Dare to Blog

School's Fundraising Program!

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 23:46:00 +0000

What's good about fundraising ideas for schools for the benefit of society? What's the purpose of generating an income out from nature fundraising? Do fundraising is really helpful not just for the benefit of society but for every people as a whole? Well, in my own point of view, fundraising is actually a product of human mind. The proceeds of the said fundraising would be a great help for the students at school.

A nature fundraiser or a teacher who in one way stands as a fundraiser coordinator usually acts as the focal person whose in-charge of all productions. Meaning, whatever he/shes receives from the outside must be added on the fundraising income.

A nature fundraising is actually generated to improve the current situation of the school environment. Its a part of school plans and improvements which in one way fundraising in the only way to support the needs of the school to radically change the aura of the school environment.

So, for parents out there who are the major contacts of the school I highly ask your humbleness to support your children on whatever fundraising ideas for schools as this will definitely help to improve the school's current standing on clean and green program.

Travel Tips to UK!

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 23:37:00 +0000

With the cost of petrol still on the rise, more and more airlines the world over are getting strict about how much luggage you can bring with you on board specifically, if your traveling United Kingdom where you want to see the Amsterdam designs and Vienna Art you should know this tips on how to pack to kep that weight down for you to arrive in UK with all those valuables.

* Only carry what you need because “weight restirctions change all the time and if you show up overweight, it could set you back a lot. Check the weight restrictions online for whatever airline you’re flying with as airlines vary, I recommend buying a small portable scale to check your suitcase before showing up at the airport.

* I suggest taking valuables in your hand luggage in the (unlikely) event that your suitcase doesn’t turn up at your destination. Keep all medication on you at all times – you might have an emergency on board, plus that particular medication might not be easy to get at your final destination.

* For Frequent flyers, I suggest business travellers pack “a comfortable and versatile outfit that you can not only change into on the flight which you can have as a buckup in case there’s a mess on the flight or you checked in luggage getslost and doen’t turn up – and you should already be travelling in a versatile pair of comfortable shoes.

* Limit the amount of clothes you’ll need by packing colour coordinated items and only one or two pairs of shoes that you can wear with multiple outfits – ditto accessories. If you can’t carry what you’ve packed, you’ve probably got too much.

So, for those of you who are planning for a vacation in UK just to see the museum zurich make sure that you've got to follow some if not all guidlines I've uttered it here. Enjoy the vacation!

Smokers around the world!

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 23:21:00 +0000

Its not new to us anymore that oliva cigar is just one of the many cigars available in the market nowdays. A lot of print ads says that smoking is dangerous to health. But why is it that there are still several smokers around the globe? Well, there are several reasons to consider why do people use to smoke. Some says its a comfort for them. Some maybe out of curiousity. What ever their reason is still smoking is a matter of discipline.

Do you think that those people who were inclined to Rocky patel cigars are not worried too as they smoke continously? In my own point of view, I do think so. But the probablity they were on the stage of struggling to set aside the smoking thing. Do you think that those people who use to buy cigars online are enjoying what they do? Well, I guess yes! But of course, they do think of buying some other things instead of cigars.

What I'm saying here is actually just a perception that those smokers out there are also willing to left behind the smoking scenarious but just because its hard to quit they merely go on passive way. I wish those people who were starting to set aside smoking. May you succeed on your goal.

Loneliness in Young Children

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 23:14:00 +0000

Loneliness is a significant problem that can predispose young children to immediate and long-term negative consequences. However, only recently have research and intervention in educational settings focused on young children who are lonely. It is becoming increasingly clear that many young children understand the concept of loneliness and report feeling lonely. For example, kindergarten and first-grade children responded appropriately to a series of questions regarding what loneliness is ("being sad and alone"), where it comes from ("nobody to play with"), and what one might do to overcome feelings of loneliness ("find a friend") (Cassidy & Asher, 1992). In a more recent study (Ladd, Kochenderfer, & Coleman, 1996), kindergarten children's loneliness in school was reliably measured with a series of questions such as, "Are you lonely in school?"; "Is school a lonely place for you?"; and "Are you sad and alone in school?" These studies suggest that young children's concepts of loneliness have meaning to them and are similar to those shared by older children and adults. This Digest presents an overview of loneliness with suggestions for practitioners on how they can apply the research in early childhood settings.†

Consequences of Loneliness

Children who feel lonely often experience poor peer relationships and therefore express more loneliness than peers with friends. They often feel excluded--a feeling that can be damaging to their self-esteem. In addition, they may experience feelings of sadness, malaise, boredom, and alienation. Furthermore, early childhood experiences that contribute to loneliness may predict loneliness during adulthood. Consequently, lonely children may miss out on many opportunities to interact with their peers and to learn important lifelong skills. Given the importance placed on the benefits of peer interactions and friendships to children's development, this potential lack of interaction raises many concerns for teachers who work with young children. Peer relations matter to children, and lonely children place as much importance on them as do other children (Ramsey, 1991).†

Contributing Factors of Loneliness

Several factors contribute to feelings of loneliness in young children. Some that occur outside of the school setting are conflict within the home; moving to a new school or neighborhood; losing a friend; losing an object, possession, or pet; experiencing the divorce of parents; or experiencing the death of a pet or significant person. Equally important are factors that occur within the child's school setting, such as being rejected by peers; lacking social skills and knowledge of how to make friends; or possessing personal characteristics (e.g., shyness, anxiety, and low self-esteem) that contribute to difficulties in making friends. Kindergarten children who are victimized by peers (e.g., picked on, or physically or verbally attacked or taunted) report higher levels of loneliness, distress, and negative attitudes toward school than nonvictimized children (Kochenderfer & Ladd, 1996).†

Observing and Assessing Young Children

Participating in careful observation of children is a necessary first step to gain insights into children's loneliness. While observing children, teachers can focus on the following, which may suggest signs of loneliness: Does the child appear timid, anxious, unsure of himself or herself, or sad? Does the child show a lack of interest in the surroundings? Does the child seem to be rejected by playmates? Does the child avoid other children by choice? Does the child appear to lack social skills that might prevent him or her from initiating or maintaining interactions? Does the child have the necessary social skills but is reluctant to use them? Is the child victimized by peers? Does the child's apparent loneliness seem to be a consistent pattern over time, or is it a more recent phenomenon? In addition, because loneliness cannot always be observed in children (e.g., there are children who appear to have friends but report feeling lonely), teachers can spend time talking individually with children. They might ask children, "What does sad and lonely mean?"; "Are you sad and lonely?"; or "What would make you happier?" (Cassidy & Asher, 1992; Ladd, Kochenderfer, & Coleman, 1996).†

