Category Archives: Freedom

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Monday, August 14, 2017, 10:34 AM

As violent, cruel, demeaning white supremacists descended upon Charlottesville, Va., this weekend, and one of the men murdered a woman and injured dozens of others in broad daylight, Donald Trump, the sitting President of the United States, who rose to power with their full support, refused to call them out. Of course he refused. They are his most devoted followers and he has taken great care not to offend or isolate them. Many Republicans, though, did call them out. Senators Orrin Hatch, Marco Rubio and even Ted Cruz made some of the strongest statements from conservatives I've ever read on white supremacy, but one consistent and critically important error was present in so many statements from seemingly well-meaning white men. Those statements, over and over again, said something to the effect that white supremacy has no place in America and that this nation was founded on the principles of faith and freedom.

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That's a damn lie. It's as big a lie as a lie can get. It's ahistorical. It's insulting. It's not even in the ballpark of reality. And when civic and business leaders say that this nation was founded on such warm, fuzzy ideals and principles, it reveals many things chief among them just how far we are from actually dismantling the systems of white supremacy and white privilege in this nation.

Before I was a journalist, I was a preacher in Georgia and Kentucky. From the pulpit I liked to use colorful metaphors to explain complex scriptures so that they made more sense for everyday people. If you don't mind, I'd like to lean on that part of my history for a few moments.

Imagine you're in your house and you smell a foul stench. You check your refrigerator and realize that you have some spoiled food in there. That must be it! You get ready to throw it away, open up the garbage can, then realize that something foul seems to be coming from there too. So you bag up the foul garbage with the spoiled food and take it out of the house confident that you have solved the problem only to come back inside to find it smelling worse than ever. You check the bathroom and flush the toilets in case that might be it. No matter what you do, the smell won't go away. It's getting so bad that you can hardly stand it. You are now feeling light-headed. Then, you notice on the television that people are evacuating their homes on a street that looks very, very familiar. It's your street. On the television, you see a home that looks like your home and a car that looks like your car. On the television screen, smoke is enveloping the home and car that look like they are yours.

Charlottesville mayor says Trump campaign emboldened hate groups

The news caption reads, "Neighborhood built on toxic waste dump about to explode."

The smell that you thought was leftovers in the fridge or fish in the garbage or a turd in the toilet was none of those things. Your home is built on a ticking time bomb of toxic waste.

Ted Cruz and Orrin Hatch and Marco Rubio each spoke of white supremacy and neo-Nazism as if it could be easily flushed down the toilet with a tweet, wink and a nod. This is as dangerous a denial of the past, present and future of this country as we could ever have.

America was not built on kindness or the Christianity of Christ. It was not built on freedom or liberty. This nation was built on white supremacy. Its founders owned human beings that they worked to death and raped at will for sexual pleasure. The indigenous people were slaughtered and terrorized for land and profit. Not for years, or decades, but for centuries, this nation exploited and victimized every single person who was not a white man denying them all the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness denying them all the right to vote, the right to safety, the right to dignity.

Jason Kessler shouted down at Charlottesville news conference

We have women in this nation who were born before women were allowed to vote. A black woman who voted in this past presidential election was the daughter of slaves! Donald Trump's own father was reportedly arrested at a KKK rally 90 years ago this summer (something Donald Trump has refuted). Right here in New York City Nazis held a rally in Madison Square Garden.

So don't tell me this nation was founded on faith and freedom. It was founded on oppression and violence. What we're seeing in Charlottesville isn't un-American. NO! That violence and bigotry are as American as it gets.

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KING: Stop saying this nation was founded on faith and freedom it was founded on violence and white supremacy - New York Daily News

by: KIRO 7 News Staff Updated: Aug 14, 2017 - 7:44 AM

SEATTLE - Seattle police say they arrested three men as hundreds of demonstrators and counter-protesters converged downtown Seattle one day after violent clashes in Charlottesville, Virginia.

The rally organized by the conservative pro-Trump group known as Patriot Prayer and a counter protest aimed at standing against hate were planned for Sunday.

A barricade separated the groups of protesters in downtown Seattle. Police officers stood by dressed in black, riot gear. Police said they used pepper spray and blast balls to disperse crowds after fireworks were thrown at officers.

Those arrested were a 40-year-old man for obstruction, a 37-year-old man for assault and a 25-year old-man for assault.

It all began peacefully enough as hundreds of activists stepped off from Denny Park just before 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon.

