All Your Metadata Shall Be In Water Writ

bicThe power of the internet lies in its near-infinite mutability. It's an edifice of information being added to and sculpted by as many hands as there are eyes viewing it. Truly democratic and increasingly accessible, it will soon be the vector for most communication that takes place on our world. But its mutability is also a weakness, as so many great strengths are. The weakness arises from a lack of permanence: it is impossible to make an indelible mark. Lack of permanence! you say. Why, I can request 500 pages of data on file at Facebook, and the NSA is building a profile on me that includes every cookie I've ever been issued. True, but the data itself is impermanent. Vulnerable in a dozen ways to being rewritten, manipulated, retouched, softened, or otherwise reduced from a record to a falsification. The data we create today is not etched in stone but "writ in water." The benefits of this we have seen, and monumental they are, but soon we will know its danger, too.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/gKPMBQKtC1s/

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Kenya police arrest 9 community leaders after clashes kill 53

MOMBASA, Kenya (Reuters) - Kenyan police have arrested five clan leaders and four chiefs in connection with an attack that killed 53 people in a long-running dispute over land and water in a rural part of the east of the country, a senior provincial official said on Friday.

Armed with machetes, bows and arrows and spears, attackers from the Pokomo ethnic group locked villagers from the rival Orma group in their homes, set the structures alight and killed anyone who tried to escape late on Tuesday.

Settled Pokomo farmers and semi-nomadic Orma pastoralists have clashed intermittently for years over access to grazing, farm land and water resources.

Samuel Kilele, government commissioner for Coast province, told reporters in the port city of Mombasa the arrested elders are accused of organising and leading the raid and the chiefs of failing to alert authorities about the planned attacks.

"They had prior information which they did not share with us so that we could intervene before the attacks occurred. We have sacked all of them, and will take them to court next week to face charges of complicity and abetting crime," Kilele said.

"We are pursuing 10 other ring-leaders of the attack, whose names we have, and who will assist us to arrest all those who participated in the killings."

The initial death toll of 48 rose to 53 after five more victims died in hospital, with 12 others still undergoing treatment, police said.

The Kenya Red Cross has put the death toll at 62.

Kilele said police were carrying out a disarmament exercise in the area and had so far recovered rifles, machetes, arrows and spears.

"We will get these weapons, all of them, by any means necessary including force, because we asked them to surrender weapons voluntarily and they failed," Kilele said.

Cattle rustling and clashes over grazing and farm land are relatively common between communities in arid areas of east Africa and often escalate with revenge attacks.

The long dispute between the two groups erupted after the farmers accused the pastoralists of grazing their cattle in their land.

Top Kenya government officials, among them Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Police Commissioner Mathew Iteere, have visited the area and promised to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Fifty of the dead were buried in a mass grave on Thursday.

"I ... take this opportunity to express my deep concern over the senseless loss of lives and property following clashes between some communities in parts of the country. This will not be tolerated," President Mwai Kibaki said in a speech during a graduation ceremony for new police officers.

"I put on notice those inciting and creating lawlessness and taking the law into their hands, that they will be dealt with firmly in accordance with the law."

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/kenya-police-arrest-9-community-leaders-clashes-kill-085312855.html

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The Turnaround: How Family Place changed one mom's life for ...

Story and photography by Chelsea Quackenbush

With her two small children in tow, a bruised face and a heavy heart, 20-year-old Amber Fowler packed up her few belongings and headed into the snow-covered streets of a frigid Washington winter, unsure of where to go.

She was 2,000 miles away from her family and home in Texas. She and her children?s father had another big fight and, this time, enough was enough.

Amber found a local shelter and was placed in a transitional housing program. She got a house, found a job and enrolled in school. She was convinced things were going to be different. But then she let her boyfriend back into her life and, soon after, she was pregnant with her third child, Fred, now 5. And it all fell apart again.

Amber is a 26-year-old single mother with four children, ages 10, 6, 5 and 3. She dropped out of school and left home against her father?s urging at the age of 13 and spent the next several years living on the streets, in shelters and in sub-standard housing. She suffered multiple failed relationships, plagued by domestic violence, drug and alcohol abuse and unplanned pregnancies.

She had her first daughter, Frankie, at age 15. She and Frankie?s father lived together off and on but eventually she decided to leave because she knew life could be different. She was 17 when she left.

She went to another shelter for a couple of weeks and managed to get her own apartment and a job. Amber didn?t seem to have too much trouble finding jobs, but she never made enough money to support herself, let alone a family. Without a high school education, employment was limited.

In 2005, she ?made a bad decision and ended up on the streets again,? she said. The two went to another shelter, which is where she met her youngest kids? dad. They got jobs and an apartment, and got back on their feet.

Amber got pregnant with her second daughter, Rebecca, now 6. They decided to move to Washington with his family.

