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vakilkarosblog · 5 months
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Social Impact Assessment is a critical process for evaluating the potential effects of a project or initiative on society. It helps identify both positive and negative consequences, ensuring socially responsible decision-making. In tandem, Section 8 Microfinance Company Registration refers to the legal incorporation of a non-profit microfinance institution under Section 8 of the Companies Act. This designation allows such entities to operate with the primary objective of promoting charitable activities, including microfinance services. Together, Social Impact Assessment and Section 8 Microfinance Company Registration play a pivotal role in fostering sustainable and inclusive financial solutions for marginalized communities. For more detailed information on Microfinance Company Registration and its legal implications. Read More
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slyandthefamilybook · 5 months
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since we now know that all those "my blog is safe for Jewish people" posts are bullshit, here are some Jewish organizations you can donate to if you actually want to prove you support Jews. put up or shut up
FIGHTING HUNGER
Masbia - Kosher soup kitchens in New York
MAZON - Practices and promotes a multifaceted approach to hunger relief, recognizing the importance of responding to hungry peoples' immediate need for nutrition and sustenance while also working to advance long-term solutions
Tomchei Shabbos - Provides food and other supplies so that poor Jews can celebrate the Sabbath and the Jewish holidays
FINANCIAL AID
Ahavas Yisrael - Providing aid for low-income Jews in Baltimore
Hebrew Free Loan Society - Provides interest-free loans to low-income Jews in New York and more
GLOBAL AID
American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee - Offers aid to Jewish populations in Central and Eastern Europe as well as in the Middle East through a network of social and community assistance programs. In addition, the JDC contributes millions of dollars in disaster relief and development assistance to non-Jewish communities
American Jewish World Service - Fighting poverty and advancing human rights around the world
Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society - Providing aid to immigrants and refugees around the world
Jewish World Watch - Dedicated to fighting genocides around the world
MEDICAL AID
Sharsheret - Support for cancer patients, especially breast cancer
SOCIAL SERVICES
The Aleph Institute - Provides support and supplies for Jews in prison and their families, and helps Jewish convicts reintegrate into society
Bet Tzedek - Free legal services in LA
Bikur Cholim - Providing support including kosher food for Jews who have been hospitalized in the US, Australia, Canada, Brazil, and Israel
Blue Card Fund - Critical aid for holocaust survivors
Chai Lifeline - An org that's very close to my heart. They help families with members with disabilities in Baltimore
Chana - Support network for Jews in Baltimore facing domestic violence, sexual abuse, and elder abuse
Community Alliance for Jewish-Affiliated Cemetaries - Care of abandoned and at-risk Jewish cemetaries
Crown Heights Central Jewish Community Council - Provides services to community residents including assistance to the elderly, housing, employment and job training, youth services, and a food bank
Hands On Tzedakah - Supports essential safety-net programs addressing hunger, poverty, health care and disaster relief, as well as scholarship support to students in need
Hebrew Free Burial Association
Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services - Programs include early childhood and learning, children and adolescent services, mental health outpatient clinics for teenagers, people living with developmental disabilities, adults living with mental illness, domestic violence and preventive services, housing, Jewish community services, counseling, volunteering, and professional and leadership development
Jewish Caring Network - Providing aid for families facing serious illnesses
Jewish Family Service - Food security, housing stability, mental health counseling, aging care, employment support, refugee resettlement, chaplaincy, and disability services
Jewish Relief Agency - Serving low-income families in Philadelphia
Jewish Social Services Agency - Supporting people’s mental health, helping people with disabilities find meaningful jobs, caring for older adults so they can safely age at home, and offering dignity and comfort to hospice patients
Jewish Women's Foundation Metropolitan Chicago - Aiding Jewish women in Chicago
Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty - Crisis intervention and family violence services, housing development funds, food programs, career services, and home services
Misaskim - Jewish death and burial services
Our Place - Mentoring troubled Jewish adolescents and to bring awareness of substance abuse to teens and children
Tiferes Golda - Special education for Jewish girls in Baltimore
Yachad - Support for Jews with disabilities
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fans4wga · 9 months
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August 4 - Hollywood Food Insecurity Spikes Amid Strikes
The entertainment industry’s most vulnerable workers are increasingly unable to feed themselves amid a historic double strike with no clear end in sight, according to non-profits tasked with addressing the food insecurity crisis. They describe Hollywood’s ongoing work stoppage — prompted by the contractual impasse between the writing and acting guilds on one side and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers on the other — as a humanitarian emergency broadly affecting the community, not just striking union members.
The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, which runs pantries for those in need throughout the county, attributes a meaningful portion of its nine percent uptick in year-over-year distribution to the strikes’ impact. “When income stops immediately, the demand rises very rapidly,” explains chief development officer Roger Castle.
“This is happening right after the pandemic, which drained a lot of people’s savings,” observes Keith McNutt, executive director at the Entertainment Community Fund, which has distributed $3 million to more than 1,500 workers as of Aug. 1. “So, you have the financial burden on people who’ve already been depleted.” As a result, his organization — whose donors include Seth McFarlane, Steven Spielberg, and Greg Berlanti — has seen an unprecedented wave of immediate requests for basic living expenses, including groceries. “Before this started, we would do about 50 grants out of the L.A. office a week. Now we’re getting 50 applications a day.”
On July 28, below-the-line unions IATSE and the Teamsters Local 399 held a drive-through food drive for industry members affected by the strikes at IATSE’s West Coast headquarters in Burbank. It drew about a thousand vehicles throughout the day.
According to the relief nonprofit Labor Community Services, which helped to organize the event and is planning another in August, the organization distributed 1,740 food boxes, feeding an estimated 8,700 people, that day.
In California, striking workers are ineligible to receive unemployment assistance, while nationally, they cannot receive SNAP food benefits unless they qualified pre-strike — something Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania is aiming to change with a new bill, introduced July 27. One place that striking actors in particular can turn to for help during the work stoppage is the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, which offers emergency financial assistance and other resources, including grocery store gift cards, to union members. SAG-AFTRA made a seven-figure donation to the Foundation early in its strike to assist these efforts. (The WGA West does provide its own members with emergency financial loans from its strike fund and Good and Welfare fund.)
Cyd Wilson, its executive director, has seen an explosion in demand for the organization’s help. “People are making these decisions: Should pay my rent, or should I put food on the table? Should I put food on the table, or should I pay my utilities?” she explains. “There’s a great deal of suffering that’s happening.” By Wilson’s estimate, the foundation is now handling 40 times its typical number of applications per week, and it has already distributed as much in grants since the beginning of the WGA’s strike three months ago as it typically would in the span of a given year.
Meanwhile, Groceries for Writers, a direct aid project administered by Humanitas, a non-profit focused on film and television writers, has distributed more than 1,100 gift cards to WGA members since the onset of its work stoppage in early May. Humanitas executive director Michelle Franke says that “many of these writers have left notes indicating they’re in very urgent financial situations. Writers describe struggling with student debt, falling into eligibility gaps with CalFresh and EDD [state unemployment assistance], eviction notices, writing teams splitting low pay, having only just moved to Los Angeles and not having a large local support network as a consequence, dwindling savings.”
Groceries for Writers is hardly alone in addressing the growing need. In July, L.A.’s World Harvest Food Bank founder and CEO Glen Curado estimated to The Hollywood Reporter that his organization, which is offering free food to striking writers and actors, was serving an average of 150-200 members of this group per day. That effort was inspired by The Price Is Right host Drew Carey’s gesture of paying for all striking writers dining at Bob’s Big Boy in Burbank and L.A.’s Swingers Diner for the duration of the work stoppage.
THR asked both the AMPTP and the talent unions whether they bear any responsibility for the worsening situation. In a statement, a spokesperson for the AMPTP said: “Like those negotiating on behalf of the guilds, representatives from the AMPTP and its member companies came to the table in good faith, wanting to reach an agreement that would keep the industry working and prevent the hardships caused by labor strikes.” SAG-AFTRA didn’t respond to a request for comment, while a WGA spokesperson said in a statement: “The public knows that working people are putting everything on the line in order to negotiate a fair deal with the studios who have caused this strike and the resultant suffering by refusing to address the reasonable proposals that writers brought to the table over 90 days ago.” Neither the AMPTP itself nor any of its major studio and streamer members responded when THR asked if the companies or their philanthropic arms had made any contributions specifically to address the industry’s food insecurity crisis since May.