Counter protesters included members of the Veterans for Peace, Socialist Party, Washington Federation of State Workers and other groups.

Counter-protesters marched from Denny Park through downtown Seattle to Westlake Park, but many of those protesters were prevented from reaching the freedom rally.

But some counter-protesters did make it.

During the rally, some of the demonstrators began trying to run past Seattle police. When that didn't work, they tried taunting the officers with silly string. As the crowd surged toward police, they were doused with pepper spray.

Council member Mike O'Brien expressed frustration over the crowd being kept away from Westlake Park.

"Why weren't the demonstrators not allowed to get to Westlake Park?" O'Brien said. "I don't know what the call was. I'm not in a position to second guess that at the moment." He added he would like to find out why police prohibited the crowd from reaching Westlake Park.

Many marchers said they were there to simply take a stand, especially after what happened in Charlottesville.

"They are missing out on the love that exists here on the other side," said Rev. Priscilla Paris Austin, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in South Lake Union. "If they can push themselves through to see past their fear, they can find the love that exists here for them as well."

The pro-Trump group "Patriot Prayer" gathered for a rally in Westlake Park that it billed as in support of freedom and free speech.

On its Facebook page, the Patriot Prayer groups posted:

Seattle is running our state with a pedophile as a mayor. The West Coast has slowly been infected with communist ideologies throughout our entire culture. It is a belief that the individual is weak and that we are all victims. This is the lie of the century. No matter who you are, we are all amazing people with the ability to do anything that we put our minds to. These liberal strongholds run off of hatred and negativity. Patriot Prayer will bring in a positive message to Seattle that the people are starving for..

Patriot Prayers first speaker stated a message from the organizers; that the incident in Charlottesville was an act of terrorism and should be denounced, and that white supremacists were not welcome at their event. He called for peace and love and said anyone who attended for racist reasons should leave. He then said that Seattle and Americas values are inclusive values. His message was met by boos by some in the crowd.

The latest on the "Freedom Rally" put on by 'The Patriot Prayer', a conservative group, and the "Solidarity Against Hate" counter-protest in Seattle. All times local.

Click here to see photos of today's rally and counter-protest.

[4:57]

[4:45]

Seattle Police have made an arrest at 5th and Pine.

[3:54]

An update from the Seattle Police Department:

[3:47]

Demonstrators are marching back to Denny Park, according to the Seattle Police Department.

[3:03]

The Seattle Police Department has issued a Dispersal Order at 2nd and Pine. Police also have confiscated weapons, and have made arrests. The number of arrests is unknown at this point.

[2:00]

The "Solidarity against hate grouphas marched from Denny Park to Westlake Park where the conservative "Freedom Rally" group is located.

[1:00]

One of two groups that planned to march in downtown Seattle Sunday has said the group will not march, but gather in light of the violence that erupted at a Charlottesville, Va., rally Saturday.

The Patriot Prayer, a conservative, pro-Trump group, will gather at 2 p.m. at Westlake Park.

Opponents, which include members of the Veterans for Peace, Socialist Party, Washington Federation of State Workers and other groups, had planned to march after the Patriot Prayer group originally announced it would march in Seattle on August 13. They will gather at Denny Park at 1 p.m.

The Patriot Prayer group had touted the event as a Freedom Rally; opponents of their messaging say the group is homophobic, racist and bigoted.

The group has been criticized for inciting violence at recent gatherings in Portland and Vancouver, B.C.The Columbian newspaper recently did a profile on the group's lead, Joey Gibson.

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3 arrested after 'Freedom Rally,' counter protesters converge in Seattle - KIRO Seattle

James Risen, who, as a best-selling author and New York Times reporter, has brokensome of the biggest storiesof the post-9/11 period, is joining The Intercept as our senior national security correspondent, based in Washington, D.C. Risen will write a reported column on national security and other national issues, as well as help to lead The Intercepts investigative reporting efforts.

Risen will have a unique dual leadership positionat First Look Media, because in addition to his editorial roleat The Intercept, he will also serve as director of thePress Freedom Defense Fund, which is dedicated to supporting news organizations, journalists, and whistleblowers in legal fights where a substantial public interest, freedom of the press, or related human orcivil right isat stake. Recently, the Press Freedom Defense Fund announced its support for the legal defense of Reality Winner, who is accused of leaking a top-secret NSA document on Russian election hacking to The Intercept.

