This past weekend, I attended The SGI-USA (Soka Gakkai International) presentation of The American Victory Orchestra in a celebration of Daniel Pearl World Music Days.
This celebration of Hot Classical to Cool Jazz performed by American Victory Orchestra was conducted by Patrick Scott and the mistress of ceremonies was Sherry Beall. The performance took place at the location of its conception, the World Peace Ikeda Auditorium in Santa Monica.
This year, 1,133 Daniel Pearl World Music Days took place in more than 60 countries around the world where music was ringing the earth for sanity and humanity.
The concert was beautiful and the purpose for the performance was educational, captivating and soul searching.
The world has come to know Daniel Pearl as the journalist who was kidnapped and barbarically murdered by terrorists in Pakistan four months after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Daniel Pearl should be a reminder that this world is not void of terrorists and extremists who hold no value for the life of other human beings.
He should also be remembered by the world for who Danny — as he was affectionately referred to by his family — was and what he brought to this world.
Danny was born on Oct. 10, 1963. He grew up in Los Angeles, where he displayed an insatiable curiosity for music, academics and sports. Music was an essential expression for Danny and led him to become a fixture in several bands around the world, where he jammed on the electric violin, fiddle or mandolin.
He graduated from Stanford University in 1985 with a major in communications with Phi Beta Kappa honors.
In 1991, he was hired by The Wall Street Journal and worked in Atlanta, Washington, Paris and London, where his assignment was to cover the Middle East.
Danny met Mariane in 1998 and the couple married a year later. They moved to Bombay, India, in 2000. Danny was the Wall Street Journal’s South Asia Bureau chief.
Danny’s skill as a foreign correspondent was apparent not only in his entertaining pieces that shed light on other cultures but also in investigative stories that uncovered the truth from the rubble of war and devastation.
In May 2002, Mariane Pearl gave birth to their son, Adam.
Danny’s parents, Judea and Ruth, their family and friends created the Daniel Pearl Foundation to carry on his legacy, using music and words to combat the root causes of the hatred that took his life.
The mission of the foundation grew out of a shared concern by Professor Akbar Ahmed, chair of Islamic Studies at American University, and Danny’s father about the deterioration of relationships between Muslim and Jewish communities around the world and their strong belief that reconciliation between these two Abrahamic faiths can be achieved through frank and respectful dialogue.
In 2003, the American Jewish Committee invited Judea Pearl and Ahmed to lead a public dialogue in Pittsburgh.
The conversation was to be about the divisions between Muslims and the western world and between Muslims and Jews. The event had a profound impact on those in attendance and was covered widely in the U.S., Arab and Pakistani press. Due to its success, this personal yet public dialogue now continues in cities across America and abroad.
Ahmed and Pearl have been invited to continue their program all over the world. The conversations, which are never the same twice, cover issues from theology, history and ideology to politics and current news, and encourage audience participation.
Two organizing principles guide the conversation: No issue is taboo and respect at all times. Ahmed and Pearl believe these open and honest dialogues are essential to the future of humanity.
It is their hope that their public dialogues will carve a path of legitimacy and inspire the communities who participate in them to continue the conversation at the grass-roots level.
The purpose is to promote cultural and religious tolerance, and to combat cultural and religious hate so that at the end of the day, humanity will prevail, hatred will be dissolved and peace will triumph.
Colleen O’Callaghan-Miele, co-publisher of the Home News, can be reached at 990-2653 or colleen@vegas.com.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Make educated votes this year
Are you registered to vote?
Tuesday was the last day to register, so if you are not registered, you are not qualified to cast
your vote in the Nov. 4 general election.
If you are not sure about your registration status, you can call the Clark County Election Department at 455-VOTE (8683) or check online by going to www.accessclarkcounty.com/depts/election.
Your vote can make a difference in the future of our country. Early voting starts Oct. 18. Check the Election Department Web site for details.
This particular presidential race is one of immense historic impact, the first in which either an African American man or a woman will be elected to the presidency or vice presidency, respectively.
