Coast Labor Day Weekend

Fw: THE FORGOTTEN KOOBI FORA GENERATIONS

— On Fri, 8/1/08, mundia mundia wrote:
From: mundia mundia
Subject: THE FORGOTTEN KOOBI FORA GENERATIONS
Date: Friday, August 1, 2008, 6:27 AM

This archaeological expedition of street children in Kitale and Eldoret Towns interestingly starts from Koobi Fora, referred to as the ‘cradle of mankind’ through Loyangalani (the place of trees) within Turkana District.

In fact the likes of Hon. John Munyes, the Minister for Labour and his political counterpart Hon. Ekwe Ethuro must have been ¡products¢ of the history of Koobi Fora.

From the same route of the journey, there comes a young, beautiful girl with a light complexion. Nancy Kaimos, now an ex-street mother whom in February this year delivered a bouncing baby, but on the streets of Kitale. At the Social Hall residence in Eldoret Town she would seek post-natal medical and ‘parental’ guidance apart from facilitating provision of BCG vaccination for her baby at the Eldoret West Health Centre adjacent to 64 Stadium.

On my mind I get a slap on my soul as I contemplate the medical tribulations of one Alice Lumilinjo a.k.a Mama Kibaki, the son. The HIV positive Alice has literally seen, heard and felt the kicks of life. With her skin on bones, though at times drunk to cloud the pains of her world, she would ask for money for food and at times chang’aa. She would either get the illicit liquor from small-scale dispensers at Macharia, Kidiwa or Kamkunji estates and the surrounding slums.

Impressively what she never forgot behind was the presence and protection of her only child ‘baby Kibaki’ (pronounced as Kibakii), the five year old ever smiling and playful street child.

On the residency and accommodation of the two caring and young mothers, the Municipal Council’s Social Hall had various misgivings. Lack of bedding and sanitation facilities were major hindrances to their survival including that of their growing babies. The anatomical structure of the Social Hall proved inhabitable. The shared toilet and bathroom were always dirty and with no lights or power. Shortage of water only worsened the otherwise yearned hope for another chance for a better life ahead. The other children would share their sleep; more than two on withered blankets, pieces of tattered mattresses and a few beds for the girls and their babies.

According to the children, majority of them left Lodwar District that covers 17,000 square kilometers, through 300 kilometers across Kapenguria town into Kitale and Eldoret towns. Some chose to reside in Nakuru and Nairobi hoping to re-live in a country known as ‘ Kenya ‘.

As I still contemplate about the young Kibaki’s face basking in his sickly mother’s affections, my mind convinces me that senior ex-street persons, as a power keg, would go off soon. Some of them are now in juvenile remand homes, many have been buried secondary to mob-justice and police shooting apart from some being treated and ¡consoled¢ at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital¢s wards, the ICU and the freezing mortuary. From babies to youth and young adults, the street fraternity has now chosen to wear their heartily presence, memories and graves as badges of honour.

On the flipside though, when hope became deem the ex-street children would on every Sunday troop to the Jesus’ Love Ministries (Venus Inn) to literally be fed with the word of God from Pastor Patrick Kurui and his caring and motherly wife, Christine Kurui. Their blessings and prayers would help instill back hope for a brighter day. After some church service the younglings would huddle back to social hall for a simple lunch of Githeri from the dark-sooted sufurias. For them, they only knew of two days of the week, the worries of Today and prayers for Tomorrow, when another Sunday would come by as a special day.

Even as it poured with rain the rather ignorant but excited ex-street children would light a bone-fire at the makeshift kitchen as the dull flames restoked their desperate and hopeless-looking faces while their dilated eyes sightedly campaigned to visualize the meaning of the smoke above the flames that took their sorrows away.

Late in the night, as their eyes got heavy with sleep on the cold floors and sometimes wet sacks, after a long day’s out, they would melt into the night with their fears, worries and hopes hidden beneath their wanting bedding. At times, unprovoked anger after a night-fight would bring some the temptation to go for the jugular and even go native may be for the spirits of their forefathers in Turkana to listen to their inner transference crying orgies.