When observing and assessing children, it is important to be sensitive to and aware of their developmental abilities and personal inclinations. For example, it has been suggested that young children who play alone may be at increased risk for later problems, both socially and cognitively. Many preschool and kindergarten children, however, engage in nonsocial activities that are highly predictive of competence. Therefore, over time, teachers need to observe children's interactions with their peers, talk to children about their feelings, and document their behaviors and responses to determine whether they are lonely or are happily and productively self-engaged.†

Intervention Strategies and Recommendations

Although research in support of specific practices assisting lonely children in the classroom is weak, teachers might consider several approaches that may be adapted to individual children. Children who are aggressive report the greatest degrees of loneliness and social dissatisfaction (Asher, Parkhurst, Hymel, & Williams, 1990). Children are rejected for many reasons, and teachers will need to assess the circumstances that seem to lead to the rejection. Is the child acting aggressively toward others? Does the child have difficulty entering ongoing play and adapting to the situation? Does the child have difficulty communicating needs and desires? Once the problem is identified, teachers can assist the child in changing the situation. The teacher can point out the effects of the child's behavior on others, show the child how to adapt to the ongoing play, or help the child to clearly communicate feelings and desires. Children who are supported, nurtured, and cherished are less likely to be rejected and more likely to interact positively with peers (Honig & Wittmer, 1996).†

Children who are neglected or withdrawn also report feelings of loneliness, although to a lesser extent than do aggressive-rejected children. Because these children often lack social skills, they have difficulty interacting with their peers. These children may also be extremely shy, inhibited, and anxious, and they may lack self-confidence (Rubin, LeMare, & Lollis, 1990). If children lack certain skills, the teacher can focus on giving feedback, suggestions, and ideas that the child can implement. Children who possess adequate social skills but are reluctant to use them can be given opportunities for doing so by being paired with younger children. This experience gives the older child an opportunity to practice skills and boost self-confidence.†

Children who are victimized by others believe that school is an unsafe and threatening place and often express a dislike for school. Furthermore, these children report lingering feelings of loneliness and a desire to avoid school even when victimization ceases (Kochenderfer & Ladd, 1996). These findings point to the importance of implementing immediate intervention strategies to reduce victimization. Teachers can provide firm but supportive suggestions to the aggressor. For example, teachers might guide and assist children in developing the life skills they need, such as respecting others and self, engaging in problem solving, working together on skills and tasks that require cooperation, and expressing feelings and emotions in appropriate ways (Gartrell, 1997).†

Teachers can think about how the curricula might be helpful to a child who is feeling lonely. Some children may benefit by being given opportunities to express their feelings of sadness or loneliness through manipulation, drawing, movement, music, or creative activities (Edwards, Gandini, & Forman, 1993). Arranging the dramatic play area with props may help some children act out or express their feelings and feel a sense of control. Use of crisis-oriented books with children, referred to as bibliotherapy, may assist a child in coping with a personal crisis. Sharing carefully selected literature with children may assist in facilitating emotional health. Children who are able to express and articulate their concerns may want to talk about their unhappiness.†

Developing close relationships with children and communicating with their primary caregivers can give teachers valuable insights and guidance. When teachers become aware of children who are experiencing loneliness caused by a family situation, they can lend their support in a variety of ways. Spending extra time listening can be reassuring and helpful to some children. Suggesting to a parent the possibility of inviting a peer over to the child's home may be a good idea and may help the child to form a friendship. In addition, teachers can ask parents for their recommendations about what might make the child feel more comfortable at school, and they can share relevant resources with parents, such as literature or information on parent discussion groups.†

Conclusion

The issues of loneliness were once considered relevant only to adolescents and adults. Research suggests that this notion is misguided and that a small but significant portion of young children do in fact experience feelings of loneliness (Asher, Parkhurst, Hymel, & Williams, 1990). As a result, the immediate and long-term negative consequences associated with loneliness in children are becoming apparent, and the need to observe children and to develop and implement intervention strategies is becoming critical. When teachers take time to focus on individual needs of children, build relationships, and assist them with their needs, children thrive (Kontos & Wilcox-Herzog, 1997).†

By: Janis R. Bullock - Educational Resource Information Center (U.S. Department of Education) - Education.com

House Renovation Facts!

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 22:37:00 +0000

Did you know that on going house renovations needs to have a full set of concrete floor grinder and concrete polisher? Did you know that house renovations is not as easy as taking a bath? Did you know that renovations merely takes several days or months before it'll be fix and tidy?

Well, for those of you who don't know about it. You should read at least some articles here in the web and check for yourself. Its for your own benefit just at least you had an idea as to how long it takes if you decide to renovate your own place.

Anyhow, for those people out there who are in-need of carpet removal, concrete polisher and some other items related to the one I've mentions you've better check the web now and buy online. Make sure that the provider you choose is among of the leading provider and they offer a 24/7 support just in case you need to know as to where your oredered item is. But for those of you who are in hurry I highly recommend you to visit the site of Innovative Tech 'cause they are the you need for those items. In just a click away you'll have it in few days time.

Desired ceiling fans & lighting choices...

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 22:26:00 +0000

Do you need to have a new set of discount ceiling fans for your on-going house renovation? Have you been searching a reliable and excellent provider of lighting fixtures for your home? Well, if you do then better grab the chance now to visit the site of Echo Lighting Design ’cause they are the one you nee looking for!

They got a wide choices of fluorescent lighting fixtures according to structure yoou want or according to your needs. You can also request for your desired lighting fixtures style as long they have all the materials. All you need to do is give them the right design you want and at to what type of size you need ’cause they all cater not just for house convenience but also for those hotels, inns, palace and all other buildings who need their services.