I, for one, will always vote for the candidate I believe will keep America and her people first. I will not vote for a candidate based on their gender or race. I am refreshed by the fact that our country refuses to hold onto prejudice that has no place in the hearts of most Americans.
Besides the presidential race, this November’s ballot features races for the U.S. House of Representatives, Nevada Supreme Court, State Assembly and Senate, Clark County Commission, Clark County School Board, Nevada State Board of Education, university system regents and numerous local judgeships.
Additionally, there are ballot questions that are important to the future of our state and its counties and cities.
They include several questions to change the state Constitution to eliminate an unconstitutional six-month residency requirement for voting; to provide that property taken for public use is valued at the highest price it would bring on the open market and to make other changes to the eminent domain proceedings; and to require that the Legislature find social or economic benefits and take certain steps before it enacts an exemption from property or sales and use taxes.
There is also a state question that asks if the Legislature should be allowed to change provisions of the Sales and Use Tax Act without voter approval to carry out federal laws or interstate agreements for the administration, collection or enforcement of the taxes. It would also repeal a tax exemption for certain aircraft and aircraft components.
In addition to the state questions, there are two county advisory questions. One asks if voters support an increase of up to 3 percent in the hotel and motel room tax to raise money for the long-term support of K-12 education.
The other one, only for Boulder City residents, asks if voters would support establishing a special tax district that would impose a new tax of 15 cents per $100 of assessed property valuation to raise money for Boulder City Hospital.
Finally, there are three city questions in Boulder City. They would amend language in the city charter to include feminine and plural references; amend the charter to eliminate closed City Council hearings to consider the termination of a city officer; and advise the council on whether it should sell 46 acres of land to help fund construction of a third water intake in Lake Mead.
For a complete explanation and arguments, log onto the Election Department Web site.
Please make your vote an educated vote, and happy voting.
•••
On an unrelated note, I have been so busy and preoccupied with life and community that my godson thinks I have abandoned him. No, never, Matthew. You are always in my heart and in my prayers. You are a very special 6-year-old and a true gift to the world. Happy birthday Matthew Felsenfeld. Your godmother loves and misses you.
Colleen O’Callaghan-Miele, co-publisher of the News, can be reached at 990-2653 or colleen@vegas.com.
Tuesday was the last day to register, so if you are not registered, you are not qualified to cast
your vote in the Nov. 4 general election.
If you are not sure about your registration status, you can call the Clark County Election Department at 455-VOTE (8683) or check online by going to www.accessclarkcounty.com/depts/election.
Your vote can make a difference in the future of our country. Early voting starts Oct. 18. Check the Election Department Web site for details.
This particular presidential race is one of immense historic impact, the first in which either an African American man or a woman will be elected to the presidency or vice presidency, respectively.
I, for one, will always vote for the candidate I believe will keep America and her people first. I will not vote for a candidate based on their gender or race. I am refreshed by the fact that our country refuses to hold onto prejudice that has no place in the hearts of most Americans.
Besides the presidential race, this November’s ballot features races for the U.S. House of Representatives, Nevada Supreme Court, State Assembly and Senate, Clark County Commission, Clark County School Board, Nevada State Board of Education, university system regents and numerous local judgeships.
Additionally, there are ballot questions that are important to the future of our state and its counties and cities.
They include several questions to change the state Constitution to eliminate an unconstitutional six-month residency requirement for voting; to provide that property taken for public use is valued at the highest price it would bring on the open market and to make other changes to the eminent domain proceedings; and to require that the Legislature find social or economic benefits and take certain steps before it enacts an exemption from property or sales and use taxes.
There is also a state question that asks if the Legislature should be allowed to change provisions of the Sales and Use Tax Act without voter approval to carry out federal laws or interstate agreements for the administration, collection or enforcement of the taxes. It would also repeal a tax exemption for certain aircraft and aircraft components.