Risen washimself a target of the U.S. governments crackdown on journalists and whistleblowers. He waged a seven-year battle, risking jail after the Bush administration and later the Obama administration sought to force him to testify and reveal his confidential sources in a leak investigation. Risen never gave in, and the government finally backed down.

As a New York Times reporter, Risen won the 2006 Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting for his stories about the National Security Agencys domestic spying program, and he was a member of the reporting team that won the 2002 Pulitzer Prize for explanatory reporting for coverage of the Sept. 11 attacks and terrorism.

I am incredibly excited by this amazing and unique opportunity to combine my journalism with efforts to defend press freedom, said Risen. I am honored to help lead the fund as both America and the world face unprecedented threats to freedom of the press, while also writing and reporting and working with the team at The Intercept to continue to build one of the most important investigative reporting outlets in the nation.

Risen began his career as a reporter at the Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette, and later worked at the Miami Herald, the Detroit Free Press, and the Los Angeles Times. He joined the New York Times in 1998, where he remaineduntil earlier this summer. He is the author of four books: Wrath of Angels: The American Abortion War; The Main Enemy: The Inside Story of the CIAs Final Showdown With the KGB; State of War, The Secret History of the CIA and the Bush Administration; and Pay Any Price: Greed, Power and Endless War.

He will begin in September.

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Reporter and Press Freedom Advocate James Risen to Join The Intercept and First Look Media - The Intercept

Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback has been nominated to head the Office of International Religious Freedom under the State Department. Video provided by Newsy Newslook

Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback talks to the media during a news conference Thursday, July 27, 2017, in Topeka, Kan. President Donald Trump nominated Brownback to be ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom.(Photo: Charlie Riedel, AP)

WASHINGTON For advocates of religious freedom, President Trumps appointment of Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback to be Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom is a much-needed jolt from an administration that they feel has been otherwise sluggish to act on critical protections for people of faith.

If confirmed, Brownback will be be the U.S. governments representative on religious freedom abroad. He also has the task of advocating within the State Department for a greater focus on the issue, even at times when it may not run in lockstep with economic or military interests.

You need somebody who feels it in his bones and David Saperstein really did feel it in his bones and so does Sam Brownback, this is why Im grateful to president Trump, of whom Ive been a ferocious critic, Robert George said. Rabbi David Saperstein held the ambassador-at-large position most recently during the Obama administration.

On the campaign trail Trump had promised that the first priority of my administration will be to preserve and protect our religious liberty.Trump was able to get conservative Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch confirmed to the bench, a move which religious freedom advocates celebrated.

Early in his presidency Trump was reportedly considering an executive order that would scale back Obama-era protections for gays and lesbians, andreligious freedom advocates pressed him to move forward. But Trump ultimately signed a version that critics including George felt didnt go nearly far enough.

It was so watered down in the end that when it was issued it had no practical significance that I could see, said George, who was chairman of the independent U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom in 2015 and 2016.I do not give the Trump administration high marks at all, so far, on religious freedom issues domestically ... Internationally I think it is too early to tell, but Im hoping.

We think that President Trump made a great choice in picking Brownback, said Emilie Kao,director of the Richard and Helen DeVos Center for Religion & Civil Society at the conservative Heritage Foundation. I think its a very positive step on international religious freedom. I think that theres still much more that the Trump Administration could still do on domestic religious freedom.

I think hes almost made for the job and the job was made for him and he cares deeply so I think its a perfect appointment, former Virginia congressman Frank Wolf told USA TODAY.

Wolf introduced the law the International Religious Freedom Act which created the ambassador-at -large position. Brownback,who was a senator 1998 when the legislation passed, was a key player moving the legislation through the Senate.

Wolf, a who left Congress in 2014 after more than three decades,said the administration is going to do well on religious freedom and the reason we havent seen as muchis because theres no one at home,referring to the fact that the administration is not yet filled critical positions throughout the government.

Former Rep. Frank Wolf, R-Va., is pictured Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, April 12, 2013. Wolf introduced legislation that created the Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom.(Photo: Manuel Balce Ceneta, AP)

Certain aspects of religious freedom domestically can be a bitterly partisan, such as battles over whether faith groups can be ordered to provide birth control in employee health insurance plans.But internationally, religious freedomis an overwhelmingly bipartisan issue.

The law that created the ambassador-at-large position, passed in the House by 375-41 and 98-0 in the Senate in 1998. An amendment to the bill in 2016 that strengthened the powers of the office passed by a voice vote in the House and unanimous consent in the Senate.

