Tired of seeing and listening to Trump ?? There's an app for that

An app on Google’s Chrome web browser replaces any mention of blundering Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump with ‘He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named’ (Lord Voldemort )
Trump’s outrageous suggestion of banning all Muslims from entering the U.S. led to him being compared to the bigoted Harry Potter villain Lord Voldemort on social media.
Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling waded in on Twitter to quip: “How horrible. Voldemort was nowhere near as bad”.

Created by Sarah Xiyi Chen, the Trump2Voldemort Chrome extension banishes all mentions of Donald Trump from the web, replacing them with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, as the Potter baddie is referred to in the famous wizarding books. Personally, I'd rather see his name replaced with 'Racist Dick Wad' . I guess genies are more vindictive.

"Welcome Home," ....Trudeau greets refugees

"Welcome home."

 Refugees came unprepared for Canadian winters ,so they were all issued winter coats and boots and other winter gear. Trudeau helps a little girl try on her coat

Toronto:  The first Canadian government plane carrying Syrian refugees arrived in Toronto late Thursday where they were greeted by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who is pushing forward with his pledge to resettle 25,000 Syrian refugees by the end of February.

The flight from Jordan arrived just before midnight carrying the first of two large groups of Syrian refugees to arrive in the country by government aircraft.
Trudeau greeted some of the families to come through processing. The first family was Kevork Jamkossian, a gynecologist from Aleppo, his wife Georgina Zires, a lab technician, and their 16-month-old daughter Madeleine.
"We really would like to thank you for all this hospitality and the warm welcome," the father said to Trudeau through an interpreter. "We felt ourselves at home."
"You are home. Welcome home," Trudeau responded.
"We suffered a lot. Now, we feel as if we got out of hell and we came to paradise," Jamkossian said later.

 Families were given teddy bears, bags of goodies and winter clothing. Trudeau earlier thanked staff and volunteers who were processing the refugees.
"This is a wonderful night, where we get to show not just a planeload of new Canadians what Canada is all about, we get to show everyone how we open our hearts and welcome in people who are fleeing extraordinarily difficult situations," Trudeau said.
All 10 of Canada's provincial premiers support taking in the refugees and members of the opposition, including the Conservative party, attended the welcoming late Thursday. Trudeau was also joined by the ministers of immigration, health and defense, as well as Ontario's premier and Toronto's mayor.

The first flight arrived in Toronto before midnight and another will land in Montreal on Saturday.
Greg Keoushkerian, 26, waited at the airport for his best friend, whom he sponsored. Keoushkerian, a Syrian refugee of Armenian descent, said he and his family have been in Canada for 10 months and didn't bother applying for asylum in the U.S.
"Canada has been so welcoming. The US doesn't seem like that. People here respect each other here. It's so multicultural," he said.
"All my friends are asking about Canada now and how they can come here. In two weeks there will be another flight with some of my other friends."

Canadians eager to show their support for the newcomers weren't deterred by the fact that they couldn't do so face-to-face as the refugees were processed in a secure area. A handful of people gathered at the international arrivals gate at Pearson airport bearing signs saying 'welcome' and gifts.
Andrew Harris, 51, said he wanted to counter the fearful messaging about Muslims that has circulated since the Paris attacks. He held up a large yellow sign that read "Welcome to Canada," saying that even if the arriving refugees don't see it, the positive words won't go unnoticed.
Canada's commitment reflects the change in government after October's election. The former Conservative government had declined to resettle more Syrian refugees, despite the haunting image of a drowned 3-year-old Syrian boy washed up on a Turkish beach. The boy had relatives in Canada, and the refugee crisis became a major campaign issue.
"They step off the plane as refugees, but they walk out of this terminal as permanent residents of Canada with social insurance numbers, with health cards and with an opportunity to become full Canadians," Trudeau said. "This is something that we are able to do in this country because we define a Canadian not by a skin color or a language or a religion or a background, but by a shared set of values, aspirations, hopes and dreams that not just Canadians but people around the world share."

Canada has long prided itself on opening its doors to asylum-seekers. In times of crisis in decades past, Canada resettled refugees quickly and in large numbers. It airlifted more than 5,000 people from Kosovo in the late 1990s, more than 5,000 from Uganda in 1972 and resettled 60,000 Vietnamese in 1979-80. More than 1.2 million refugees have arrived in Canada since World War II.

If for no other reason, do it for the children.