In addition to the state questions, there are two county advisory questions. One asks if voters support an increase of up to 3 percent in the hotel and motel room tax to raise money for the long-term support of K-12 education.
The other one, only for Boulder City residents, asks if voters would support establishing a special tax district that would impose a new tax of 15 cents per $100 of assessed property valuation to raise money for Boulder City Hospital.
Finally, there are three city questions in Boulder City. They would amend language in the city charter to include feminine and plural references; amend the charter to eliminate closed City Council hearings to consider the termination of a city officer; and advise the council on whether it should sell 46 acres of land to help fund construction of a third water intake in Lake Mead.
For a complete explanation and arguments, log onto the Election Department Web site.
Please make your vote an educated vote, and happy voting.
•••
On an unrelated note, I have been so busy and preoccupied with life and community that my godson thinks I have abandoned him. No, never, Matthew. You are always in my heart and in my prayers. You are a very special 6-year-old and a true gift to the world. Happy birthday Matthew Felsenfeld. Your godmother loves and misses you.
Colleen O’Callaghan-Miele, co-publisher of the News, can be reached at 990-2653 or colleen@vegas.com.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Mom watches boy become a man
Wow! The day has come. Justin, my second eldest son, is enlisting in the U.S. Army.
As I write this column, I am filled with fear, heartache and an enormous amount of pride. I don’t ever recall having such an array of emotions all at the same time. Is this what every mother experiences as she listens to the words, “Mom, I’m joining the military?”
As my son unveiled his newest adventure, these words were coming not from my little boy who was a quiet soul until the day he chose to speak at the age of 3 and, when he did speak, it was a full sentence. The little boy who was independent and was comfortable leading and following, a true team player. The little boy who always wanted his brothers to be the best they could and often set the tone with fun and laughter.
Yes, he was a jokester and usually at mom’s expense — a slithering snake into my shower, convincing his friend David into dyeing his hair and eyebrows purple.
No, these words came from a man who no longer is a little boy.
So, where is my young man going from here?
His first journey is to basic training in Georgia, where he will learn to walk and talk (yeah, I thought I had already done that job. Apparently there is a mom way and the military way.)
In addition, he will learn to properly fold his clothes. Oh my gosh! Good luck on that one, drill sergeant. I have tried to teach him how to fold clothes since he was 6 years old.
He will learn to be part of a team (heck, he has been part of a squad for the last 26 years with five brothers).
Justin’s next journey will be off to jump school. This one has the entire family shaking their heads. Justin hates to fly. His last flight was to bury Grandpa Chief in New Jersey, and we all took turns holding his hand.
Our question to him was, “So, Justin, you are going to jump out of an airplane?” His response to this was, “Well, I’ll be OK. I’ll have a perfectly good parachute.”
His next goal is to qualify for something called HALO training. Apparently, there is an elite group of military jumpers who jump from the outer atmosphere and open their “perfectly good” parachutes at the lowest point possible.
Then its onto Justin’s ultimate goal: to qualify and graduate from Ranger school.
Yes, I have found humor in sharing my son’s story. So, I will add smiles and laughter to the bag of emotions that I have as I watch my little boy become my little Ranger.
Good luck, son. I’m proud of you as you begin your journey and continue your grandfather’s legacy of love of country and of those who put their lives on the line to protect it.
I will keep the home fire burning and continue to fight for the rights of those of you who are serving our country now and for our veterans who have gone before you.
Colleen O’Callaghan-Miele, co-publisher of the Home News, can be reached at 990-2653 or colleen@vegas.com.
As I write this column, I am filled with fear, heartache and an enormous amount of pride. I don’t ever recall having such an array of emotions all at the same time. Is this what every mother experiences as she listens to the words, “Mom, I’m joining the military?”
As my son unveiled his newest adventure, these words were coming not from my little boy who was a quiet soul until the day he chose to speak at the age of 3 and, when he did speak, it was a full sentence. The little boy who was independent and was comfortable leading and following, a true team player. The little boy who always wanted his brothers to be the best they could and often set the tone with fun and laughter.