Saperstein, who was nominated to be ambassador-at-large by then-president Barack Obama, told USA TODAY that the basic areas of religious freedom rights freedom to worship, educate, speak about faith, etc. have broad bipartisan support domestically. The former ambassador-at-large said the friction comes with competing claims, moral claims, between religious liberty rights and other civil rights womens rights and LGBT rights, in particular so there are tensions in these claims. Do people have a religious freedom right to discriminate against other people?

He also cited friction over if corporations have religious freedom rights or if tax-exempt religious institutions can take a political stance, as dividing issues in the U.S.

Saperstein said there are important claims on both sides of these issues but they pale in comparison to the persecution happening abroad. More than three-quarters of the worlds population live in countries where restrictions on religion are either high or very high, according to Pew Research Center.

I pray for the day that the struggles for the religious freedom on a global level will be about whether corporations have religious freedom claims, whether clergy can use tax deductible money to endorse candidates how to best balance out competing claims between religious liberty claims and womens rights and LGBT rights claims, Saperstein said. He said that people around the world are subject to torture, prison and even death for their beliefs.

Saperstein pointed to Brownbacks long track-record of support for religious freedom issues when USA TODAY asked if the Kansas governor was the right pick to take over his job.

Its an issue he knows, he knows well and cares deeply about, Saperstein said.

More: Vice President Pence says ISIS is waging anti-Christian 'genocide'

Religious conservatives mixed on Trump's order targeting birth control, church involvement

'We are under siege,' Trump tells religious right group as Comey testifies

Andrew Bennett, the Canadian ambassador for religious freedom from2013 to2016, warned that Brownback may find himself arguing with othergovernment agencies over foreign policy.

At times, you know, Gov. Brownback and his office are going to find themselves working against other particular priorities that the United States might have in its foreign policy and so the challenge for Gov. Brownback is going to be to stand up in defense of religious freedom and to speak out, Bennett told USA TODAY.

Despite the bipartisan support for the position, some worry Brownback who has been opposed to strengthening protections for the LGBTcommunity could take the post in the wrong direction.

The position is obviously one that deals with religious discrimination and protecting people from religious persecution around the world which is something that, you know, LGBTQ people share in common. In lots of places where theres reallya lot of persecution that takes the form of religious discrimination, it also takes the form of anti-LGBT discrimination, said David Stacy, the government affairs director for the LGBT advocacy organization Human Rights Campaign.

Brownback has opposed gay marriage and as governor signed a law that allowed university groups to restrict membership, critics said that could lead to discrimination.

With Sam Brownback were certainly very worried that he will promote a particular brand of religion," Stacy said."Religion does not need to be in conflict with LGBT equality, but if you put someone like Sam Brownback in this position,he does view it that way: that its a zero-sum game

Some in Kansas may be happy to see Brownback go, after he ordered sweepingtax cuts that hampered the state's economy and narrowly won re-election in 2016.

Sam Brownback will be remembered for becoming the most unpopular governor in America. His tax experiment failed to grow the economy as he had promised, Kansas State Senate Democratic Leader Anthony Hensley tweeted after Brownback was nominated.

More: Kansas governor faces tax cut challenge

Republicans in Congress push for religious liberty executive order

Republicans ask Jeff Sessions to reaffirm no religious tests for government posts

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Religious freedom: Trump taps Brownback, advocates applaud - USA TODAY

Think of a patriotic number and we all get nostalgic and start singing our favourite number. While some get goosebumps listening to a patriotic song, others cherish and celebrate its spirit in their own unique way. But no one can deny the power of a song which has the potential to bring people together forgetting all differences. One such get-together will be held on Tuesday to celebrate the 70th Independence Day. This special performance is by the students of Swara Bharati Institute and will be held at Shilparamam. This two-year-old music school that teaches only classical music wanted to do something different for the special occasion. The faculty and students were inspired and excited to do something, points out the schools founder Srinivas Gadepalli. The institute premises turned into a hub of enthusiasm as around 30 students from vocal, guitar and keyboard streams have been practising for a fortnight. While rehearsing, the students tried to understand the meaning of its words, which was worth the effort,states Srinivas.

