Congress, U.N. committee condemn Iran’s persecution of Baha’is

Many thanks to all the Senators and Congressmen who helped pass these 2 bills!

Congress, U.N. committee condemn Iran’s persecution of Baha’is

Unique Gifts - or just a chuckle for your day!

Yep, it's that time of year again. Time to search for that ever-eluding perfect gift for a family member or friend. While scouring the internet for ideas, here's a fun site that offers some ideas that could be perfect for some of my unique loved ones:

Perpetual Kid - Unique Gifts to Entertain Your Inner Child

Times Online: Baha'is face yet more persecution in Iran

How sad that in this, the 21st century, freedom of religion isn't yet a universal concept. Whether or not one agrees with someone else's beliefs, it should have no bearing on acknowledging their rights as human beings to practice those beliefs without persecution. Especially if you are religious already. What would Jesus do? Would he ignore the fact that God's children in Iran are being denied an education, fired from their jobs, jailed, and even killed because of their beliefs? I don't think so. He'd stand up for their rights.

So the question is - what do you stand for? What will you do to bring attention to the plight of your fellow human beings across the world?

Weblog - Times Online: Baha'is face yet more persecution in Iran

Beat up your PC!

Frustrated with your computer? Relieve some of that stress with this game!

Beat up your PC - use your fists to smash your computer to pieces

Beagles and Goldens and Mutts...oh my!

If you're into the animal thing or the charity thing, check this out: Beagles and Goldens and Mutts...oh my!. My big sister is walking in the Denver Furry Scurry and needs donations. Go Sya!

And we have a Winner!

I never win anything. Ok, there was the time in college when I won a gift basket from 9News for filling out a survey on the new StarTrek exhibit at the museum. (no, I'm not too embarrased to have been a Trekkie in my former life!) But other than that... My sister has always been the lucky one for things like that. We used to exchange scratch lottery tickets at Christmas. The 10 tickets I bought her invariably ended up netting her $30 or more. The 10 tickets I received netted... $3. And if I had bought 10 tickets for myself, I'd have the same result. Just last year, my big sister won a fabulous trip through her work to the Caribbean. I just don't have that kind of luck.

But this week was different. I won where it counts - exposure to my business. A few months ago, I joined yet another online networking group - WorldWIT (Women, Insights, Technology). I'd known some other VAs who were involved and had success with the group, so I decided to give it a try. Shortly after joining, I placed their logo and link on the home page of my website alongside several others. I had forgotten about it entirely. Until I received a phone call last week from the National office for WorldWIT. They'd had a contest running and out of all the members nationwide who linked to them, I won their contest! Woo-hoo! I never win!

They had several prizes to choose from, and frankly, I would have been happy with either the iPod Shuffle or the free marketing exposure through the WorldWIT newsletter. But I chose to take the free registration for Camp WorldWIT, their national conference coming up in May. I love conferences and know how much they can help with networking and promoting my business, in addition to giving me a big boost of energy to work on my business when I get home.

It's not quite to the level of winning the lottery (I'd have to buy a ticket to get that, anyway!), but it's certainly more beneficial to my business. Thank you, WorldWIT (and my local group, RockyWIT!), for supporting women in business. I look forward to meeting you all at the conference in May!

Could you get fired for blogging?

Here's another twist in the free speech debate: bloggers posting anonymously (on personal time) get fired for their comments. CNet.com - Bloggers: Use caution

Religion in the Military - Church vs. State

To what extent does the first ammendment protect our religious freedom? Does it protect an individual from being forced to listen to proselytizing from superiors who hold careers in their hands?

Mikey Weinstein is brave enough to take on this volitile issue. Now the question is, do you agree or disagree? And what are you going to do about it?

CSIndy: Mikey's Mission (March 2, 2006)

Wal-Mart withholds photos

After our recent wedding, I took a CD of photos to the self-serve kiosk at Wal-Mart to print copies for inclusion in our thank-you notes. Imagine my surprise when, after spending 20 minutes printing the pictures I wanted, the worker printing out my bill refused to let me take home my pictures! I was informed that some of the pictures were obviously taken by a professional and I needed a written copyright release on the photographer's letterhead. I left my pictures and my future business at the Wal-Mart photo counter. I was later able to print my photos without incident at both Target and WalGreens.

On further research, I discovered that this is nothing new. It seems that after a large company or two got sued by photographers for copyright infringement, companies such as Wal-Mart instituted tougher policies on printing digital photographs. Check out these links for more information:

Signs on San Diego article
USA Today article
http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00CVE6

The digital world makes the copyright issue complicated. I don't have a problem with companies protecting themselves against being sued. I don't have a problem with photographers sueing to protect their copyrights. I just want my pictures and a uniform policy to count on. My solution to my problem above? I would gladly have signed a legal form stating that I own the copyrights to my photos and I alone am responsible for any copyright infringement. This way, the companies won't be sued and the photographer's can still protect their rights.

Are you an above-average photographer? Get a lucky shot once in a while? Don't go to Wal-Mart. They won't let you print it.