Yes, he was a jokester and usually at mom’s expense — a slithering snake into my shower, convincing his friend David into dyeing his hair and eyebrows purple.
No, these words came from a man who no longer is a little boy.
So, where is my young man going from here?
His first journey is to basic training in Georgia, where he will learn to walk and talk (yeah, I thought I had already done that job. Apparently there is a mom way and the military way.)
In addition, he will learn to properly fold his clothes. Oh my gosh! Good luck on that one, drill sergeant. I have tried to teach him how to fold clothes since he was 6 years old.
He will learn to be part of a team (heck, he has been part of a squad for the last 26 years with five brothers).
Justin’s next journey will be off to jump school. This one has the entire family shaking their heads. Justin hates to fly. His last flight was to bury Grandpa Chief in New Jersey, and we all took turns holding his hand.
Our question to him was, “So, Justin, you are going to jump out of an airplane?” His response to this was, “Well, I’ll be OK. I’ll have a perfectly good parachute.”
His next goal is to qualify for something called HALO training. Apparently, there is an elite group of military jumpers who jump from the outer atmosphere and open their “perfectly good” parachutes at the lowest point possible.
Then its onto Justin’s ultimate goal: to qualify and graduate from Ranger school.
Yes, I have found humor in sharing my son’s story. So, I will add smiles and laughter to the bag of emotions that I have as I watch my little boy become my little Ranger.
Good luck, son. I’m proud of you as you begin your journey and continue your grandfather’s legacy of love of country and of those who put their lives on the line to protect it.
I will keep the home fire burning and continue to fight for the rights of those of you who are serving our country now and for our veterans who have gone before you.
Colleen O’Callaghan-Miele, co-publisher of the Home News, can be reached at 990-2653 or colleen@vegas.com.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Let's talk some (clean) politics
My dear friend Diana happens to have her birthday on the same day as my father.
Every year it has given Diana great joy to harass me, because each year I religiously forget it is her birthday, also.
With each passing Sept. 10, Diana would ask, “Whose birthday just passed?” Naturally, every year I would respond with, “It was my dad’s birthday!”
Well, being the great lady she is, this year she spared me the pain and annual humiliation of forgetting that it was her turn to celebrate the big day. We celebrated dad’s and her birthday at a true Las Vegas watering hole — the kind that dad would’ve been comfortable at and totally within Diana’s comfort zone. There were people from all walks of life enjoying a cold beer, great conversation and, at times, political debates.
As we toasted, I asked my friend to make a birthday wish. She said, “What I wish for is the impossible.”
Well, just tell me something is impossible and watch me find a way to make it possible. My friend knows that about me.
Diana wished for the days when, in polite company, it was rude to talk about politics or sex. This was a time when sex was considered dirty and politics was considered clean yet very controversial.
I believe her request is possible and, in fact, very doable, just not within my power. This birthday wish is in the hands of the voters and the American political powers-that-be.
I am often told that I look at people and life through rose-colored lenses. But restoring the reputation of politics after removing my rose-colored glasses is still doable.
As we continued our celebration, we got around to listening to the latest rumors out there regarding the races in the local, state and national political arenas. While I will not repeat the rumors — it’s not my style — I will share with you my response to one of them.
I do hope the candidate is a Latter-day Saint, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist or a member of any other religion or is atheist or agnostic. This is America, like a diamond strong with many facets of races, colors and creeds.
I hope the candidate is Independent, Republican, Democrat or Libertarian. That’s American.
I hope the candidate’s ethnic background is Hispanic, Irish, Italian, German, African-American, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Native American or Indian or any other nationality whose people have come to live in our country. That’s American.
I hope all the candidates worked their way up to achieve their goals and dreams or the dreams of their parents or grandparents who gave up their businesses, land and families to make America their home. Imagine how difficult that must have been to leave everything behind to flee from religious, ethnic or political persecution.