It is said that, ‘elephants never forget’ and many still wish that majority of the ex-street children and young persons, with their lilting Turkana accent cemented in Swahili but brilliant of mind, would one day awaken future souls and winds of their tribulations. Now that some have joined school, their education and re-learning would facilitate course for spiritual and literary historical reformations since experienced and witnessed. ‘Dreams From My Father’, a book by Barrack Obama, the US Democratic Party’s Presidential candidate may be a good read to help them understand their roots, yearnings and future lives. The ‘seeds of their future’ that had previously been planted way back from the time of their great grandfathers, at Koobi Fora, the ‘cradle of mankind’, would help unravel their otherwise desperate and sorry mystery.

Only recently the ex-street children were made to scatter to the four winds. Precisely on Thursday the 10th of July ’08, from where they had called ‘home’ far away to the volatile streets of Eldoret apart from other informal settlements. They had hoped to stand tall away from the streets but were literally turned into pieces of firewood to fuel the menace at the office of the department of social services.

The point to put through is that the office of the Director of Social Services and Housing in Eldoret helped peel them one by one like an onion while doling out goodies aplenty. To mention the least 9 bicycles, utensils, matchboxes, 2Kg of maize each and a few hundred shillings but with no place to have a night’s sleep were the special offers for them. The director’s main achievement fell on putting a weak finish into the elusive project. The prescient fate of the project as previously experienced proved harsh for these young souls. Currently their immediate fate is but a reflection of their previous frozen pasts while on the streets but had a strong yearning for the
rays of the sun from Turkana to melt down their sufferings and ¡bring them back their humane lives¢. As they now stand in the middle of the muddle with their full years of desperation we should not allow some to rule the roost of our larger society with greed and arrogance.

Even with the recent visit by some NGO officials at Social Hall, miscalculated ploys by some to attract raw funding from the government’s kitty and corporate sector should not excuse those with their elastic budgets and cumulative deficits and unprecedented bankruptcy at the expense of humanity and constitutional rights to catch the worm as the early bird does.

Cocking a snook at the pockets of donors for more funds without the office of the Director for Social Services having an intention of sustaining such viable projects would not only bring us aback but would decapitate and annihilate part of our society, as some have already done with the ex-street community, especially those from the ‘cradle of mankind’ – the Koobi Fora generation. The forgotten family perceived to be ignorant.

Mundia Mundia Jnr.

– – –
Date: Fri, 1 Aug 2008 06:49:38 -0700 (PDT)
From: john rop
Subject: Fw: THE FORGOTTEN KOOBI FORA GENERATIONS

Re: My Fridays!

There is a sense of joy, relief,and excitement that come every Friday!

Although some things have changed since the world came into being, there is enough Biblical evidence to saw that this day has remained the same and therefore must be kept as God meant it to be-prepare for the Sabbath!

And so as Friday come,

1. I praise the good Lord for the week that has passed.
2. I shovel off all the challenges of the past week and start focusing on the things of God.
3.I look forward to meeting my fellow believers at church in welcoming the Sabbath
4.Then,I know that another Sabbath-a special day to meet my Lord-is at the very door

Indeed,our God knew that His children will most definitely need rest and therefore allowed for it as He was laying the foundation of this world.

Over the years,the evil one has worked hard to cast doubt on the validity of this day. The devil and his agents can do anything they want, but nothing will change, at least as far as I am concerned, my position of doing the things the way the Lord wanted us to!

How about you! How do you celebrate your Fridays! Do you do it the way the Lord set it from the very beginning or are you also caught up in the kind of reasoning that regards Friday as any other day!

Friday! Oh! How I thank God each week it arrives!

Have a blessed Friday! Will you!

Just a thought.

Pr Birai
612-386-4608
www.themaranathasdachurch.org

– – –
Date: Fri, 1 Aug 2008 06:41:24 -0700 (PDT)
From: Absalom Birai
Subject: Re: My Fridays!