Anyhow, you need not to worry if you decide to buy your dream lighting fixtures with them simply because they are one of the leading provider for the said products and they has been to this type of business for several years now. Through that time they garnered the trust and loyalty of their clients and customers who keep coming back to avail their procducts and refer them to their friends and relatives.

So, if you guys are one of those people who do have an on-going house renovation and are looking for discount lighting fixtures, and ceiling fans better take sometime now to browse their site and put your order right away! With them, your desired fans is just a click away!

Searching for gadgets!

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 22:15:00 +0000

Hey! Guys, are you in search of Cell Phone Cases, remote controls and some other gadget things for personal? Do you want to buy those items in a cheap and affordable prices? Worry no more! 'Cause you can use the web to search for the reliable providers of the said items. There were many of them in the market nowadays but beware of fraud 'cuase they were also rampant in the web.

If you choose to buy online make sure that they do have a 24/y contact support just in case you want to track as to where is the item you buy from them. otherwise, you'll be sorry if you buy from those unknown suppliers. For those of you who don't have enough time to browse the web and even stroll in the city to find a TV DLP Lamps aside from remote controls to be use at home I higly recommend you to buy at Part Simple dot com 'cause they are the one you been looking for!

They do have a great and excellent services aside from a very affordable and amazing products. In fact, they cater orders anywhere in the world as long as you will place your order at them. So, check them now!

Food Processing and Obesity

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 22:10:00 +0000

It’s no secret that all of America weighs 25 pounds more than it did just 30 years ago. Just go to the mall or to Disneyworld, and see for yourself. And those extra pounds have led to skyrocketing increases in heart disease, hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, and many other adult conditions, even in children. Indeed, nowhere has this weight burden been more obvious than in our nation’s youth. We have 10% of preschoolers, 25% of elementary school children, and 33% of teenagers tipping the scales. The childhood obesity epidemic has disastrous consequences. Thirty years ago, no one ever heard of Type 2 diabetes in children, and now 1 out of every 4 children with diabetes is Type 2. [Type 2 is Diabetes that develops later in life, often related to obesity, and can improve with weight loss; Type 1 Diabetes is the more ‘classic type’ that develops earlier in life and is more typically and persistently dependent on insulin.] One-third of adult Americans by the year 2030 are predicted to be diabetic. This current generation is the first one in history that is predicted to die younger than their parents, mostly due to the problems associated with overweight.

So what happened? It is said that obesity is an interaction between genes and the environment. Well, our genes haven’t changed in the last 30 years, but the environment sure has. We all eat more, and exercise less. This isn’t news. But what is news is that our energy intake (what we eat and drink) and expenditure (what we use in everyday living – including normal activity and sports/exercise) are biochemically determined. So what in the environment changed our biochemistry?

To understand this dilemma, you have to understand a little biochemistry, but I’ll explain as simply as possible. The hypothalamus (the brain region which regulates hormones and energy balance) normally receives a signal from your fat cells (adipocytes) called leptin. Leptin is the fat cell hormone that tells your hypothalamus that you have enough energy stored in order to burn energy at a normal rate. Leptin levels can be too low (leptin deficiency, due to dieting or starvation) or too high (leptin resistance, if something blocks the leptin hormone from acting on those brain cells). In either case, the brain can’t see the leptin signal, and so the brain interprets it as a state of starvation. In this “starvation response”, two things happen: 1) the sympathetic nervous system (which controls your heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle metabolism) slows energy expenditure in order to conserve energy (which makes you feel bad), and 2) the vagus nerve (which controls your stomach, intestine, and pancreas) directs the body to store more energy as fat. Both of these “starvation responses” work to bring your leptin level higher. Obese people have high leptin levels, and therefore they are leptin resistant.

What blocks leptin signaling in obese people? Research over the past ten years suggests the following: leptin transport from fat cells to the brain is prevented by high triglyceride levels in the blood, and leptin release from fat cells is prevented by high insulin levels in the blood. This phenomenon is a normal response under some circumstances, such as the temporary blockage of leptin to promote weight gain during puberty and pregnancy, and is essential for reproduction and the survival of the species. But at other times, this phenomenon becomes a problem, as it causes the “starvation response” at a higher weight instead of a normal response at a lower weight. In addition, leptin resistance also fosters continued reward of food, which makes you eat more. These are the cardinal features of the obesity epidemic.

So, in order to prevent or treat obesity, we have to get the triglycerides and the insulin down. But what caused them to go up? This is where food processing affected our biochemistry directly. I can sum up the downside of food processing into two basic concepts.

1. Sugar. Dietary sugar is either sucrose (cane or beet sugar, composed of 50% glucose and 50% fructose) or high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS, composed of 45% glucose and 55% fructose). For lay purposes, both sugar sources are equivalent. Both are equally bad. It’s the fructose that is the problem. Fructose is what makes sugar sweet. But due to its unusual biochemical properties, fructose has been shown to increase the liver’s production of triglycerides, induces liver insulin resistance (making your liver sick), and drives your insulin levels up. All of this contributes to the phenomenon of leptin resistance, driving the obesity epidemic.

Fructose has been added to most processed foods. Look at the food labels. The food industry says fructose improves palatability, is a better browning agent, and holds onto water, keeping things moist. But, a more sinister reason it’s added to processed food is that it makes you eat more! Soda, juice, and sports drinks are merely fructose delivery vehicles.

Water is the perfect beverage; it has everything you need, and nothing you don’t.

Two simple rules:

1. If it’s a liquid, look at the calories. 6 or more, leave at the store! Milk is the only exception.
2. If it’s a solid, look for the sugar in the ingredients. If any form of sugar is one of the first three ingredients, it’s a dessert!

2. Fiber. Fiber is the antidote to sugar. I like to tell my patients, “When God made the poison, he packaged it with the antidote”. Wherever there is sugar in nature, there is way more fiber. Sugar cane is a very fibrous plant that’s almost impossible to chew. Fruit has much more fiber than fructose.

Fiber slows sugar absorption from the gut into the bloodstream. This gives the liver a chance to process the fructose, so the triglyceride levels in the blood are lower and the insulin rise is lower. Fiber also moves food through the gut faster. This leads to faster satiety (feeling full), which reduces the number of second portions. Unfortunately, fiber doesn’t freeze well – the ice crystals affect the molecular structure and it becomes mushy when it thaws. The food industry avoids this by removing fiber, to allow for freezing and increase the shelf life. So “fast food” is “fiberless food”, which makes it doubly bad.