Ask Maxy

Dear Maxy ,
My roommate has a huge cold sore on her face . I don't know much about cold sores , but when I looked them up , I read that they are contagious . We live in fairly close quarters and I am paranoid that I might catch this . My roommate has not mentioned anything to me about this being contagious . She says it's painful to talk , and I have found a note from the health center about the sore on her face . I want to disinfect everything , but I do not want to seem rude by protecting myself . Is there a tactful way to ask her about how contagious this is ? I feel like I deserve to know if there is a chance that I will catch this .
Suspicious Sores 
Dear Suspicious Sores,
Given that you live with this woman , you do have the right  to tell her that you read cold sores are contagious . Ask her what the doctor told her about her condition . Based on what you researched, tell her  that both of you need to be super  conscientious about cleanliness to reduce the risk of infection . Because, once you catch the herpes simplex virus -1 (HSV-1) (also called cold sores) you have it for life. There is no cure, although it will go through periods of dormancy. There are medicines, however, to relieve discomfort and shorten the outbreak.
A  person infected with HSV-1 is contagious, even if the  cold sores  aren't apparent . So practice a little caution.
 Do not  share beauty  products, especially lip balm  or lipstick . Do not share  anything  that goes in your mouth. It's too bad if you come across as a germaphobe, but you should not share eating utensils or food either . Also, be sure to thoroughly wash all dishes and cookware in scalding water or use an antiseptic dishwashing liquid. Sharing a phone is risky too. Take care,
Maxy

Dear Maxy ,
I visited my friend's home today . We went out to eat with her family . My friend has a sister , Beth , who has Tourette's and mental disabilities . Beth's tics are frequent and I have noticed people looking over at us as she has them . This was my first experience being stared at in a restaurant , and I felt so sympathetic to my friend's family , who has learned to ignore the stares . During the meal , someone came up and asked what Beth was doing . The mother politely explained that Beth has uncontrollable tics . I always assumed it would never be the family's responsibility to explain a disability to a nosey stranger . Should the mother have told the stranger to get away from our table ?
None of Their Business 
Dear None of Their Business ,
Observing  your friend's mother was a good lesson for you because this family has learned how to navigate their everyday life with a child who has noticeable disabilities . The mom behaved appropriately, with understanding for others who notice her daughter's tics and are curious . Rather than being  offended, she takes the position that she can educate others .
This is probably the easiest and best way to manage the situation . Your  friend's mom knows that unless you have witnessed or had to deal with someone with tourettes, you likely have no idea why a person is behaving that way.
This doesn't mean that people in a restaurant or other establishment  have the right to ask what's wrong with a person in your party . People should mind their business. But if someone  approaches respectfully, and inquires, a little information about the disabled person's condition is the quickest way to end the conversation. For more information, anyone can contact 'The  Tourette Association Of America' - phone:718-224-2499 or website: (support@tourette.org)
Maxy

Dear Maxy ,
My boyfriend has just confessed to me that his dad has been unfaithful to his mother for years . My boyfriend just found this out and he does not know if his parents will be getting a divorce . I have always made the decision to not tell my parents because I have heard their opinions about cheating . Now I do not know how to act when I see his dad ; I have lost respect for him . This cheating has been going on my boyfriend's whole life . I have never had to deal with something like this in my family . Do I pretend to not know about this when I speak to his father ?
Cheating Scum
Dear Cheating Scum ,
As hard as it may be to keep your mouth closed, you should. This is absolutely not your concern. What happens between your boyfriend's parents is their business .
Since you and your boyfriend are close and he just learned about his father, I understand why he confided in you . He needs sympathy and understanding to help him come to terms with the situation. He has a reason to be upset but you do not. There may be more to the story than you know. You are not in a position to judge this man. He is still the same man you always respected. Continue to treat him as you have always done.
Maxy

Dear Maxy ,
While my mother was still alive, she gave a substantial amount of money to my oldest son "Rick." Everyone but Mother knew she was supporting his drug habit (which he since overcome) . When she died , her will gave equal amounts of money to both of my sons . 
My younger son , "Carl," was hurt by his grandmother's lopsided generosity to his brother , and it may be part of the reason my adults sons aren't close today .
Rick's father , my first husband, will be leaving him his entire estate , so he will be financially set . My current husband and I recently completed our will , leaving most of our assets to Carl.
Based upon what my mother did , I'm concerned that Rick will be hurt if he finds out what his stepfather and I didn't leave him an equal share . But I don't believe my husband is going to leave the same amount to his stepson as he does to his biological son . What do you think ?
Trying to Avoid Hurt Feeling 
Dear Trying ,
I commend you for trying to level the playing field and be fair to both sons. You can't compensate for the hurt your mother dealt Carl; she played favorites. The sad thing is that it came between your sons.
Did your present husband help raise Rick ? What is his opinion? Can your assets  be separated  from your husband's so that his entire  estate  goes to Carl , but yours is split in half ?
 If that is not a satisfactory answer, would Rick and Carl be understanding if you discussed these issues in advance and explained your reasoning?
The best thing to do is to involve an estate lawyer to act as mediator, and have your husband and both sons present and work out the fairest inheritance for each son together.
Once it is hashed out and on a legal document, there will be no repercussions or ill feelings between the brothers later....because they both took part in the discussion.
Unequal  bequests create problems because it appears that the parent favored one child over another. That is not a feeling you wish your sons to remember you by.
Maxy

