Kids Defy Government Travel Ban on Cuba

Kids from the Beacon School on the Upper West Side of New York took a trip to Havana, Cuba with a teacher and two parents in violation of the travel ban imposed by New York City on students visiting the island.

The New York Times reports that the trip was organized by a nonprofit group Pastors Peace/Interreligious Foundation for Community Organization which is located in Manhattan.

The U.S. federal government does permit educational trips to Cuba for college or graduate students only. Those found in violation of the travel ban can either receive a warning letter or a fine of up to $65,000.


Read the full story at the New York Times

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

I've been unable to write anything until today . . . just a traveler

While we were sitting in class on Monday, text messages started coming in about the shootings at Virginia Tech. We were all stunned, and found ourselves unable to concentrate on anything else but this story.

It really came home when one of our fellow students said "there are only 35 people in this class, just think about that - the dead students in Virginia add up to the number of us in this class." As we all looked around, it got very quiet and it seemed we all realized that students just like us, sitting in class could be dead in a moment instead of preparing for what we want to do with the rest of our lives.

My grandmother used to say "here today, gone tomorrow", and I did not pay much attention, or understand her words back then, but Monday that quote just seemed to stay in my mind.

What upsets me more than anything is that the students complained to the RA, Teachers and the Police about his behavior, and what more could they or any student do? We are not in charge of the universities, nor do we get to pick who is admitted, or who we share a room with.

These are the questions me and my class mates have asked each other for the past two days. And we have no answers.

How many of us have to die before those who are supposed to be in charge take note? How long will this story stay in the news before it is forgotten - like Columbine and the Amish School shootings? How many others of my generation have the capacity to mow down their fellow classmates? Are they here at my school, or your school? Who do you complain to if you think one of your fellow students is a threat? Why is America the leader in death by guns? Guns are illegal on campus, so how does a college student legally get a gun with such little ease? Why didn't his parents or someone try to get him help?

I'm just so sick, depressed and damn mad about so many aspects of the shooting, along with the fact that the national average states that 30 Americans are killed each day by guns.

I along with my classmates send much love to all the students and their families who are trying to deal with yet another example of the violence of this country. Although these are my peers, I cannot begin to imagine the horror of what they went through, and still must be experiencing.

I hope and pray that my generation have the courage and will to make things better for the next generation.

No Freedom in Burma

The Burmese people celebrate their New Year by chucking water at each other. It is the only time of year they are allowed by the military authorities to move around the streets freely, AFP news agency notes.

Thailand, Cambodia and Laos have a similar celebration around this time.

Read Tea With Big Brother to see what's really going on in Burma