Fw: EAC EXECUTIVES HOLD TALKS WITH BRITISH PEER LORD LEA OF CRONDALL

this story is forwarded by Leo Odera Omolo in Kisumu

— On Wed, 7/30/08, Magaga Alot wrote:

From: Magaga Alot
Subject: EAC EXECUTIVES HOLD TALKS WITH BRITISH PEER LORD LEA OF CRONDALL

Date: Wednesday, July 30, 2008, 5:51 AM

PRESS RELEASE

SECRETARY GENERAL HOLDS TALKS WITH BRITISH PEER, LORD LEA OF CRONDALL

– EAC executives exchange views with experienced British Peer on integration philosophy –

EAC Headquarters, Arusha, Wednesday 30 August 2008: The Secretary General of the East African Community, Ambassador Juma Mwapachu held a meeting with the British Peer, David Edward Lea, Lord Lea of Crondall who called on him at his office in Arusha on Monday, 28 July 2008.

The Secretary General was accompanied during the meeting by the Deputy Secretary General (Finance and Administration) Dr Julius Tangus Rotich, the Deputy Secretary General ( Political Federation) Ms Beatrice Kiraso, EAC Director of Trade, Dr Flora Musonda, Head, EAC Directorate of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, Mr Magaga Alot and the Chef de Cabinet, Mr Henry Obbo . The discussions centred on an exchange of views and experiences of the EU and EAC integration processes.

Lord Lea says EU is rooted in pragmatism

Lord Lea, a Labour Peer, recalled that the European Union has its genesis in the post World War era and the polarization of the world between two main contending ideological blocs of East and West. He said the driving force for the evolution and development of the EU was political but its engine was propelled by a pragmatic focus on the economic necessity. The EU, he said, was launched more with economic expression than with political fanfare. It was a trade-off between political abstraction and the push to get things done, particularly on the economic front.

Lord Lea observed that in spite of its structure of strong political authority and emphasis on sovereignty of the Partner States, the EAC was not short of things that could be done outside the purely political considerations. He said the EAC could identify and focus on the practical issues, among them immigration, the free movement of persons , environment, infrastructure, health , education and social security , without getting distracted or bogged down with lengthy conceptualization and indulgence in metaphysics over intricate political and sovereignty issues. He said African regional economic communities needed to go for “opt outs” on some of the sticking issues, and concentrate on the areas of “intermediate comfort” where movement would be demonstrated without compromising the unity of the regional economic blocs. He said there was need for resolute action to get things done and demonstrate concrete benefits and achievements of integration while using the success stories to get the people more interested and deeper involved in the regional integration process.

Amb Mwapachu reaffirms step by step approach to EA integration

The Secretary General of the East African Community, Ambassador Juma Mwapachu said that after the collapse of the predecessor East African Community (1967-77), the sense had prevailed with the revival of the Community in 1993 that regional integration would proceed more cautiously, on the step by step basis, with consensus and confidence established at every stage of the integration march.

He said that the overall political vision for continental union existed, emanating from the early pan Africanist ideals of the early sixties. He said that during about three decades that ensued, the debate over how fast to realize continental union had abated but was resurrected with the resurgence of the continental union demand under the African Union Constitutive Act of 2000. “Today, we are getting caught up again in that old argument about how quickly we should move to continental union”, Amb Mwapachu said.

Amb. Mwapachu said the EAC was concentrating on building robust economic communities as the building blocks of the African continental union. He noted that the National Consultative Process of Fast Tracking East African Federation conducted in the EAC Partner States in 2007 returned a verdict of overwhelming acceptance of the idea of Federation and equally overwhelming preference for a step by step approach towards political federation. He said the EAC was currently committed to re-engage the East African people about the whole question of political federation through deeper sensitization of the people on the benefits of integration.

DIRECTORATE OF CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS
EAC SECRETARIAT
ARUSHA

View images;

– – –
Date: Thu, 31 Jul 2008 23:46:02 -0700 (PDT)
From: Leo Odera Omolo
Subject: Fw: EAC EXECUTIVES HOLD TALKS WITH BRITISH PEER LORD LEA OF CRONDALL

This weekend: Celebrate Barack and Ted’s birthday

Dear Folks:

We are celebrating two important birthdays this weekend in Ohio.

This Monday, August 4th, is Barack’s birthday. And believe it or not, it’s Governor Ted Strickland’s birthday too.

We have a unique opportunity to give both of them something that few other people across the nation can.

