South Jersey Grrl's Radio Weblog

Fri, 23 Feb 2007 15:29:17 GMT

Windows to Linux Roadmap from IBM

Thinking of making a change? Already installed a Linux distro? Very useful information.

Linux Distro Info and Downloads

Including an interactive tool for finding the right distro for you.

Fri, 23 Feb 2007 04:40:14 GMT

Long Iraq Tours Can Make Home a Trying Front

By LIZETTE ALVAREZ

Published: February 23, 2007

Most families and soldiers cope, sometimes heroically. But these separations have also left a trail of badly strained or broken unions, many severed by adultery or sexual addictions; burdened spouses, some of whom are reaching for antidepressants; financial turmoil brought on by rising debts, lost wages and overspending; emotionally bruised children whose grades sometimes plummet; and anxious parents who at times turn on each other.

_________________________

I have certainly seen this in my daughter's marriage. Young, married only a few months, husband sent off for a second tour in Iraq - the strain has been hard for all of us. Now she is pregnant and her 21 year old husband is slated to go back to Iraq for his 3rd tour, this time for 12 months. It doesn't feel like a marriage to either one of them.

Tue, 20 Feb 2007 20:26:41 GMT

End the use of restraints

Tue, 20 Feb 2007 20:25:31 GMT

Here is a way to help

February 19, 2007

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Sometimes something is important enough that we need to stop and address it - this is one of those times. I know everyone is busy - I can certainly relate to that. I do need your help though. About 15 minutes of your time is all I'm asking for.

I can't do this alone ...

Judge Edward R. Brunner is going to rule on the Angellika "Angie" Arndt case in a few weeks. Angie is the little 7-year old girl who died when she was restrained in the face-down prone restraint position by Bradley Ridout, a staff member at the Rice Lake Day Treatment Center. The only reason those restraints are ever allowed to be used is if someone is a danger to his or herself or to others. That was not the case with Angie.

Angie was restrained in this dangerous position 9 times during the month she spent at the facility, and was put into isolation 19 times. Every day at Rice Lake, it appears, was a bad day for Angie. Yet the couple of months she spent in day treatment at another facility were positive. She never had to be restrained, according to her caregivers there.

Our letters to the judge could make all the difference in the world for many future children. Though the facility where Angie died has been closed, the company that owned the facility, Northwest Guidance and Counseling, is still operating their 12 other facilities under the same rules and guidelines as Rice Lake.

I am providing you with my letter to Judge Brunner - feel free to use any information from the letter in writing your own. Please send your letters this week as time is running out. The hearing is in early March so the sooner the Judge receives these letters the better.

You can also send your letters to the District Attorney and to the DOJ Prosecuting attorney. Their contact information is listed below.

Judge Presiding over Sentencing of both Rideout and NWDC

Hon. Edward R. Brunner
Barron County Justice Center
1420 State Hwy 25 North - Room 2602
Barron, WI 54812-3009
Tel: (715) 537-6399

Barron County District Attorney - Prosecuting Rideout

Angela L. Holmstrom
Barron County District Attorney
Barron County Justice Center
1420 State Hwy 25 North - Room 2301
Barron, WI 54812-3003
Tel: (715) 537-6220
dabarron@mail.da.state.wi.us

DOJ Prosecuting Attorney - Prosecuting NWCG

Bill Hanrahan
Wisconsin Department of Justice
P.O. Box 7857
Madison, WI 53707-7857

Please also forward a copy of your letter to Jo Pelishek, Family Advocate for Wisconsin Family Ties, at jopel.wft@chibardun.net.

The decision Judge Brunner makes can set a precedence - one way or the other. We're hoping it will be in the direction that will help children.

Thank you for your help!

Link to The Short Life of Angellika Arndt: Bubbles in My Milk:

http://caica.org/ANGELLIKA%20ARNDT%20BUBBLES%20IN%20MY%20MILK%2012-9-06.htm

Link to news re Angie:

http://caica.org/DEATHS%20Angie%20Main%20Page.htm

Link to Angie's New Blog:

http://bubblesinmymilk.blogspot.com/

Restraints that Kill Kids Blog:

http://restraint-deaths.blogspot.com/

Sign up for Constant Contact

Would you like to communicate with clients, members, or friends? Find out how the easy way. Click here. If you sign up, CAICA will recieve a $30 credit and so will you - which will help defray some of our costs.

Let us be a voice for all the children who no longer have a voice. Together, we can make a difference.

Sincerely,

Isabelle Zehnder

Founder and President

Coalition Against Institutionalized Child Abuse (CAICA)

www.caica.org

info@caica.org

Tue, 20 Feb 2007 20:20:30 GMT

End the use of aversives

ABC News' Primetime which will be airing a segment on Canton's Judge Rotenberg Center tonight, Tuesday, February 20th at 9 p.m.

The JRC uses painful electrical skin shocks (aversive therapy) on children with cognitive disabilities in Massachusetts.

I believe the widespread use of this so-called therapy is wrong and ask that you watch the program to learn more about this controversial issue.

Please keep in mind that Representative Scibak and I have filed several bills (co-sponsored by a number of you) that will ensure that only qualified individuals use the controversial treatment technique, and will provide for substantial and effective state oversight of any individual or school that uses aversive therapy through the advice of independent experts. These bills have the backing of numerous civil rights groups, behaviorists, and disability advocates and I ask you for your support of this legislation should they come before your committee in the coming months. I think you'll agree that we have a duty to provide these protections to our most innocent and vulnerable populations.

Please do not hesitate to contact my office at 617-722-1643 or at Brian.A.Joyce@state.ma.us with any questions.

Thank you.

BRIAN A. JOYCE
State Senator

Contact Senator Joyce to urge him to ban these outrages outright, and NOT to pursue the legislation he is proposing.

Tue, 20 Feb 2007 19:36:59 GMT

Going to try this again.