The answer here is: Eat your carbohydrate with fiber.

Two simple rules:

1. If it’s a solid, look for 3 gm of fiber or more.
2. Eat the fruit, don’t drink the juice!

But be careful, adding cereal fiber to processed food doesn’t do the job. The fiber must cover the starch or sugar molecules (i.e., whole grains) as it does with food that comes out of the ground, to reduce the rate of the sugar absorption in the gut.

So one big way to fight obesity is to fight food processing. We need to eat the way our ancestors did. We need to eat whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and a lot less sugar. And we need to relearn to cook. Eating this way often costs more, because the shelf life of such foods is much shorter. And with our current economic downturn, there is a premium for cheap food (since 2008, only two stocks are up: Wal-Mart and McDonalds). But for America to win the battle of obesity, we need to undo the damage that the food industry has done to us.

By: Robert H Lustig, M.D., Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology, Director, Weight Obesity Prevention Special Edition Contributor - Education.com

Navisis Financial

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 21:57:00 +0000

Founded in 1999, Navisis is an established group of independent investment executives in the greater Chicago area. Our team is highly experienced, committed to building strong client relationships, and has access to sophisticated tools for analyzing today’s portfolios. Navisis Financial offers a full suite of financial products and services while maintaining the flexibility and freedom to protect the interests of our clients.

Obesity Surgery in Children - Too Much – Too Soon!

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 21:39:00 +0000

Surgical treatment for obesity in children is very controversial and should only be considered as a last resort. Obesity surgery in adults has become popular recently – partly because of the global obesity epidemic, and partly because it is a lucrative business for surgeons – but obesity surgery in children comes with an entirely different set of ethical questions and health concerns. This article outlines the two major types of obesity surgery, their associated risks, and the particular problems and challenges of performing these procedures in children.

Surgical Approaches to Obesity

The two most common operations for obesity are gastric bypass and gastric banding. All obesity surgery in children must be considered experimental; we simply do not know what the long-term effects will be 20-40 years later, when the child has become an adult. Because these procedures are experimental and because children are not just smaller adults, any parent considering obesity surgery for their child should ensure that it is only performed in a children’s hospital by a specialist in surgery on children (a board-certified Pediatric Surgeon). Non-pediatric surgeons should only be allowed to operate on children in extraordinary circumstances and only after their training and pediatric experience has been thoroughly substantiated.

Gastric Bypass

Gastric bypass (also known as Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass, or LRYGB) involves cutting most of the stomach away and attaching the small remaining gastric “pouch” to a part of the intestine downstream, thus “bypassing” some of the absorbing surface of the intestine (Figure 1). This operation provides two ways to lose weight: 1) a small stomach so that patients eat less because they feel full; and 2) some malabsorption from the bypassed intestine – so the food that is eaten isn’t fully absorbed.

Gastric bypass results in the fastest weight loss (often over one hundred pounds in a year), but comes with the risk of serious complications, including dying from the operation, surgical complications, vitamin deficiencies, bone demineralization, shortness of breath, birth defects in future pregnancies, and long-term risks of intestinal problems, ulcers, and the need for future operations. But for some massively obese children, gastric bypass might be worth the risk; the weight loss that results has been shown to reverse diabetes in some patients. I recommend Cincinnati Children’s Hospital as the center with the most experience with this operation for children.

Gastric Banding

The second most common operation is laparoscopic gastric banding. Unlike gastric bypass, gastric banding does not permanently alter the digestive system. An adjustable belt, commonly known as the “lap band,” is fitted around the upper part of the stomach, restricting food intake and decreasing the speed at which food empties from the stomach, thus creating a constant “full” feeling. To control the amount of weight loss, physicians can squeeze or deflate the inflatable saline-filled tube inside the belt.

Gastric banding results in slower but steady weight loss and has the additional virtue of being reversible – the belt can be removed later on. It also is a less risky surgery, with a lower risk of death, fewer long-term complications, and no associated malnutrition. Like gastric bypass, it is considered experimental in children, as the lap band device was only tested in adults when approved by the FDA. Clinical studies are being done on both surgical approaches to try to learn what the long-term consequences of these operations are. There are a few other experimental procedures out there including just cutting out half of the stomach, but parents should be very skeptical.

Problems with Gastric Bypass Surgery for Children

Thanks in part to the popular TV show “The Biggest Loser,” we all now know that weight loss can be achieved without surgery of any kind. It is a tragic indictment of our society that we can spend $10,000 - $40,000 cutting the stomachs and rearranging the intestines of our children, but we cannot spend one-tenth of that amount in diet and exercise programs to prevent and reverse this problem. As such, there are several reasons why I respectfully object to gastric bypass surgery for children:

* While co-morbidities of obesity, such as type 2 diabetes and sleep apnea, are serious, children are not dying before the age of 18 solely from being overweight. Obesity surgery, however, carries a small but finite peri-operative mortality rate. Is it really justifiable for a precious child to lose his or her life undergoing experimental weight loss surgery?

* We do not know the long-term consequences of having one’s stomach cut away from the flow of intestinal contents and then “parked” in the abdomen for potentially 60-80 years with no ability to access it via endoscopy. What are the potential complications of this down the road? Gastric cancers, ulcers, more?

* We do know that the gastric bypass operation comes with several side effects, among them nutrient and calcium malabsorption, iron-deficiency anemia, bone density problems, and folate malabsorption, leading to an increased likelihood of birth defects in subsequent pregnancies. We also know that teens are notoriously non-compliant with parental recommendations to take vitamins (and most other advice from their parents!). Is it realistic to expect adolescents to take responsibility for managing these side effects, and are they prepared for the consequences of not doing so?

* As minors, children and teenagers cannot legally consent to this permanently life-altering operation. Their parents do this for (to) them. Our clinical psychology colleagues inform us that the cognitive ability to understand death does not occur until approximately age 25. If child and adolescent obesity isn’t life threatening, shouldn’t these children have a chance to make the decision to undergo surgery for themselves when they are old enough to understand the risks and consequences of such a decision?