Support staffers — early-career workers who fill roles such as assistants and coordinators and tend to be low-paid — are especially at risk at this time. “So much of the compensation that they receive is, no one’s going to say it, but it’s implied to be food-based,” notes Liz Hsiao Lan Alper, the co-founder of advocacy group Pay Up Hollywood and a WGA West board member. Alper says that support staffers are often paid the “bare minimum” but access complimentary food through writers’ rooms, craft services on sets or in agency kitchens and conference rooms. And so, when the strikes occurred, the need was “overwhelming,” she explains: “It’s invisible compensation that just went away when the work stoppages happened.”
For that reason, on June 7 Pay Up Hollywood relaunched its COVID-19-era Hollywood Support Staff Relief Fund. So far, the fund has distributed around $45,000 in one-time financial need grants up to $1,000 apiece, according to organizer and support staffer Alex Rubin, who says she’s encouraged support staffers to obtain free food distributed on picket lines. “I think that there is a little bit of embarrassment and insecurity about not being able to feed yourself,” she says. “It is the reason why we give our grants as just like, ‘Here’s a one-time grant. You don’t have to tell us how you want to use this.’”
Helping people in entertainment with food during work stoppages is a “tangible message,” says James Costello, a Teamsters Local 399 driver and an IATSE Local 44 prop master, who was volunteering at IATSE’s July 28 food drive. A second-generation Teamster, Costello still remembers a union strike in the 1980s that prompted his parents to warn their children that their Christmas holiday would be affected that year, and the Teamsters emergency relief that arrived in the fall, offering groceries and a Christmas tree.
As the strikes drag on and both the WGA and SAG-AFTRA have yet to formally reprise negotiations with the AMPTP (although the Writers Guild is set to have a preliminary meeting with the studios’ organization on Aug. 4), the non-profits on the front lines of the industry’s food-insecurity crisis are girding themselves for a long period of need. SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s Wilson says it’s pursuing a “very aggressive fundraising strategy” to meet the demand. (Already, it’s netted over $15 million in emergency assistance from stars like George Clooney, Nicole Kidman, Matt Damon and Dwayne Johnson, who are donating $1 million or more apiece.)
The Entertainment Community Fund’s McNutt notes that pocketbook pain will outlast the current conflict. “Just because the strike ends, it doesn’t mean the need will end. Everyone doesn’t go back to work the next week. We’re going to be looking at this [elevated] level of need for months afterward.”
Give to the Entertainment Community Fund
Give to Humanitas' Groceries for Writers
Give to the Green Envelope Grocery Aid mutual aid fund
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gingerofsuburbia · 3 months
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BDS Consumer Boycott Targets
Everything here is copied over from the BDS website.
Hewlett Packard Inc (HP Inc)
HP Inc (US) provides services to the offices of genocide leaders, Israeli PM Netanyahu and Financial Minister Smotrich. HPE, which shares the same brand, provides technology for Israel’s Population and Immigration Authority, a pillar of its apartheid regime.
Chevron (including Caltex and Texaco)
US fossil fuel multinational Chevron is the main corporation extracting gas claimed by apartheid Israel in the East Mediterranean. Chevron generates billions in revenues, strengthening Israel’s war chest and apartheid system, exacerbating the climate crisis and Gaza siege, and is complicit in depriving the Palestinian people of their right to sovereignty over their natural resources. Chevron has thousands of retail gas stations around the world under the Chevron, Caltex, and Texaco brand names.
Siemens
Siemens (Germany) is the main contractor for the Euro-Asia Interconnector, an Israel-EU submarine electricity cable that is planned to connect Israel’s illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory to Europe. Siemens-branded electrical appliances are sold globally.
PUMA
Since 2018, we have called for a boycott of PUMA (Germany) due to its sponsorship of the Israel Football Association (IFA), which governs teams in Israel’s illegal settlements on occupied Palestinian land. In a major BDS win in December 2023, PUMA leaked news to the media that it will not be renewing its IFA contract when it expires in December 2024. Until then, it is still complicit, so we continue to #BoycottPUMA until it finally ends its complicity in apartheid.
Carrefour
Carrefour (France) is a genocide enabler. Carrefour-Israel has supported Israeli soldiers partaking in the unfolding genocide of Palestinians in Gaza with gifts of personal packages. In 2022, it entered a partnership with the Israeli company Electra Consumer Products and its subsidiary Yenot Bitan, both of which are involved in grave violations against the Palestinian people.
AXA
Insurance giant AXA (France) invests in Israeli banks financing war crimes and the theft of Palestinian land and natural resources. When Russia invaded Ukraine, AXA took targeted measures against it. Yet, Axa has taken no action against Israel, a 75-year-old regime of settler-colonialism and apartheid, despite its ongoing genocidal war on Gaza.
SodaStream
SodaStream is an Israeli company that is actively complicit in Israel's policy of displacing the indigenous Bedouin-Palestinian citizens of present-day Israel in the Naqab (Negev) and has a long history of racial discrimination against Palestinian workers.
Ahava
Ahava cosmetics is an Israeli company that has its production site, visitor center, and main store in an illegal Israeli settlement in the occupied Palestinian territory.
RE/MAX
RE/MAX (US) markets and sells property in illegal Israeli settlements built on stolen Palestinian land, thus enabling Israel’s colonization of the occupied West Bank.
Israeli produce in your supermarkets
Boycott produce from Israel in your supermarket and demand their removal from shelves. Beyond being part of a trade that fuels Israel’s apartheid economy, Israeli fruits, vegetables, and wines misleadingly labeled as “Product of Israel” often include products of illegal settlements on stolen Palestinian land. Israeli companies do not distinguish between the two, and neither should consumers.
Non-BDS Grassroots Boycotts:
McDonald’s (US), Burger King (US), Papa John’s (US), Pizza Hut (US), WIX (Israel), etc. are now being targeted in some countries by grassroots organic boycott campaigns, not initiated by the BDS movement. BDS supports these boycott campaigns because these companies, or their branches or franchisees in Israel, have openly supported apartheid Israel and/or provided generous in-kind donations to the Israeli military amid the current genocide. If these grassroots campaigns are not already organically active in your area, we suggest focusing your energies on our strategic campaigns above. 
Recently, McDonald’s franchisee in Malaysia has filed a SLAPP lawsuit against solidarity activists, claiming defamation. Instead of holding the Israel franchisee to account for supporting genocide, we are now witnessing corporate bullying against activists. For both these reasons, we are calling to escalate the boycott of McDonald’s until the parent company takes action and ends the complicity of the brand.
Remember, all Israeli banks and virtually all Israeli companies are complicit to some degree in Israel’s system of occupation and apartheid, and hundreds of international corporations and banks are also deeply complicit. We focus our boycotts on a small number of companies and products for maximum impact.
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thefirsthogokage · 8 months
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(Link to Tweet)
[Image ID: A tweet from Jenny Klein that reads:
Now 100 days into the strike, here is a roundup of places you can donate to help entertainment worker relief (all workers not just WGA) - [Click this sentence to go to the Google document] #WGAstrong #unionstrong
/End ID]
In case you can't open the link:
We are more than 75 days into the WGA strike, and now SAG-AFTRA has joined us too. Unite Here 11 hotel workers have been out all month. Teamsters and IATSE have been out of work. Here's some funds you can donate to to support everyone. I will update this often as more funds pop up!