Dear Maxy ,
I am a successful woman in my early 30s. I am single and have been going on many dates , trying to find a husband . I am never sure about who should get the check from dinner , because I am not sure who makes more money of the pair . If it is me , should I be footing the bill ? I do not want to grab at the check , but I also do not want my date to think I am ungrateful or unwilling to contribute . Some of my girlfriends insist that I should let the man pay to preserve his ego and make it a "real" date , while others insist that in 2015 a woman should feel comfortable splitting the bill without losing the romance of the date . Am I ungrateful or traditional for allowing a man to pay ? Should I be grabbing for the first check more often ?
Blunder , Orlando
Dear first Date Blunder ,
Dating etiquette can seem impossible  to understand, let alone follow. Who should pay on the first date is at the top of the list of questions. The general rule of thumb is that the person who asks for the date pays, the first time out. Since it is nearly always the man who asks for the first
date, they generally pay. According to current research, over 75% of men report they still feel guilty accepting women's money.
The research indicated that the vast majority of heterosexual couples are not splitting the bill 50/50 on the first date. That holds true even when men and women identify as progressive or feminist.
If there is a second date and you feel it will lead to more, you could broach the subject with your date. Ask him how he feels on the subject of gender roles and sharing expenses. Let him know you are happy to pay your own share in order to spend time with him.
In the perfect scenario, you can both be flexible on the subject. There are always weeks when one partner is more flush than the other. Hopefully, you accommodate each other. A relationship is also a partnership, not a sexist sparring match.
Happy dating,
Maxy

Santa's new helpers

Poor Santa....The elves are on strike for better health benefits and pension plans. He had to hire cheap help from the dog pound to fill in. They are enthusiastic but not too good at toy making.

Trump defends Muslim ban (parts 1 and 2)



OH NO!! They're letting him out on bail again

South African Olympian Oscar Pistorius is due in court to apply for bail after judges changed his manslaughter conviction to murder last week.  Pistorius now faces a minimum 15-year jail sentence for murdering his girlfriend in 2013. The 29-year-old killed Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine's Day after shooting four times through a locked toilet door.

He is currently under house arrest after spending one year of his original five-year sentence in jail. Pistorius, a six-time Paralympic gold medallist whose legs were amputated below the knee as a baby, made history by becoming the first amputee sprinter to compete at the Olympics, in 2012, running on prosthetic "blades".

Dolus eventualis rule

He is expected to appear at the Pretoria High Court on Tuesday at 09:30 local time. The prosecution and defence lawyers have privately agreed that he should be allowed to continue to remain at his uncle's house in Pretoria until he is formally sentenced next year..

The date for sentencing is also expected to be announced on Tuesday. There may be mitigating circumstance which could see the duration of the sentence reduced. (here we go again)

Last week, South Africa's Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein accepted prosecution arguments and ruled that the lower court did not correctly apply the concept of dolus eventualis - whether Pistorius knew that a death would be a likely result of his actions.

What next for Pistorius?

When will he be sentenced?
We don't have a date yet, but it will be next year. The minimum sentence for murder is 15 years, but the judge does have the discretion to lower it.
Can he appeal?
Yes, but only if his lawyers are convinced that the appeal judges violated his constitutional rights. So it's a high threshold, and hard to meet.
So is this the end of Pistorius' professional athletics career?
Almost certainly. He's 29, and will be past his prime by the time he is freed. It is also unlikely that advertisers would want to sponsor him, as the Pistorius brand is now tainted

Pistorius' family gave a brief response, saying lawyers are studying the finding who will advise them on "options going forward".
The panel of appeal judges described the case as "a human tragedy of Shakespearean proportions" in their written judgement. Reading the unanimous ruling reached by the five judges, Justice Eric Leach said that having armed himself with a high-calibre weapon, Pistorius must have foreseen that whoever was behind the door might die, especially given his firearms training.
Pistorius always maintained that he believed there was an intruder in the house - but the judge said that the identity of the person behind the door was "irrelevant to his guilt".

