星期四, 2月 18, 2016

What you need to know about the Supreme Court vacancy

What you need to know about the Supreme Court vacancy:
With the passing of Justice Antonin Scalia, there is now a vacancy that must be filled on the Supreme Court -- and President Obama has a Constitutional responsibility to nominate someone to take his place.
The Supreme Court is a vital institution of American democracy and, since the founding of our country, the President of the United States has had the responsibility to appoint a Justice to the Supreme Court every time -- and any time -- there is a vacancy on the bench. It then falls to the United States Senate to confirm that nominee before he or she can take her seat on our nation's highest court.
President Obama Speaks on the Supreme Court vacancy
The confirmation of a Supreme Court Justice is a solemn responsibility that the President and the Senate share under the U.S. Constitution. It is not a political opportunity that reflects "left" or "right," Democrat or Republican. It's a serious obligation to make sure that an indisputably qualified person of integrity is nominated and confirmed to sit on the highest court in the land.
The President plans to offer his nominee for the Supreme Court to the Senate -- and the Senate has more than enough time to confirm that nominee.
Here are the facts:
FACT: Six Justices have been confirmed in a presidential election year since 1900.
For more than two centuries, it has been standard practice for Congress to confirm a president’s Supreme Court nominee, whether in a presidential election year or not. Of the six justices confirmed since 1900, three have been Republicans. The most recent Justice to be confirmed in an election year was Justice Kennedy -- appointed by President Reagan -- who was confirmed by a Democratic-controlled Congress in February of 1988.
FACT: Every nominee has received a vote within 125 days of nomination.
Since 1975, the average time from nomination to confirmation is 67 days. In fact, since 1875, every nominee has received a hearing or a vote. The longest time before confirmation in the past three decades was 99 days, for Justice Thomas, and the last four Justices, spanning two Administrations, were confirmed in an average of 75 days.
The Senate has almost a full year -- more than 300 days -- to consider and confirm a nominee.
FACT: It will be harmful and create unsustainable uncertainty if Congress fails to act on the President's nominee.
The Supreme Court could go the better part of two Terms with a vacancy if the Senate rejects its Constitutional responsibility. It'd be unprecedented for the Court to go that long with an empty seat. Here's why it's harmful:
The Court’s 4-4 decisions have no value in establishing precedent on which future decisions can rely. They also cannot establish uniform nationwide rules. That means if multiple courts ruled differently on an issue before it arose at the Supreme Court, a 4-4 ruling would leave those different rules in place in different states. The result is an unsustainable uncertainty -- for the law, for individual liberties, and for our economy.

ED SOX TO LAUNCH OFFICIAL RESALE TICKETING PLATFORM

ED SOX TO LAUNCH OFFICIAL RESALE TICKETING
PLATFORM FOR FANS TO BUY AND SELL RED SOX TICKETS


BOSTON, MA – The Red Sox today announced plans to launch a new online resale ticket platform where fans can buy and sell Red Sox tickets. “Red Sox Replay” will be available to all fans through their Red Sox “My Tickets” account. The platform is scheduled to go live on March 1 at redsoxreplay.com.

Red Sox Replay allows sellers to set the ticket price and even provides the option of automatically donating tickets to the Red Sox Foundation for a tax credit should they remain unsold by a certain date or time.

The new platform will have lower fees for buyers than competing sites, and because it is fully integrated with the Red Sox ticketing system, tickets will be sent electronically, eliminating the need for printing and shipping.

Red Sox season ticket holders will have added incentives to use the site, including lower fees and the option of a full fee reimbursement towards renewal of their season ticket account. The group will also earn Red Sox Rewards points with each sale. 

“Over the years, one of the requests we have heard most from our season ticket holders is to provide them with a safe, trusted, and convenient way to sell their unused Red Sox tickets,” said Red Sox President Sam Kennedy. “Creating our own secondary market platform enables us to provide an option that guarantees buyers the authenticity of their purchase and allows users to work directly with the Red Sox to resolve any customer service issues, which is not always possible with a third party vendor.”

Red Sox Replay is being created in partnership with MLBAM and Tickets.com, and will be available on mobile devices and through the free MLB.com Ballpark app.