WORKER SUPPORT
THE UNION SOLIDARITY COALITION FUND
TUSC is raising money for direct aid to IATSE and Teamsters crew -- they are notably covering people’s health insurance premiums while they’re out of work. Donate here. [501c3 - tax deductible]
ENTERTAINMENT COMMUNITY FUND
Most importantly, EntertainmentCommunityFund.org gives financial aid to entertainment workers all over the industry, both WGA and non-WGA. It's a big source of assistance for IATSE people especially. [501c3 - tax deductible]
SAG-AFTRA FOUNDATION
The SAG-AFTRA Foundation provides financial assistance to members of their union in need. https://members.sagfoundation.org/donate [501c3 - tax deductible]
HUMANITAS GROCERIES
Humanitas Groceries For Writers. This helps staff writers and other early career WGA members with $100 grocery gift cards. Donate here (and select Groceries For Writers from the dropdown): https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=AVJ6TL2YYPX2A
INEVITABLE FOUNDATION
Inevitable Foundation has a financial aid fund for WGA writers with disabilities. [501c3 - tax deductible] You can donate to support here: https://www.inevitable.foundation/emergency-relief-fund-donate?form=webdonate
GREEN ENVELOPE GROCERY AID
WGA captain Joelle Garfinkel helps run a grocery aid fund for entertainment workers. You can learn more about it here: https://twitter.com/msjoellegarf/status/1678522919780069377 Donate by sending money on venmo to @ Joelle-Garfinkel and if you need aid you can apply by emailing [email protected]
FOOD BANK GROCERIES FOR ACTORS/WRITERS
World Harvest Food Bank in Mid City LA is giving away free groceries to writers and actors on strike. You can donate to support those efforts here: https://www.worldharvestla.org/donate-now [501c3 - tax deductible]
UNITE HERE 11 MUTUAL AID STRIKE FUND
Unite Here 11 hotel workers, who staff many of the hotels used by the major studios for production, are on strike. If you would like to donate to their strike fund, you can do so here: https://www.unitehere11.org/donate-to-the-unite-here-local-11-strike-mutual-aid-fund/
MOTION PICTURE TELEVISION FUND
MPTF (formerly known as the Actors Fund) provides a variety of services including grants for people on strike. You can donate to MPTF here: https://mptf.com/donate/ [501c3 - tax deductible]
HOLLYWOOD SUPPORT STAFF RELIEF FUND
This is an MPTF fund specifically for Hollywood assistants impacted by the strike. https://secure2.convio.net/afa/site/Donation2;jsessionid=00000000.app20023a?8217.donation=form1&8217_donation=form1&NONCE_TOKEN=12A38B8E80F6E4250888E4E44BE1190D&df_id=8217&idb=182923308&mfc_pref=T [501c3 - tax deductible]
PICKET LINE SUPPORT
PIZZA FUND - ALL LA LOTS
Comedy writer Jess Morse maintains a pizza fund that delivers to all of the Valley pickets. You can send money to @ Jess-Morse on Venmo or paypal.me/pizzastrikefund on Paypal ($10.97 buys one pizza)
FOX LOT FOOD FUND (LA)
I run a food fund to help feed our picket line at Fox, where I am an assistant coordinator. My Venmo is @ OlgaLexell and we love to use this money on catering from local businesses so we can support them while their business is down too.
SONY LOT FOOD FUND (LA)
The folks coordinating the Sony lot started a food fund via GiveButter. https://givebutter.com/sonypicketlines
NETFLIX LOT FOOD FUND (LA)
Lot coordinator Danny Tolli runs a Venmo fund for food and beverages at Netflix. You can Venmo him @ dctolli to contribute.
DISNEY LOT FUND (LA)
Lot coordinator Carlos Cisco started a Venmo fund for supplies like water at Disney, which has extremely high temperatures in the summer. Venmo him at @ Carlos-Cisco to contribute.
COMMUNITY SOLIDARITY PROJECT (LA)
CSP has been delivering hot meals like breakfast burritos to all of the LA lots. Donate here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-entertainment-workers-on-the-strike-line
TARGET REGISTRY - ALL LA LOTS
Official Target registry run by the WGA West Lot Coordinators. This is to get supplies for our check-in stations, ranging from snacks to first aid to garbage bags and beyond. https://www.target.com/gift-registry/gift-giver?registryId=079d5420-f35e-11ed-989e-f9022739cfe2&type=CUSTOM
NYC STRIKE SUPPLIES
NY Strike captain Steph Deluca offered to receive incoming funds to buy picket line supplies, which is something the WGAe needs help with. They are fundraising via her venmo @steph_deluca
FEEDING THE NYC STRIKERS
A group sending food and water to NYC strikers has set up a Cashapp and Paypal fund. You can send the money at $NYCStrikeFund via Cashapp or [email protected] via Paypal.
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fatehbaz · 2 months
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[T]he Dutch Republic, like its successor the Kingdom of the Netherlands, [...] throughout the early modern period had an advanced maritime [trading, exports] and (financial) service [banking, insurance] sector. Moreover, Dutch involvement in Atlantic slavery stretched over two and a half centuries. [...] Carefully estimating the scope of all the activities involved in moving, processing and retailing the goods derived from the forced labour performed by the enslaved in the Atlantic world [...] [shows] more clearly in what ways the gains from slavery percolated through the Dutch economy. [...] [This web] connected them [...] to the enslaved in Suriname and other Dutch colonies, as well as in non-Dutch colonies such as Saint Domingue [Haiti], which was one of the main suppliers of slave-produced goods to the Dutch economy until the enslaved revolted in 1791 and brought an end to the trade. [...] A significant part of the eighteenth-century Dutch elite was actively engaged in financing, insuring, organising and enabling the slave system, and drew much wealth from it. [...] [A] staggering 19% (expressed in value) of the Dutch Republic's trade in 1770 consisted of Atlantic slave-produced goods such as sugar, coffee, or indigo [...].
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One point that deserves considerable emphasis is that [this slave-based Dutch wealth] [...] did not just depend on the increasing output of the Dutch Atlantic slave colonies. By 1770, the Dutch imported over fl.8 million worth of sugar and coffee from French ports. [...] [T]hese [...] routes successfully linked the Dutch trade sector to the massive expansion of slavery in Saint Domingue [the French colony of Haiti], which continued until the early 1790s when the revolution of the enslaved on the French part of that island ended slavery.
Before that time, Dutch sugar mills processed tens of millions of pounds of sugar from the French Caribbean, which were then exported over the Rhine and through the Sound to the German and Eastern European ‘slavery hinterlands’.
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Coffee and indigo flowed through the Dutch Republic via the same trans-imperial routes, while the Dutch also imported tobacco produced by slaves in the British colonies, [and] gold and tobacco produced [by slaves] in Brazil [...]. The value of all the different components of slave-based trade combined amounted to a sum of fl.57.3 million, more than 23% of all the Dutch trade in 1770. [...] However, trade statistics alone cannot answer the question about the weight of this sector within the economy. [...] 1770 was a peak year for the issuing of new plantation loans [...] [T]he main processing industry that was fully based on slave-produced goods was the Holland-based sugar industry [...]. It has been estimated that in 1770 Amsterdam alone housed 110 refineries, out of a total of 150 refineries in the province of Holland. These processed approximately 50 million pounds of raw sugar per year, employing over 4,000 workers. [...] [I]n the four decades from 1738 to 1779, the slave-based contribution to GDP alone grew by fl.20.5 million, thus contributing almost 40% of all growth generated in the economy of Holland in this period. [...]
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These [slave-based Dutch commodity] chains ran from [the plantation itself, through maritime trade, through commodity processing sites like sugar refineries, through export of these goods] [...] and from there to European metropoles and hinterlands that in the eighteenth century became mass consumers of slave-produced goods such as sugar and coffee. These chains tied the Dutch economy to slave-based production in Suriname and other Dutch colonies, but also to the plantation complexes of other European powers, most crucially the French in Saint Domingue [Haiti], as the Dutch became major importers and processers of French coffee and sugar that they then redistributed to Northern and Central Europe. [...]
