Toronto parents choose to keep newborn's gender a secret

Father and mother Kathy Witterick and David Stocker of Toronto, Canada, became the proud mother and father of their third child, Storm, on Jan first of 2011. What makes their story unique is the belief that they have made the decision to keep their baby’s sex a secret until such time as Storm he or she decides to reveal it.

Stand for freedom, parents say

“We’ve decided not to share Storm’s sex for now – a tribute to freedom and choice in place of limitation, a stand up to what the world could become in Storm’s lifetime (a more progressive place? …),” wrote Witterick, 38.

Only a few know newborn’s sex

Not even the grandparents know. It is a true secret. Only a few individuals know Storm’s sex. Those who know are two midwives who helped deliver the baby and one close family friend. Storm’s two older brothers, Jazz, 5, and Kio, 2, also know the sex. Nobody has said what it is yet though.

Everyone asks ‘Is it a girl or a boy’

”When the baby comes out, even the individuals who love you probably the most and know you so intimately, the first question they ask is, ‘Is it a girl or a boy?’” Witterick said. Her husband Stocker, 39, an educator at an alternative school, added: “If you really want to get to know someone, you don’t ask what’s between their legs.”

The choice for a kid to make

”What we noticed is that parents make so many choices for their children. It’s obnoxious,” Stocker said.

When really young, children are able to make decisions. Both Stocker and Witterick believe this. Already, Jazz and Kio decide when they get haircuts. They pick out their own clothes too.

Calling their children ‘unschooled’

The kids are “unschooled” by their father and mother. The father and mother use their children’s natural curiosity to home school. It is “not something that happens by rote from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays in a building with a group of same-age people, planned, implemented and assessed by someone else.” This is what Witterick claims.

How these mother and father decided

Witterick said that Jazz was having “intense” gender issues which brought on them to keep this child’s sex a secret. Louis Gould’s “X: A Fabulous Child’s Store” from 1978 was read by Stocker. A child was raised gender neutral and had a fantastic life in the book.

“It became so compelling it was almost like, how could we not?” Witterick said.

Some people don’t approve

Witterick said that when asked about resistance from other people on the decision, they say “We always turn the question back. Yeah, when will this end? When will we live in a world where people can make choices to be whoever they are?”

Information from

Washington Post

washingtonpost.com/blogs/on-parenting/post/is-raising-a-gender-neutral-child-a-fantasy/2011/05/25/AGr1mPBH_blog.html

Yahoo News

news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelookout/20110524/ts_yblog_thelookout/parents-keep-childs-gender-under-wraps

Daily Mail

dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1389593/Kathy-Witterick-David-Stocker-raising-genderless-baby.html

For-profit colleges' risky place to spend personal loans

Selecting a college is a complex matter, and scholars should be cautious of private, for-profit colleges. There have been many clashes between for-profit schools and the authorities, and profit driven school attendees have the highest loan default rates after graduating. Students should do their homework before going to, though many for-profit schools are perfectly fine.

Indictment for Trump

CNN reports that the New York Attorney General is investigating five companies that were for-profit universities. One of the schools involved is the previous Trump University, the small for-profit university launched by Donald Trump several years back. It became the Trump Entrepreneur Initiative easily though. This was as the Department of Education said that it couldn’t say it was a school at that point. The New York Times states that Corinthian Colleges, Bridgepoint Education, Lincoln Educational Services and the Career Education Corporation are the other schools involved. The corporations and schools are being investigated although there aren’t yet any charges filed.

How schools and states argue

State governments and the federal government are beginning to come down on for-profit universities, and some previous students are not thrilled. Donald Trump is currently being sued in California by students of the now Trump Entrepreneur Initiative because they say they were misled. Corinthian’s colleges are also under investigation in Massachusetts, California, Florida and Georgia, according to Reuters. The Boston Globe states the Massachusetts Attorney General will investigate the Apollo group as well which is known as the Kaplan Career Institute, operated by the Washington Post business, and University of Phoenix. The stability of smaller private colleges is generally not strong either. They are fairly unstable really. For instance, Alpine College in Spokane, Wash., recently closed its doors permanently in the middle of a term, leaving scholars holding the bag for thousands in unsecured loans and no degree to show for it.