星期三, 2月 17, 2016

中華民俗藝術工作坊捐款五千 賑濟台灣震災

臺灣2月6日凌晨地震,116人不幸罹難,波士頓各界僑胞發動賑災捐款。中華民俗藝術工作坊團長張昆與該團小朋友一行10餘人,2月17日前往駐波士頓辦事處,拜會處長賴銘琪,送上捐款5000美元,請賴處長代向台灣災民表達誠摯慰問。
賴銘琪稱許小朋友們年紀雖輕,愛之情不落人後,主動發起賑災義舉尤其令人感動。賴銘琪除在代表政府接受捐款時,允諾儘速轉送災區,更期勉小朋友們勤學中華文化,努力用功讀書,待將來事業有成,擔當起為臺灣與美國合作搭橋樑,進一步為故臺灣做貢獻的重任。
賴銘琪也希望工作坊小朋友們的義舉可以起示範作用,促使更多僑胞關懷故,響應捐款一舉。
中華民俗藝術工作坊是由目前仍在中學及高中就讀的46名海外出生的臺灣僑民第二代所組成。他們雖旅居海外,仍心繫故,平日勤練扯鈴、舞龍、舞獅及舞蹈等,經常應邀至各地巡迴表演,弘揚中華文化。
今年初,台灣南部大地震,小朋友們獲悉後,不但主動捐出農曆春節期間的演出所得,還在幾個表演場合發起募款賑災活動,以實際行動表達愛護家鄉心情。

迎春聯合揮毫 2/27


為慶祝中華民國105年,紐英崙中華公所、新英格蘭中文學校協會、紐英崙藝術學會、中華書法會、北美藝術家協會、駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處華僑文教服務中心,將聯合舉辦迎春聯合揮毫活動。歡迎各界人士踴躍參加,為鼓勵新生代使用毛筆,學生參加者將由主辦單位頒發紀念品。
參加者可自備筆墨,由主辦單位提供筆墨及揮春紅紙,於指定時間,前往特定地點書寫。書寫地點分兩個:(1)波士頓華僑文教服務中心, 227日(星期六)上午11時至下午2時, 90 Lincoln St. Newton Highlands, MA 02461 Tel: 617-965-88012)紐英崙中華公所,228日(星期日)上午10時至下午2時 。90 Tyler St. Boston , MA 02111 Tel: 617-542-2574。參加者可自由創作,亦可參照主辦單位準備之參考資料,書寫對句。

U.S. ATTORNEY ORTIZ ANNOUNCES CREATION OF CIVIL RIGHTS UNIT

U.S. ATTORNEY ORTIZ ANNOUNCES CREATION OF CIVIL RIGHTS UNIT
BOSTON – United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz announced today the creation of a Civil Rights Unit whose primary focus will be the civil enforcement of federal civil rights laws in Massachusetts.   The new unit, which will operate within the office’s Civil Division, will also collaborate with local community members, advocacy groups and other federal and state agencies in the area of civil rights. 
 
“As U.S. Attorney protecting the civil rights of the residents of Massachusetts has been a top priority,” said U.S. Attorney Ortiz.  “We are committed to ensuring a level playing field for all residents in the Commonwealth, advancing equal opportunity, and educating the public about their rights and responsibilities.  I can think of no better way to further this mission than by creating a unit comprised of attorneys and staff who are dedicated solely to enforcing and promoting federal civil rights.”
 
“U.S. Attorney Ortiz has demonstrated her office's firm commitment to vigorous and robust civil rights enforcement,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta, head of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. “Institutionalizing this Civil Rights Unit will help enhance our shared mission to ensure equal opportunity and equal justice for all of the communities we serve.”
 
The Civil Rights Unit (CRU) is charged with enforcing federal civil rights statutes that protect the rights of the most vulnerable and underserved members of our community.  The unit will focus on enforcing those laws that prohibit discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, national origin, gender, religion and disability; prohibit police misconduct; protect the constitutional rights of institutionalized persons; protect the employment rights of servicemembers; and prohibit discrimination in housing and mortgage lending.  The unit will be led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer A. Serafyn.
 
Today, U.S. Attorney Ortiz hosted two civil rights-focused roundtables.  The first focused on fair housing issues and included key stakeholders from state and local advocacy organizations.  The second roundtable discussion, which featured Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, concentrated on community-police relations with law enforcement officials and representatives from faith-based institutions and organizations serving the community.
 
Since 2010, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has actively investigated and resolved civil rights cases involving disability discrimination, fair housing, fair lending, and Veterans’ rights, among others.  Several recent examples of the Office’s civil rights work include:
 
  • An agreement with the City of Somerville resolving discrimination against a service member who was disadvantaged in his employment with the City’s Fire Department because of his military service;
  • An agreement with Sage Bank, headquartered in Lowell, for engaging in a pattern or practice of discrimination on the basis of race and national origin in the pricing of its residential mortgage loans;
  • Issued a Letter of Findings in the investigation into Massachusetts Department of Children and Families for denying opportunities, benefits, and services to a 21-year-old single mother who has a developmental disability;
  • Filed Statement of Interest in private lawsuit alleging that Springfield Public Schools discriminated against hundreds of children with mental health disabilities by segregating them in a separate school;
  • An agreement with edX, an online course provider, over the accessibility of its website;
  • Initiated an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance review of restaurants in the Seaport and Fort Point sections of Boston and hotels in Copley Square;
  • An agreement with the Town of Ware Police Department in a case involving effective communication for a deaf person at the police station;
  • An agreement with Clarendon Hill Towers, a Somerville apartment building, for violating the fair housing rights of a couple and their three children; and
  • An agreement with the owners of a North Attleboro apartment complex for discriminating against families with children.
 
