Do You Really Know Who You Are? Be Connected.

[Merlin]

Watch This:

http://www.iambecauseweare.com/ 

Alternatively:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3awaN0nOwQ


I am grateful for this film. A Powerful Message and Impact. 

[Merlin]

It's truly sad that people always prefer to give bad press to Madonna when she's trying to help by adopting another one of the AIDS stricken child from Malawi. She could have chosen NOT to care, NOT to make the movie to draw focus to these sick people and NOT to adopt another sick child; but being the convicted person that she is, she did the right thing.

We live in a strange sad world. 

[mecch]

Merlin,
Is Madonn'a adopted African son HIV+?  An HIV+ orphan?  What i heard was that she looked over 6 kids who were genuine orphans, rejecting them to chose this one, who is very very charming, but who also has a father. And insisted on this one.
The are too many mixed messages coming out of the story but obvioulsy its a better gesture than none at all! Correct.

[Merlin]

Merlin,
Is Madonn'a adopted African son HIV+?  An HIV+ orphan?  What i heard was that she looked over 6 kids who were genuine orphans, rejecting them to chose this one, who is very very charming, but who also has a father. And insisted on this one.
The are too many mixed messages coming out of the story but obvioulsy its a better gesture than none at all! Correct.

-----------------------------------------------

I prefer to focus on the overwhelming positive (no pun intended) aspects of her adoption. So now that the Human Rights Committee succeeded in stopping the second adoption, hope they are all happy that Mercy James will now be stuck in the orphanage, counting her numbered days as opposed to getting a second chance at life, like David Banda.  As to whether the first adopted child is confirmed HIV+, no official source will confirm or deny it.

The country’s information minister told Reuters on Thursday that Madonna had helped in the country and was a worthy mother who was supporting over 25,000 orphans in the country.

Humans are always subjected to all kinds of gossips, slander and jealousy. We all get our unfair share, let alone if the someone is easy target, like Madonna. I never seem to see or hear the critics of someone else's good deed, try or even match, let alone exceed, similar deeds ever. I get very bored with such negative energies and I never bother about such gossips.

http://www.mg.co.za/article/2009-04-03-malawi-father-gives-nod-to-madonnas-fresh-adoption-bid

[Ann]

Isn't Madonna living in the States again? I doubt that either of the children from Malawi are hiv positive because they would not be permitted entry to the US.

[mecch]

Isn't Madonna living in the States again? I doubt that either of the children from Malawi are hiv positive because they would not be permitted entry to the US.

Well first I agree let's congratulate the generosity of Madonna, not worry about gossips.
Ann, since Madonna is American, her kids would probably be so as well, no? And then HIV would not pose a residency problem.

[Assurbanipal]

Well first I agree let's congratulate the generosity of Madonna, not worry about gossips.
Ann, since Madonna is American, her kids would probably be so as well, no? And then HIV would not pose a residency problem.

I agree we should celebrate Maddonna's good works.  She does important work for a lot of charitable organizations.

I also did not want to believe that HIV+ orphans would be denied entry on adoption.  But that's what the INS says:


"If an orphan petition is approved, the beneficiary (the child) of the petition is considered to be an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen. This means the child can get an immigrant visa right away without being placed on a visa waiting list.

However, the child must still qualify for an immigrant visa just like any other immigrant. For example, the orphan cannot get a visa if he or she is considered to be inadmissible to the United States. One reason an orphan could be inadmissible to the United States is if he or she has a contagious disease of public health significance. Waivers for certain grounds of inadmissibility may be sought. If an orphan petition is approved, an application for an immigrant visa may be made at the American embassy or consulate having jurisdiction over the child’s residence.

When an orphan enters the United States with an immigrant visa, the child is considered to be a lawful permanent resident of the United States, not a U.S. citizen. General information about U.S. citizenship for foreign-born adopted children can be found in Section VII of this publication."

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=17f496981298d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=063807b03d92b010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD
emphasis added

It is so shameful; can't wait for the appointees to be confirmed and take action on this.