* Lastly, there’s a good chance that obesity surgery may become obsolete in the near future. Given the feverish pace of drug company research into obesity and the rapid advances in understanding the neuro-endocrine-gastrointestinal contributors to appetite control, it is hard not to believe that a medical aid to weight loss will be developed in the next 5-10 years. What will we do with all these re-routed stomachs then?

Non-Surgical Alternatives

Obesity surgery for children is a problem of too much, too soon. We must seriously attack childhood obesity in the young (6-7 year olds) when we stand the best chance of changing behavior. We should enroll them in serious diet and exercise programs and, if necessary, take them out of school for 6 months or a year (as with a child with cancer or another serious illness) and spend time and money on treating this problem.

If all fails, gastric bypass surgery can be an option as an adult when the child has grown up, had their children, and most importantly, is more able to understand the life-long risks of mortality, cancer, adhesive bowel obstructions, internal hernias, flatulence, and other health consequences of obesity surgery and can give their own informed consent.

Parents and pediatricians are the gatekeepers and guardians of our youth. We all must think long and hard before recommending a “quick surgical fix” for a chronic behavioral problem. Long-term studies in adults suggest that even with gastric bypass surgery, weight loss may not sustain and weight often returns after 10 years. For a young patient with 50+ years to go, that is truly significant!

By: Diana Farmer, M.D. - Obesity Prevention Special Edition Contributor - Education.com

Bob Beck

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 21:34:00 +0000

Bob Beck says, Activity times Time equals Results is not a difficult concept to grasp, yet I am constantly amazed at how many people fail to understand that hard work pays off. Clichés become clichéd due to overuse. Think about all of the clichés that have to do with work. “The early bird catches the worm.” “Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today,” and so on.

Green Monster USA

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 21:31:00 +0000

Green Monster USA Free ways to save money on your utility bill each month. Finances are tight for everyone these days. One place to look for savings is in your monthly utility bills. While purchasing new, an energy efficient appliance is one great way to save on energy costs, not everyone is in a position to spend money in order to save money. There are a number of things you can do, for free, that can also save you some money.

Childhood Injuries

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 21:26:00 +0000

Unintentional injuries are defined as bodily harm that results from accidental causes such as falls, motor vehicle accidents, drowning, electrocution, suffocation. Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death for children ages 5–14. More than 5.5 million children from this age group also suffer nonfatal injuries requiring emergency room care (Burt & Fingerhut, 1998; CDC, 2004). Injuries requiring medical attention, or resulting in restricted activity, affect more than 20 million children and cost $17 billion annually for medical care (Danesco, Miller, & Spicer, 2000).

To reduce the incidence of future unintentional injuries, researchers focus on factors that identify which children are more likely to experience injury based on past statistics. Both internal and external variables place some children more at risk than others. Variables that contribute to increased injury rates in children include:

* Individual variables (e.g., age, gender, temperament, race/ethnicity)
* Behavioral variables (e.g., antisocial or conduct disorders)
* Risk-taking behavior (e.g., not wearing helmets or using seatbelts)
* Caregiver behaviors (e.g., level of parental supervision)
* Economic variables (e.g., income)
* Environmental variables (e.g., streets, playgrounds, neighborhoods)
* Sociocultural variables (e.g., crime rates, overcrowding) (Sleet & Mercy, 2003)

By identifying the individual and ecological characteristics of children who experience higher rates of injury, safety prevention programs can target populations who exhibit greater need.

Injury patterns appear to change over the life course and are closely related to developmental stage (Dahlberg & Potter, 2001). For example, there are high rates of injury in children ages 1–4, followed by a slight drop for children ages 5–9, then a sharp rise in injuries in children ages 10–14 that continues through adolescence and early adulthood. The increase in unintentional injuries, particularly in children ages 10–14 may, in part, be a result of children’s increased exposure to activities and environments outside the home. During this time in children’s lives, safety monitoring shifts from a reliance on parents/guardians in the home to reliance on self and others (e.g., peers, teachers, coaches).

Studies that examine car-pedestrian and car-bicycle collisions, in particular, find that immature perceptual and cognitive skills may also be putting children at greater risk for these injuries (Connelly, Conaglen, Parsonson, & Isler, 1998; Plumert, Kearney, & Cremer, 2004). For example, to safely cross a street with moving traffic, children must accurately judge the size of the gap between 2 cars in relation to the time it will take them to cross the road. When a “pretend road” was set up parallel to an actual road, children, ages 5–9 years, were asked to watch the cars on the actual road and cross the pretend road when they thought they could safely get to the other side. The younger children in the study picked gaps that were too short. They would have been hit on 6% of their crossings if they had been on the actual road. Approximately 75% of 5-year-olds made at least one road-crossing error and only 58% of 9-year-olds did so. These findings suggest that although 9-year-olds are better than 5-year-olds at making moving-car judgments, children in middle childhood still misjudge their ability to walk through traffic gaps safely.

In another study, researchers asked 5–12-year-old-children to stand at a roadside and indicate the last possible moment they could safely cross (Connelly et al., 1998). The researchers varied the car speeds throughout the study. Overall, the older children selected safe crossing gaps 92% of the time, whereas 5-year-olds selected safe gap crossings only 66% of the time. It was notable that the older children based their judgments more on distance away from the car rather than on the speed of the approaching vehicle. These results imply that children in middle childhood would make more crossing errors when cars are traveling faster than normal on a given roadway.

Finally, a study that used an interactive bicycling simulator demonstrated that children ages 10- and 12-years-old left far less time to spare between themselves and a vehicle approaching an intersection. When compared to adults in this study, children took longer in getting started on their bicycles and took longer to approach the roadway, thus underestimating their cycling abilities in their crossing calculations (Plumert et al., 2004).

These findings are consistent with other applied developmental research showing that children in middle childhood, when compared to adolescents or adults, have more difficulty judging how long it would take a moving vehicle to cross a line (Caird & Hancock, 1994), overestimate their physical abilities (e.g., starting their bikes), and generally have more difficulty coordinating their own physical movements with that of moving objects (Pitcairn & Edlmann, 2000; Schwebel & Plumert, 1999).