This weekend, the Campaign for Change is hosting Pot Luck Birthday and Phonebank Parties across Ohio — and you can give them your time, energy, and passion by attending and bringing a few friends.

The parties are a great place to meet fellow supporters in your community and reach out to Ohioans by making phone calls and introducing them to our movement for change.

Find a Campaign for Change Birthday Party near you this weekend:

http://oh.barackobama.com/ohbirthday

Ted Strickland knows that Barack Obama will bring change to Ohio.

Give Barack and Ted the best birthday gift you can by making calls to Ohio voters to tell them about Barack — who he is, what he stands for, and how he plans to bring real change to Ohio.

Since it’s Barack’s 47th birthday, we’ve set a goal for the weekend of making 47,000 calls. It’s a tall order, but it’s only possible with your help.

It’s thanks to supporters like you that we’ve come as far as we have. Now, we have to step up for Barack. With less than 100 days until November 4th, we can’t afford to wait.

Get started this weekend by joining a birthday party near you:

http://oh.barackobama.com/ohbirthday

We can’t do this without you.

Thanks for all that you do,

Aaron

Aaron Pickrell
Ohio State Director
Obama for America

Donate: https://donate.barackobama.com/wecan

emailed by Obama for America

– – –
Date:  Fri, 1 Aug 2008 13:42:38 -0400
From:  “Aaron Pickrell, OH.BarackObama.com” <ohio@barackobama.com>
Subject:  This weekend: Celebrate Barack and Ted’s birthday

African For Obama for Change meeting @ Bradley’s, reminder

Hello, Everyone

This is a reminder that African For Obama for Change meeting will be held as previously scheduled, at the Bradley Cafe beginning at 7pm, Friday August 1,2008. We kindly ask everyone to come to the meeting. We will have representative from the Obama campaign office to assist us as to the way forward in support for Obama. Come ready to share in the discussion, as to how we can be of change here in Milwaukee, and the State of Wisconsin. The address: BRADLEY’S 4740 W Bradley Rd. Milwaukee. FOR INFO CONTACT:Michael Were @414 236-0978.

Thanks.

Mike Were.

– – –
Date: Thu, 31 Jul 2008 22:49:32 -0400
From: werhugo@ . . .
Subject: African For Obama for Change meeting @ Bradley’s, reminder.

Re: Be careful with your good news!

We were created in such a way that when something good happens to us,we will never rest until we have shared with all the family members, colleagues, church members and friends!

What we fail to understand is that your good news is not everybodys’ good news! So if you observe carefully, people receive such news with mixed feelings/reactions.

Take a look at the following and try to imagine the reaction!

1.I passed my board exams!
2.I was promoted!
3.I bought a new car/house……..
4.My wife just completed her RN program!
5.My children got the visas and therefore I have a fundraiser to buy them the tickets!
6.Our church has really grown and continue to grow!
7.We plan to buy our own church building by December!
8.My next book will be out soon!
9.So far,I have sold——copies of my autobiography-Except for the Lord!
10.I am getting married soon.
11.I have four jobs and I just don’t know which one to pick!
12.Our business is doing real good!

While some people might rejoice with you,others will be very up set. Why! Because what has happened to you,puts you at an advantage than them and people don’t like that.

More often than not,people are happy if you are at equal par with them or lower than them. When you begin to climb the ladder of success or you are becoming some kind of celebrity, then things start to change.

Furthermore, understand that some people have done everything possible for them to be where you find yourself but to no success.

It will also be important to remember that some people despise you so much that it offends them to know that you are doing better than them. I think you have often heard it said, ” If so and so will do it, why not me!”

Well, I don’t know about you. As for me, I told the Lord long time ago that I will always rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn. It always makes me happy to see others succeed. As a matter of fact, and God knows that I am speaking the  truth when I say that I have always wanted to decrease for others to increase.

Any way the point is, be careful whom you share your joy with! Will you!

Just a thought!

Pr Birai
612-386-4608
www.themaranathasdachurch.org

– – –
Date:  Thu, 31 Jul 2008 18:01:32 -0700 (PDT)
From:  Absalom Birai
Subject:  Re: Be careful with your good news!