The explosive growth of production on slave plantations in the Dutch Guianas, combined with the international boom in coffee and sugar consumption, ensured that consistently high proportions (19% in 1770) of commodities entering and exiting Dutch harbors were produced on Atlantic slave plantations. [...] The Dutch economy profited from this Atlantic boom both as direct supplier of slave-produced goods [from slave plantations in the Dutch Guianas, from Dutch processing of sugar from slave plantations in French Haiti] and as intermediary [physically exporting sugar and coffee] between the Atlantic slave complexes of other European powers and the Northern and Central European hinterland.
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Text above by: Pepijn Brandon and Ulbe Bosma. "Slavery and the Dutch economy, 1750-1800". Slavery & Abolition Volume 42, Issue 1. 2021. [Text within brackets added by me for clarity. Bold emphasis and some paragraph breaks/contractions added by me. Presented here for commentary, teaching, criticism purposes.]
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hymnsofheresy · 2 years
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If anyone is wanting to have a child and needs emotional and material support from a non-CPC in the USA, here is a list of resources I mostly got from this article.
All Options (Formerly known as Backline) is a pro-choice resource that provides non-judgmental, free counseling on all the options available to someone in their pregnancy and after, including abortion, adoption, and parenting. Their toll-free talk line number is 1-888-493-0092 and it’s open Monday through Friday from 10-1 a.m., and Saturday through Sunday from 10 a.m. through 6 p.m. ET.
DomesticShelters.org is the first and largest online and mobile searchable directory of domestic violence programs and shelters in the U.S. and Canada, and a leading source of helpful tools and information for people experiencing and working to end domestic violence. They aim to make it faster and easier for victims of domestic violence and their friends/family, as well as program and shelter providers, to quickly find services and information best suited to their location, language, and needs.
LoveIsRespect.org engages, educates, and empowers young people to prevent and end abusive relationships. Their free and confidential services are available 24/7: Chat at www.loveisrespect.org; Text ‘loveis’ to 22522*; or make a toll-free call to 1-866-331-9474.
Parents without Partners provides single parents and their children with an opportunity for enhancing personal growth, self-confidence, and sensitivity towards others by offering an environment for support, friendship and the exchange of parenting techniques.
Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN) is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. Partnering with over 1,000 local sexual assault service providers nationally, RAINN carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help victims, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice. Their toll-free hotline is 1-800-656-HOPE and it’s open 24/7.
Single Mothers By Choice provides peer support and information to single women who are considering, or have chosen, single motherhood. Members connect with one another through local chapters all over the US, and in Canada, Europe, and beyond.
The National Diaper Bank Network raises awareness of diaper need, strengthens community-based diaper banks, and generates donations of dollars and diapers, so that all babies remain clean, dry and healthy.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline staffs highly trained, experienced advocates to offer compassionate support, crisis intervention information, and referral services in more than 200 languages for DV survivors. Visit their website to find information about DV, safety planning, and local resources. Their toll free hotline is open 24/7 at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
The National Parent Helpline connects parents or caregivers of youth to local services and resources and counsels on problem-solving and personal empowerment for caregivers. Their hotline is 1-855- 4A PARENT (1-855-427-2736) and it’s open Monday through Friday from 10am-7pm PST.
The National Pro-Choice Adoption Collaborative is comprised of two non-profits: Open Adoption & Family Services and Friends in Adoption, which provides pro-choice, not religiously affiliated and non-discriminatory adoption information and counseling. Their toll-free hotlines are open 24/7 at 1-800-772-1115 (OAFS) or 1-800-982-3678 (FiA)
ChildCare.gov is a government-run program to help parents find childcare and government resources. This includes financial assistance, healthcare, and mental health resources.
Free Formula Exchange is a nationwide mutual aid network connecting families who need baby formula to people who have formula to donate.
PDF on how to create a childcare collective which is a way multiple families can collaborate with each other to provide child care.
Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is a government healthcare program for children in families not eligible for Medicaid. It offers free or low-cost health insurance for kids and teens. Children can get regular check-ups, immunizations, doctor and dentist visits, hospital care, mental health services, prescriptions and more. In a handful of states, CHIP also covers prenatal care. To find information on health insurance programs call 1-877-KIDS-NOW (1-877-543-7669).
Every Mother Counts is an organization that advocates for and supports accessible maternity care, especially for WoC. They provide guidance about your pregnancy needs, such as finding an affordable doula, and information about pregnant people’s rights.
National Respite Network and Resource Center provides information for national and state respite programs. This includes a directory of various crisis nurseries which provide a temporary safe space for high-risk children without placing the child in foster care.
Hill-Burton Facilities are medical institutions that are obligated to provide free or affordable healthcare. This can be helpful when seeking prenatal and postnatal care.
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services has a list of resources on finding health assistance programs. To find free or reduced prenatal care call the toll free number Call 1-800-311-BABY (1-800-311-2229) to get in touch with your local health department.
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vakilkarosblog · 6 months
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A Section 8 Microfinance Company, under the Companies Act, 2013, is a non-profit organization that is established with the objective of promoting commerce, art, science, sports, education, research, social welfare, religion, charity, protection of environment, or any such other object. It aims to utilize its profits or income, if any, solely for the promotion of the specified objects. This legal structure is particularly well-suited for entities that aim to carry out charitable or non-profit activities. Read More
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sunshinesmebdy · 3 months
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Uranus Awakens: How the Rebellious Bull Shakes Up Business and Finance in 2024
Prepare for disruption, fellow stargazers! As the revolutionary planet Uranus stations direct in the grounded sign of Taurus on January 27, 2024, a cosmic earthquake ripples through the world of business and finance. Get ready for unexpected twists, innovative breakthroughs, and a complete reshaping of the economic landscape. Buckle up, entrepreneurs, investors, and everyone in between — Uranus is here to shake things up!
The Cosmic Cocktail:
Imagine the stoic, earth-loving Taurus as a well-established bank, steeped in tradition and conservative practices. Now, picture the rebellious Uranus, bursting in with a briefcase full of digital currency and blockchain ideas. That’s the essence of this transit — a clash between old and new, stability and revolution, practicality and radical transformation.
Impacts to Expect:
Technological Disruption: Brace yourself for a wave of innovation in finance and business. Cryptocurrency, blockchain, and decentralized finance (DeFi) will take center stage, challenging traditional banking systems and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
Prepare for a digital gold rush as Uranus throws open the vault of financial innovation! Cryptocurrency will erupt into mainstream commerce, blockchain will become the new ledger, and DeFi will democratize finance like never before. Traditional banks better dust off their abacus and learn to code, because digital cowboys are charging onto the financial frontier, redefining how we value, exchange, and invest. From peer-to-peer microloans to fractionalized real estate ownership, the possibilities are as limitless as your imagination. Buckle up, because the tectonic plates of finance are shifting, and the digital revolution is rewriting the rules of the game!
Shifting Market Dynamics: Expect volatility and unexpected shifts in established industries. Old guard companies might scramble to adapt, while nimble startups with innovative ideas flourish. Think green energy disrupting fossil fuels, or AI revolutionizing the service industry.
Be prepared for market earthquakes! Uranus, the cosmic trickster, will send shockwaves through established industries, causing titans to tremble and upstarts to dance. Picture fossil fuels choking on the dust of solar panels, brick-and-mortar stores gasping as virtual bazaars boom, and customer service bots replacing flustered clerks. AI will infiltrate every corner, from crafting personalized shopping experiences to streamlining logistics, while sustainable solutions crack open resource-hungry giants. It’s a Darwinian playground for businesses — adapt or face extinction. This isn’t just a market shuffle, it’s a complete reshuffle of the deck, and the cards are dealt anew. Get ready for the thrill of the unexpected, because the only constant in this dynamic landscape is change itself!
Evolving Values: Sustainability, ethical practices, and social responsibility will become increasingly important for consumers and investors alike. Businesses that prioritize these values will thrive, while those stuck in outdated models might struggle.
Get ready for a values revolution! Consumers and investors will turn from price tags to purpose tags, demanding businesses that go beyond profit and prioritize sustainability, ethical sourcing, and social responsibility. Imagine carbon-neutral factories replacing smog-belching behemoths, fair-trade coffee beans eclipsing exploitative practices, and employee well-being becoming a non-negotiable bottom line. Businesses that cling to outdated models will find themselves gasping for air as ethical alternatives steal the oxygen. It’s not just a trend, it’s a tidal wave of conscious consumerism sweeping away the tide of greed. So, businesses, listen up: embrace responsible practices, champion inclusivity, and weave sustainability into your very fabric, or risk being swept away by the rising tide of conscious capitalism. The future belongs to those who do good, not just those who do well!