It appears that developmental changes in coordinating motor movements with visual information occur as children gain experience with specific tasks (Savelsbergh & van der Kamp, 2000). In other words, the more guidance and practice children have in crossing streets with adults who point out key variables, such as starting across the road before the first car clears, will assist children as they perform the same tasks on their own. This information is useful to professionals who design injury prevention strategies and to parents and teachers who want to reduce unintentional injuries in children of all ages.

By: M.J. Zembar|L.B Blume - Pearson Allyn Bacon Prentice Hall - Education.com

Gillece Plumbing

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 21:22:00 +0000

Gillece Plumbing. I had recently gotten a new job, and my wife and I decided to throw a party for my new boss and some of my colleagues from the office. On the day of the party everything had gone according to plan. My wife was busy in the kitchen cooking and baking. I had gone to the grocery store to get some nice steaks and an extra bag of charcoal for the grill. When I got home chaos was erupting.

Southridge Capital Management

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 21:18:00 +0000

Southridge Capital Managament. When it comes to investing in stocks, bonds, and pretty much any sort of financial endeavor it is often a wise move to hire a professional to perform these actions. Even individuals who are professionals in these fields might hire another broker to aid them. People have different skill sets and abilities they focus on. A broker who works primarily with stocks may not be quite as talented with other forms of investments, and the reverse might be true.

Stress in Children

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 21:09:00 +0000

How Vulnerable are Young Children to Stress?

Stress is experienced in many forms and varies by the individual, the child's developmental level, and the child's previous life experience. Adapting or managing stress appears to be highly dependent on a child's developmental capabilities and coping-skill inventory. Researchers suggest that children under the age of 6 are developmentally less capable of (1) thinking about an event in its entirety; (2) selecting from a menu of possible behaviors in response to any new, interesting, or anxiety-inducing event; (3) comprehending an event separate from their own feelings; and (4) modifying their physical reactions in response to change in stimuli (Allen & Marotz, 2003).

Stress can have positive as well as negative influences. The younger the child, the greater the impact of new events, and the more powerful and potentially negative stress becomes. Some stress is a normal part of a child's everyday life and can have positive influences. However, excessive stress can have both immediate and far-reaching effects on children's adaptability to new situations, even events that are seemingly unrelated to the specific stressful event.

Research indicates that the negative impact of stress is more profound on children who are younger than age 10, have a genetic temperament that is "slow-to-warm-up" or "difficult," were born premature, are male, have limited cognitive capacity, or have experienced prenatal stress (Monk et al., 2000). Children who live in poverty, who live in violent communities, or who are bullied in school settings are also subject to more external stress (McLoyd, 1998) than other children. Children who have lower thresholds for external and internal stimuli will find a wider variety of events and conditions to be negatively stressful (Stansbury & Harris, 2000).

How do Children Experience Stress?

Specialists have identified two categories of stressful experiences. Acute stress is defined as a sudden, intense onset (e.g., short-term parental illness) and then the subsidence of stressful stimuli. Chronic stress (e.g., loss through death or prolonged separation of a significant person in the child's life--grandparent, caregiver, sibling) is, on the other hand, ongoing and has the most significant and detrimental effects on children, including changing brain chemistry and function, and lowering resistance to disease (Gunnar & Barr, 1998; Lombroso & Sapolsky, 1998).

Zegans (1982) theorizes that stress is experienced in four somewhat distinct stages: (1) alarm and physical reaction; (2) appraisal, as a child attempts to make meaning from the event; (3) searching for adaptation and coping strategies; and finally (4) implementation of a strategy or strategies. This implementation stage may be a one-time action or may be extended over hours or days. Children's appraisal of stressful events and their choices of viable coping strategies are different from those used by adults (e.g., leaving a favorite toy at child care overnight may have a negative impact on children who cannot "find" a way to "wait" until they are reunited; this reaction and fear of its recurrence may last for several days). In addition, experts have observed that children's physical responses to stress are also different from adult responses in that they may be more intense and involve the whole body (Zegans, 1982).

How Does Stress Manifest Itself in Children?

Stress is most often seen as an overt physical reaction: crying, sweating palms, running away, aggressive or defensive outbursts, rocking and self-comforting behaviors, headaches and stomachaches, nervous fine motor behaviors (e.g., hair twirling or pulling, chewing and sucking, biting of skin and fingernails), toileting accidents, and sleep disturbances (Stansbury & Harris, 2000; Fallin, Wallinga, & Coleman, 2001; Marion, 2003). Experts suggest that children may react globally through depression and avoidance; excessive shyness; hyper-vigilance; excessive worrying; "freezing up" in social situations; seemingly obsessive interest in objects, routines, food, and persistent concern about "what comes next"; and excessive clinging (Dacey & Fiore, 2000).

How do Children Adapt to Stress?

Theorists believe that these behaviors represent children's struggles to manage and react to stressful events. They believe that children generally distance themselves emotionally from stressful situations by behaving in ways to diminish the stress (e.g., crying and being upset in order to show feelings of abandonment when parents go to work) or acting in ways to cover or conceal feelings of vulnerability (e.g., acting out and being aggressive or disruptive when it's time for toys to be put away or play to stop). With age, children increasingly use cognitive problem-solving strategies to cope with negative stress by asking questions about events, circumstances, and expectations for what will happen and clarification of what has happened (Kochenderfer-Ladd & Skinner, 2002).

Prolonged exposure to stress and a child's continued use of coping strategies may result in behavior patterns that are difficult to change if the child perceives the strategy as being effective (Kochenderfer-Ladd & Skinner, 2002; Stansbury & Harris, 2000).
How Can Adults Respond to Children's Stress?

Assisting children in understanding and using effective adaptation and coping strategies must be based on the child's developmental level and understanding of the nature of the stress-inducing event. Teachers and parents can prevent and reduce stress for children in many ways:

* Help the child anticipate stressful events, such as a first haircut or the birth of a sibling. Adults can prepare children by increasing their understanding of the upcoming event and reducing its stressful impact (Marion, 2003). Over-preparing children for upcoming stressful events, however, can prove even more stressful than the event itself (Donate-Bartfield & Passman, 2000). Adults can judge the optimal level of preparation by encouraging the child to ask questions if he or she wants to know more.

