These are all the Blogs posted today: Monday, 25, 2008.
"Utility Costs / Needs, of Citizens"drain Salvation Army Funds, / Hazel Davis
43 recommendation(s).
+Recommend this blog PUBLICATION FROM THE TULSA WORLD, NEWSPAPER IN TULSA, OKLAHOMA...dated, August 23, 2008 HEADLINES: "MORE PEOPLE SEEK HELP TO PAY RISING UTILITY BILLS", written by Althea Peterson, World Staff Writer. Boston Avenue Helping Hand Ministry is usually open until noon Monday through Friday, but by 10:45 a.m. Thursday, a familiar sign went up in the window: "OUT OF FUNDS". "It has become this way over the last couple of months or so, but it's happening to many Non-Profits", said Volunteer Bunty Seibert. Turning away more people than they are able to serve is the common theme among those helping defray rising utility costs in the Tulsa area. With more pressure on households with rising bills, waiting until cut-off notices & bills come due puts a crunch on more than the people that owe the utility companies money, Seilert said. "It's just very hard," she said, "This has been the cse for the past month". INCREASING COSTS, INCREASING DEMAND On average, the Salvation Army in Tulsa sees 35 cases each day, Monday through Thursday, to sasist with utility bills, said Samantha Messick, Administrative Coordinator. However, it is Not Simploy the Same people, Returning, but new names, entering the Army's Databases, she said. Seventy percent of total cases were firt-time referrals last month. "We've definitely seen our full schedule the past few weeks as the bills are higher & the needs are there", she said. "They're just trying to meet their normally budgeted expenses. If one thing rises, that throws them completely off". The place most people start when utility bills become a burden is Tulsa's 211, said Jim Lyall, the helpline's director. More than 14,000 calls,most are from August to December...are for utility assistance. "They may be granted the maximum amount that a particular organization offers and then go to another for the remainder of the bill," Lyall said. "It's 211's job to help...the majority of the assistance comes from organizations like the Salvation Army, & other Non-Profit & Faith-Based Foundations." CUSTOMER & CORPORATE HELP: Aside from Donatins directly to groups, many funds come from the Energy Companies, Themselves. By simply checking a box on your next ONG, OG&E or AEP-PSO bill, the overpay amount will go directly to groups like Salvation Army for Utility Assistance, said Stan Whiteford, AEP-PSO spokesman. "Every Penny of the Contribution, goes to LIGHT-A-LIFE, Whiteford said. "It's for any utility bill & it's a year-round program, not just during the summer". LIGHT-A-LIFE had it's start in 1986, & raised $1.5 million & served 25,000 families in it's first 12 years alone. Fellow Energy Assistance Program, "SHARE-THE-WARMTH, by ONG, has Cntributed $5 Million through customer contributions & corporate donations since it's start in 1983, said spokesman Don Sherry. "We think it's a tremendous way for generous customers to help others in need," Sherry said. "We Can't Control Fuel Costs...the market does that...but this is one way that we can offset the costs." NEEDS vs WANTS: hELPING hAND SERVED 35,000 INDIVIDUALS & FAMILIES BY DISTRIBUTING $219,000 IN 2007, Seibert said. While they expect to exceed that amount this year, they continue to have to turn those in need AWAY...she said. "We pro-rate our money so that we can always open our doors every morning", she said. "People in Tulsa who are funding a large part of us, are well aware of this & trying to help & support." The story is the same from Oklahoma Department of Human Services, where 144,387 households applied for utility assistance through the federal program LIHEAP, or Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. More than 20,000 or about 14% of applicants, were turned away in fiscal year 2007, said spokeswoman, Cari Crittenden. Groups & households are dependent on donations to keep their utilities turned on, Messick said. "It's unfortunate that this is how it's always been, because there's only a certain amount we can allot to each bill," she said. "There's always a need for more money to help...if you can afford to help, please do". INFORMATION: SALVATION ARMY: P.O. BOX 347, TULSA OKLAHOMA 74101...PHONE: 918-582-7201. BOSTON AVENUE HELPING HAND: 709 S. BOSTON, TULSA OKLAHOMA 74119 / PHONE: 918-582-1356 Requirements for Assistance: Bring a Cutoff Notice, when seeking assistance with utility bills, or bring an Eviction Notice, for assistance with Rent, or bring a Valid Prescription for Medication Assistance & a Picture ID & a Social Security Card showing the needed SS Number of the Applicant...in order to be awarded any Benefits. Appointments can be made with any of the Agencies...Monday thru Thursday...by calling between 2 - 2:30 p.m. In the State of Oklahoma....the Helpline Telephone Number is: 211, ask the Operator who answers your call, to put you in contact with persons or agencies, which can provide assistance to you. This Public Service Announcement has been brought to you...by Hazel Davis, Veterans Advocate / U.S. Public Citizens Advocate, bojacks1@yahoo.com Read more | 1 comments
IRAQIS DESPERATE FOR WATER
CAN LIBERALS ACTUALLY LEARN TO BE CIVIL??
