On the 8 Spot

Please Get A Life So You Don’t Have Enough Time To Screw Up Another

The Creative

The panic junkie is the person who is addicted to Crisis and, in the absence of it, will manufacture drama in order to create additional Crisis. Their intent was originally good; they wanted to get stuff done quickly and discovered that the umbrella of a Crisis removed traditional organizational roadblocks. Problem is, they’ve becoming addicted to the power and momentum granted to them by driving the crisis. As soon as the current Crisis appears to have passed, they deflate, thinking, “Blah, back to the normal,” and immediately start looking for another Crisis. If they don’t find one, they create it.

via Rands In Repose: The Crisis and the Creative.

pointer from MR:

Top ten most frequently challenged books of 2008

Out of 513 challenges as reported to the Office for Intellectual Freedom

1. And Tango Makes Three, by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell

Reasons: anti-ethnic, anti-family, homosexuality, religious viewpoint, and unsuited to age group

2. His Dark Materials trilogy, by Philip Pullman

Reasons: political viewpoint, religious viewpoint, and violence

3. TTYL; TTFN; L8R, G8R (series), by Lauren Myracle

Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, and unsuited to age group

4. Scary Stories (series), by Alvin Schwartz

Reasons: occult/satanism, religious viewpoint, and violence

5. Bless Me, Ultima, by Rudolfo Anaya

Reasons: occult/satanism, offensive language, religious viewpoint, sexually explicit, and violence

6. The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky

Reasons: drugs, homosexuality, nudity, offensive language, sexually explicit, suicide, and unsuited to age group

7. Gossip Girl (series), by Cecily von Ziegesar

Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, and unsuited to age group

8. Uncle Bobby’s Wedding, by Sarah S. Brannen

Reasons: homosexuality and unsuited to age group

9. The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini

Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, and unsuited to age group

10. Flashcards of My Life, by Charise Mericle Harper

Reasons: sexually explicit and unsuited to age group

via ALA | Top ten most frequently challenged books of 2008.

Thank You!

Aid from int’l community reaches over P.5B

By Kristine L. Alave

Philippine Daily Inquirer First Posted 21:33:00 10/02/2009 Filed Under: Foreign Aid, Foreign affairs & international relations, Ondoy, Weather

MANILA, Philippines—Donations for the relief and recovery assistance in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Ondoy” from the international community has reached over half a billion pesos, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo reported to President Macapagal-Arroyo that donations from various governments have reached P566 million as of Oct. 2.

The National Disaster Coordinating Council, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine National Red Cross and other agencies have been authorized to receive the donations, which will greatly complement the government’s efforts.

“The Philippine Government is deeply appreciative of our international partners’ swift response to our call for aid. The DFA will work with the NDCC, DSWD, PNRC and other agencies to ensure that these donations reach our distressed kababayans as soon as possible,” Secretary Romulo said.

Ondoy, which whipped Manila Saturday, caused severe flooding in the metropolis and nearby provinces.

The government said nearly 300 people died from the disaster, which also displaced hundreds of thousands of Filipinos.

The European Commission in the Philippines has allotted 2 million euros (P138 million) in urgent relief funding, the DFA reported.

The Embassy of Spain in the Philippines has ordered the release of 150,000 euros (approximately P10 million) for food aid, while Spanish organization Accion Contra el Hambre donated 250,000 euros (approximately P17 million).

The Swiss government also issued CHF250,000 (approximately P11 million) to support emergency related operation which will be funded by the Swiss Red Cross to the Philippine National Red Cross.

The French Foreign Ministry has earmarked initial 10,000 euros (P690,000) to the Philippine National Red Cross as its initial contribution.

Germany is providing 500,000 euros (roughly P35 million) in emergency humanitarian aid for the victims, which will be placed at the disposal of German humanitarian aid organizations

The combined European aid reached P254 million.

Aside from the European partners, other countries like the US and Canada sent financial assistance to the victims. The US government donated US$100,000 for relief efforts, while Canada pledged Canadian $5 million (approximately US$4.7 million).

China pitched in US$100,000 check donation; US$10,000 to the PNRC; while Chinese firm Huawei donated US$30,000. Singapore raised US$30,000 and a further US$20,000 in seed money to jumpstart a donations drive by the Singapore Red Cross.

The Republic of Korea has donated emergency relief assistance in the form of rice, tents, medical supplies and other essential items worth $300,000 coursed through the Department of Social Welfare and Development. A Korean company, OCI Company Ltd., also donated $50,000 through the Philippine National Red Cross.

