Syrian Refugees? Yes or No?

Without a name, the Syrian refugee problem becomes impersonal. With a name, it takes on a face.

Rula Jabbour's father fled Syria when he was tipped off that terrorists were on their way to kidnap and behead him.
Months later, Jabbour's cousin who was pregnant with twins was killed in a terrorist rocket attack.
"The refugees escape the hell of ISIS, and we say we are afraid because they are ISIS," said Jabbour, a 32, college student.
She worries about her 13-year-old sister who is still living in Syria with their parents.
She has a point, "When you turn your back on these refugees, you make ISIS win."

Out of Darkness

Hassan Abu Ahmed, held by ISIS, he had no hope, until he heard the drones.

Accused of being a spy, Hassan was regularly tortured. At times, a plastic bag was placed over his head until he nearly passed out. He was electrocuted, beaten with plastic pipes and whipped with an electric cable. 

"They'd put a gun to your head and (say) we are going to kill you now, and then shoot next to you," Hassan said. "We always feared execution."

Oct 21^st, the day before the raid, Hassan heard the drones buzzing overhead from the cell he shared with dozens of other prisoners. The raid was supposed to be led by Kurdish forces, but being pinned down the U.S. troops were called in.

On Oct. 22, at 2:00 am, Kurdish Special Forces launched their mission - accompanied by about 30 U.S. troops. U.S. Chinook and Black Hawk helicopters also took part. "Paratroopers, paratroopers!" the guards yelled in the confusion. (No paratroopers were in the raid.)

He admits giving information to the Kurds "I was giving information to people here because we wanted our areas to be liberated," he said. "Eyewitness observation of what was happening in the area, numbers of Daesh people, whether they had any intention to attack," he said, using an Arabic term for the Islamic State.

5 Things You can Control with Your i-Phone

1. Scrolling down Pinterest pictures, I came across a small dragonfly looking drone. And yes it had a camera on it. So the next time you see an insect it may cause you to wonder.

2. You're in the Doctor's waiting room. Instead of picking up a magazine you finish watching the movie you started at home.

3. Here's the one I want. Control over my house. The Internet of Things is coming, much like birds came in Hitchcock's, "The Birds." Time your dryer to finish just short of you coming home. Want to trigger your crockpot while you're sitting in traffic. No problem. Want a picture of the inside of your refrigerator to see if you need to pick up milk?

4. Don't run for your car keys when you want to start your car. Do it from your smartphone. Newer cars have this feature, but they also want a monthly fee. For now I think I'll stick with my keys.

5. The Komando Indoor Plan Tilt Wireless Security Camera allows you to use your i-Phone to watch or hear your children or the front door. Here's the cool part about it, you can remotely move the camera to get a better view.  

South Dakota: No to Refugees

Governor Dennis Daugaard joined with 34 other governors across the country in calling on the Obama administration to re-assess the screening process for the Syrian refugees.

Obama may force states to accept the refugees. The Refugee Act of 1980 gives the executive branch broad powers.

It reminds me of the Cuban crisis. President Carter accepted many Cubans into the United States. Guess what Castro did? He opened his prisons and let out the inmates, on the condition they go to the United States. After a tornado ripped through Grand Island Nebraska, Carter, with many Cuban refugees went to the city as a humanitian effort. The headlines the next day: Two disasters hit Grand Island, Tornado and Carter comes to town.

I wonder how states that have shut their down will react when those doors are kicked open?

Midi Skirts in Style

Fashion Followers Alert
Midi skirts are here. Millennial, Taylor swift, can be seen in a midi. Baby Boomers know that wearing a dress with hemlines that hit midway between knee and ankle can be tricky, bordering on frumpy. What millennial or boomer, wants to be old-fashioned? I know of no one.

Maria Puente's advice: Go lean and long. "I love the lean, streamlined look of an extra long sweater over a sleek midi skirt. The overall effect is so cool and minimal, especially when paired with white sneakers."

She also says that tall heels with ankle straps are a natural accessory, but tall boots can pull a long, slim look together.

Remember Vietnam Vets

In the newspaper this morning, a poem by Rachel Wood reminded the reader of the sacrifice and unwelcome return of Vietnam Veterans.

I entered the Navy, shortly after the war ended. Stories of Vietnam swirled around the ship. A sailor pointed to an open area, "That's where all the injured were taken." Another sailor who had severe emotional problems said he saw a lot of combat via gunboats.

Reading the article, I could fear the jungle, smell the artillery and hurt for the men that sacrificed so much and returned to an ungrateful nation.  

If you want to read the poem, here is the link: http://www.yankton.net/life/article_d6819568-8821-11e5-842e-2be3e4b7a311.html

Improve You

As a  Freelance writer, I encounter tough scrutiny. Also in the public and working with a variety of people, I get my share of criticism.

After touring a local Walmart, impressed I was, with the store's organization and recycling system. After expressing that sentiment to the head manager, he told me something that surprised me. "Much of what you see, has been a result of listening to our critics."

Want to know more about yourself?
Want to get better?
Want to grow as a person?
Want to improve?

Listen to people that criticize you. Instead of throwing up defenses, welcome the insight they have. Yes, it can feel destructive, but only if you internalize it. View it as help and your life will be better for it.

Your Car is Listening

Your car is listening. Not for your voice, like Amazon's Siri but for an electronic signal. Once that signal sounds, your car will start or unlock.

If you have a newer model, you might not even have to push a button, but just approach your car and the doors unlock and the engine starts.

I watched a cop show. In the show, thieves looked for cars that would open via their electronic device. They just went down the street to the first car that unlocked.

Another way thieves can get to your car is by collecting the electronic code. If they are close enough to your car when you press that unlock button, the thief can record it, wait and use it later.

Signal blocking devices are sold to keep this from happening. RFID blocking.