On Sunday, Lamakaan played host to a patriotic songs workshop organised by sisters Sushma and Soumya of Aarohi Music Academy. Sushma says the workshop evoked an enthusiastic response from the group comprising children and adults. The first section of the workshop involved singing Maitrim bhajatam akhila hrudayatri... written by Shankarcharya of Sringeri Mutt. Revealing the reason behind choosing the song, Sushma states, This song was sung by MS Subbulakshmi in the UN; this number is about humanity and harmony in general. We live in a global village and so it is a good time to recollect it because even if we love our own country, we can only be happy when the rest of the world is happy, shares Sushma adding, It felt emotional and at one point of time, all of us had goosebumps.

The remaining part of the workshop at Lamakaan saw the participants writing their own patriotic songs. One member was moved by an incident and she wrote, If you are confused to be an Indian, try to be a good human being. She also observes how songs make a big impact. Even when our freedom fighters had time to write songs, because they knew a song has the potential to move. When we listen to the song Kadam kadam badaaye jaa, one feels inspired. We feel thankful and grateful for the Independence; songs remind us of the sentiments, she adds.

As part of the Independence Day celebrations, radio stations try to create a mood by airing inspiring numbers. Sushma reveals their songs will be played on Big FM station. Because these are old songs, we have contrasted the sounds with guitar. Some of the numbers that we have sung include Swatantra bharati janani, Gagana veedhi choodara and Vaishnava jana to...

Lyricist Chandrabose sings Bharata maataku jai jailu, bangaru bhoomi ki jai jailu and Paadavoi bharateeyuda aadi paadi voi.... when asked about his favourite patriotic numbers. These two songs are unforgettable and forever in my heart, he shares. Recollecting a song he wrote for the movie Jhummandi Naadam, he reveals his inspiration were the lines Desham ante matti kaadoi, deshamante manushuloi written by Gurajada Appa Rao. I wrote according to the situation present in the modern society, he recalls. When the audience listens to a patriotic number in a movie, one becomes overwhelmed and highly inspired. A song has the potential to go directly into a listeners heart and cements its position there.

Today as we celebrate our Independence Day, do not forget to sing your favourite patriotic number. On that note, Happy 70th Independence Day!

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Songs of freedom - The Hindu

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ELLEN F. OCONNELL/Staff PhotographerThe P-25 Liberator Witchcraft taxis around the Hazleton Regional Airport Monday during the Wings of Freedom Tour . The planes will be on display until Wednesday.

ELLEN F. OCONNELL/Staff PhotographerShortly after 12 noon, the P-51 Mustang fighter plane is the first to fly over the Hazleton Regional Airport Monday as part of the Wings of Freedom Tour.

Four relics will fly into Hazleton Regional Airport this month telling significant stories which place a part of World War II in perspective.

The Collings Foundations Wings of Freedom Tour, now in its 28th year, will land and stay at the airport, 5175 Old Airport Road, Aug. 21 to 23.

The four airplanes the tour brings are a WWII Vintage Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, Consolidated B-24 Liberator, B-25 Mitchell and North American P-51 Mustang.

The event will also feature a car show Aug. 22 displaying classic, military, custom or collectible street legal vehicles and Lady Lois, a WWII Stuart tank built in nearby Berwick.

The tour, touting rare and fully restored bomber and fighter aircraft, has stopped in Hazleton for more than two decades as part of its national tour which begins in Florida in January, said Hunter Chaney, director of marketing at the Collings Foundation, a nonprofit educational foundation.

Chaney said the tour loops its way through the United States, visiting 110 cities while flying into the lives of millions.

The B-17 is one of eight in flying condition in the U.S., according to the foundation, and the B-24 is the only plane of its type flying in the world, while the B-25 is best known for being used in the daring Doolittle raid. The trio were the backbone of the American effort during the war from 1942 to 1945 and were known for their ability to sustain damage and still accomplish the mission, the foundation states.

The P-51 Mustang was awarded grand champion for restoration at EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) Oshkosh AirVenture and was affectionately known as the bombers Little Friend, saving countless crews from Axis fighters, according to information supplied by Chaney.

Though their history is rich and deep, many aircraft were scrapped for aluminum used to rebuild post-war America, making surviving planes rare and their roles in telling the story of World War II important, which is why the Collings Foundation continues to fly and display them, a press release states.

Its like an interactive flying memorial for our World War II vets, Chaney said during an interview.

People can get a good understanding of World War II-era aircraft by reading a history book, he said, but to see them in person is a totally different experience, engaging people in history and in the sacrifices made by veterans with something tangible.

The aircraft, he said, is a catalyst which honors veterans in a deep and lasting way. On a personal level, guests also remember their loved ones who served in the military when they peer into the pieces of history on display and hear veterans recall their duty. They reflect on the importance of serving in any war, he said.