Affording it is hard to do

Students have trouble deciding which school to go to. Typically, cost is a significant thing to consider. For-profit, private colleges can be incredibly expensive. In just one year after graduating from school, 15.2 percent of scholars who went to a for-profit university defaulted on student loans in 2009. That is almost twice the 7.3 percent rate that public university scholars had, Reuters explains. Private, not-for-profit schools had a default rate of 4.3 percent. Also, for-profit school students make up half of student loan defaults. That’s a fairly high rate. It has been too hard for scholars to meet loan responsibilities after going to for-profit universities. People have accused for-profit universities of not preparing scholars well enough. The Department of Education is currently attempting to institute a rule that would deny federal loans to students going to a school with a 35 percent default rate or higher.

Citations

CNN

money.cnn.com/2011/05/20/news/companies/trump_university/index.htm

New York Times

nytimes.com/2011/05/20/nyregion/trumps-for-profit-school-said-to-be-under-investigation.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&ref=education

Reuters

reuters.com/article/2011/05/20/education-forprofit-idUSN2028820820110520

Reuters

reuters.com/article/2011/05/20/us-education-idUSTRE74J55O20110520

MSNBC

msnbc.msn.com/id/43130397″>MSNBC

Boston Globe

http://articles.boston.com/2011-05-17/business/29552871_1_college-access-success-college-students-schools”

Warren charged with many things

It is unknown at this time whether Canadian model/actress Estella Warren aspires to the heights of public debauchery populated by Lindsay Lohan. However, as E! Online reports, Warren is at least a contender in the eyes of LA cops. Hit-and-run, DUI, assault and trying to escape a felony led to her $100,000 bond. As if that laundry list was not enough, she confessed to being 40 years old on her arrest report. That’s 8 years older than her publicly acknowledged age.

She might just be fighting the authority

While neither Estella Warren nor her publicist have commented on Monday’s spectacle, enthusiasts of Tim Burton’s 2001 remake of “Planet of the Apes” might argue that like Warren’s slave girl character Daena in that movie, who battled valiantly against simian oppressors, Warren was simply fighting the power. According to LA law enforcement who spoke to TMZ, she was just really drunk. It was surely too bad.

Estella Warren certainly didn’t stop. These were the events that happened:

1. Warren hit three parked cars with her Toyota Prius.
2. She stayed fuel efficient while hurrying from the scene.
3. Warren got pulled over by law enforcement officer.
4. She lit up the breathalyzer and was nabbed for DUI.
5. Then she stood up against power even more.
6. Warren was taken into custody after being cuffed.
7. During booking – when the age discrepancy was revealed – the previous Canadian synchronized swimming champ shimmed out of her handcuffs.
8. She got a trying to escape a felony charge since she ran to the door and tried to get away.
9. Bail was set at $100,000, according to the L.A. County Sheriff.
10. She was a jail bird, that’s for sure.

Better conduct expected

Drinking too several alcoholic beverages can send any person into a downward spiral. United States pop culture loves to check out celebrities meaning it always hits the front page when a celeb drinks too much. It is even worse since Warren is internationally known for her television, film and modeling career while having appearing in some of the most famous magazines.

Citations

E! Online

eonline.com/uberblog/b243600_estella_warren_arrested_dui_hit_run.html

Estella Warren wiki

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estella_Warren

Planet of the Apes – The Sacred Scrolls

planetoftheapes.wikia.com/wiki/Daena

TMZ

bit.ly/ivEW1F

Howling over Little Red Estella Warren

youtube.com/watch?v=dnwHS3wc1B8

Jail time for just acting sexy in Utah now

Laws that regulate consensual human sexuality are quite controversial. The same is true in Utah. Not only does the legislation make prostitution illegal, but the recent amendment to the legislation is so broadly worded that it could conceivably make acting sexy illegal in itself.

No more implied sex offers in Utah with new law

According to Salt Lake City Law enforcement Chief Chris Burbank, Utah adopted its currently worded anti-prostitution laws to be able to help undercover agents working stings within the sex trade. Since asking officers to “expose or touch themselves” is now against Utah law, it would not be allowed for prostitutes to ask law enforcement this to prove they are not law enforcement. While direct verbal solicitation of sex for money is outlawed, recent amendments to Utah’s sex laws also contain “lewd” or “suggestive” nonverbal acts.