Justice Leach compared it to someone setting off a bomb in a public place not knowing who the victims might be. The judge also rejected the argument that Pistorius had acted in self-defence. He said that the athlete's life was not in danger at the time of the shooting, as Pistorius did not know who was behind the door or if they posed a threat. The judge added that Pistorius did "not take that most elementary precaution of firing a warning shot".
Ms Steenkamp's mother, June, was present and afterwards she was seen outside the court being embraced by members of the African National Congress Women's League, who were singing songs of celebration.
Correspondents say that many in South Africa were upset by the original acquittal on murder charges, with women's rights groups arguing he should have been found guilty of murder as a deterrent because of the high number of women who are killed by their partners in the country.
The double amputee was released from prison on October 19th as he was eligible for release under "correctional supervision", having served a sixth of his sentence.
Pistorius can challenge the ruling in the constitutional court but only if his lawyers can argue that his constitutional rights have been violated. Honestly, I don't think he has a case there. He has been given every break money and celebrity can buy. And I still believe his sentence will be reduced because he is physically challenged. At the very least he will be confined away from the general prison population and probably have a lot of perks, other prisoners don't get.   But apparently justice is alive and flourishing in South Africa. Amen to that.

Reeva Steencamp

Rest in peace

Trump's Latest...calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States

 Donald Trump called, Monday, for a total ban on Muslims entering the United States, a stunning policy proposal with a chilling echo of the identity-based border controls abandoned by the country generations ago.

The proposal came not in one of the persistent off-the-cuff, eyebrow-raising remarks the current Republican presidential poll front-runner has become known for, but in a formal statement from his campaign.
"Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country's representatives can figure out what is going on," said the statement.
"Where this (jihadist) hatred comes from and why we will have to determine. Until we are able to determine and understand this problem and the dangerous threat it poses, our country cannot be the victims of horrendous attacks by people that believe only in jihad, and have no sense of reason or respect for human life."
It was unclear how broadly Trump would apply such a policy, had he the power to do so. A Trump spokeswoman, asked whether the ban would extend to other travellers, such as tourists and Muslim Americans returning from work or study abroad, was quoted in various media reports as saying: "Everyone."
The announcement provoked expressions of shock from some of Trump's Republican rivals, although the strongest ones came from also-ran candidates — not from his closest rivals Ben Carson, Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio, who have been far more hesitant to attack Trump and potentially antagonize his supporters.
Jeb Bush, who has dropped well back in the race, was more direct.
"Donald Trump is unhinged," Bush tweeted. "His 'policy' proposals are not serious."
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie called it the kind of thing people say when they "have no experience and don't know what they're talking about." Sen. Lindsey Graham said Trump was risking the lives of American allies, interpreters, diplomats and troops with his bigoted comments.
One immigration lawyer called the idea a throwback to a dark past. Trump's statement came seven decades after the United States began repealing laws designed to exclude Asians.
"(This) may remind some of similar attempts by the United States to exclude specific groups, in an attempt to alter the ethnic composition incoming immigration," said Henry Chang, a Canadian lawyer with Blaney McMurtry and an expert on U.S. immigration law.
"These prior laws were considered some of the most racist laws in the history of United States immigration."
He said the most significant exclusion law ever enacted by the U.S. was the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, and he cited other laws between 1917 and 1924 that were repealed over subsequent decades.
Trump's stated rationale for the new policy: polls that, he says, suggest a sizable minority of Muslims support global jihadism. Some critics questioned the methodology of the polling to which he appeared to be referring.
It was a sharp contrast to the message a day earlier from President Barack Obama. The president used a prime-time address to warn against discrimination. He called the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant a death cult of thugs and killers who do not represent Muslims.
"If we're to succeed in defeating terrorism, we must enlist Muslim communities as some of our strongest allies, rather than push them away through suspicion and hate," Obama said.
"Just as it is the responsibility of Muslims around the world to root out misguided ideas that lead to radicalization, it is the responsibility of all Americans, of every faith, to reject discrimination. It is our responsibility to reject religious tests on who we admit into this country."
Members of the Republican establishment have publicly lamented Trump's effect on the party's primary process, with statements about Latinos and Muslims that other candidates have sometimes shied away from criticizing.
Conservative commentator Bill Kristol tweeted Monday: "(It's) important to save conservatism from him," he said. "Good news: Trump's statement reeks of desperation. He knows he won't be nominee.

"Bad news: The statement itself is bad for the country."