In addition to the Office’s vigorous investigation and prosecution of civil rights matters, the Civil Rights Unit also has actively been reaching out to the community and providing training on civil rights matters.  For example, the Office commemorated the 25th anniversary of the ADA by hosting a roundtable discussion with disability rights advocates and celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act by hosting a panel discussion on emerging voting rights issues.  In honor of Veterans’ Day, the Office hosted a training for employers on the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), and U.S. Attorney Ortiz presided at a ceremony honoring the dozens of veterans and servicemembers who work in the Moakley Federal Courthouse. 
 
The Civil Rights Enforcement Team which U.S. Attorney Ortiz created in June 2010 will maintain responsibility for investigating and prosecuting criminal civil rights violations such as hate crimes, damage to religious property, deprivation and conspiring to deprive constitutional rights and human trafficking, including involuntary servitude, forced labor, and sex trafficking of children.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Ted Merritt will continue to oversee the work of the Team.
 
For more information on the Office’s civil rights efforts, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-ma/civil-rights.  For more information on the Department of Justice’s civil rights effort, please visit www.justice.gov/crt.

田偉寧 2/18 哈佛談“揚琴在中國的發展”


扬琴在中国的发展

主办:哈佛大学中国学生学者联合会

主题:扬琴历史悠久,是在世界各地迄今仍广泛使用和深受喜爱的乐器。从丝绸之路传入中国后,成为了中国民族乐器中的一员。20世纪下半叶以来,中国扬琴的形制、演奏、和曲目都有了革命性的发展,从一种伴奏和合奏乐器,发展成了曲目丰富的独奏乐器。一位中国国家级扬琴演奏家,愿意与大家分享他对扬琴发展身体力行的知识和经历,并现场演奏名曲,用他高超的技艺来演现这种古老乐器不断发展的魅力。讲座欢迎所有热爱音乐的朋友参加,并与大师共同探讨和交流中国民族器乐的发展前景。  

主讲:田伟宁,中国东方歌舞演艺集团(原国家歌舞团)首席扬琴演奏家,国家一级演员,中国扬琴专业委员会副秘书长。代表中国出演过数十个国家并获得各种奖项。文化部“德艺双馨演员”,和“民族音乐特别贡献奖”获得者。六岁开始习奏扬琴,三十多年来对扬琴的发展做出了创造性的贡献。

时间:2016年218日星期四,晚7点半至9

地点:哈佛大学Larsen Hall楼下G08室,14 Appian WayCambridgeMA 02138 

地图链接Map

本次讲座对公众开放,但谢绝未经邀请的媒体。

U.S. Chamber Recognizes 100 Small Businesses

U.S. Chamber Recognizes 100 Small Businesses for Exceptional, Innovative Business Practices
Award Winners to Be Honored at Annual Small Business Summit

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Chamber of Commerce today announced the winners of its annual DREAM BIG Blue Ribbon Small Business Awards®, recognizing 100 companies for their success and their contributions to America’s economic growth and vitality.
Winners were selected from a record number of applicants from communities across the nation. They were judged in four key categories: strategic planning, employee development, customer service, and community involvement.
“Small businesses across America today face more economic and regulatory hurdles than ever before, but each of these outstanding companies is rising to the challenge,” said U.S. Chamber President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue. “These Blue Ribbon Award winners have worked hard, taken risks, and achieved success, helping strengthen their communities and local economies.”
A complete list of this year’s Blue Ribbon Small Business Award® winners is available here.
On March 9, the Chamber will announce seven regional finalists from among this year’s Blue Ribbon Small Business Award® winners.
All of this year’s winners will be honored at the 12th annual America’s Small Business Summit, which will take place June 13-15 in Washington, D.C.  During the summit, one regional finalist will receive the DREAM BIG Small Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Sam’s Club®, and a $10,000 cash prize courtesy of the U.S. Chamber.
All Blue Ribbon Small Business Award® winners are also eligible for the Community Excellence Award, which recognizes one business that has found notable success in the eyes of its community. The winner of that award will be decided through online public voting to take place February 18 through March 4, 2016.
“Small businesses provide a powerful example of what’s possible in our free enterprise system. Day in and day out, these companies exemplify the strong American values of hard work, innovation, persistence, and entrepreneurship,” continued Donohue. “The Chamber is proud to recognize these tremendous small businesses for all of their achievements.”
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.