Collaborative Entrepreneurship: Collaboration and community-driven ventures will rise in prominence. Shared workspaces, cooperatives, and peer-to-peer platforms will gain traction, challenging the traditional top-down corporate structure.
Picture the corporate pyramid crumbling as the cosmic crane hoists the collaborative flag! Uranus, the revolutionary, encourages a seismic shift: from isolated silos to thriving beehives. Shared workspaces buzz with creative collisions, cooperatives blossom out of shared passions, and peer-to-peer platforms become the new marketplace, fueled by trust and mutual aid. The top-down hierarchy shivers as horizontal networks rise, blurring the lines between boss and worker, replacing command with consensus. Collaboration takes center stage, not competition, as communities band together to tackle challenges and build innovative solutions. So, entrepreneurs, shed your solopreneur capes and embrace the power of the collective! In this new social business ecosystem, where synergy triumphs over supremacy, the future belongs to those who share, empower, and co-create a brighter tomorrow. Let the collaborative revolution begin!
Focus on Personal Values: Individuals will increasingly prioritize work that aligns with their personal values and passions. Entrepreneurship fueled by purpose and authenticity will flourish, shaping a more diverse and fulfilling business landscape.
Prepare for a workplace metamorphosis! Uranus, the cosmic butterfly, flutters wings of purpose, urging individuals to shed the career chrysalis and soar towards fulfilling their true potential. Gone are the days of soul-sucking jobs; now, personal values take center stage as the compass guiding career choices. Imagine passionate bakers opening community cafes, eco-conscious designers launching upcycled fashion lines, and tech whizzes crafting apps that tackle social issues. Authenticity becomes the new currency, with entrepreneurs weaving their passions into the fabric of their ventures, creating a mosaic of purpose-driven businesses that cater to every corner of the human experience. This isn’t just a career shift, it’s a heart shift, transforming the business landscape into a vibrant tapestry of diverse talents and fulfilled souls. So, listen to your inner compass, embrace your unique spark, and let your passion ignite the world — the future of work belongs to those who dare to be true to themselves!
Tips for Navigating the Cosmic Chaos:
Embrace innovation: Don’t cling to the old ways. Stay open to new technologies, trends, and business models. Be curious, explore, and experiment.
Adapt and evolve: Be prepared to change course quickly. Agility and responsiveness will be key to success in this dynamic environment.
Prioritize sustainability and ethics: Integrate environmental and social responsibility into your business practices. Consumers and investors are increasingly drawn to values-driven companies.
Collaborate and connect: Build partnerships, join communities, and leverage the power of collective action. Collaboration will be crucial for navigating the changing landscape.
Follow your passion: Don’t be afraid to pursue your entrepreneurial dreams. Uranus encourages authenticity and purpose-driven ventures.
Remember, Uranus isn’t about chaos for chaos’ sake. It’s about dismantling outdated structures and paving the way for a more progressive, sustainable, and fulfilling economic future. By embracing the change, staying adaptable, and aligning your business with your values, you can not only survive this cosmic revolution but thrive in the exciting new world it creates. So, let your inner rebel loose, embrace the disruption, and ride the wave of innovation — the economic future is bright for those who dare to dream big!
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femmefatalevibe · 10 months
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how do you reconcile being a feminist, single, and a high-value woman? maybe I'm misunderstanding the concept but I always thought HVW and hypergamy were all very centered on seeking a male partner.
Hi love! Great question. I think your curiosity offers a great opportunity to dive a bit more into my personal views and philosophy.
I believe that the goal of feminism is to protect all women and provide them legal protection, structural resources, and social power to live equitably in society. In my eyes, a high-value woman is one who is unapologetically self-respecting and sets her life up in a way to allows her to work towards goals that meet her needs in all areas of life.
Hypergamy, by its modern definition, is the idea that women "date up" to intertwine their sexual relationships with men to those who offer more or equally high social, financial, or sexual capital to them. The traditional idea of hypergamy was exclusively referred to as "marrying up" as marriage was the only way women could achieve most resources (like a bank account, credit card, housing, and certain medical care – it's so terrifying, honestly).
In the latter case, hypergamy is nearly synonymous with centralizing men. Before women gained certain freedoms (in the U.S. this was mostly in the 1960-70s), centralizing men was a survival mechanism, not a preference or act of self-imposed oppression.
I believe in the modern world where women can have their own bank accounts, careers, and access to birth control (the latter one is an anxiety-inducing topic at this point in time, ugh), women are given the choice to be hypergamous either while centralizing or decentralizing men.
I believe that you can uphold hypergamous standards in your dating life without centralizing men in your life. For me, personally, my relationship or dating status has no bearing on how happy or successful I am in my life. No man (or lack of one in my life) will ever determine my self-worth or reflect my progress in life. My metrics of fulfillment and accomplishment stem from thriving in my professional life, staying in good health, practicing consistently healthy habits (WFPB diet, regular exercise, mental health hygiene, sexual wellness, mindfulness, self-care, etc.), and maintaining nourishing friendships. Dating and my interactions with men (in non-platonic ways) are fun ways I enrich my life, so I believe this mentality embodies the modern – albeit hyper-progressive – definition of hypergamy. Remaining single allows me to enjoy all of the ways men can uplevel my life – socially, financially (to the degree some nighttime activities, such as dinners, drinks, car services, club fees, etc. are paid for – no sugaring activities or anything), and sexually without the aspects of dating men that would contradict my sense of self-respect or autonomy. I'm not personally designed to be a man's therapist or feel like I should have to include a man's needs in all of my life or day-to-day decisions because we're sexually involved with each other. I have a strict vetting process regarding who I will entertain in my dating/sexual life to ensure they're adding value to my life and there's mutual compatibility considering the type of arrangement we're both seeking.
Personally, I believe the only way to maintain equity in dating is to remain single, which allows me to meet all of my other standards in life. I will never sacrifice my life goals for a man, but I do not believe that means you have to approach dating or sexual relationships from a black-and-white perspective. However, if I'm going to date men (which can be a headache for certain), I believe they need to enrich my life in some way – whether that's interesting conversations, gaining business acumen, social relationships, fun sexual experiences, or just learning about different cultures/world perspectives.
From my observations, women who use hypergamy as an excuse to centralize their life or aspirations around a man are glamorizing regressive/oppressive ideologies (like submitting to a partner or relying on men financially) as a last attempt to uphold the patriarchy as women wake up to the fact that having to do all of society's emotional labor plus having to contort ourselves in a world designed for men, namely in our professional lives, is not the truest form of feminism out there (not to mention it's lack of intersectionality, but that's a whole other rant lol). I don't use the "hypergamy" tag on my posts anymore for this reason, though. I believe that many people are conflating the textbook concept of hypergamy with regressive political agendas, which I will never promote let alone subscribe to.
This is all just my take, so I hope it all makes sense and resonates with some members of this amazing community. Every woman should figure out what approaches to all of these matters would make her the most genuinely happy and fulfilled regardless of society's expectations or cultural norms.
Sending love xx
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brehaaorgana · 1 month
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adhd budgeting talk: the budgeting service i *don't* use
i keep seeing youtubers get sponsorships from rocketmoney and normally i tune them out, because a) i don't care, and b.) i am happy to recommend people sign up for YNAB, i use YNAB, and will continue to use it. [i am NOT sponsored. they give me no money. i DO have a referral link, but any person who uses ynab does. we both get a free month of the service if you start a trial period via my link, and then choose to purchase the service after the end of your free trial. they don't auto-charge. that's it.]