?I?d never been out of Texas and we were in love,? Amber recalled. ?His mom was up there and she had a job for him and a car for us to drive. We had a whole little house to ourselves. So I said, ?Cool, let?s go.? I only had two kids at the time.?

The situation quickly escalated into a nightmare, she said. Her girls witnessed a lot of the chaos. She tried to escape but they always got back together.

Amber became pregnant with Fred before deciding to return home to her family.

In 2008, they came back to Texas and Rachel, her last child, was born in 2010. Amber managed to get away from her children?s father and get her own apartment in Conroe, still working dead-end jobs, still wanting to go to school, still fighting to make ends meet.

But she didn?t feel safe and felt like she still needed to get away from her children?s father so once again, they headed to a shelter. But this time, the outcome was different.

Amber met Brenda Shuttlesworth, the program director of Buckner Family Place in Conroe. After hearing about Family Place ? a self-sufficiency program that provides housing and supportive services for single-parent families while parents pursue their education full-time ? she quickly applied and was accepted.

?When I met Amber, I knew she was just one of those people who had a lot of potential if she were ever given a break in life,? Shuttlesworth said. ?She?s very bright. And Amber truly knows the world. She knows what it?s like to struggle, yet through education, she?s going to have a better life for herself and for her children.?

Amber is a survivor and wants people to know that the hope that shines forth in her life comes from her personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Since coming to Buckner, Amber has taken parenting classes, abuse recovery classes and most importantly, earned her GED and enrolled in college.

School hasn?t come without its challenges, especially while trying to keep track of four children, but somehow, she manages.

?I couldn?t do it without God. He is my rock and to Him all the glory, truly,? she said. ?But we have a routine that we stick to and it normally all goes smoothly. I look at it like my own little assembly line.?

Amber gets to school by 8 a.m. in order to do homework for two hours before her first class. She has a three-and-a-half hour class, a 20-minute break for more homework and then another three hour class. She stays at school until 6 p.m. to do homework and then heads home to get her four kids to start on their evening routine.

The kids are more secure in their physical location and also in their family relationship. Each child gets to spend one-on-one time with their mom. Sometimes they go ice skating or get their nails done. They have play dates with their cousins, go to the movies, go to the zoo and have birthday parties. And a non-negotiable for each of her kids is a college education.

?If there?s one thing I hope my kids have learned through all this, it?s to go to college and to know that I would never leave them. They?re not going to decide to drop out of school; they?re not going to get pregnant. They?re not going to do the things I did. They are going to college.?

Amber acknowledges that she?s changed a lot since coming to Family Place and that she has a long way to go. She?s more secure with herself and doesn?t second-guess everything like she used to. She?s learning to process how she was raised and how to change her future.

She frequently has to ask for help at school because she doesn?t have the educational foundation from junior high and high school, but the teachers who know her story are supportive. She struggles with math but she placed into college-level English when she took the entrance exam for Lonestar State College.

She?s on track to complete her associate degree in the spring of 2013 and hopes to obtain her bachelor?s degree and then continue on to seminary at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary or Christ for the Nations to become a social worker.

?I feel like shelters are going to be part of my ministry,? Amber said. ?I want to help families and children, mostly mothers, to be able to provide for the children in a sufficient way, kind of like Buckner is doing for us. I?ve been in situations where I know that my experience can help other women. I want to let them know that regardless of where you come from, there?s hope ? and anyone can make it.?

Amber wants to work for Child Protective Services as a social worker but she doesn?t want to stop there. She wants to help make changes and raise money for CPS organizations.

Sometimes, when she reflects on her life, she doesn?t even recognize who she used to be, she said.

?I?ve experienced a lot,? Amber said. ?But when I?m sitting here, talking about it, it?s like a whole other person. Even when I think about how others view me, I just think there?s no way I?m that person. I?m not sure how I ever was that person. But God has shown himself true in my life.?

Amber is taking parenting classes and also completed abuse recovery at a local church. She?s interested in other self-help classes the church offers because she likes the Biblical basis for the lessons.

Shuttlesworth has seen the changes in Amber, too. Her communication style is different, both with her children and her peers. She?s not as prone to raise her voice. She places more value on education and helping herself. She is slowly learning to trust people again.

The first Family Place residents in Conroe moved in in 2010. The program is a community-based model which includes a lot of small group meetings between the mothers. Their groups are spiritually based, depending on what?s going on in everyone?s lives. Shuttlesworth believes the community aspect is what leads to success in the program.

??Another reason why I wanted Buckner so bad was because I wanted to be different,? Amber said.? I wanted to live a different life than my family. I wanted to be a different parent to my children than my mom was to me. The holistic aspect is really what enticed me. The part where it teaches us to become self-sufficient and to be OK in our own skin, and to trust our judgment. It?s taught me so much. And I am truly grateful and humbled to be in the program.?