* Provide supportive environments where children can play out or use art materials to express their concerns (Gross & Clemens, 2002).

* Help children identify a variety of coping strategies (e.g., "ask for help if someone is teasing you"; "tell them you don't like it"; "walk away"). Coping strategies help children feel more effective in stressful situations (Fallin, Wallinga, & Coleman, 2001).

* Help children recognize, name, accept, and express their feelings appropriately.

* Teach children relaxation techniques. Consider suggesting to a child such things as "take three deep breaths"; "count backwards"; "tense and release your muscles"; "play with play dough"; "dance"; "imagine a favorite place to be and visit that place in your mind" (use creative imagery) (O'Neill, 1993).

* Practice positive self-talk skills (e.g., "I'll try. I think I can do this.") to help in promoting stress management (O'Neill, 1993).

Other basic strategies include implementing sound positive discipline strategies, following consistent routines, enhancing cooperation, and providing time for children to safely disclose their concerns and stresses privately and in groups.
Conclusion

Our increasing knowledge about the importance and impact of stress on young children should be put to good use in reducing stress factors for young children and in assisting children to increase coping strategies and healthy responses to the unavoidable stresses in their lives.

By: Jan Jewett|Karen Peterson - Educational Resource Information Center (U.S. Department of Education) - Education.com

Green Monster Usa

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 21:05:00 +0000

Green Monster USA shares the benefits to an energy efficient home. The benefits of an energy efficient home come down to a few necessities. Current environmental and economic conditions are calling for homeowners to think about changing how we live. Going green or being energy efficient is not about going without, in fact it’s the opposite. Energy efficient homes provide better living surroundings.

New Faces Development Center

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 20:59:00 +0000

New Faces Development Center scouts for potential models and talent primarily in person. New Faces does not advertise in newspapers or magazines but scouts through venues such as talent events, malls and movie theaters, etc. Applications can also be submitted online and should be accompanied with a recent "snapshot." To fill out an online please visit the website.

Good Parenting Basics

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 20:50:00 +0000

The following guidelines emerged over years from the author's parenting classes. ABC stands for always be consistent. The term guidance is used in place of discipline. Parents in these classes wanted to find more constructive or effective methods of guiding their children. For some parents, it was a move away from reacting after the act to encouraging and praising appropriate behavior. Of many guidelines, three general principles stand out. Always be consistent, be positive, and praise the behavior you want repeated.

1. Always be consistent. The younger the child, the more difficult it is for him or her to understand why a rule changes from one day to another. From the parents' perspective, it may make sense to tell the children that they cannot play with clay or certain toys in the house because company is coming. To a young child this is especially confusing. Consistency means modeling what you tell your children to do. "Always tell the truth" may be stressed. What message is heard if the parent asks a child answering the phone to tell the caller that mother or dad is not home? If parents tell children to make their bed in the morning and the parents do not make their bed, the children will probably do as they see rather than do as they hear. There needs to be consistency in the parents' expectations of each child within developmentally appropriate limits. If the parent asks one child to pick up toys and lets another child play without putting things away, it can cause resentment, overall confusion, and lower self-esteem.

2. Always be positive. Most young children want to please. Encourage this by telling children exactly what to do rather than what not to do. Say, "You need to walk in the house because...If you want to run, you may go outside." If a child needs help in achieving a goal, this positive approach relays the message that the parent has trust or confidence in the child wanting to do the right thing.

3. Praise good behavior. It is so easy for parents to ignore children's desirable behavior because it is causing no problem. Two sisters are playing close to where their mother is finishing a project. The two-year-old begins to fuss and points to a toy that the four-year-old has. The older sister says, "Here, Susie, you can have this one." The play goes on amicably. The mother continues her work, either not noticing the incident or not wanting to interrupt her activity. A more positive response would be, "Susie, wasn't that nice of your sister to give you that toy?"

4. Love needs to be unconditional. This means that children are loved regardless of their actions. You may not like a child's actions, but you still love that child. To say, "If you love Mommy, you will pick up your room," bases your love on the child's actions.

5. Discuss the child's action and not the child's trait or personality. To label the child as naughty, lazy, selfish, or sloppy is harmful to the child's self image. To talk about actions, such as not hanging up clothes or not sharing toys, is easier for the child to deal with and to correct.

6. Provide limits. These should be developmentally appropriate, understood by all, open to discussion, and enforced with love. By allowing children to have some voice in a rule, they will more likely comply. By giving children a choice, you are giving them some control over the situation.

7. Help children to control their own behavior. Help them understand their actions and accept certain ways of behaving. Eventually they will be able to control their own behavior from within rather than externally or based on outside forces. Help children understand how their actions affect the other person. Ask them how they could have expressed their feelings in another way.

8. Communications should be open, honest, clear, and appropriate. Children must be allowed to express their feelings. They often need help in how to release their feelings in an acceptable manner.

9. Spend time with children. Listen and be sensitive to a child's needs. Be supportive of those needs while helping the child meet the demands of parents, family, and the environment. Have fun with your child!

10. Provide an environment where children are able to succeed. This includes providing activities that are challenging but attainable. It is often easier for a child to accomplish one small part of a task at a time than to tackle the whole project. Praise, encouragement, and help are important to success.

By: D.H. Sailor - Pearson Allyn Bacon Prentice Hall - Education.com

Vitamins Supplements

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 20:44:00 +0000

Do you think you have a healthy lifestyle? Are you sure that you have done all the ways and means to take care of your own health? Everyone of us is entitled to take care of our health and as much as possible be responsive to the needs of our body as its the only way to live life longer as we could and as healthier as ever. I know living a healthy lifestyle is not that simple. It took a several try just to manage the healthy lifestyle you want. Eat those food that are rich on vitamins and take those natural vitamins that helps and support the needs of you body organs.

But what if you had a problem in food intolerance which will somehow gives you a serious health problem? Do you still need to eat those foods as needed? Well, there are several ways to maintain a healthy living. Foods are not enough to supply the needed vitamins and minerals we need for us to achieve the maximum strength we need in a day, a week, a month, a year and in a lifetime. We need to exercise and take those supplementary vitamins made from natural organic products.