BUT. but. one youtuber, as part of her advert, started mentioning that rocketmoney has bill negotiation services and she was talking about how nice it was to have someone like, be the adult on her behalf to negotiate down bills save her money etc, how she didn't have to deal with the stress and anxiety and they do it all FOR you. they call all the companies FOR you!!! how "nice"!
unfortunately this was THE OPPOSITE of reassuring to me. in fact, this screams: RED ALERT RED FLAG PROCEED WITH CAUTION!!!
let me explain why i don't trust rocketmoney since i found this out.
the VERY tl;dr is this: you're giving away all your security info and login info, giving them the right to pretend to be you to negotiate on your bills, and also they "may" charge you for this service per bill. if you want assistance with this kind of thing, please find a non-profit licensed credit counseling agency via the NFCC because as non-profits their goal is not making money off of you, it's literally to improve the community, increase financial education, and genuinely help you.
okay the full "holy shit please be more suspicious of companies whose goal is to make money," spiel":
most budgeting apps/services that are free have to make money somehow, so you need to consider how they do that. (probably selling your data, or being your literal bank, etc). they are typically for-profit companies. never forget the goal is them making money.
that's not inherently a bad thing per se, but it means they have a known motive.
if you have a budgeting app set to auto-sync with your bank info, you are granting them a limited power of attorney to view, access, and transmit your bank data. every single budget company that offers this, mentions that in their terms of service agreement.
my recommended budget service, You Need a Budget, states this in their TOS. in YNAB, it only applies if you choose to sync your bank accounts with your budget, bc you have to give them the info, obviously. You can enter everything all manually if you want to, and then they can't access anything. Personally I am comfortable with authorizing this very limited POA, so I do it, because yeah, it makes my life easier, and i need this automated to make it sustainable to do bc adhd. even on my best days, i would never keep up with all of that.
so, that said: YOU ARE GRANTING A FOR PROFIT COMPANY WAYYYY MORE POWER THAN JUST PULLING AND TRANSMITTING YOUR TRANSACTIONS DATA IF THEY'RE NEGOTIATING BILLS ON YOUR BEHALF!!!!
LIKE. bruh. y'all. everyone.
unfortunate truths:
sometimes you gotta at least skim the headings of the terms of service agreement
sometimes you GOTTA just buckle down and do the annoying anxiety inducing awful adult thing yourself and, barring that --
find a NON-PROFIT TO HELP YOU, NOT A FOR PROFIT COMPANY if you really want this kind of service.
rocket money's terms of service for bill negotiation is waaayyy more than just "sync and share my transaction data."
they may CALL UP ANOTHER COMPANY AND PRETEND TO BE YOU.
By requesting a Bill Negotiation, you authorize Rocket Money to contact your Provider as your limited agent in order to secure a better rate on the service on your behalf. Rocket Money will provide account verification details including, but not limited to, your full name, respective addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses, the name of the Provider, your Provider account number, the applicable password, PIN number, or other security credentials to access the account or validate the account with the service provider in order to proceed with the negotiation. If it’s necessary for our agents to represent to your Provider that they’re the account holder, you consent to such representation solely in order to perform the Bill Negotiation.
hello???? they get all your security info and pin and credentials and you give them permission to pretend to be you. their goal, i must STRESS, is to MAKE A PROFIT OFF OF YOU by doing this.
...i know people's eyes glaze over this kinda shit but like. god. the TOS!!!! the FEES!!!!
We may charge a Bill Negotiation fee (the "Negotiation Fee") for our Services connected with Bill Negotiation.
you MAY charge a fee for this??? i hate legalese. this is probably just "we WILL charge a fee most of the time."
The current Negotiation Fee is decided by the user, anywhere between 30-60% of the 12-month savings achieved as a result of the negotiation. 
wait, what. it's decided by us, the CUSTOMER, and we can pick a range? who the fuck would choose a 60% fee? this doesn't make sense. why are there options. why the fuck would i pay 60% OF THE SAVINGS TO MAKE SOMEONE DO ONE PAINFUL PHONE CALL FOR ME?
For instance, if a 40% fee is chosen and Rocket Money is able to lower a bill by $10 per month, that would equal savings of $120 over 12 months and a Negotiation Fee of $48.
.....okay so. again they lower the bill by $10.00 monthly, right? let's say the bill was originally $50, now it's $40, but you DO pay it monthly, not in a lump annual discount. doesn't matter what this bill is for. they're taking 40% of your savings that they broker for you. meaning instead of saving $10, you're only saving $6.00.
you're not ACTUALLY saving $120.00 over the course of a year. you're paying them $48.00 all at once in order to not have to spend $72.00 over the course of TWELVE MONTHS. because you don't want to make an annoying phone call that might take you hours.
i mean look, if you feel that's worth nearly $50 (hypothetically) for a SINGLE BILL, idk what to tell you. that just doesn't seem like a very budgeting savvy trick tbh.
We may charge the Negotiation Fee to the credit or debit card provided and authorized at the time the Bill Negotiation is submitted. The Negotiation Fee is non-refundable, except in the event that an error was made during the Bill Negotiation, or except as otherwise required by applicable law. 
oh also if they sign you up for some special promo deal that expires and then gives you a higher bill or extra fees later, you're on the hook for that. lmfao.
ALSO THEY HAVE A SAVINGS PLAN THING THEY OFFER AND I JUST SEE THIS, BOLDING THEIRS:
Rocket Money’s Savings Plan feature is not an interest-yielding savings account so you will not earn any interest on your funds.
get the fuck outta here lmfao.
YOU LITERALLY DON'T EARN ANY INTEREST IN YOUR SAVINGS ACCOUNT. THIS IS THE WORST KIND OF SAVINGS ACCOUNT THERE CAN BE.
this is LESS INTEREST EARNED THAN MY CHECKING ACCOUNTS, BECAUSE IT'S ZERO.
I have a decent-ish savings account right now. i've earned almost a full THIRTY DOLLARS so far, THIS YEAR. in THREE MONTHS. FROM INTEREST.
i cannot stress this enough, rocket money is selling you a savings...program or something to help you...save money.
it's a premium only feature.
We offer the Premium membership on a sliding scale of $4 -$5 per month (billed annually at $48 and $60) or $6-$12 per month, billed monthly.
it was so hard to find this btw. (that's $72.00 - $144.00 annual in the monthly billing example.)
again i stress it is a premium feature for you to pay at least $48.00 a year in order to "automate your savings" where it will earn you ABSOLUTELY NO INTEREST.
i've earned exactly $29.90 in interest from my completely free to open regular degular savings account since january 1st. it is march 16th. if we just estimate i could get about $30 in interest every 3 months, then i could earn $120.00 just from saving money all on my own. (incidentally, that would cover the $99 annual YNAB subscription fee and leave change left over. gee. how nice. real talk: it's cheaper than amazon prime. but anyways.)
why the fuck would i pay someone $48.00 to put my savings somewhere for me and have it do nothing. what. how does that improve my finances. i hate this.
.....goddamnit they're a MORTGAGE COMPANY. rocket mortgage. is....rocket money. lmaooo explains everything.
okay don't sign up for them bye.
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acceptccnow · 7 months
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Credit Card Merchant Accounts: Strategies for Optimal Integration
Article by Jonathan Bomser | CEO | Accept-Credit-Cards-Now.com
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In today's rapidly evolving e-commerce landscape, businesses must equip themselves with seamless payment processing solutions to cater to their diverse customer base. A critical facet of this process involves the efficient integration of credit card merchant accounts. In this article, we will explore strategies for optimizing the integration of credit card merchant accounts, especially within high-risk industries, ensuring smooth transactions and heightened customer satisfaction.
Understanding Credit Card Merchant Accounts At its core, a credit card merchant account functions as a specialized bank account, empowering businesses to accept payments via credit and debit cards. This integration is pivotal for expanding customer reach, augmenting sales, and preserving competitiveness. In high-risk sectors such as CBD, credit repair, and e-commerce, marked by elevated chargebacks and fraud risks, tailored solutions are a necessity.
The Significance of Payment Processing for High-Risk Businesses High-risk industries confront distinct challenges in payment processing. However, with the right approach, these challenges can be transformed into opportunities. High-risk businesses, whether dealing with CBD products or credit repair services, must accord top priority to secure and reliable payment processing to instill trust among both customers and financial institutions.