I know and understand that politics can get dirty. My girlfriend may want to turn back the hands of time, in more ways than one.
I would like to grant her one birthday wish. Can we make politics clean and get back to the day when sex was dirty?
Colleen O’Callaghan-Miele, co-publisher of the News, can be reached at 990-2653 or colleen@vegas.com.
Every year it has given Diana great joy to harass me, because each year I religiously forget it is her birthday, also.
With each passing Sept. 10, Diana would ask, “Whose birthday just passed?” Naturally, every year I would respond with, “It was my dad’s birthday!”
Well, being the great lady she is, this year she spared me the pain and annual humiliation of forgetting that it was her turn to celebrate the big day. We celebrated dad’s and her birthday at a true Las Vegas watering hole — the kind that dad would’ve been comfortable at and totally within Diana’s comfort zone. There were people from all walks of life enjoying a cold beer, great conversation and, at times, political debates.
As we toasted, I asked my friend to make a birthday wish. She said, “What I wish for is the impossible.”
Well, just tell me something is impossible and watch me find a way to make it possible. My friend knows that about me.
Diana wished for the days when, in polite company, it was rude to talk about politics or sex. This was a time when sex was considered dirty and politics was considered clean yet very controversial.
I believe her request is possible and, in fact, very doable, just not within my power. This birthday wish is in the hands of the voters and the American political powers-that-be.
I am often told that I look at people and life through rose-colored lenses. But restoring the reputation of politics after removing my rose-colored glasses is still doable.
As we continued our celebration, we got around to listening to the latest rumors out there regarding the races in the local, state and national political arenas. While I will not repeat the rumors — it’s not my style — I will share with you my response to one of them.
I do hope the candidate is a Latter-day Saint, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist or a member of any other religion or is atheist or agnostic. This is America, like a diamond strong with many facets of races, colors and creeds.
I hope the candidate is Independent, Republican, Democrat or Libertarian. That’s American.
I hope the candidate’s ethnic background is Hispanic, Irish, Italian, German, African-American, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Native American or Indian or any other nationality whose people have come to live in our country. That’s American.
I hope all the candidates worked their way up to achieve their goals and dreams or the dreams of their parents or grandparents who gave up their businesses, land and families to make America their home. Imagine how difficult that must have been to leave everything behind to flee from religious, ethnic or political persecution.
I know and understand that politics can get dirty. My girlfriend may want to turn back the hands of time, in more ways than one.
I would like to grant her one birthday wish. Can we make politics clean and get back to the day when sex was dirty?
Colleen O’Callaghan-Miele, co-publisher of the News, can be reached at 990-2653 or colleen@vegas.com.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
It's assessment time for government
Is socialized healthcare just around the corner for the U.S.?
Enjoying my pasta the other evening, observing the crowd and watching John McCain and Sarah Palin’s speech on the big screens at Tuscany Grill, a local Italian bistro, was quite an event. It was apparent that the crowd was mainly Republican, scattered with a few Democrats.
Everyone was definitely inspired as the speeches emanated with hope while outlining futuristic plans for our country.
As I listened and evaluated each speaker’s message, I walked away with a desire to see this country unified, regardless of party (sounds good, but ultra-idealistic).
Well, as the conversation amongst the crowd continued, it became slightly heated regarding the subject of whether socialized medicine is coming to the U.S. and the candidate supporting its implementation. This debate bypassed all pros or cons and went directly to the horror story of a young man sitting directly across from me with his left arm bandaged.
His name is Josh, and here is his story.
Josh is a 21-year-old baseball pitcher from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. He is a lefty pitcher who played college ball here in the states for the past three years, first at Taft College then at Cal State Northridge.
Josh went back to Canada to train for his last year of eligibility, and he took a construction job. On the job, he injured his left elbow. After an initial assessment, he was referred to physical therapy and, because of the socialized healthcare system in Canada, it took more than eight months before his need for surgery was acknowledged.
