Tag Archives: New York City

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Official Google blog


Ten years later

Posted: 11 Sep 2011 06:26 AM PDT

The events of September 11, 2001 changed the lives of so many people around the world. In the years since that day, thoughtful online efforts have provided an outlet for grief, for learning and a means for healing. Virtual spaces have helped us to remember the victims and honor the courage of those who risked their lives to save others.

On this 10th anniversary, we wanted to note a few of these virtual places:

9/11 Memorial
On Monday September 12, the 9/11 Memorial will open to the public within the original footprint of the twin towers. Our relationship with the 9/11 Memorial team dates back to 2009, when we collaborated to build their Make History site.  This web archive lets people place and share their photos and videos in geographical context, collectively piecing together the history that was witnessed, one photo or video at a time.
The 9/11 Memorial has also produced a commemorative album called Ten Years On, a musical tribute featuring well-known musicians and performers. The album has inspired a video archive project on YouTube of the same name which encourages people to submit video tributes to those affected by the events of 9/11.
The New York Times
YouTube also worked with The New York Times on a YouTube Channel featuring archived news broadcasts and personal stories and reflections from the public.
Mountain Lakes (NJ) Volunteer Fire Department
John Reilly, a software executive and Deputy Chief of the Mountain Lakes (NJ) Volunteer Fire Department, built First-Responder to help community organizations like fire departments and EMS corps increase their emergency preparedness and respond more effectively to crises. This open source application uses freely available web tools to map critical resources and contingency plans, dispatch and track first responders, and interoperate with mutual aid organizations during emergencies.
It’s been an honor to see these tools being built using our platforms and products—and humbling to see them come to life.

Posted by Andy Berndt, Creative Lab, New York City

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Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand …Support David Weprin -9th District NYC


 I have an important favor to ask of you. My friend David Weprin is running in the special election for the 9th Congressional District in NYC, and he needs your help. With the election just days away, he is being attacked from outside groups supporting his Tea Party opponent, Bob Turner.

David currently has a new television ad on the air, but to keep it up, and win the race, he needs our help. Please click here to rush a contribution to David ASAP and help him stay up on the air – even as little as $5 can make a big difference.      http://www.dccc.org/page/m/1d63c97f/1b9dd8ab/43a43aa9/4e0ced6c/1378293921/VEsH/

David has been a tireless advocate for seniors and the middle class. His opponent, however, would slash the federal budget and the Medicare and Social Security benefits our seniors have earned and depend on. In fact, when The New York Times endorsed David they said, “If Mr. Turner gets his way, it would be impossible to spare anybody who relies on the government for benefits or to keep the air clean or their food safe.”

This election is too important to let the Tea Party and outside shadow groups steal the race. We have the better candidate who is right on the issues. Now we just need to help him get the word out. Please rush a contribution of $5 or more to David today.      http://www.dccc.org/page/m/1d63c97f/1b9dd8ab/43a43aa9/4e0ced6c/1378293921/VEsH/

Thank you for your help.

Kirsten Gillibrand

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

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Debt ceiling: Moody’s puts U.S. on notice (via Anderson Cooper 360)


NEW YORK (CNNMoney) — The public pressure on lawmakers to raise the debt ceiling was ratcheted up Wednesday when a major rating agency said it would put the sterling bond rating of the United States on review for possible downgrade. Moody’s Investors Services said it had initiated the review because of “the rising possibility” that Congress will fail to raise the debt ceiling by Aug. 2 — something that could lead to a U.S. default on its debt. … Read More

via Anderson Cooper 360

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The State of Public Education …The Black Institute


As you know, education continues to be a vitally important issue in American society.At The Black Institute, we believe that every student can be a scholar and thus deserves the opportunity to receive an excellent education…period! The education debate is at the forefront of issues that the American people care about because it affects not only our lives but those of our children, our grandchildren and future generations. Not long ago, the NAACP signed on to a lawsuit against the NewYork Department of Education against the forced cohabitation traditional public schools and charter schools. Click here to read Bertha’s Lewis Op-Ed here  on this issue.

Let your voice be heard by leaving a comment on your thoughts.

In Solidarity,

The Black Institute Team

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Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Democracy for America


What a historic day!

I’m thrilled that today, thanks to your voice and the hard work of Governor Cuomo and so many committed organizations and elected officials, New York has become the latest state to pass marriage equality.

Last night, the New York legislature stood up for equality for all New Yorkers and spoke loudly in support of the simple proposition that every New Yorker should be able to marry the person they love.

But our work is not done.

Even once our LGBT friends and family are legally able to marry here in New York, the Defense of Marriage Act will prohibit them from enjoying over 1,000 federal rights and privileges that are afforded straight married couples. While it won’t be easy, we can overturn DOMA – but we need thousands of grassroots activists like you to stand up and demand repeal. 

Click here to join me and Democracy For America in urging Congress to repeal this regressive and discriminatory law. For only once every legally married couple in the United States is treated equally under federal law can we fulfill the true meaning of marriage equality. 

The Defense of Marriage Act is truly damaging. Every day, thousands of legally married LGBT men and women around the country are unable to take advantage of rights and privileges – from hospital visitation to inheritance rights to health benefits – that straight married couples take for granted.

Like DFA member Florence P. of Brushton, NY who sent in her story of how DOMA has impacted her:

My late partner and I were as close to a legal married couple as we could get in the state of New York. We were together for 32 1/2 years, hoping to one day marry in our state. She died in 2006. I am not considered to be her widow.  I am not considered to be legally related to her at all even though we shared our lives completely for over 32 years. It’s time to repeal DOMA.

I agree with Florence. We must end this unjust policy. But much like the historic vote last night in New York, it’s going to take a lot of hard work and our collective grassroots advocacy. And I believe it’s going to take telling more stories like Florence’s.

If you’ve been impacted by DOMA, click here to sign the petition and tell us your story at repealDOMA.com. It’s imperative that we begin to tell the stories of the Americans hurt every day by the injustice of DOMA, so that we can put faces and names to this discriminatory policy. Only then will we truly be able to start changing hearts and minds, both among my colleagues in Congress and around the country.

We did it with “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and we’ll do it with DOMA. The time to start is now.

Thank you for standing with me and DFA for equality for all Americans.

– Kirsten

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand