Economic Stimulus Package 2008 Details

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April 15, 2008
By Lateef Abro

Stimulate Me. Taxpaying individuals will receive at least $600 in the form of a rebate check this May thanks to the U.S. government’s Economic Stimulus Package of 2008. This is going to cost the government $145 Billion (msnbc.com, Jan 08) . The rebate check will be delivered to about 160 million American families (cnn.com, Apr 08).

So how much will you get? When will you get it? How will you get it? The answers are here:

How much will I get? Starting in May, the Treasury will begin sending economic stimulus payments to more than 130 million households. To receive a payment, taxpayers must have a valid Social Security number, $3,000 of income and file a 2007 federal tax return. IRS will take care of the rest. Eligible people will receive up to $600 ($1,200 for married couples), and parents will receive an additional $300 for each eligible child younger than 17. Millions of retirees, disabled veterans and low-wage workers who usually are exempt from filing a tax return must do so this year in order to receive a stimulus payment. (irs.gov, Mar 08).

When will I get it? As long as you filed your taxes before April 15 you can live by this payment schedule:

DIRECT DEPOSIT

Last two SSN digits:	Payment will be transmitted:
00 through 20	May 2
21 through 75	May 9
76 through 99	May 16

PAPER CHECK

Last two SSN digits:	Payments will be mailed by:
00 through 09	May 16
10 through 18	May 23
19 through 25	May 30
26 through 38	June 6
39 through 51	June 13
52 through 63	June 20
64 through 75	June 27
76 through 87	July 4
88 through 99	July 11

How will I get it? If you specified a bank account for direct deposit on your 2007 tax return you’ll see the money in your bank account soon enough. Otherwise, you’ll receive a traditional paper check in the mail.

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April 15, 2008 | Filed Under Current Events | 8 Comments 

Hagel to Bush: Begin Unilateral and Unconditional Talks with Iran | Leaked Letter

Senator Chuck Hagel’s letter to President George Bush has leaked. In the straightforward letter, Hagel insists that the time has come to engage Iran in a one-on-one conversation to address the sour relationship between the two countries. It seems like his point his fairly obvious - he wants to stop beating around the bush and initiate direct dialogue with Iran’s government in order to prevent a seemingly inevitable ‘clash of civilizations.’

Hagel expresses support for Bush’s efforts in Iraq and Iran and respectfully points out that our current policy towards Iran is not producing results:

I am increasingly concerned, however, that this diplomatic strategy is stalling.

Hagel continues to explain that this hostile situation can erupt at any time if it is not handled appropriately:

Unless there is a strategic shift, I believe we will find ourselves in a dangerous and increasingly isolated position in the coming months.

Here is the text of Chuck Hagel’s letter to George Bush:
Click Here to Download the Original Letter

October 17, 2007

The President

The White House

Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President:

I write to urge you to consider pursuing direct, unconditional and comprehensive talks with the Government of Iran.

In the last two years, the United States has worked closely with the permanent members of the UN Security Council, Germany, Japan, and other key states as well as the UN Secretary General and the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency to pursue a diplomatic strategy regarding Iran’s nuclear program. I have supported your efforts. Maintaining a cohesive and united international front remains one of our most effective levers on Iran.

In the last year, you have also authorized our Ambassador in Iraq, Ryan Crocker, to hold bilateral talks with Iranian officials regarding the situation in Iraq. I have also supported this effort. Although Iran has continued dangerous actions in Iraq, this channel for dialogue is important.

I am increasingly concerned, however, that this diplomatic strategy is stalling. There are growing differences with our international partners. Concerns remain that the United States’ actual objectives is regime change in Iran, not a change in Iran’s behavior. Prospects for further action in the UN Security Council have grown dim, and we appear increasingly reliant on a single-track effort to expand financial pressure on Iran outside of the UN Security Council. Iran’s actions, both on its nuclear program and in Iraq, are unchanged. Iran’s leaders appear increasingly confident in their positions vis-a-vis the United States.