Since he was injured on the job, his healthcare fell under the worker’s compensation program. A stipulation to qualify for the surgery under worker’s comp was that it must be performed in Canada. He saw three doctors, all of whom said they didn’t have the skill or surgical technology that would guarantee he would be able to pitch again.
So, his only option was to come to the United States and see a doctor who had the skills and technology to successfully perform the surgery.
Josh went to a doctor in Cincinnati, where he had to fork out $10,000.
The doctors in Canada took an extremely long time to get him the help he needed and, in addition, his MRI was unreadable. According to this young man and his fiancee, this is a true indication of what happens with socialized medicine in Canada and shows why Canada can afford to offer free health care.
It lacks the expertise and resources the American health care system provides. (Also, look at the tax rates in other countries, such as Canada, but that’s another column.)
Another example of a country with socialized healthcare is Ireland, where my sister and I learned that patients have waited up to three years for hip replacements.
I am, at this point, definitely not pro-socialized medicine. Josh’s story is a true story, and it is only one of many highlighting the downside of a socialized healthcare system.
I would like to see our government properly manage and improve other services that we, the taxpayers, pay out of pocket. Let’s take a look at Social Security, Veterans Affairs, Medicare, Medicaid and our government-owned and union-operated public schools!
Colleen O’Callaghan-Miele, co-publisher of the Home News, can be reached at 990-2653 or colleen@vegas.com.
Enjoying my pasta the other evening, observing the crowd and watching John McCain and Sarah Palin’s speech on the big screens at Tuscany Grill, a local Italian bistro, was quite an event. It was apparent that the crowd was mainly Republican, scattered with a few Democrats.
Everyone was definitely inspired as the speeches emanated with hope while outlining futuristic plans for our country.
As I listened and evaluated each speaker’s message, I walked away with a desire to see this country unified, regardless of party (sounds good, but ultra-idealistic).
Well, as the conversation amongst the crowd continued, it became slightly heated regarding the subject of whether socialized medicine is coming to the U.S. and the candidate supporting its implementation. This debate bypassed all pros or cons and went directly to the horror story of a young man sitting directly across from me with his left arm bandaged.
His name is Josh, and here is his story.
Josh is a 21-year-old baseball pitcher from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. He is a lefty pitcher who played college ball here in the states for the past three years, first at Taft College then at Cal State Northridge.
Josh went back to Canada to train for his last year of eligibility, and he took a construction job. On the job, he injured his left elbow. After an initial assessment, he was referred to physical therapy and, because of the socialized healthcare system in Canada, it took more than eight months before his need for surgery was acknowledged.
Since he was injured on the job, his healthcare fell under the worker’s compensation program. A stipulation to qualify for the surgery under worker’s comp was that it must be performed in Canada. He saw three doctors, all of whom said they didn’t have the skill or surgical technology that would guarantee he would be able to pitch again.
So, his only option was to come to the United States and see a doctor who had the skills and technology to successfully perform the surgery.
Josh went to a doctor in Cincinnati, where he had to fork out $10,000.
The doctors in Canada took an extremely long time to get him the help he needed and, in addition, his MRI was unreadable. According to this young man and his fiancee, this is a true indication of what happens with socialized medicine in Canada and shows why Canada can afford to offer free health care.
It lacks the expertise and resources the American health care system provides. (Also, look at the tax rates in other countries, such as Canada, but that’s another column.)
Another example of a country with socialized healthcare is Ireland, where my sister and I learned that patients have waited up to three years for hip replacements.
I am, at this point, definitely not pro-socialized medicine. Josh’s story is a true story, and it is only one of many highlighting the downside of a socialized healthcare system.
I would like to see our government properly manage and improve other services that we, the taxpayers, pay out of pocket. Let’s take a look at Social Security, Veterans Affairs, Medicare, Medicaid and our government-owned and union-operated public schools!
Colleen O’Callaghan-Miele, co-publisher of the Home News, can be reached at 990-2653 or colleen@vegas.com.
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