>> Gunman dies after Discovery Channel hostage crisis
Silver Spring, MD- Gunman James Lee was pronounced dead on Tuesday, September 1, after Lee had begun a four-hour hostage and firing spree in the lobby of Discovery Channel headquarters in Silver Springs, Maryland. Lee had at least one explosive device strapped to his body and took three people hostage at gunpoint. After much negotiation, police felt that the hostages were in danger and thus shot Lee, leading to his death.
For over a year, Lee had protested against the channel’s failure to adequately program shows that showed the threatening effect of overpopulation and animal extinction on the planet. In his public statement titled “The Discovery Channel MUST broadcast to the world their commitment to save the planet and to the following IMMEDIATELY” on his website Lee demanded that “all programs on Discovery Health-TLC must stop encouraging the birth of any more parasitic human infants and the false heroics behind those actions.” Lee also cites the importance of saving the environment and the remaining species diversity of the planet, which includes “The Lions, Tigers, Giraffes, Elephants, Froggies, Turtles, Apes, Raccoons, Beetles, Ants, Sharks, Bears, and, of course, the Squirrels.”
Lee is believed to have been heavily influenced by the works of Daniel Quinn, author of several books on the environmental, human, and social issues. In Lee’s published document of demands, he cites a need for Discovery Channel to include Quinn’s ” ‘My Ishmael’ pages 207-212 where solutions to save the planet would be done in the same way as the Industrial Revolution was done, by people building on each other’s inventive ideas.”
Discovery Communications operates Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Science Channel, and Planet Green networks. The company has not yet made any public announcement concerning the incident.
>>Dolene Simmalavong to participate in 25th Annual Miss Asian America Pageant
On Saturday, August 7, Dolene Simmalavong of San Francisco will be participating in the 25th Annual Miss Asian America Pageant at the Palace of Fine Arts Theater. In April, Simmalavong was crowned Miss Lao International (MLIP) at the Hotel Whitcomb Ballroom in San Francisco.
Simmalavong, 19, who currently an apparel design and merchandising student at San Francisco State University, is the first ever Miss Lao International.
“I’m proud and honored and look forward to representing the International Lao New Year Festival (ILNYF) organization and Laotian American community,” said Simmalavong.
Joining Simmalavong in the court is 1st Princess Aleta Rattanasith, a Research Assistant at Oakland Unified School District, and 2nd Princess Busaba Sisounthone, a Shiseido at Macy’s Beauty Consultant.
>>CREAA Board Member Marilyn He passes away
Marilyn Hua He, board member of the CREAA, has passed away. Marilyn, 41, was a Vice President, Platinum Club member, and Top 5% Producer for the Bank of America Mortgage.
Marilyn’s passion for real estate investment, the dynamic industry, and the daily opportunities to serve and work with diverse individuals was always present. Even as her illness spiraled downward, Marilyn pursued her passion and continued to organize many CREAA events. Over the years, Marilyn has held numerous officer positions, all of which has helped CREAA to host many successful events.
Marilyn is survived by husband Owen, daughter Clarina, and son Derek, parents Chi Hua and Hoa Truong, sisters Patricia (Hong), Marie (Brian), Adrian (Adam), brother Ted (Ken), and many loving friends and relatives.
On Saturday, Sept. 4, Marilyn will be laid to rest at Cypress Lawn. Funeral services will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Tiffany Chapel of Cypress Lawn Funeral Home, 1370 El Camino Real in Colma, Calif.
Donations in Marilyn’s memory can be made in a white envelope at the funeral or to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society ( www.leukemia.org ). When sending to the Society, please prove the address of Marilyn’s family (P.O. Box #1494, San Francisco, CA, 94114).
Contributions can be made to a college fund for Marilyn and Owen’s children at Bank of America (Derek account # 02798-72579 and Clarina account # 02794-72580).
For more details about Marilyn’s life and service, please go to www.cypresslawn.com .
>>New China regulation requires ID to buy mobile phone numbers
Beijing- China is requiring those who want to purchase new cell phone numbers to register their personal identification information. By incorporation this requirement, China is joining many other countries to reduce the anonymous use of mobile technology.
The regulation was “the latest campaign by the government to curb the global scourge of spam, pornographic messages and fraud on cellular phones,” the China Daily newspaper reported. The rules of the regulation apply to everyone, from citizens to foreigners on short visits.
Similar regulations have been implemented in several Asian, European and Latin American countries in response to the aftermath of many phones which were used to detonate bombs and to organize terrorist attacks.
However, human rights advocates say China’s motives might lie deeper than protecting the internal safety of the country. Many critics of the regulation say that the regulation may be positioned to allow China to monitor its people, by tracking individuals and those who spontaneously join protests. Prior to the regulation, individuals could buy low-cost mobile phone SIM cards anonymously with cash at convenience stores and newspaper kiosks.
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