Contact the writer:

achristman@standardspeaker

.com; 570-501-3584

If you go

The Collings Foundations Wings of Freedom Tour will visit Hazleton Regional Airport, 5175 Old Airport Road, Hazle Twp., from Aug. 21 to 23.

The schedule:

Aug. 21, noon to 8 p.m.

Aug. 22, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., with a car show from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Aug. 23, 9 a.m. to noon

Explore the aircraft:

World War II veterans are admitted free of charge.

Adults are admitted for $15 while children under 12 are admitted for $5 for up-close viewing and tours inside the planes.

Aircraft can also be viewed from the airport parking lot fence at no cost

Take a trip:

A 30-minute flight aboard the B-17 or B-24 are $450 per person, while P-51 flights are $2,200 for a half-hour and $3,200 for a full hour. B-25 flights are $400 per person.

For reservations and information on flight experiences call 800-568-8924.

Venue information:

The event features free parking, ADA-accessible portable toilets, hand-wash stations and baby-changing stations.

Hazle Twp. Fire and Rescue will serve food such as hot dogs, hamburgers and beverages. Vending machines are also available.

Smoking and vaping on the airport ramp or inside the fenced-in area is prohibited. Pets, drones, bicycles or alcohol are not permitted at the airport.

Get involved:

Visitors and those interested in sponsorships or entry to the car show can find out more about the tour and foundation by visiting http://www.collingsfoundation.org or facebook.com/wingsoverhazleton. All proceeds benefits the Collings Foundation.

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Wings of Freedom Tour returns to Hazleton airport - Citizens Voice

By Dhirendra Kumar

Many people dream of being financially independent. As the grind of earning money dominates our lives, a permanent reprieve from this is obviously the kind of freedom that most of us desire. There are degrees of financial freedom, and the ultimate degree is not having to earn at all for the rest of ones life.

Obviously, apart from those with large inheritances (or those whose burden we taxpayers are committed to carry all our lives) it takes most of us an entire working life to reach that stage.

However, if you save and invest to a plan, lesser degrees of financial freedom can be achieved earlier in life, and can be just as meaningful. For salaried people, achieving some kind of freedom early in life is even more important now than it was a few years ago. India is clearly passing through a job crisis.

There are a number of urban middle class people who have suddenly lost their jobs. Youngsters are finding their first jobs difficult to find, or have to settle for low-quality employment. Middle-level executives in their 40s and 50s are being shunted out because employers think they can be replaced at lower cost.

Not just that, those who have jobs feel shaky about them, and find that they are unable to negotiate any improvement in their position, either with their current employer or a potential future one.

All this is a complete shift from the way things used to be a few years ago. Im not talking about the bad old days about which some people get nostalgic. Even four or five years ago, things were quite different.

Most salary earners were confident in their jobs and were quite sure of frequent raises, either in their current jobs or better ones. They may not have had actual financial freedom, but effectively felt like they did.

I have no idea when the employment situation will change for the better. However, those of us who will change their attitude towards money, savings and personal finance will be much happier, and will be able to deal with this new, uncertain world more easily.

While all these job-related problems are going on, the only people who are relaxed and not stressed are the ones who have enough savings. Unfortunately, the proportion of younger salary earnersin their 20s and 30who save is quite low. In fact, the young generation is almost uniformly dedicated to negative savings. As soon as people start earning, they take on some EMIs, essentially spending future savings today.

I know I sound like a crusty old uncleji giving a speech to youngsters, but like those speeches, theres more than a grain of truth here.

Whether the job environment improves or it doesnt, saving as much as possible at the beginning of ones career immeasurably improves ones happiness levels later. Today, those who have even a year or twos expenses (including EMIs) worth of savings feel much more relaxed about their careers. Those who are financially secure are also able to negotiate jobs better than those who cannot take any risks.

So how can one do this? It sounds obvious, but the first step towards having enough savings is to save, and the second step is to save enough. Many of us dont get started for years after we start earning. Given the raucous consumer culture that surrounds us, its not easy to start. But if financial freedom at an early age is your goal, then theres no other way.

(The author is the Founder and CEO of Value Research)

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the writer. The facts and opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of http://www.economictimes.com.

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Start saving early if you want financial freedom: View - Economic Times

A NEW FM CHANNEL? Umm, not really. Rather, it was an underground radio station started by Goan nationalists in the mid-1950s, in the run-up to liberation of the state in 1961.