Unless there is a strategic shift, I believe we will find ourselves in a dangerous and increasingly isolated position in the coming months. I do not see how the collective actions that we are now taking will produce the results that we seek. If this continues, our ability to sustain a united international front will weaken as countries grow uncertain over our motives and unwilling to risk open confrontation with Iran, and we are left with fewer and fewer policy options.

Now is the time for the United States to active consider when and how to offer direct, unconditional, and comprehensive talks with Iran. The offer should be made even as we continue to work with our allies on financial pressure, in the UN Security Council on a third sanctions resolution, and in the region to support those Middle East countries who share our concerns with Iran. The November report by IAEA Director General ElBaradei to the IAEA Board of Governors could provide an opportunity to advance the offer of bilateral talks.

An approach such as this would strengthen our ability across the board to deal with Iran. Our friends and allies would be more confident to stand with us if we seek to increase pressure, including tougher sanctions on Iran. It could create a historic new dynamic in US-Iran relations, in part forcing the Iranians to react to the possibility of better relations with the West. We should be prepared that any dialogue process with Iran will take time, and we should continue all efforts, as you have, to engage Iran from a position of strength.

We should not wait to consider the option of bilateral talks until all other diplomatic options are exhausted. At that point, it could well be too late.

I urge you to consider pursing direct, unconditional and comprehensive talks with the Government of Iran.

Thank you for considering my views.

Best wishes.

Sincerely,

Chuck H.

Chuck Hagel
United States Senator

cc: Condoleezza Rice

Robert M. Gates

Stephen J. Hadley

And so…
Obviously, foreign policy and international relations are not simple orders; nevertheless, common sense is often overlooked for the sake of personal/political interests. The idea that ‘we do not negotiate with terrorists’ is one that will very likely cripple our ability to negotiate for our interests in the present and even worse, in the future. If current events are any indicator of the drama to come, we need to put on the thinking caps and prepare.

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- Tags: Latest Pakistan News - Latest Iran News - News from Iran

Girl from Ecuador Assaulted on train in Barcelona - El Racismo no es Blanco y Negro -->
October 29, 2007
By Lateef Abro

Random Act of Violence
On October 7th in Barcelona, Spain a young lady of 16 years old was attacked for no apparent reason by a man, that claims he was drunk - but is not remorseful of his actions. It’s sad to watch this video of the innocent girl getting kicked, punched, and spat on…the reporter narrating the video explains that the man was heard yelling out racial slurs in Spanish (of course).

Victim Did Not Press Charges - Attacker goes Free

The victim and her family, perhaps afraid of consequences, declined to press charges and the local judge let the attacker go home, with no criminal charge. Spain’s main anti-racism and civil-rights groups are hoping to appeal the judge’s decision and demand jail time for the attacker’s actions. I wrote some commentary in Spanish below.

The attacker denies he is racist…

Fue un Crimen Contra La Humanidad
En los países Latino-Americanos no existe el racismo de la misma forma que se observa en los Estados Unidos y en Europa. Será por que todos somos una mezcla verraca de tantas razas; la mayoría de la gente en Sudamérica son criollos y mestizos de alguna manera, y comparten sangre con los Europeos, Africanos, Anglos, Árabes, etc. No estoy hablando del racismo natural basada en riqueza/pobreza que es común en las clases sociales pero el racismo que es mas peligroso. El que se desarrolla dentro del mismo grupo social y cultural. Este es el tipo de prejuicio que ocurrió en Barcelona y es indicador de falta de educación y éticas morales.

Un fenómeno que se presenta hoy día y que no ha recibido atención es el aumento de grupos racistas en Europa y en los países de Sudamérica. Los Skinheads, traídos a los países Hispanos por la música Oí y Punk se esta evolucionando al estado den los Nazis de Hitler. Estamos en el mejor tiempo para empezar a combatir el racismo en los países Latinos. Si los eventos actuales son alguna indicación de lo que viene en el futuro hay que prevenir con educación ahora antes de que no se pueda controlar la situación.

Para mas comentario en Español sobre el ataque visite este enlace

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