Hurricane Henri: Long Island and Southern New England Brace for Impact

THE GUARDIAN: Forecasters predict landfall in New York or Connecticut / New England has not been hit by hurricane since 1991

A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration satellite handout image shows Hurricane Henri. Photograph: NOAA/GOES/AFP/Getty Images
Preparations for a monster storm forecast to hit parts of the US north-east were stepped up on Saturday, after Henri was promoted to a hurricane as it moved closer to land.

Forecasters said Henri would be at or near category one hurricane strength when it made landfall mid-afternoon Sunday over Long Island in New York and southern Connecticut. New England has not taken a direct hit from a hurricane since Bob, a category two storm, hit in 1991.

Forecasters also said a dangerous storm surge could also occur as early as late Saturday in portions of Rhode Island and south-eastern Massachusetts and high water could also be seen in coastal New England as Henri moves inland. Heavy rain and wind may also produce flooding, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said. » | Lauren Aratani in New York and agencies | Saturday, August 21, 2021

Islamic Convention Set This Weekend In Hartford
THE HARTFORD COURANT: HARTFORD — — Thousands of Muslims are expected to attend a convention in the city this weekend sponsored by the Islamic Circle of North America with the goal of promoting religious tolerance and fighting "Islamophobia."

The group, a New York City-based Muslim American advocacy organization, seeks to raise awareness and dispel misconceptions by educating people about the Islamic faith, members said.

The convention at the Connecticut Convention Center is titled "Defending Religious Freedom, Understanding Shariah" and is part of a national tour. Shariah is the fundamental religious concept of Islam.

About 15,000 people are expected to attend the conference, which runs from Saturday to Monday, said Naeem Baig, vice president of public affairs for ICNA. » | Jenna Carlesso, The Hartford Courant | Friday, May 25, 2012

Connecticut State Votes To Do Away With Death Penalty
CNN: The Connecticut Senate voted 20-16 early Thursday morning on a bill that would do away with the death penalty and make the state the fifth in five years to abolish capital punishment. The bill now goes to the House of Representatives, where it is also expected to pass.

Gov. Dannel Malloy, a Democrat, has vowed to sign the measure into law should it reach his desk, his office said.

"For everyone, it's a vote of conscience," said Senate President Donald Williams Jr., a Democrat who says he's long supported a repeal. "We have a majority of legislators in Connecticut in favor of this so that the energies of our criminal justice system can be focused in a more appropriate manner." » | David Ariosto | CNN | Thursday, April 05, 2012

Billionaire's Holiday Gift to Neighborhood
Holiday light show at the home of hedge fund billionaire Paul Tudor Jones II * in Greenwich, Connecticut. 12/16/10

* Christmas kitsch! Clearly, Paul Tudor Jones II has more money than taste!

Roller Rink Accused of Discrimination
Muslim woman's head scarf causes controversy

HT: Always On Watch >>>

Related >>>

Muslim Woman Banned From Roller-skating Rink Because She Was Wearing A Headscarf
MAIL ONLINE: A Muslim woman was banned from entering a roller-skating rink because her headscarf breached the ‘no hoods’ rule.

Marisol Rodriguez-Colon, 40, was ‘mortified’ when she turned up to the Ron-A-Roll rink in Vernon, Connecticut only to be refused entry.

When she asked why, security staff referred her to the venue’s rules which were posted at the entrance and read: ‘No Hats. No Headwear. No Exceptions.’

Mrs Colon and her female friend, who also wore a headscarf, were told they could either taken off the hijab - or wear a helmet over the top of it.

The pair refused and left in disgust, missing the birthday party for Mrs Colon’s niece which was taking place inside.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations has now filed a complaint with Connecticut's Human Rights Commission against the rink, which is standing by its decision. Read on and comment >>> Daniel Bates | Friday, November 26, 2010

Photograph: Mail Online
That Guy Obama Loses His Cool!
MAIL ONLINE: The pressure is on Barack Obama - and it is starting to show.

The famously-cool President lost his temper in Connecticut today after hecklers interrupted a speech he was giving at a rally.

Astonished attendees watched as Mr Obama interrupted his own speech as the hecklers - believed to be activists seeking more global Aids funding - began chanting at him.

'Excuse me, excuse me,' he said repeatedly, trying to speak over the hecklers. When they kept chanting, he fell silent for several seconds, looking visibly angry and raising one hand in frustration as the crowd began to boo around him.

'Let me just say this,' he said, addressing the hecklers. 'You've been appearing at every rally we've been doing.

'We're funding global Aids,' he continued defensively. 'And the other [Republican] side is not.

'So I don't know why you think this is a useful strategy to take,' he finished, jabbing his finger angrily in the direction of the hecklers. Barack loses his cool: Angry Obama yells BACK at hecklers... as new poll shows his own party isn't sure he should be President in 2012 >>> Daily Mail Reporter | Saturday, October 30, 2010

California: Divisions Persist over Gay Marriage Ban
Gay ‘flag’ courtesy of Google Images
BBC: Waving rainbow flags and placards, thousands marched through east Los Angeles, chanting: "Gay, straight, black, white! Marriage is an equal right!"

This was one of more than a dozen protests that have taken place in California and beyond since election day last week.
The marches have been peaceful but people are angry and their protests are growing.

Many of the signs they carried conveyed their feelings: "When do I get to vote on YOUR marriage?"; ''Protect my marriage''; ''Stop the h8 (hate)''.

"H8" is a play on 8, for Proposition 8, a proposal on last week's election ballot to re-write the state's constitution to redefine marriage as the union of a man and a woman only.

It was among a string of local ballots taking place across the country. And California voters approved the measure by a margin of around 3%.

So on the same day Americans elected Barack Obama, in California a small majority voted to ban same-sex marriage.

Gay rights campaigners at the rallies say majority rule should not set the law.

The passage of Proposition 8 overturns a state Supreme Court ruling in May allowing gay weddings. Around 18,000 couples have had wedding ceremonies since.

Their marriages could now be challenged in court (although California's attorney-general says the state will defend them, as they were legal at the time) and no more can take place. >>> By Rajesh Mirchandani, BBC News, Los Angeles | November 12, 2008

ASSOCIATED PRESS: Gay Couples to Start to Marry in Connecticut

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — While there's anger and recriminations in California's gay-rights movement after voters there banned same-sex marriage, gay couples in Connecticut are at the opposite extreme: They're getting ready to pick up marriage license forms.

Superior Court Judge Jonathan Silbert has scheduled a hearing Wednesday morning to enter the final judgment in the case that allows same-sex marriages in Connecticut. Once entered, couples can pick up marriage license forms at town and city clerk's offices.

It's unclear how many couples will wed. According to the state public health department, there have been 2,032 civil union licenses issued in Connecticut between Oct. 2005 and July 2008.

The Connecticut Supreme Court ruled 4-3 on Oct. 10 that same-sex couples have the right to wed rather than accept a civil union law designed to give them the same rights as married couples.

The health department had new marriage applications printed that reflect the change. Instead of putting one name under "bride" and the other under "groom," couples will see two boxes marked "bride/groom/spouse."

Only Connecticut and Massachusetts have legalized gay marriage. >>> By John Christoffersen | November 12, 2008

Watch BBC video 1: Tim Lykowski believes the law should not be set by the majority >>>
Watch BBC video 2: Robin Tyler and Diane Olson want to defend their rights >>>
Watch BBC video 3: Black voters on the gay marriage law >>>
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