Charities No Longer Seen As A Saving Grace

In times of adversity and disaster, people can’t always rely on themselves to provide for their needs. When a tragedy is so disastrous, the government often has to intervene and take charge and even third-parties like charitable groups and institutions pitch in to provide support. Many of these charities have evolved to become household names since they are usually the first to respond to disasters like the Red Cross but most are actually low-key and support civic groups and medical causes. For years, the citizens have looked up to them because they have saved many individuals and even communities from countless tragedies and helped them start anew and rebuild their lives.

However, there are many stories coming out now about the luxuries life led by the people who run these charitable organizations. When you are running a non-profit organization and most, if not all, of the money coming in, is coming from the generosity of others, then why do these people spend it as if it is theirs and not directly give this money to those who are in dire need of help. You don’t even have to look far to see poverty and suffering because they are present in every community even in a progressive nation like the United States. More and more people, especially the donors, are realizing how affluent the lifestyle is of these people running popular charities that they should be double-checked to see if the money given to them is spent as it should: for the poor and the needy.

The general public are distrustful of charities and feel salaries in the sector are too high, new research indicates.

A survey of 1,000 people completed as part of the Charities 2037 report found that trust in charities among the sample was less than a third, while over 80 per cent of respondents felt charities need to be more transparent in their financial affairs.

The findings, which were compiled by Ámarach Research on behalf of the Charities Institute Ireland (CII), point to there being “no evidence of a trust recovery” in charities following a succession of pay-related scandals over recent years.

Exactly 60 per cent of those surveyed either strongly agreed or slightly agreed with the statement “wages in the charity sector are too high”.

(Via: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/people-don-t-trust-charities-and-feel-salaries-are-too-high-1.3269176)

If you are a donor and you found out the charities you gave money to are benefitting more from the money given to them than the intended recipients, how would you feel? You sacrifice some of your wants in order to be able to share some of your blessings and somehow make a positive difference in this world. Citizens in Ireland have put the pieces together and they are now speaking up, hopeful that transparency is something that most charities will start practicing to clear up any doubts the public may have on them.

It also found that 83% of people think charities will have to be more transparent about their spending, while 60% said wages in the charity sector are too high.

About two-thirds of respondents, 64%, say there are too many charities with similar functions and roughly the same proportion (68%) say such charities should merge.

Broadly, the same share of those interviewed (68%) think charities should hire the best professionals available.

However, only 41% feel that charities should pay competitive salaries for these professionals, while 64% of people believe most of the work carried out by charities should be done by volunteers.

(Via: https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2017/1026/915327-charities/)

The reason charities exist is to give and uplift other people's lives, which is why it does not feel right to see the very people running these organizations living the life of the rich and the famous because the money can be put to good use where many in need can possibly benefit from and not just a few. Some even believe that volunteers should be running charities and not paid employees because it loses the very essence of charitable acts that started out to be a voluntary gesture in response to seeing the suffering of others. How can they still save other people from their suffering if they are too busy enjoying the perks that money brings and forgetting why their organization exists in the first place. You can’t blame the masses if they are having second thoughts now in giving when they can see their donations being squandered away by those who do not deserve help.

Charities No Longer Seen As A Saving Grace was first published on BrandInfiltration.com

source https://www.brandinfiltration.com/charities-no-longer-seen-as-a-saving-grace/

Turn Weed Into Money

The stigma associated with weed is gradually being erased in the minds of the public as more and more US states declare it legal to grow, sell, and use marijuana either for medical or recreational use. Gone were the times when you’d be highly criticized for using it or you may even end up in jail if you are unfortunate enough to be caught. This change in mindset is evident everywhere from casual talks about weeds and its use and the now ever-growing and lucrative cannabis business that makes money faster than you can grow the weeds itself. And weed growers breed different varieties of cannabis as well that caters to different needs of its end users. Those who are simply after its natural high can opt for the THC-rich cannabis, which was common from even before. Medical cannabis users prefer CBD-rich breeds because it is more beneficial health-wise and does not get you high like recreational users do.

There are many variants of cannabis-based products sold in the market today. Just go to any marijuana dispensary and you can buy some that are sold as leaves itself or others that were turned into pills, gummy bears, chocolate bars or any form of edible cannabis, which is probably the easiest to take and the most affordable too. Topical wax is beneficial for body pains while tinctures are more convenient to use than sprays which leave a terrible aftertaste. The downside to all these is that it takes time for them to take effect whereas you can feel its effects kicking in roughly five minutes from a good old marijuana delivered through a vaporizer. With all these many varieties to choose from and the growing demand for weeds as a whole, it is easy to see why many businessmen want to join in on the bandwagon and take their piece of pie from selling weed.

A trade expo in the nation's capital is showcasing how big the marijuana business is and will be when recreational use of the drug is legalized in July 2018.