According to Burbank, non-prostitutes will not be targeted with the legislation. It is simply to stop the sex trade from occurring, particularly when under-aged parties are involved.

“Officers were being put in a position that we’re not going to allow, so we took a different direction,” he told the AP.

Is it a crime to be sexy?

The escort service will be represented by lawyer Andrew McCullough in the lawsuit. He is worried that some of the other companies with sexual components will be in legal trouble. McCullough says that just because a person “acts sexy” as part of their job, as in somebody who works at a strip club, does not mean they are trying to sell themselves.

“Most girls who touch their breasts are not telling you they’re open for sex,” the attorney said.

Acting sexy isn’t really good at home, either

In other strange sex news, a Massachusetts bill would make it a crime for parents to have intercourse at home if they are in the process of a divorce. According to Wrentham, Mass., Selectman (legislator) Robert Leclair, the intent of the proposed legislation is to curb domestic violence and protect kids. Several argue parents lose their rights with this law. They too suggest that sexual relationships in the home would be banned entirely until a divorce is finalized, which is broad wording in the bill.

On the bright side, supporters of the bill point out that it would also end the practice of lifetime alimony payments and cap how much one spouse could be ordered to pay the other.

Bestiality too?

Not to be forgotten, proposed Florida Senate Bill 344 would ban bestiality. In 2009, Sen. Nan Rich of Sunrise, Fla., introduced the bill. He thinks it is an essential one to have. Some say SB 344 needs to be reworded. It is fairly broad as well. Escapist Magazine explained the word “animals” in the phrase “sex with animals” might refer to humans also. This means sexual intercourse would be banned in the state amongst humans.

Information from

Associated Press

wapo.st/jgXAOq

Escapist Magazine

escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/528.283827-Florida-outlaws-sex

Mother Jones

motherjones.com/mojo/2011/05/annals-big-government-florida-ban-bestiality-baggy-pants

My Fox Boston

bit.ly/m50Qb6

David Archuleta’s dad Jeff could not resist the sexy (allegedly)

youtube.com/watch?v=xm6R-V3tL8g

Zombie apocalypse suggestions issued by CDC

The Centers for Disease Control is tasked with giving information to the public about threats to health. The CDC’s official blog on Monday, May 16, considered how to get ready for a zombie apocalypse. The post is intended to be a tongue-in-cheek consideration of zombies. The preparedness advice, however, is entirely legitimate.

Ways to prepare recommended by the Centers for Disease Control

In the case of a zombie apocalypse, the Centers for disease control recommend keeping some basic preparedness supplies around. If nothing else, these supplies will help you survive until you are able to “find a zombie-free refugee camp.” It is important to have water. One gallon per person, per day is the recommended amount to have. Get prepared with basic emergency preparedness items. This includes first aid materials, tools, documents, clothing and non-perishable food items. The suggestions also outline what the CDC would do in case of the zombie apocalypse — mostly, investigate and try to offer assistance.

What got the Centers for Disease Control interested

The director of the CDC first started considering putting out zombie apocalypse recommendations a few months ago. In a web chat about the nuclear power difficulties in Japan, a participant asked whether that nuclear leak would create a zombie apocalypse in Japan. The head of CDC’s Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response, Dr. Ali S. Khan, realized at this point how many individuals were concerned with the idea of a zombie apocalypse. Dr. Khan loves “Resident Evil.” He is always attempting to find creative ways to let the public know what the Centers for Disease Control is all about and get the public prepared.

Getting individuals interested with pop culture

Whether you are thinking about zombies or 2012 devastation, people are very worried. It has become a popular thing to be concerned about. In the case of a zombie attack or a meteor hitting the earth, “official recommendations” have been made by the CDC. These suggestions have been made since Dr. Khan took over the CDC’s OPHPR. The likelihood of these events happening is much lower than a tornado or outbreak of the flu though. Either way, however, the preparedness steps are essentially the same. Now, the CDC has taken advantage of live web chats, social media, public interaction and common beliefs to teach about preparedness. Hopefully this will help individuals to be more prepared for disasters in the future.

Articles cited

CDC

emergency.cdc.gov/socialmedia/zombies_blog.asp

CNN

cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/05/19/zombie.warning/index.html?npt=NP1

Does the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau have it in for small banks?