45 recommendation(s).
+Recommend this blog Timely Tips for Your Own Civil Political Conversation—How to Disagree without Being So Disagreeable by Terry Paulson
Fox News Commentator Charles Krauthammer offered a post “Saddleback Church Presidential Forum” assessment of Rick Warren’s adventure in civil dialogue—“That was the best I’ve ever seen.” Most pundits gave McCain the edge, but the real winner was Rick Warren. His supportive demeanor, even-handed questions and refusal to use aggressive follow-up questions, provided a good opportunity for America to hear both candidates at their best. But, as impressive as the Saddleback Presidential Forum was, it’s sad that so few Americans ever get to experience their own civil dialogue across the political divide. Whether you listen to talk radio or read the responses to op-ed columns, the shrill nature of what passes for political dialogue in America generates more fear than clarity. There are two Americas and few seem willing to talk across the divide. Free and open political discussions have always helped make America strong. Such dialogue is the fire that tests the metal of our convictions and the depth of our understanding. They aren’t to be avoided but harnessed in a way that risks influence without demonizing adversaries. In a free society, finding clarity is often as important as convincing others. Here are ten tips on how to disagree without being quite so disagreeable: 1. Manners are the lubricating oil of good political discussions. Never underestimate the power of a ready smile, simple courtesy and civility. Your courtesy may not be remembered or returned, but discourtesy will never be forgotten. 2. Show empathy and tolerance for differences by seeking first to understand. Tolerance and empathy do not require approval or agreement—they do require a cordial and positive attempt to understand another’s feelings, beliefs and positions. If you’re doing all the talking, you are probably boring somebody. To lead others to your side on any issue it helps to see the road they must travel through their eyes, not your own. Master some timely questions and then listen: What are your most important issues? Why are they so important to you? What would you want your candidate to do? 3. Do your homework to build depth behind your convictions. Be humble and fair with your “facts.” Statistics are only temporary snapshots in a stream of history and far too many partisan quotes can be taken out of context. There is value in doing your homework; it’s quite another thing to tell people everything you know about a subject as their eyes glaze over. Listen more than you lecture! 4. When caught off guard, take time to think before engaging in speech, sending e-mails or leaving phone messages. Don’t just say the right thing at the right moment; leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment! When you communicate with strong emotion and charged phrases, you may rally the faithful, but those who disagree with you won’t pay attention past the first attack. Take time to edit those tirades into clear statements designed to influence instead of inflame. 5. Avoid name-calling, “you” statements and “should” talk! Instead of putting down others or their positions, share your opinions in the form of “I” statements—“I find…; I feel…; I think…” Find that assertive middle-ground where you can express opinions without demeaning those with whom you disagree. 6. Be focused more on what you are for rather than what you are against. Anger over the past does not a vision make! Participating in the blame game only traps your eyes to the rearview mirror looking at things that can’t be changed while new obstacles and challenges are rapidly approaching out the front window! Let everyone save face and learn from mistakes by focusing conversations on working to invent a better future. 7. Be able to admit your own mistakes and the mistakes of your own party. “My party right or wrong!” seldom impresses independent-thinking voters. If you can’t confront your own when wrong, you won’t be respected. Even when you cannot honestly concede a mistake, at least admit that you can appreciate that many see it differently. With the record of Republicans in Washington over the last few years, it’s not hard to find failures worth confronting. 8. Learn to use humor to diffuse the tension conflict creates and to keep issues in perspective. The safest target for your humor is always yourself. When Lincoln was accused of being “two-faced,” he replied, “Obviously I am not ‘two-faced,’ or I would not use this one!” When George Washington faced a Constitutional Convention that wanted to limit the size of the army to 5,000 troops, he agreed as long as they would limit the size of the enemy to 3,000 troops. The resulting laughter ended the threat of unwise legislation. 9. Be ready to take distance from a difficult conversation and give others time to think. The most powerful impact from a thoughtful conversation is often experienced after the parties have left each other’s presence. Forcing closure may only harden views that might have changed if the information shared had been given time to percolate. Giving them a little distance with dignity just may get them to reconsider a few of their positions. 10. End fruitless conversations positively. Many will never change political positions no matter how civil the discussion or how long you talk. Learn to say, “I guess no amount of dialogue is going to change either of us. That’s what makes this country so great—We’re free to disagree!” Ronald Reagan said it well, “I have always believed that a lot of the troubles in the world would disappear if we were talking to each other instead of about each other.” In this election, spend some time out of your conservative comfort zone; listen and talk to some democrats and independents. Keep political dialogue vibrant and alive for a new generation of American voters starting with you! You just may win a few converts to the conservative cause and help win a few elections! http://townhall.com/Columnists/TerryPaulson/2008/08/24/timely_tips_for_your_own_civil_political_conversation%e2%80%94how_to_disagree_without_being_so_disagreeableRead more | 7 comments
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