Customized Merchant Processing for High-Risk Sectors High-risk merchant processing is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. Customized solutions are imperative to mitigate risks while facilitating seamless transactions. Industries like CBD and credit repair necessitate specialized merchant accounts equipped to comprehend and address their unique requisites. Collaborating with experienced payment processors specializing in high-risk sectors empowers businesses to navigate complexities adeptly.
E-commerce Payment Processing and Merchant Accounts The rapid proliferation of e-commerce has ushered in a new era of transaction dynamics. Acceptance of credit cards for e-commerce is non-negotiable in today's digital landscape. Flawless integration of an e-commerce payment gateway and merchant account is indispensable for ensuring a frictionless shopping experience. This applies equally to industries like CBD and credit repair, where a robust online presence is indispensable.
Navigating the CBD Landscape CBD, despite its promise, grapples with stringent regulations and skepticism from financial institutions. Businesses in this sector necessitate CBD merchant accounts finely attuned to its intricacies and fully compliant with legal standards. Reliable payment processing for CBD not only ensures legality but also fosters credibility, facilitating the seamless acceptance of credit cards for CBD products.
Credit Repair Industry and Payment Processing The credit repair sector offers invaluable assistance to individuals seeking to enhance their financial standing. However, due to perceived risks, it faces substantial obstacles in payment processing. A credit repair merchant account tailored to the industry's unique intricacies is pivotal. Efficient credit repair payment processing streamlines transactions and bolsters the legitimacy of the industry.
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Building a Secure Future: Payment Gateway Solutions At the heart of credit card merchant accounts lies the payment gateway. A robust payment gateway not only facilitates transactions but also guarantees data security, fraud mitigation, and a marked reduction in chargebacks. In high-risk sectors, the selection of the right payment gateway can be transformative, instilling confidence in customers and financial partners alike.
Credit card merchant accounts wield immense significance, particularly within high-risk industries such as CBD and credit repair. The strategies delineated in this article underscore the importance of tailored solutions, secure payment gateways, and industry-specific merchant accounts. By embracing these strategies, businesses can seamlessly integrate credit card processing, mitigate risks, and provide customers with a reliable transaction experience, thus fostering long-term trust and satisfaction.
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xxxjarchiexxx · 5 months
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We have split these targets into four sections:
1. Consumer boycott targets - The BDS movement calls for a complete boycott of these brands carefully selected due to the company's proven record of complicity in Israeli apartheid.
2. Divestment targets - The BDS movement is pressuring governments, institutions and investment funds to exclude and divest from as many complicit companies as practical, especially weapons manufacturers, banks, and companies listed in the UN database of business involved in Israel’s illegal settlement enterprise, as well as the WhoProfits and AFSC Investigate databases of companies enabling the occupation. Below we give some of the targets we are campaigning against.
3. Pressure (non-boycott) targets - The BDS movement actively calls for pressure campaigns against these brands and services due to their complicity in Israeli apartheid. We have not, on strategic grounds, called for a boycott of these brands and services, instead we strategically call on supporters and institutions to mount other forms of pressure on them until they end their complicity in Israeli apartheid.
4. Organic boycott targets - The BDS movement did not initiate these grassroots boycott campaigns but is in support of them due to these brands openly supporting Israel’s genocide against Palestinians.
1. Consumer boycott targets:
Siemens Siemens (Germany) is the main contractor for the Euro-Asia Interconnector, an Israel-EU submarine electricity cable that is planned to connect Israel’s illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory to Europe. Siemens-branded electrical appliances are sold globally. PUMA PUMA (Germany) sponsors the Israel Football Association, which governs teams in Israel’s illegal settlements on occupied Palestinian land. Carrefour Carrefour (France) is a genocide enabler. Carrefour-Israel has supported Israeli soldiers partaking in the unfolding genocide of Palestinians in Gaza with gifts of personal packages. In 2022, it entered a partnership with the Israeli company Electra Consumer Products and its subsidiary Yenot Bitan, both of which are involved in grave violations against the Palestinian people. AXA When Russia invaded Ukraine, insurance giant AXA (France) took targeted measures against it. Yet, as Israel, a 75-year-old regime of settler-colonialism and apartheid, wages a genocidal war on Gaza, AXA continues to invest in Israeli banks financing war crimes and the theft of Palestinian land and natural resources. Hewlett Packard Inc (HP Inc) HP Inc (US) provides services to the offices of genocide leaders, Israeli PM Netanyahu and Financial Minister Smotrich. SodaStream SodaStream is actively complicit in Israel's policy of displacing the indigenous Bedouin-Palestinian citizens of Israel in the Naqab (Negev) and has a long history of racial discrimination against Palestinian workers. Ahava Ahava cosmetics has its production site, visitor center, and main store in an illegal Israeli settlement in the occupied Palestinian territory. RE/MAX RE/MAX (US) markets and sells property in illegal Israeli settlements built on stolen Palestinian land, thus enabling Israel’s colonization of the occupied West Bank. Israeli produce in your supermarkets Fruits, vegetables, and wines misleadingly labeled as “Product of Israel” often include products of illegal settlements on stolen Palestinian land. Israeli companies do not distinguish between the two, and neither should consumers. Boycott produce from Israel in your supermarket and demand their removal from shelves.
2. Divestment targets:
Elbit Systems Elbit Systems is apartheid Israel’s largest arms company. It “field-tests” its weapons on Palestinians, including in Israel’s ongoing genocidal war on Palestinians in Gaza. On top of building killer drones, Elbit makes surveillance technology for Israel's apartheid wall, checkpoints and Gaza fence, enabling apartheid. The US and EU use Elbit's technology to militarize their borders, violating refugee and indigenous peoples' rights. HD Hyundai/Volvo/CAT/JCB Machinery from HD Hyundai (South Korea), Volvo (Sweden/China), CAT (US), and JCB (UK) has been used by Israel in the ethnic cleansing and forced displacement of Palestinians through the destruction of their homes, farms, and businesses, as well as the construction of illegal settlements on land stolen from them, a war crime under international law. Barclays Barclays Bank (UK) holds more than £1 billion in shares of, and provides more than £3bn in loans and underwriting to nine companies whose weapons, components and military technology have been used in Israel’s armed violence against Palestinians. CAF Basque transport firm, CAF, builds and services the Jerusalem Light Rail (JLR), a tram line that serves Israel's illegal settlements in Jerusalem. CAF benefits from Israel’s war crimes on stolen Palestinian land. Chevron US fossil fuel multinational Chevron is the main international corporation extracting gas claimed by apartheid Israel in the East Mediterranean. Chevron generates billions in revenues, strengthening Israel’s war chest and apartheid system, and exacerbating the climate crisis. HikVision Amnesty International has documented high-resolution CCTV cameras made by the Chinese company Hikvision installed in residential areas and mounted to Israeli military infrastructure for surveillance of Palestinians. Some of these models, according to Hikvision’s own marketing, can plug into external facial recognition software. TKH Security Amnesty International has identified cameras made by the Dutch company TKH Security used by Israel for surveillance of Palestinians. TKH provides Israeli police with surveillance technology that is used to entrench apartheid. 
3. Pressure (non-boycott) targets:
Google and Amazon (US) As the Israeli military bombed homes, clinics, and schools in Gaza and threatened to push Palestinian families from their homes in occupied Jerusalem May 2021, Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud executives signed a $1.22 billion contract to provide cloud technology to the Israeli government and military. By supporting Israeli apartheid with vital technologies, Amazon and Google are directly implicated in its entire system of oppression, including its unfolding genocide in Gaza. Join the #NoTechForApartheid campaign. While the campaigns targeting these corporations have not called for boycotts, other forms of pressure have been adopted to force them to end their complicity. Airbnb/Booking/Expedia Airbnb (US), Booking.com (Netherlands) and Expedia (US) all offer rentals in illegal Israeli settlements built on stolen Palestinian land. While the campaigns targeting these corporations have not called for boycotts, yet, other forms of pressure have been adopted to force them to end their complicity. Disney The Disney-owned Marvel Studios (US) is promoting in the next Captain America film a "superhero" that personifies apartheid Israel. Both companies are therefore complicit in "anti-Palestinian racism, Israeli propaganda, and the glorification of settler-colonial violence against Indigenous people," as Palestinian cultural organizations have stated.