Investor’s Business Daily reports that the American Bankers Association is less than thrilled with the CFPB in the future. The banking conglomerate insists that when the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau begins enforcing new Dodd-Frank Act laws concerning loan disclosure and transparency this summer, the costs of bureaucracy will send one thousand community banks and credit unions to their death. It’s the kind of change small banks cannot see a good reason in which to believe.

Soon there will be change

Elizabeth Warren, the interim chief of the CFPB, has warned that “change is coming” and that all United States financial institutions will have to play by new rules. Supervision and enforcement will take over half of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s budget, which Warren has made clear in her speeches about the U.S. customers having the bureau to protect them now.

Chances a bank will go out of business

By the end of the decade, over 1,000 banks will most likely go out of business if the Dodd-Frank rules are established, according to ABA representatives. The ABA thinks that small banks will have to take away too several resources to be able to give the CFPB any information it wants whenever it is requested. Furthermore, the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act’s eye against predatory lending will reportedly require banks to collect more borrower demographic information than ever before so that the CFPB can determine whether discrimination is happening.

ABA Chairman Stephen Wilson told Investors Business Daily that all of this amounts to bad news for community banks and credit unions, as smaller financial institutions tend to make loans that larger banks keep away from. The more small banks that shut down, the fewer capital sources remain accessible. Wilson explains that consumers will end up with higher rates and fees this way.

“If we tie up our capital system, it’s going to take money away from the people who need it to create jobs,” warned U.S. Chamber of Commerce President Tom Donohue.

Some don’t want Elizabeth Warren

Though the organization is slated to launch July 21, the CFPB still doesn’t have a permanent chairperson in place. Obama will most likely nominate Warren although lawmakers are not so keen on the idea if they support the banking industry. Warren says that her goal is to make the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau “toothless” although Republicans are concerned too much power is being given to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

There were sixteen rule changes with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Only two and half years were taken to do this. The Dodd-Frank Act will require more than 250 rule changes over several years.

Citations

American Bankers Association

aba.com/default.htm

Florida Realtors

floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/article.cfm?id=259538

Investor’s Business Daily

investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article/572889/201105201812/1000-Small-Banks-May-Be-Shut-Down-Due-To-Dodd-Frank.htm

SEC

sec.gov/about/laws/soa2002.pdf

Rep. Sean Duffy (R-Wisc.) fights for community banks and credit unions

youtube.com/watch?v=8yqmp_kIucQ

CFTC taking action against rare metal investment businesses

For the third time in the last little while, the CFTC has taken action against precious metal investors. The latest company to be closed down is American Precious Metals, LLC. These corporations have been offering Ponzi scheme style investments in precious metals.

American Precious Metals LLC lawsuit

American Precious Metals LLC was a business based in Lake Worth, Florida. Consumers were pressured by telemarketers into buying gold, silver, platinum and palladium investments being sold. The salespeople claimed that the business would store the physical metals for the customer and even finance part of the purchase after a significant down payment was made. The consumer would get a several hundred percent return on the investment from the business though. The company gave individuals short-term loans for investment in very special metals. Still, these metals didn’t really exist. The company also never registered with the FTC or Commodity Futures Trading Commission as an investment business. Regulation on precious metal was not followed by the company. It also violated the Telemarketing and customer Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act. The company’s assets have been frozen now.

Precious metals costing more

Precious metal investment scams have become more prevalent recently. This is because there has been an increase in the precious metals price tags. There has been a huge increase in gold prices in the last year. They have gone to over $1,500 from being at $1,200. Silver and other precious metals have experienced a similar price jump. Some of this increase is from the truth that precious metals are considered a “safe haven.” You can never go wrong investing in it. Some industry watchers have warned that gold and precious metals are getting close to bubble status, with costs that have expanded beyond their “real” value.

The brightest way to invest

Investing isn’t always safe. It can be dangerous in fact. You are able to get your own precious metals and store them. Make sure whoever you invest with is at the Better Business Bureau. Always check there for information. Do not invest in corporations that you can’t verify. Go to the Federal Trade Commission or Commodity Futures Trading Commission to verify the companies.

Articles cited

FTC

ftc.gov/os/caselist/1023212/110517americanpreciousmetalscmpt.pdf

Futures Mag

futuresmag.com/News/2011/5/Pages/CFTC-charges-Fla-firm-with-precious-metals-fraud.aspx