Licensed producers, soil experts and companies that sell marijuana paraphernalia are exhibiting their products and expertise at the first ever Ottawa Cannabis & Hemp Expo this weekend.

The show is not only educational for current and prospective marijuana users, but also fights the stigma attached to the drug's use, said Kevin Blackburn, the show's manager.

The trade show includes a vaping lounge, which is only accessible to medical marijuana card holders, Blackburn said.

(Via: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/marijuana-business-expo-ottawa-1.4377543)

Not only are the products made from the weed itself rack in a lot of cash but even those products related to its use like dabbing accessories such as thick glass dab pipes among others that cannabis user likely comes across or use when they’re into the use of marijuana. They are selling products like these like hot pancakes to meet the demand for marijuana accessories as more people finally get their hands on this unassuming weed especially today that even doctors start prescribing them to their patients. It is gradually being accepted as an alternative treatment for a wide variety of medical maladies that have plagued mankind for quite some time now.

With marijuana legalization looming, Edmonton is opening up its doors to businesses and inquiries alike — from local establishments to established entrerprises.

Edmonton officials have passed multiple bylaws ahead of the federal government's 2018 target of legalization, including bylaws that prevent existing bars and cannabis paraphernalia stores from transitioning into marijuana lounges.

But Colton Kirsop from the city said that hasn't stopped citizens and businesses from making inquiries and applying to open marijuana-related businesses, including cannabis lounges and production facilities.

"We have heard from a number of citizens and businesses that would like to know more about [marijuana-related businesses]," Kirsop told CBC News.

He said there are "upward of 20 contacts that are interested in cannabis lounges or cannabis storefronts," and three permits for commercial licence production have already been issued.

(Via: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/cannabis-marijuana-edmonton-business-1.4237622)

Many people are itching to know more about how a marijuana-based business works seeing the potential for profit and growth in an industry that just barely took off for real. As long as you can meet the licensing requirements and you will be starting your business somewhere that has already legalized cannabis sale, then you’re virtually good to go. And the good thing about this thriving business is that it will not only profit the owner but it will eventually generate hundreds, if not thousands, of new jobs that will have a positive effect on the local economy. So, it’s a win-win situation for all, that’s if you have an open mind to the use of marijuana at all.

The following post Turn Weed Into Money was first seen on BrandInfiltration.com

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New Media Rules

If there is one thing that is constant in our modern world right now, it is the presence and global influence of technology in every aspect of our lives regardless of what part of the world you live in. You use tech gadgets in your daily life whether for work or leisure. Young or old, you can’t just get enough of whatever technology has to offer. Older people have a hard time catching up with all these new technologies as they become more complex and tedious to do as the days go by. It is why the youth of today has an advantage over this aspect as they grew up at a time when technology is basically a staple in their life and something that is taught extensively at school.

It is important to stay updated with technology because it is constantly evolving. The trend today may already be outdated tomorrow and replaced by something cooler, faster, and more efficient. People who are adept in the new media won’t have a problem looking for work, excelling in school, standing out in a crowd, and essentially navigating this highly digital world we are living in now. You can’t always live in the past, so embrace all these new changes because they will definitely be here for good.

Technology around the world is evolving at an extraordinary rate, making the realm of new media and communication more exciting than ever before.

Media Studies is a truly contemporary subject that plays a significant role in society and our lives. As such, the ability to analyse and study new media is a really great skill to have. Students of new media are equipped for the future, graduating with the technological skills and leadership expertise needed to be effective communicators and global citizens.

Students will learn to work as a team to solve organisational issues, cultivating leadership qualities, integrating business theory, practice and communication. A degree in Creative New Media opens the door to a number of career opportunities after graduation. Independent film making, film and television industries, advertising, marketing and public relations, animation and media design, publishing and journalism are all potential careers, while the skills attained are easily transferable to other employment paths.

(Via: https://www.studyinternational.com/news/discover-exciting-world-creative-new-media/#BeHIHjK5tgAfmL6l.97)

In highly progressive cities and countries, the ones with new media skills gets hired or promoted first simply because they would the most effective for the job since they don’t need to be trained as much and can very well work on their own, with little supervision, soon after joining on board unlike older employees who need to be educated about the different processes and systems that run the company. After all, it is the universal language spoken by all today that bridges gaps and the myriad of differences we all have.

The internet and the rise of social media has changed the terms of the free speech debate worldwide. There has always been bad information, propaganda, and disinformation deliberately put out to affect political outcomes. The traditional free speech defense has been the marketplace of ideas: if there is bad information, the solution is not to censor or regulate it, but to put out good information, which will eventually counter the bad. More information is always better. But it’s not clear that this strategy works so well in the internet age, when thousands of bots and trolls can amplify the bad messages without anyone knowing. The platforms’ business models exacerbate the problem with algorithms that optimize for virality and accelerate the rate at which conspiracy stories and controversial posts are passed along.

