Blurred Truth

Mehdi Kazemi saved from death…for now…

“Gay Iranian teenager Mehdi Kazemi has been handed a temporary reprieve from deportation by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith.

She announced his case will be reconsidered after concerns that he could face execution if removed to his homeland.

Ms Smith said: “Following representations made on behalf of Mehdi Kazemi, and in the light of new circumstances since the original decision was made, I have decided that Mr Kazemi’s case should be reconsidered on his return to the UK from the Netherlands.”

Full story here

But please KEEP THOSE LETTERS and E-MAILS going! Thank you to EVERYONE thus far. You all have made a difference. Keep it up!

Seyed Mehdi Kazemi, the twenty-year-old Iranian homosexual, member of EveryOne Group, in danger of being returned to the United Kingdom from Holland, and then repatriated to Iran (where he is wanted for the crime of sodomy, and where he would be put to death for this homosexuality), is being held in custody in the Dutch detention centre…

read more

It came to my attention through many, many media sources (also: a good video here) over the past few days that there is an unjustice stirring amongst the European population. It has to do with a young citizen of the United Kingdom. I believe Mehdi Kazemi, an Iranian by birth, should be granted asylum. I think anyone with any regards for humanity would think the same — knowing what awaits him when he returns home to Iran.

While some may argue that “when” he returns home, Iran may not know or find out about his lifestyle; I’m sorry? What did you say? It’s already hit the mass media. That’s complete and utter stupidity for that even to be uttered on some of these CNN and other Network BLOGS. I could not believe my eyes in some cases.

Ohhh, but we all know Iranian president Ahmadinejad was just in the USA, and he declared that there were no gays in Iran. What a great guy…I would love to meet him. Perhaps laugh like the audience did. IN HIS FACE.

UPDATE: Please consider ALSO signing this petition found here (you do NOT have to donate on step two, you already sign it on step one).

Here’s my open letter to multiple officials. Feel free to pass it along.

from Craig Huffstetler <craig.huffstetler@gmail.com> to smithjj@parliament.uk, public.enquiries@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk, indpublicenquiries@ind.homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk, franco.frattini@ec.europa.eu, cc date Tue, Mar 11, 2008 at 7:36 PM subject Mehdi — Blood On YOUR Hands When This Is Over? mailed-by gmail.com

Dear The Rt Hon Jacqui Smith MP, the British Parliament, Franco Frattini of the European Commission and the British Home Office:

As you may be aware from news coverage of the case, your government is threatening to return the gay Iranian refugee Mehdi Kazemi to Iran for execution. This situation has become even more critical as he will be returned from the Netherlands in the next few days. It is undeniable at this point that Iran knows about his presence and knows exactly where he is. They will also know precisely when, where and how he will be returned — thus, captured upon return and executed promptly.

You must prevent this from happening. I implore that you grant him asylum with all due haste.

I would greatly appreciate if you would be able to join your colleague, Simon Hughes, in taking whatever action you can to press the issue with the Home Office.

As a gay man I can put myself in Mehdi’s shoes and find the attitude and actions of your government just beyond belief. I would find it shameful to be a citizen of such a country that would allow such an atrocity to occur! Please stop this from occurring. It is within your power and authority. You can not deny this.

By sending Mehdi back to Iran, YOU and NO ONE BUT YOU sentence him to imminent and IMMEDIATE DEATH.

I hope you are able to help in some small way as there seems to be no other way to get through to Jacqui Smith except perhaps the contempt of her fellow MPs.

I do not claim to know British Law, but I have some regard for humanity and the rights of every human being to live. And to live happily. Do you?

Yours sincerely,

Craig Huffstetler

Love the headline? Me too. It’s CNN’s choice for their top article of the day (maybe even week…). Go CNN…those crazy bastards. Now all they need is a link to eBay on “buy nukes” and we’re all set.

Never, ever use DigitalFlare.com or OptixOne.com’s hosting services or any other service they dream up. Period. Wondering why? Read on…read on…

I ordered a Shell hosting account from OptixOne.com a few days ago. Nothing worked, it took them over 24 hours to setup. They never responded to any e-mails. They have a non-existant technical support department. All in all, I was totally dissatisfied with OptixOne, which is apparently knwon as Digital Flare (digitalflare.com owns them or they are the same company?) because responses sent to billing or support@optixone.com come back to me from a random address at digitalflare.com.