WOW, THATS UBER SUBVERSIVE. BUT WHY AN UNDERGROUND STATION? That calls for a quick history class. In June 1946, freedom fighter RM Lohia organised a Satyagraha campaign for the first time in Goa to demand civil liberties and to liberate Goa. Lohia was arrested, the movement was quashed, but it would spark off many more movements by Goan satyagrahis in the years to come. Portuguese police action would be swift and violent. The underground radio station was an attempt to sustain the morale of the people by keeping them updated on the progress of the freedom struggle, both inside Goa and outside.

HOW DID THE STATION ESCAPE THE PORTUGUESE CRACKDOWN? For one, the station essentially a transmitter mounted on a truck operated out of a dense forest in Amboli in Maharashtra, on Goas outskirts, where the nationalists were living incognito. Trial broadcasts began in November 1955, and by the 25th of that month Voice Of Freedom began.

WOW, THAT WAS QUITE A PLAN... Yes, hatched by three young Goan nationalists: Vaman Sardesai, Nicolau Menezes and Libia Lobo, the last two being Goans residing in Bombay.

ER, MENEZES, LOBO NATIONALISTS? SHOULDNT THEY BE PORTUGUESE? Well, its best to let a freedom fighter, Ronaldo Coutinho, answer that question: The liberation struggle of Goa saw the participation of both the communities, that is Catholics and Hindus. It was widely believed that the Catholics in Goa were loyal to the Portuguese rule and considered themselves more as Portuguese than the Portuguese themselves. But this was not true in regard to all the Catholic population. Coutinho said this in a newspaper interview in 2001.

COUTINHO MAY HAVE BEEN AN EXCEPTION. Not really. Guess who said: I belong to that race which composed the Mahabharata and invented chess A Goan politician called Francisco Luis Gomes, sometime in 1861 in Paris. In one of his novels, Luis Gomes also wrote: Impartial men, who are moved by justice and not by racialism, want India to be ruled by Indians.

HMM, TELL ME MORE. Tristao de Branganca Cunha established the Goa Congress Committee and linked it to the Indian National Congress, leaving little doubt that Goa was an integral part of India.The next time youre in Panjim, look out for TB Cunha Road.

AND THE MAN WHO GOT LOHIA TO GOA? Aha, so you do know something. Indeed, it was the initiative of a Goan academician and writer, Juliao Menezes, that was responsible for Lohias entry into Goa. Menezes was arrested along with Lohia for disregarding the ban and addressing a meeting in the Margao town square, which has been named after Lohia. Others who had gathered for the protest include Evagrio Jorge, Jose Inacio Loyola, JF Martins

WHOA, WHOA, HANG ON MATE, YOUVE CONVINCED ME. TELL ME MORE ABOUT THE VOICE OF FREEDOM, NOW. VoF broadcasts made Goans aware of the states long history of struggle for freedom, right from the 16th century. It also gave voice to the Satyagraha movement of 1946, eventually leading up to the liberation of Goa and, before that, the liberation of Dadra and Nagar Haveli by Goan nationalists in 1956. At a time when newspapers in Goa were censored, VoF proved effective in countering Portuguese propaganda.

COOL WONDERING IF ITS TIME FOR A VOF OF INDIA Got to go.

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All you need to know about Voice of Freedom - Goa's underground radio station - Economic Times

NFL quarterback DeShaun Watson, Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles and multi-Grammy winner Chance the Rapper (Bennett) were among the historical figures portrayed in the W. Vernon Middleton Fine Arts Center on the campus of Claflin University on July 27.

Their message was one of upliftment.

The 67 scholars participating in the sixth year of Claflins Freedom School vicariously portrayed Watson, Biles and Bennett under the direction and choreography of associate professors of speech and drama Annette Grevious and Cedric Rembert during the programs hour-long theatrical production finale.

The Museum of Difference Makers: Hall of Historical Figures was the culminating performance of the six-week enrichment program aimed at curbing summer learning loss and closing achievement gaps, something that Claflin University President Dr. Henry N. Tisdale and project director Nathan Chaplin both agree will ensure a level playing field for all children.

When Dr. Marian Wright Edleman, president and founder of the Childrens Defense Fund, visited Tisdale and extended an invitation for Claflin to be one the host sites in the Southeast for the CDF's Freedom Schools, he said he knew he had made the right decision when accepted.