The Japanese government is sending $220,000 worth of relief goods to the Philippines. Australia pledged Australian $1 million (approximately US$879,000) to support response and recovery activities.

The UN World Health Organization has launched earlier a $42,000 relief fund.

The UN World Food Programme has also stepped up its efforts to provide immediate relief to the typhoon victims.

Basic necessities such as food, clean water, shelter, clothes, and medicines were in short supply in many communities and evacuation center.

A delegation of UN workers is set to arrive in Manila on Saturday to help in the relief and rehabilitation operations.

UN WFP executive director Josette Sheeran said the organization will have a three-month emergency operation to bring food and other assistance to people affected by Ondoy.

via Aid from int’l community reaches over P.5B – INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos.

Please remember the people who text you nonsense and unverified reports so you know which person deserves a dose of skepticism whenever you are told anything by them!

Pagasa belies reports Pepeng will hit Metro Manila Friday night

By Katherine Evangelista

INQUIRER.net

First Posted 20:02:00 10/02/2009

Filed Under: Weather, Disasters (general)

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) has denied reports typhoon Pepeng (international codename: Parma) will hit Metro Manila Friday night.

“Definitely that will not happen,” said Pagasa director Prisco Nilo, referring to text messages saying that Pepeng will bear down on disaster-struck Metro Manila at 9 p.m.

But he advised residents to prepare as the typhoon was forecast to dump more rains.

As of 4 p.m., Pepeng was seen over 150 kilometers north northeast of Virac, Catanduanes packing maximum sustained winds of up to 195 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 230 kph.

It was forecast to move west northwest at 13 kph headed for northern Luzon.

via Pagasa belies reports Pepeng will hit Metro Manila Friday night – INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos.

This sentiment is good but look at the research on incentives and this would actually reduce the number of volunteers. Nice thoughts but not a good idea when coupled with what we know about the motivations of people when they volunteer!

Give student volunteers extra credits in class, solon urges

By Lira Dalangin-FernandezINQUIRER.netFirst Posted 19:52:00 10/02/2009Filed Under: Ondoy, Education, Flood, Disasters generalMANILA, Philippines—College students who have done volunteer work in helping the victims of storm Ondoy international codename: Ketsana deserve extra credits in class, a lawmaker proposed on Friday.Muntinlupa Representative Rufino Biazon said the student volunteers could earn extra credits in their National Service Training Program NSTP.“The work they have done to help in the relief efforts are more than enough to earn credits in their NSTP or CMT classes,” he said.

via Give student volunteers extra credits in class, solon urges – INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos.

Thank You Po! Maraming Maraming Salamat!

1M noodle packs from Indonesia to ‘Ondoy’ victims

By Riza T. Olchondra

Philippine Daily Inquirer First Posted 15:28:00 10/02/2009 Filed Under: Flood, Foreign Aid, Ondoy

MANILA, Philippines—Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap on Friday said, PT Indofood Sukses Makmur Tbk, a global instant noodle manufacturer, will be donating one million packs of instant noodles through the National Food Authority.

via 1M noodle packs from Indonesia to ‘Ondoy’ victims – INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos.

FUCK  YOU Villar, If manegerial ability is what is really needed then I would rather have someone like Bayani or Binay for president. Mr Villar where was your volunteer operations, were you able to mobilize “UNPAID” people to help you? Yes maybe you are a good manager but what we need is a real leader. The verdict is still out on who is the best leader among you presidential wannabees but You must also understand that a leader is only as good as the (UNPAID/UNCOMPENSATED) people who choose to follow him, and in that department you are sorely lacking!

Villar: Choose president based on competence, managerial ability

AMITA O. LEGASPI, GMANews.TV

10/02/2009 | 03:52 PM

In an obvious snipe at his prospective rivals, Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. on Friday urged Filipinos to choose their next president based not just on popularity but on competence and managerial ability.

Speaking at the national convention of public attorneys at the Manila Hotel, he said having good intentions alone is not enough qualification to lead a country that has plenty of problems to deal with.

“Karanasan sa pamamahala, hindi lang malinis na intensyon ang kailangan natin (Experience in governance, not just good intentions, is what this nation needs)” he said.

via Villar: Choose president based on competence, managerial ability – Nation – GMANews.TV – Official Website of GMA News and Public Affairs – Latest Philippine News.