I felt that I was within my right at one point to request a refund within their “14 Day Money-back Guarantee Policy” (something I only do seldomly). It can be found here:

http://www.optixone.com/policy/sla

Under “Money Back Guarantee.” Note what it says. I, or any customer of Optix One or Digital Flare (digitalflare.com / optixone.com) has 14 days to request a refund under this policy. I was within this, heck, it was day two!

I got an e-mail back IMMEDIATELY upon requesting this (mind you, after 3 - 4 support e-mail inquiries which were left completely unanswered in a 24+ hour period) stating:

joey <joey@digitalflare.com>
reply-to joey@digitalflare.com,
to Craig ***********<craig.***********@gmail.com>,
date Jan 21, 2008 6:07 PM
subject RE: Optix One Internet Services Payment Receipt

hide details Jan 21 (5 days ago) Reply

We do not offer refunds.

If you can’t connect to IRC, it’s because you haven’t set a vhost.

Thank you.

In my previous e-mail I simply stated that under their policies (their own SLA and I even LINKED to it for their reading pleasure) — that I believed I was in my right to request a refund. Mind you, it was a measly $48.00. $8.00 of which should of been refunded (still has not been) for a feature I thought I needed, but did not. And they never set that up either! Or even asked about the “custom virtual host” I wanted/needed. Ha!

I am mainly writing this to warn people out there of Optix One (optixone.com) Internet Hosting and Digital Flare (digitalflare.com) hosting services. If they can not honor their own policies of a 14 Day Money Back gaurantee, and have absolutely no support (it seems like) then — well, don’t use them. They seem to just take your money and run with it.

I loathe dishonorable companies (like this) that do not even honor their own policies.

I wrote back to “Joey” at Digitalflare.com (which I still do not understand why I got a response from him) and never heard back. Did I think I would? Nope. Maybe it was because I CCed tips@consumerists.com. Who knows. I CCed billing@optixone.com, and again, to this date I have not heard back. Excellent customer service!

Just a WARNING TO EVERYONE — Never, EVER use DIGITALFLARE.COM or OPTIXONE.COM (for internet hosting, shell hosting, virtual private servers (VPS) or anything!) — they are SCAMS and do not even honor their own policies. It appears they just take your money and run. I am just here as a warning with what happened to me. Hopefully PayPal Disputes will be able to “honorably” difuse the situation.

Sincerely,

xq / Craig

P.S. I will post e-mail logs as soon as I complete this and come to a “complete resolution;” whether it is negative or positive in scope. I really doubt there is anything positive at this point that can come of this. They do not even respond to my e-mails. What gets me is that they are a dedicated hosting company! What is $48 dollars to them? Really. And again, it’s not even that…what gets me is the fundamentals of it all.

It’s THEIR. OWN. POLICY. It’s their customer SLA. Imagine what their higher paying customers experience — the ones who pay up for dedicated services ($200+ per month). Ouch! Real pain in the wallet, neck, brain and hands (for typing back and forth of course…it’s a one sided conversation!).

I’ve gotten into Stock Trading using sharebuilder.com and….It’s fun and exhilerating. And, I think I know what I’m doing (at least the figures reflect it thus far!). I can’t wait to see how this turns out ;)

Some of my favorite tools are of course:

Google Finance
Google.com
The Motley Fool (redesign/WCM bought from my current company! yaya)
Business Week
Forbes (magazine)
Smart Money (magazine)
Forrtune (magazine)
MSN Money
Yahoo! Finance (only sometimes needed)

More on this later, it’s become quite the hobby!