We know the program is making a difference, Tisdale told the crowd of parents, guardians and community leaders. We see a difference in the scholars' attitude towards learning, their confidence levels, and the feedback we receive is tremendous.

Tisdale said the community has a responsibility to tell children that they are strong, visionary leaders and that theyre going to be someone great. Encouraging children to thrive is one of the best things people can do, he noted.

Chaplin said this summer's program was one of the smoothest hes experienced. He credits that to the support of the parents, the university and community leaders who served as read-a-loud guests and speakers, such as state Sen. Brad Hutto and Rep. Jerry Govan.

There was a waiting list for the program due to the growing popularity of Freedom Schools. While Claflin is one of several sites in the state, Chaplin said it is one of the most popular.

Students leave more prepared for their next grade level, he said. They exit with a greater voice to serve in the classroom and the community.

According to its website, the Children's Defense Fund Freedom Schools program model curriculum supports children and families around five essential components: high-quality academic enrichment, parent and family involvement, social action and civic engagement, intergenerational servant leadership development and nutrition, health and mental health.

Each year, the program recognizes a community leader whos made an impact on the universitys Freedom School or in their respective field of expertise.

However, there was a deviation from that this year, which Chaplin said was necessary.

This summer would have been Aniyah Floods third year participating in the program, but an unforeseen incident kept her from joining some her classmates from Clark Middle School.

With the use of a walker, Aniyah was surprised and overjoyed as she stood to receive the Freedom School Honors award.

The future veterinarian said she was thankful to have been honored, adding that it gave her motivation to make those who believe in her proud as she enters seventh grade.

Allendale native Youshi Kirkland said the Freedom School experience afforded him the opportunity to manage a classroom while still pursuing his degree in middle level education at Claflin. Kirkland said he taught as well as learned.

We grew a bond, he said. The scholars helped me find my mojo and vibe my teaching style.

Kirkland said he couldn't wait for the weekend to end so he could resume teaching and learning. He helped conclude the evenings program along with the other educational interns with "cheers and chants" that are sung each morning during "Harambee," the Swahili term that means "all pull together."

The scholars, described by Tisdale as "the next doctors, philanthropists and college presidents," closed out the program singing "So Strong," written by British musician Labi Siffre: The higher you build your barriers, the taller I become. The farther you take my rights away, the faster I will run. You can deny me. You can decide to turn your face away. No matter cause theres something inside so strong

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Claflin's Freedom School aims to curb summer learning loss - The Times and Democrat

Rep. Mark Meadows, R-North Carolina.

CBS Evening News

The House Freedom Caucus on Friday launched a petition to force a vote on the House floor on a straight Obamacare repeal bill, meaning the fight over health care isn't dead at least, not yet.

The group of conservative Republicans needs 218 members to sign the discharge petition to bring H. Res. 458, a clean repeal of Obamacare, to the floor for a vote. The petition is a type of parliamentary procedure used to bypass the committee process. A handful of House Freedom Caucus members, including Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), Tom Garrett (R-Virginia), and Scott Perry (R-Pennsylvania) signed the petition from the House floor on Friday.

"It's critical that we keep our promise to the American people and repeal Obamacare and replace it with a policy that works for American families," said caucus chairman Rep. Mark Meadows (R-North Carolina), in a statement."We cannot drag this process out any longer. This bill with a two-year delay on implementation of repeal will force Congress to come together on a replacement bill. President Trump is eager to sign repeal and replace, it's time we get to work and send both to his desk."

The petition is an attempt to push forward the stalled health care reform in Congress. The House passed a bill to repeal and replace parts of Obamacare in May, but the Senate failed to do so twice, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and other top Republicans made it clear the Senate is moving on to other issues like tax reform.

Chances of a straight Obamacare repeal in the House or the Senate don't look good. The Senate rejected a clean Obamacare repeal bill last month.

But Mr. Trump, who has publicly shamed McConnell for the health care failure on Twitter and won't answer whether he wants McConnell to step aside, isn't giving up on a key part of his campaign platform to repeal his predecessor's signature legislation.

The House Freedom Caucus hopes to bring the clean repeal bill to a vote in September.

"We make this job too difficult," Jordan said in a statement. "We need to do what we told the voters we were going to do. There's no reason we should send less on repeal to President Trump's desk than we sent to President Obama's. Now is the time for members of Congress to put on the record whether they're truly for repeal of Obamacare."

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House Freedom Caucus launches petition to compel Obamacare repeal vote - CBS News