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Source: http://www.buckner.org/enews/index.php/2012/08/the-turnaround-family-place/

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ABC Family orders Jennifer Lopez-produced TV pilot

FILE - In this Feb. 26, 2012 file photo, actress and singer Jennifer Lopez arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar party in West Hollywood, Calif. ABC Family announced Thursday, Aug. 23, 2012 that it has greenlighted a pilot titled ?The Fosters,? from Jennifer Lopez's production company about a diverse family headed by a lesbian couple. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini, file)

FILE - In this Feb. 26, 2012 file photo, actress and singer Jennifer Lopez arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar party in West Hollywood, Calif. ABC Family announced Thursday, Aug. 23, 2012 that it has greenlighted a pilot titled ?The Fosters,? from Jennifer Lopez's production company about a diverse family headed by a lesbian couple. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini, file)

(AP) ? ABC Family says it green-lighted a series pilot from Jennifer Lopez's production company about a lesbian couple and their diverse family.

ABC Family said Thursday the comedy-drama pilot, titled "The Fosters," is about two women raising a "21st century," multi-ethnic mix of foster and biological kids.

Lopez will be an executive producer for the hour-long project. Casting was not announced.

Her company, Nuyorican, is in development on other TV series, including "Taming Ben Taylor," a romantic comedy starring the actress-singer, and "Sweet Little 15," a Mexican girl's coming-of-age story.

Lopez, who recently exited "American Idol" as a judge, also is developing films through her company.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/4e67281c3f754d0696fbfdee0f3f1469/Article_2012-08-23-TV-Jennifer%20Lopez-Pilot/id-bbc2475cb1424481bb8ea69102eb6158

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Locked-in syndrome sufferer dies | Top Stories | BigPond News

Tony Nicklinson, who lost a legal battle last week for the right to end his life with medical help, has died at the age of 58.

Lawyers for the father of two said he died at his home in Melksham, Wiltshire, at around 10am on Wednesday.

Family solicitor Saimo Chahal said: 'I am extremely sad to tell you that I received a call at 10.45am from Jane Nicklinson to inform me that her husband Tony died peacefully at home at about 10am this morning.

'Jane told me that Tony went rapidly downhill over last weekend, having contracted pneumonia.

'He had made an advanced directive in 2004 refusing any life-sustaining treatment and also refused food from last week.

'Jane said that, after Tony received the draft judgement on August 12 refusing his claim, the fight seemed to go out of him.

'He said that he was heartbroken by the High Court's decision that he could not end his life at a time of his choosing with the help of a doctor.'

The statement added that Mr Nicklinson died with his daughters, wife and sister Ginny by his side.

A tweet posted on his Twitter page read: 'You may already know, my Dad died peacefully this morning of natural causes. He was 58.'

A second post added: 'Before he died, he asked us to tweet 'Goodbye world the time has come, I had some fun'.'

A third post, attributed to his wife Jane and grown-up children Lauren and Beth, said: 'Thank you for your support over the years. We would appreciate some privacy at this difficult time.'

Beth Nicklinson, posting on her personal Twitter profile, wrote: 'RIP @TonyNicklinson. Couldn't have asked for a better dad, so strong. You are now at peace, we will be fine. I love you xxx.'

Last week, the High Court rejected Mr Nicklinson's legal battle for the right to die with medical help.

A 47-year-old man who also has locked-in syndrome lost his High Court case at the same time. Lawyers for the second man, who has not been named, announced they are appealing the court's decision which they said had denied their client 'the opportunity to take the necessary steps to end his own life'.

His wife Jane described the decision as 'one-sided', and said at the time they intended to appeal.

A spokesman for Wiltshire Police said the force would not be investigating his death.

'Police are not involved at all. We can confirm he passed away and it is not a matter for Wiltshire Police,' he said.

'His death certificate has been signed by a doctor, so it is not a matter for Wiltshire Police or the coroner.'

Mr Nicklinson was left paralysed by a catastrophic stroke while on a business trip to Athens in 2005.

Davina Hehir, director of legal strategy and policy at Dignity in Dying, said: 'We extend our heartfelt sympathies to Tony Nicklinson's family following his death.

'Whilst Tony's case went beyond Dignity in Dying's campaign for assisted dying for terminally ill people, we respected Tony as an extremely courageous man who inspired many people. His legacy will live on.'

Source: http://bigpondnews.com/articles/TopStories/2012/08/23/Locked-in_syndrome_sufferer_dies_786764.html

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US Cold War trade rule stays as Russia joins WTO

The Obama administration welcomed Russia's membership in the World Trade Organization Wednesday, but said exporters would be disadvantaged unless Congress repeals Russia's Cold War-era trade status.