Meme list of questions respectfully stolen from Profgrrrrl…

1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before?
 Moved far from home.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
 I have never really done “resolutions.” I will make some “themes,” as Profgrrrrl terms them, as I seem to do every New Year now that I think of it, for next year.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
 Yes, an old friend and classmate of mine.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
 Yes, someone dear to me (mother of a close friend).
5. What countries did you visit?
 I, sadly, did not leave the United States; however, I did travel quite often within the United States.
6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
 Less pain (hehe), less worry, more blogging and time to spend doing things I enjoy!
7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
 I’m bad with dates…
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
 Moving to Boston, getting a job (x2, I guess, one that I am more greatful for than the other!).
9. What was your biggest failure?
 I think I stress myself out too easily over small things and then take it out on people close to me.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
 Hips & Shingles (Same time, not so hip).
11. What was the best thing you bought?
 Does a new apartment count? How about new furniture for it…if not, then what about a MacBook Pro bought “for me for work”? A lot of questions, but I think it answers it!
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
 I would really have to think.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
 Usually close friends, but I am often told this is because of my own behavior, but who knows. Can one care -too much-?
14. Where did most of your money go?
 Gadgets (mostly computer hardware and software), electronics (kind of the same thing), generalized junk, books, gas.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
 The move, but at some points excitement mixed with shere anxiety!
16. What song will always remind you of 2007?
 Feist - “1234″.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
 a) happier or sadder? 
b) thinner or fatter? 
c) richer or poorer?
 Happier, probably fatter — but lost 10 lbs. this month!!!, richer…kind of….
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
 Sleep, travel and just plain relax.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
 Stress.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
 Sleeping, pain and anxiety!
21. Did you fall in love in 2007?
 Nope, well there is a new dog in my life now.
22. What was your favorite TV program?
 Law and Order: SVU.
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
 “I’m not into hating people, but certainly some relationships have grown stronger, others weaker, and there are people with whom I’d rather not interact.” -Profgrrrrl
24. What was the best book you read?
 A Confederacy of Dunces.
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
 Shiny Toy Guns or Augustana - About a Match.
26. What did you want and get?
 MacBook Pro (I always wanted to try a Mac out).
27. What did you want and not get?
 A new kitty/cat, but it’s okay.
28. What was your favorite film of this year?
 Juno or Death at a Funeral.
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
 I had a party. I was/am 22.
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
 Not loosing Oliver.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
 Minimal and loving jeans.
32. What kept you sane?
 Loving family, Chris, tons of water, stopping/keeping away from carbonated beverages (coke!) whenever possible.
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
 Jonathan Rhys Meyers, maybe. I’m not a big “fancier” of celebrities.
34. What political issue stirred you the most?
 Not that hard to figure out.
35. Who did you miss?
 I miss my family now that I’ve moved and I, of course, miss my friends the most (namely, my Abby…).
36. Who was the best new person you met?
 I can’t say for sure yet. It’s been 4 months since I’ve moved 1,000 miles and I really don’t know. Sad. But true.
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007
 Breathe.
38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
“On a rainy Monday
..I feel it inside me
In the hopes of one day”

DSC02835

Originally uploaded by vitiris

The first snow up in Boston, MA since we moved here…I think Blake likes it. View the whole set :) Probably more to come tomorrow…

For dinner tonight it looks like… (!!!):

Sauteed Polenta with Sweet Italian Sausage and Broccoli Rabe
Recipe courtesy of Gourmet Magazine

1 recipe basic polenta, keep warm
2 tablespoons olive oil plus additional if necessary
1 pound sweet Italian sausage links
1/4 cup water
1 bunch broccoli rabe (about 1 pound), chopped coarse and tough stems discarded
1 garlic clove, chopped and mashed to a paste with 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup chicken broth
28- to 32-ounce can whole tomatoes, drained, seeded, and chopped
1/4 cup dried currants
2 tablespoons tomato paste
Accompaniment: freshly grated Parmesan
Basic Polenta
4 cups water
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup cornmeal or instant polenta

In a heavy saucepan bring water and salt to a boil and gradually whisk in cornmeal in a thin stream. Cook polenta over moderately low heat (it should be barely boiling), stirring constantly, until very thick and pulls away from side of pan, about 40 minutes for cornmeal and about 15 minutes for instant polenta. Remove pan from heat and cover to keep warm. Stir polenta just before using. Polenta will keep warm, covered, about 20 minutes. Makes about 3 cups. On a lightly oiled baking sheet spread warm polenta about 3/4-inch thick and cool to room temperature. Polenta may be made 2 days ahead and chilled, covered. In a large non-stick skillet heat 1 tablespoon oil over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking and brown sausage. Add water and cook sausage, covered, turning occasionally, until cooked through, about 10 minutes. Remove lid and cook mixture until any remaining water is evaporated. Transfer sausage with tongs to a bowl and reserve fat remaining in skillet. Cool sausages slightly and slice diagonally. Cut polenta into 1 1/2-inch diamond shapes or squares. In skillet saute polenta in 2 batches in reserved fat over moderately high heat, turning occasionally, adding additional oil to skillet if necessary, until golden on both sides. Transfer polenta as cooked with a slotted spoon to bowl with sausage and cover. In skillet heat remaining tablespoon oil over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking and saute broccoli rabe with salt to taste, stirring, until just wilted. Add garlic paste and saute, stirring, 1 minute. Stir in remaining ingredients and simmer, stirring, until tomato paste is incorporated and sauce is slightly thickened. Add sausage and polenta and cook until heated through. Serve polenta sprinkled with Parmesan.

Pasta Alla Norma for dinner. Was fantabulous…