(Via: https://www.the-american-interest.com/2017/10/30/social-media-democracy/)

While many can’t help but rave about the perks of technology and the Internet of Things as a whole, it has its cons too. Perhaps, the world is not yet ready for all the implications of going all digital that society at large has some trouble reconciling our way of life and our over-dependence on tech gadgets and its implications to our lives. The Internet and Social Media stand out the most since they have the biggest direct impact to people and likewise can be immediately felt by everyone. Like everything else from the distant past until now, we can only keep on moving forward and learn from our mistakes because it is the only way to go. We’ll eventually iron out all the kinks and make better use of technology in running this planet without destructing ourselves first.

New Media Rules was initially seen on BrandInfiltration.com Blog

source https://www.brandinfiltration.com/new-media-rules/

North Korea: Is There Really A Threat Of War?

For the longest time in history, many of us have been aware of the unending rift in the Korean Peninsula. North and South Korea never really signed a peace treaty or agreement, hence they are technically still at war with each other until today.  If you haven’t been living inside a hole in recent years, you are also probably aware how many times North Korea has captured the world’s attention because of its brazen acts that mostly revolves on nuclear development and testing and unending threats to everyone who will listen. As of late, it actually seemed as if the threats are finally becoming real. There is the likelihood of an impending World War III and it scared a lot of people, you have to admit that.

Are we really supposed to be scared of North Korea’s threats and start building shelters that can survive nuclear attacks? Well, it is too early to tell now as the fire has seemed to die down since the last time they sent missiles flying past Japan. The US seems really upset at North Korea and we all know Trump is no man of words, I mean not good with words. The obvious conflict between the US and Russia is also an issue somewhere in this equation. Then, let’s not ignore the global power that is China, a known ally of North Korea. Will we really be seeing real worldwide-scale war for real or can diplomacy still put out the fire, so we can all pretend all these talks of nuclear war and more wars never really happened?

China, traditionally North Korea’s most faithful patron, fears an influx of refugees if war comes, and looks with distrust at our military alliance with South Korea and Japan. The latter, committed to “defensive” weapons since its defeat in 1945 and the elimination of atomic warfare as the world’s only victim of nuclear attacks, has historical, geographical and cultural reasons for fearing military uses of atomic power — not to mention concern about North Korean test missiles recently shooting over its territory.

Russia has historical distrust of China and Japan, and under Putin has revived its own nationalistic ambitions. As for America, much is written of our isolationism before World War II, the impact it had on events leading to that war and what many see as the hazards of “America-first” policies now. Meanwhile, North Korea’s diplomats and state-controlled media delight in portraying President Donald Trump as the true warmonger.

In short, it’s a frightening but exciting time to engage in a study of global affairs. Moreover, it’s our duty as educators to do so.

(Via: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/north-korea-how-we-might-be-on-the-brink-of-opportunity_us_59f731dde4b05f0ade1b58b9)

There is so much political drama going on today it is hard to keep up anymore or even choose sides if you have to. Of course, we all don’t want a massive disaster in our midst if it can be presented but we don’t really know what is going inside the crazy mind of Kim Jong-un, the current supreme leader of the land and the third-generation leader of the Kim family of North Korea. He may be hard to understand and misunderstood most of the time but world leaders of today will generally strive for peace at all cost for the benefit of everyone on the planet even if it means attempting to make a deal with him. We will all lose if World War III breaks loose. Even the isolated wars and political conflicts in certain areas are hard as they are, so we won’t really be aspiring for something terribly destructive.

 “George W Bush’s ascension to president in 2001 produced a declaration from his advisers that the 1994 agreement was dead in the water. (Thus)

in December 2002, the DPRK expelled the IAEA inspectors, restarted the Yongbyon reactor and withdrew from the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

“Bush meanwhile, declared his intention of dealing with North Korea after Iraq.

“In spring 2003 the North made another offer to the US: it would scrap its nuclear development if the US would normalise relations and provide basic security guarantees.

“Six years later, in 2009, substantive talks involving Russia and China as well as Japan, the US and both Koreas had goals which included the normalising of diplomatic relations, an end to trade sanctions and acknowledgement of the North’s right to use nuclear energy.

“But these talks collapsed after both the US and the ROK rejected the North’s gradual dismantling of its nuclear weapons.

(Via: https://www.globalresearch.ca/north-korea-a-threat-or-a-victim-some-facts/5615502)

Well, North Korea’s aggression to most Western nations may not be baseless after all. Yet, as spectators of this risky drama should bear in mind we are clueless about all the details so we can’t really tell what’s real and what’s not. What we just know is that there is a threat, from where, it’s quite misleading, but it can possibly make life more difficult for all of us if not stopped before the fire even fans out. We can’t risk losing the highly organized world order we have painstakingly built over the years because of some careless remarks and mistakes that could’ve been easily prevented with a little diplomacy.

North Korea: Is There Really A Threat Of War? is republished from https://www.brandinfiltration.com

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