"We congratulate Russia on joining the World Trade Organization," the nation's top trade envoy, US Trade Representative Ron Kirk, said in a statement.

"However, in order for American manufacturers, workers, service providers, farmers and ranchers to take full advantage of Russia's WTO membership, Congress must act to terminate Jackson-Vanik and authorize permanent normal trade relations for Russia."

The acting US commerce secretary, Rebecca Blank, also called on Congress to lift Jackson-Vanik and accord Russia permanent normal trade relations (PNTR), a status required under WTO rules.

"This will increase US exports, strengthen our economy, and create thousands of American jobs," Blank said in a separate statement, noting that Russia is bringing over 140 million consumers and a $1.8-trillion economy into the global rules-based trading system.

"The Obama administration is committed to working with Congress to pass this legislation so that American businesses can enjoy the same benefits in Russia's market that our foreign competitors now have," she said.

President Barack Obama, certain lawmakers and businesses have been pushing Congress to end Russia's status under the Jackson-Vanik amendment that ties trade policy to human rights.

The amendment to the Trade Act of 1974 deprived the Soviet Union of permanent normal trade relations to pressure Moscow to allow Jewish emigration.

Russia and a number of other former communist states are still subject to the restrictive provision.

Under Jackson-Vanik, the US president must certify to Congress every year that Russia permits free emigration in order to grant PNTR on an annual basis.

But that status conflicts with WTO rules now that Russia has joined the Geneva-based international trade body.

The WTO mandates than any advantage granted by one WTO member to another must be extended to all members.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/us-cold-war-trade-rule-stays-russia-joins-192007655.html

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AP sources: GOP platform draft at odds with Romney

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) ? Republicans on Tuesday decided they will call for a constitutional amendment outlawing abortion without specific exceptions for rape or incest, a position at odds with GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

Republican Party leaders decided to include that position during a party meeting Tuesday, two GOP officials confirmed to The Associated Press. The language is the same as it's been since 1984, and the platform is set to be officially adopted Monday. But this year, it comes as GOP officials are calling on Missouri Rep. Todd Akin to quit his Senate bid after he made inflammatory comments about rape. Akin, asked in a local TV interview aired Sunday if he opposes abortion in cases of rape, said a woman's body is able to prevent pregnancy in what he called "a legitimate rape."

In a Sunday statement condemning Akin's remarks, Romney said his administration would not oppose abortion in cases of rape. That puts him at odds with his party's official line.

Romney is set to be nominated for president at the Republican National Convention that kicks off Aug. 27.

"The details of some of these things, like an exception for rape or life of the mother, these are not uncommon differences that candidates have and don't share some of the detail on those exceptions," RNC Chairman Reince Priebus said Tuesday on MSNBC. "But as far as our platform is concerned, I mean, this is the platform of the Republican Party. It is not the platform of Mitt Romney."

The party's platform says members of the GOP "assert the sanctity of human life and affirm that the unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life which cannot be infringed. We support a human life amendment to the Constitution."

Romney's position on the question is also at odds with his running mate, Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan, who opposes abortion except in instances where the life of the mother is at risk. That's closer in line with the Republican Party's official position.

A Ryan aide downplayed the difference. "He knows he is joining the Romney ticket and the Romney administration will reflect the views of the nominee," Ryan spokesman Michael Steel told reporters traveling with Romney's no. 2 from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia.

Ryan has voted for legislation that has included exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother, another spokesman said.

The decision might have passed with little notice if not for Akin, whose weekend comments drew intense criticism and quick calls for him to step aside.

"It seems to me, from what I understand from doctors, that's really rare," Akin said when asked about abortion in cases of rape. "If it's a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down."

Romney did not call for Akin to leave the race until about two hours before a state-imposed deadline for him to drop out without going to court. Akin was still in the race at 6 p.m. EDT Tuesday, and now has until Sept. 25 to seek a court order to take his name off the ballot. After that date, there is no way for Akin to leave the race.

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, who RNC's Platform Committee, called it a "document that transcends time."

"Current events regarding who said what at any given time don't affect this document," McDonnell said.

__

Associated Press writer Kasie Hunt in Washington contributed to this report.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/ap-sources-gop-platform-draft-odds-romney-233406877.html

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Ethiopian PM Meles died of sudden infection: state television

ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, 57, died of a sudden infection while recovering from an illness at a hospital abroad, the African nation's state-run television said on Tuesday.

"Prime Minister Zenawi suddenly passed away last night. Meles was recovering in a hospital overseas for the past two months but died of a sudden infection at 11:40," state television said. (Reporting by Aaron Maasho; Writing by Yara Bayoumy; Editing by Paul Simao)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/ethiopian-pm-meles-died-sudden-infection-state-television-045853912.html

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The Wanted, New Kids, 98 Degrees Take Our Boy-Band Quiz!