Michigan, USA – The Church of Transfiguration in Southfield, formerly St. Michaels hosts the Southfield 40 Days for Life kick-off campaign.  The 40Days for life team invites the public to join the prayer effort as the prayer group gathers at 6:45 p.m. today, Tuesday, September 24th to help put an end to abortion. 

From September 24 - November 2, our community will be one of more than 170 cities in 45 states joining together for the largest and longest coordinated pro-life mobilization in history -- the 40 Days for Life campaign.

40 Days for Life is a focused pro-life effort that consists of:

40 days of prayer and fasting, 40 days of peaceful vigil, and 40 days of community outreach.  Chaldeans4Life help lead the effort in the Chaldean community.  Group leaders say the are praying that, with God's help, their groundbreaking effort will mark the beginning of the end of abortion in our city -- and throughout America.

Chaldeans interested in becoming part of the growing movement are encouraged to take a stand for life. 

Surrogates from both the McCain and Obama camp have approached Chaldean community leaders hoping to gain their support.  In Michigan, issue advocates like CatholicVote.com have reached out to Chaldeans with a special issue announcement.    

The Chaldean Caucus of Michigan will be hosting the first presidential debate viewing at Mother of God Church Hall in Southfield, Michigan this Friday, September 26th beginning at 7:30 p.m.  Supporters of both candidates are invited to attend.  Refreshments will be served and lively discussion will follow immediately after the debate, moderated by Chaldean Caucus regional leaders. 

Michigan, USA - “Me and my wife work over seventy hours a week.  We make all our payments and when we can’t afford something we don’t buy it,” says Sam Kalesho.  “Our government is going crazy.  They are stealing from us all.  They want more taxes, charge us more for electricity, and killing America. Whoever’s fault this is should never be in politics again.”

Kalesho is surprised when a customer of his yells out, “Then get the Democrats out of office.”  Trevor Raddison, shopping at Lakeside Liquor blames the Democrats for the economic collapse.  “McCain himself tried to stop Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in 2006.  He predicted this tragedy and the Democrats blocked him.  Democrats are bought and sold.  Fannie and Freddie paid millions to the Democrats to protect them while they were cooking the books.  They gave protection paybacks to Obama, Biden, Clinton, and Dodd.  They act like they are for the working man, but they aren’t.  To them it is all a front.  Immigration, not allowing us to drill in America, not allowing people the right to work, Democrats are crooks.  I burnt my democrat card a long time ago.”

Raddison is right that McCain was a leading proponent of the corruption in Fannie Mae and Freedie Mac, that have caused the economic stumble of America.   Congressional record shows that back in 2006 McCain hammers them for falsification of financial records. Ironically the leaders of the corrupt companies, including Franklin Raines and Jim Johnson, both worked as advisers to Barack Obama. 

Michigan, USA - “I guess this whole situation is like the Rosa Parks for Chaldeans.  One Chaldean man stands up against a big bus company who refuses to treat him fairly,” e-mails Jennifer Sitto.

Back in early January of 2008, www.CHALDEAN.org last reported on the ongoing harassment, abuse, and discrimination suffered by Mazyn Barash at the hands of SMART employees and management for being Chaldean. The article titled, “And Justice for All - Mazyn Barash Fights Back Discrimination and Harassment by SMART Bus Employees.

For months the Michigan civil rights commission held preliminary investigations to determine the nature of the abuse and has concluded that SMART did in fact discriminate, harass, and abuse Mr. Barash.  Michigan’s civil rights commission has now filed formal charges against SMART. 

For the Barash family, the harassment is far from over.  Friends of Mazyn at SMART have also become the target of a vindictive management who has already fired those who defended Mazyn while he was being harassed and threatened. 

California, USA –  “We should be more active,” says Jonathan Shayota.  “We need to knock on doors, get petitions signed, lobby our government, and be more involved in voicing our issues.”  Shayota’s passion is contagious.  A group of college students nod in passionate agreement with what he is saying.  “If we don’t voice our opposition, then remaining silent means you agree with them,” Shayota adds.

The political science major is active in local California politics and is helping other Chaldeans learn how to take a stand.   His fervent effort to protect marriage between one man and one woman won over his local parish into helping to get signatures signed by committed voters to help defeat the California gay marriage court intervention.  “Most tech savvy people don’t bother with the paper any longer.  They use the internet,” Shayota says. “However, papers still offer Chaldeans an opportunity to voice their concern and most professional publications have invested heavily in their online presence as well.  You are still going to have to write to the editors to set the record straight and if they refuse to listen, then share your feelings with their advertisers.”   

Shayota shares his ten tips on how to write a letter and ensure it has the best chance of being published.  Included in Shayota’s example is a submission by Rafah Odish of Farmington Hills, Michigan.  “Odish writes about her support for Congressman Knollenberg and his active involvement in helping Chaldeans. Her masterful piece found its way into the local paper in her city showcasing the gratitude of the Chaldean community and the good work of congressman Knollenberg.  This is a wonderful example of how to get your piece printed.”