In line with that, there were people out there who do have food allergies to the extent that they maintain medicines to cure the said allergies. What would be the best way to aid the said problem? Well, natural vitamins and nutritional products are the only contraceptive on that. They can take this vitamins to supply those items that cannot be taken from the food intake.

So, if you guys are one of those people who badly need a vitamins supplement I highly recommend you to consult your doctors for a proper medication.

Best Coffee Makers

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 19:21:00 +0000

The zest of stainless steel coffee makers is such a maddening experience that the coffee lovers can be said to be the addicts of it. From time immemorial, coffee has been the favorite hot drink of the people the world over. No stone was unturned for extracting the coffee flavor to its fullest from the coffee beans.

The forgotten pot with a snout, famously known as the kettle, brings down the memories of the past. The coffee was brewed in the kettle, and poured into separate mugs, the trapper at the bottom of the snout stopping the coarser coffee grains and a clothe percolator filtering the finer grounds. Evolution in the design of the best coffee makers saw the later day inventions such as drip coffee makers where hot water drips down on the ground coffee placed in the filter and the coffee is made.

The working of stainless steel coffee makers machines lies between that of drip machines and an espresso machine. Like the drip machine, water is heated in boiler compartment of the pod machine and passed through the coffee grounds. The hot water is passed on the ground coffee with certain pressure for quicker brewing like an espresso machine. With so many choices, the selection of coffee pod machines is a difficult task. While choosing some points have to be looked at.

* The number of cups that can be brewed at a time.
* The types of coffee pods that can be used.
* The size of the water compartment for deciding the quantity of coffee.
* Warm up time of the machine.
* Bar pressure achieved so as not to get an espresso drink every time.
* Wattage and warranty period of the machine.

Egypt to Reopen Churches to Help Ease Sectarian Violence

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 19:18:00 +0000

In an effort to prevent future religion-based clashes in the streets, the Egyptian military-led government has announced that it will consider reopening up to 48 churches that were closed during the reign of former President Hosni Mubarak.

The move came in response to an escalation in tensions between majority Muslims and minority Coptic Christians in Cairo, the capital. The army had arrested nearly 200 people involved in violent clashes, including the burning of a church, that resulted in 12 deaths and more than 200 injuries. The prime minister, Essam Sharaf, canceled a trip of Gulf states in order to consult with the rest of the government. Protests against the violence took place in Alexandria.

The former tourism minister, Zoheir Garranah, is heading to jail for five years after being convicted of misusing public funds. He will join former Interior Minister Habib el-Adli, who was given a 12-year sentence after being convicted on charges of money laundering. They are the first two members of the Mubarak's cabinet to be convicted. Mubarak himself is still being detained at a hospital, where he was admitted after complaining of heart problems. He is charged with crimes that could get him the death penalty if convicted.

In economic news, the government reported an increase in inflation resulting from higher food prices, which were up 20 percent across the country over 2010 prices. The central bank estimated that the country's growth rate would be as low as 2 percent, down from a forecast of 6 percent earlier this year.

By: socialstudiesforkids.com

Filter Cartridges...

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 19:07:00 +0000

Do anyone of you here been looking a reliable providers on spa filter cartridges for business use? Are you one of those people who wanted to buy a new set of swimming pool filter cartridges for personal home use? Well, if you do better take sometime now to browse the web and look for a reliable provider for the said products.

There were several providers of the said items actually but fewer of them provides a great packages on the said items. For people who are in hurry to buy the said items I highly recommend you to visit the site of Spa-Daddy dot com 'cause they are the one you been looking!

They got all the items you need like spa filters, spa chemicals, pool chemicals, spa accessories, and some other related things to spa and pool items. You need not to worry if you decide to avail from them through online purchasing simply because they are one of the leading provider of the said items. Aside from that their products and services has been tested by several users already who in one way helps them a lot through referral and recommendations.

So, if you guys are one of those people who wanted to buy swimming pool filter cartridges and some other items I've mention above better take sometime now to visit them and place your order right away! With them your ordered item will be delivered right into your door steps or on your desired delivery lcoation.

Web Conferencing

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 18:27:00 +0000

Did you know that Video conference is one of the high-end gateways in the business world nowaday? Did you know that through Web conference you'll be able to talk multi people around the globe? You here it right!

Web conference is now trending through out the globe. Due to its hassle free and cheap rates several companies and individuals has been using it to communicate people from several parts of the globe. Wherever you are, you could be in western part, southern or northern part of the globe you all can connect with each other throught the use of video conference.

It's highly recommended for companies who do have a subsidiaries in several countries. This can be use to connect with the right people of specific companies to discuss business matters, personal things or whatsoever updates under the heat of the sun. Besides, using Web conference is hassle free and you'll easily get to connect with the other colleagues who were in the conference as you can see their face experession and the way they utter their words.

So, if anyone of you who plans to take a Web conference services better take sometime now to browse the web and look for a reliable provider of the said services. Make sure they are among of the leading one.

Tanks Latest Part of Crackdown in Syria

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 10:45:00 +0000

The violence continues against anti-government protesters in Syrian cities.

The latest instance was of tanks rolling into Homs, the country's third-largest city, to convince protesters to abandon their marches and calls for political reform. Residents of other towns reported tanks in their streets as well.

Armed security forces accompanied the tanks and were seen firing on crowds. More than 600 people have been killed since the March 18 beginning of the uprising, in Daraa. The attacks against protesters were ordered by President Bashar al-Assad, focus of the protest movement.

Al-Assad has been in charge of the government for just 11 years, succeeding his famous father, Hafez Assad. The younger al-Assad, in the wake of the resignation of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, initially agreed to consider the governmental reforms but, when confronted by renewed protests for even more reforms, responded by ordering violent crackdowns and large numbers of arrests. Witnesses reported security forces going door-to-door in some cities, searching for protesters to arrest. In the meantime, the government has also shut down electricity and communications in several key areas of a few cities.

World leaders have been outspoken in their condemnation of the violence in Syria. U.S. President Barack Obama announced a new set of sanctions on Syria, and the European Union announced an arms embargo against the Damascus government.

Echoing the sanctions and the embargo was the United Nations, whose highest human rights group issued a stark condemnation of the violence.

By: socialstudiesforkids.com