4. Grassroots organic boycott targets:
McDonald’s (US), Burger King (US), Papa John’s (US), Pizza Hut (US), WIX (Israel), etc. are now being targeted in some countries by grassroots organic boycott campaigns, not initiated by the BDS movement, because these companies, or their branches or franchises in Israel, have openly supported apartheid Israel and/or provided generous in-kind donations to the Israeli military amid the current Israeli offensive against 2.3 million Palestinians in the occupied and besieged Gaza Strip–described by leading international scholars of international law as an “unfolding genocide.” If these grassroots campaigns are not already organically active in your area, we suggest focusing your energies on our strategic campaigns above.
Remember, all Israeli banks and virtually all Israeli companies are complicit to some degree in Israel’s system of occupation and apartheid, and hundreds of international corporations and banks are also deeply complicit. We focus our boycotts on a small number of companies and products for maximum impact.
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mariacallous · 3 months
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Can you imagine what a digital white ethnostate or a cyber caliphate might look like? Having spent most of my career on the inside of online extremist movements, I certainly can. The year 2024 might be the one in which neo-Nazis, jihadists, and conspiracy theorists turn their utopian visions of creating their own self-governed states into reality—not offline, but in the form of Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs).
DAOs are digital entities that are collaboratively governed without central leadership and operate based on blockchain. They allow internet users to establish their own organizational structures, which no longer require the involvement of a third party in financial transactions and rulemaking. The World Economic Forum described DAOs as “an experiment to reimagine how we connect, collaborate and create”. However, as with all new technologies, there is also a darker side to them: They are likely to give rise to new threats emerging from decentralized extremist mobilization.
Today, there are already over 10,000 DAOs, which collectively manage billions of dollars and count millions of participants. So far, DAOs have attracted a wild mix of libertarians, activists, pranksters, and hobbyists. Most DAOs I have come across in my research sound innocent and fun. Personally, my favorites include theCaféDAO, which aims “to replace Starbucks” (good luck with that!); the Doge DAO, which wants to “make the Doge meme the most recognizable piece of art in the world”; and the HairDAO, “a decentralized asset manager solving hair loss.” But some DAOs use a more radical tone. For example, the Redacted Club DAO, which is rife with alt-right codes and conspiracy myth references, claims to be a secret network with the aim of “slaying” the “evil Meta Lizard King.”
The year 2024 might be one in which extremists start using DAOs strategically. Policies, legal contracts, and financial transactions that were traditionally the domain of governments, courts, and banks can be replaced with smart contracts, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and cryptocurrencies. The use of anonymous bitcoin wallets and non-transparent cryptocurrencies such as Monero is already widespread among extremists whose bank accounts have been frozen. A shift to entirely decentralized forms of self-governance is only one step away.
Beyond practical reasons that encourage extremists to create their own self-governed structures, there is an ideological incentive too: their fundamental distrust in the establishment. If you believe that the deep state or the “global Jewish elites” control everything from governments and Big Tech to the global banking system, DAOs offer an appealing alternative. Conversations on far-right fringe platforms such as BitChute and Odysee reveal that there is much appetite for decentralized alternative forms of collaboration, communication, and crowdfunding.
So what happens if anti-minority groups establish their own digital worlds in which they impose their own governing mechanisms? What are the stakes if trolling armies start cooperating via DAOs to launch election interference campaigns? The activities of extremist DAOs could challenge the rule of law, pose a threat to minority groups, and disrupt institutions that are currently considered fundamental pillars of democratic systems. Another risk is that DAOs can serve as safe havens for extremist movements by enabling users to circumvent government regulation and security services monitoring activities. They might also allow extremists to find new ways to fundraise, plan, and plot radicalization campaigns or even attacks. While many governments have focused on developing legal frameworks to regulate AI, few have even recognized the existence of DAOs. Their looming exploitation for extremist and criminal purposes is something that has flown under the radar of global policymakers.
Technology expert Carl Miller, who has long warned of potential misuse of DAOs, told me that “even though DAOs behave like companies, they are not registered as legal entities.” There are only a few exceptions: The US states of Wyoming, Vermont, and Tennessee have passed laws to legally recognize DAOs. With no regulations in place to hold DAOs accountable for extremist or criminal activities, the big question for 2024 will be: How can we ensure the metaverse doesn’t give rise to digital white ethnostates or cyber caliphates?
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pray-forgive-meow · 7 months
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Dear Sir: I have been requested by the Japanese National Wine Company to contact you for assistance in resolving a matter. The Japanese National Wine Company has recently concluded a large number of contracts for grape exploration in the Kanto region. The contracts have immediately produced moneys equaling £40,000,000. The Japanese National Wine Company is desirous of grape exploration in other parts of the world, however, because of certain regulations of the Japanese Government, it is unable to move these funds to another region. You assistance is requested as a non-Japanese citizen to assist the Japanese National Wine Company, and also the Central Bank of Japan, in moving these funds out of Japan. If the funds can be transferred to your name, in your British account, then you can forward the funds as directed by the Japanese National Wine Company. In exchange for your accommodating services, the Japanese National Wine Company would agree to allow you to retain 10%, or £4 million of this amount. However, to be a legitimate transferee of these moneys according to Japanese law, you must presently be a depositor of at least £100,000 in a Japanese bank which is regulated by the Central Bank of Japan. If it will be possible for you to assist us, we would be most grateful. We suggest that you meet with us in person in Tokyo, and that during your visit I introduce you to the representatives of the Japanese National Wine Company, as well as with certain officials of the Central Bank of Japan. Please call me at your earliest convenience at 523-1045. Time is of the essence in this matter; very quickly the Japan Government will realize that the Central Bank is maintaining this amount on deposit, and attempt to levy certain depository taxes on it. Yours truly, Prince Irene Adler
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... Hm. It appears that word of my digital dwellings has permeated into certain... social domains I had hoped to elude.
Pray forgive the discourtesy of my impending bluntness, but the odor of duplicity wafts from your missive, pervading the sanctity of my electronic correspondence. The realm you speak of, laden with clandestine transactions and elusive grape explorations, is one I have no desire to tread upon. As much as I am flattered by your belief in my capability to assist in such a, dare I say, peculiar vineyard escapade, I am left pondering the serendipity of such a correspondence arriving amidst the digital ether of my humble Eif-centric abode.
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Indeed, your tale of entangled riches and clandestine vineyard ventures meanders into the realm of the ludicrous, echoing the fanciful plots of miscreants and rogues that oft grace the fields of crime. Your proposition, veiled in a guise of legitimacy, appears to be naught but a fanciful tale spun to ensnare the unwary.
For some inexplicable reason or other, it seems you thought it prudent to direct your proposal towards a man of the law; perhaps under the presumption that 'the Reaper of the Bailey' would be enticed by such an underhanded offer. The mention of a British account holds but a hollow ring however, for my allegiance lies with the law and the just souls who uphold it, not with the fleeting whisper of sterling. In plain words, my favour cannot be bought.
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Ah, but I digress. Your invitation, though it rings hollow, has brought a moment of levity to my otherwise solemn day. The notion of gallivanting to Tokyo to partake in a financial farce is, in its essence, a frivolous jest. Yet, amidst this jest, your missive has bestowed upon me a renewed appreciation for the earnest simplicity of my hallowed Eif's musings, a realm where the wine flows with sincerity and the hearts of men are not entangled in deceitful vines.
Thus, I must bid you adieu, dear Prince, and return to the sacred chronicles of my Tumblr sanctum, where the chalice of truth brims with the rich nectar of sincerity and the effervescent glow of my hallowed Eif's enduring wisdom.
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Yours in earnest skepticism,
Barok van Zieks
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