Odish writes:

Michigan, USA - Frustrated Detroit Chaldean business owners breathe a sign of relief.  “Finally.  It took this long and cost so much for this city to see what kind of crook we had in office,” says Khalid Nalou, manager of Downtown Corner Market.  “He picked on small business from day one.  This man forced more business to leave a city than Katrina.  I moved my entire family from Detroit and was looking for another place to work.”

The infamous Democratic Mayor was not shy to share his dislike for small businesses in the city.  He often complained and organized attacks against convenient stores, gas stations, hardware stores, salons, and dollar retailers. 

“He upset and offended so many people.  He was arrogant and thought he was a lion.  Now he is a mouse.  When you are sel;fish and not humble, this is what happens,” says Nalou.   Kilpatrick will shamefully resign, serve 120 days in jail, and pay $1M restitution. 

Mosul, IRAQ - The Chaldean community in Iraq remain vulnerable victims of kidnap, torture, and murder by  Islamic fundamentalists twisted by hatred.  News of the torturous death of a 65-year-old doctor, Tariq Qattan, kidnapped recently by a terrorist group is being released by AsiaNews.   “The family paid a $20,000 ransom, but it was not enough to free Tariq,” say sources. 

Tariq Qattan is one of the many Iraqi Christians kidnapped by fundamentalists for extortion.  For the family of Nafi Haddad the outcome is just as unbearable.  Haddad was also kidnapped and killed.

Despite assurances by the Iraqi government Christians remain vulnerable targets.  “Iraqi police continue to ignore investigating or prosecuting those involved,” says relatives of the Haddad family close to the matter.  

[This article contains graphic videos.  Do not read this article if you can not handle mature images.]

California, USA –  Her comments will be on the mouths of Catholic clergy, catechist teachers, and around the holy water coolers.  “The recent presidential debate shined a bright light on Obama’s 100% support by NARAL, Planned Parenthood, and the right to kill babies groups,” says Jessica Isho, a Chaldean California Pro-Life member.  “Democrats say science trumps everything, right?  Every scientist tells you life begins at conception.  Obama is the worst of politicians with no principals.  What does he care, I bet to him the misguided mothers are killing Christian babies, that is why he doesn’t care.”    

Coming to Obama’s defense was the U.S. House Speaker who many say stupidly threw fuel on the fire.  The Speaker was challenged over Obama’s inability to determine when life begins during an NBC “Meet the Press” TV show.  U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said like Obama, the church has been unable to determine when life begins.  The comments have causes a firestorm among Catholics, Chaldeans, and other Christians. 

Yesterday and today www.CHALDEAN.org received over 62 e-mails from Chaldeans regarding Pelosi’s comments.  Chaldeans are shocked at what she said.  “Pelosi purposely tries to confuse the issue and moral importance of abortion,” wrote Jenna Jajo.  “She is blatantly wrong that the church has been unable to define when life begins.  She is a despicable fraud and an insult to the state of California.  She is no Catholic. Anyone who supports abortion is not a Catholic.” 

Michigan, USA - Refusing to submit, Egyptian Coptic Father Zakaria Botros tells listeners he will,” stop revealing the truth about Islam when my ten demands are met.”  The Coptic Priest is named Islam’s “Public Enemy #1” by the Arabic newspaper, al-Insan al-Jadid.  He has famously made of Islam “ten demands” whose radical nature he uses to highlight Islam’s own radical demands on non-Muslims.

The internationally renowned Coptic priest along with Muslim converts minces no words when addressing controversial topics of theological significance and touches on little-known but embarrassing aspects of Islamic law and tradition.  With rewards for his murder the priest fearlessly continues.  He has become a thorn in the side of Islamic leaders throughout the Middle East and now in the United States. 

Tensions in Dearborn, Michigan rise as Fr. Botros continues to challenge Islamic teachings.  Dearborn’s Arab American newspaper reports that local Imams have been fuming over the Coptic priest’s ongoing revelations of Islam. Fearing anger will turn to violence; Deaborn’s Imams have called on Birach Broadcast owner demanding changes be made.  The Imams have also appealed to Chaldean and other Middle Eastern Christian leaders requesting interfaith efforts to create the change they seek. 

California, USA  – The event is planned from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in the southwest parking lot of the El Cajon Wal-Mart, 605 Fletcher Parkway.

The event is free and open to all county residents. E-waste includes old computers, TVs, stereo equipment, phones and other items that can't be thrown in the trash.  Household appliances and batteries will not be accepted.

Also on Saturday at the El Cajon Wal-Mart, San Diego Gas & Electric is partnering with Electronic Disposal Group for a light bulb exchange.