Breakpoint had an article about a pressing problem in Brazil. I’ve blogged about human trafficking and slavery before, and plan to continue doing so as I hear of problems that people ought to know about.
According to the story, a lot of workers on Brazil’s sugar plantations are modern day slaves.
Anywhere between 25,000 and 200,000 Brazilians are what are known as “debt slaves.” Their employers keep them in perpetual bondage by charging them “exorbitant rates for the food, water, clothes and the tools they work with.” Because their wages are so low, the workers can never pay off the “debt” and, thus, can never leave.
This year is the 200th anniversary of the stop of the Atlantic slave trade by the British Parliment due to the work of William Wilberforce. That was a momentous change in the evil practice of slavery. Oh that in this day we can rise up with the courage and dedication of someone like Wilberforce to stand against the abuse of human life.
Breakpoint had an article about a pressing problem in Brazil. I’ve blogged about human trafficking and slavery before, and plan to continue doing so as I hear of problems that people ought to know about.
According to the story, a lot of workers on Brazil’s sugar plantations are modern day slaves.
Anywhere between 25,000 and 200,000 Brazilians are what are known as “debt slaves.” Their employers keep them in perpetual bondage by charging them “exorbitant rates for the food, water, clothes and the tools they work with.” Because their wages are so low, the workers can never pay off the “debt” and, thus, can never leave.
This year is the 200th anniversary of the stop of the Atlantic slave trade by the British Parliment due to the work of William Wilberforce. That was a momentous change in the evil practice of slavery. Oh that in this day we can rise up with the courage and dedication of someone like Wilberforce to stand against the abuse of human life.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Paul Robertson is a computer programming consultant, part-time high-school math and science teacher, and former independent bookstore owner in Blacksburg, Virginia. This is his first novel.
ABOUT THE BOOK: Jason Boyer Just Got an Inheritance to Die For The fortune wasn’t supposed to befall him. Jason Boyer had known all along his father’s business empire would pass to different hands. Which suited him just fine. The money was crooked and the power corrupt. But when an accident claims the old man’s life, everyone is stunned by the unveiling of the will. With the passing of the Boyer crown, power-hungry politicians and shady business partners all try to force Boyer’s hand. Fighting the temptation of influence and riches, he simply wants to be a better man than his father–but attempting to stand for what’s right soon brings murderous consequences. As those closest to him are endangered–and news emerges that his father’s accident may be something more sinister–Boyer finds himself fighting for his soul…and his life!
Is There Any Escape for The Heir? All the money he could ever crave. In the splintering crash of a car plunging through a railing, Jason Boyer’s life is changed. All the fame he could ever desire. But the last thing he wanted was the throne of his father’s corrupt business empire. All the power he could ever wield.The estate should have gone elsewhere, but the will was changed. And now everything is Jason’s. But gaining the whole world just might cost him his life.
THE HEIR is a Grisham-like tale of intrigue and murder with a lot of humor and well-drawn minor characters.
Endorsement: “In THE HEIR, Paul Robertson serves up politics, privilege, and murder with a side of acerbic wit. What a fabulous book–a great mix of angst, humor, and ultimately, hope.” T.L.HINES–author of Waking Lazarus and The Dead Whisper On
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Paul Robertson is a computer programming consultant, part-time high-school math and science teacher, and former independent bookstore owner in Blacksburg, Virginia. This is his first novel.
ABOUT THE BOOK: Jason Boyer Just Got an Inheritance to Die For The fortune wasn’t supposed to befall him. Jason Boyer had known all along his father’s business empire would pass to different hands. Which suited him just fine. The money was crooked and the power corrupt. But when an accident claims the old man’s life, everyone is stunned by the unveiling of the will. With the passing of the Boyer crown, power-hungry politicians and shady business partners all try to force Boyer’s hand. Fighting the temptation of influence and riches, he simply wants to be a better man than his father–but attempting to stand for what’s right soon brings murderous consequences. As those closest to him are endangered–and news emerges that his father’s accident may be something more sinister–Boyer finds himself fighting for his soul…and his life!
Is There Any Escape for The Heir? All the money he could ever crave. In the splintering crash of a car plunging through a railing, Jason Boyer’s life is changed. All the fame he could ever desire. But the last thing he wanted was the throne of his father’s corrupt business empire. All the power he could ever wield.The estate should have gone elsewhere, but the will was changed. And now everything is Jason’s. But gaining the whole world just might cost him his life.
THE HEIR is a Grisham-like tale of intrigue and murder with a lot of humor and well-drawn minor characters.
Endorsement: “In THE HEIR, Paul Robertson serves up politics, privilege, and murder with a side of acerbic wit. What a fabulous book–a great mix of angst, humor, and ultimately, hope.” T.L.HINES–author of Waking Lazarus and The Dead Whisper On
In some ways I don’t like coming off of cool blog tours like last week’s CSFF tour featuring Karen Hancock. It means I have to come up with new ideas to keep the ol’ blog going! This week seems to be a smorgesboard so far.
This morning I’ve found a couple of links that give some encouragement to those working on their writing. I’ve been getting back into comics recently, and have been checking out Newsarama for updates. They have a guy named Dirk Manning who’s been writing a series called Write or Wrong. Today’s post “Lose Yourself” spoke some encouragement to me – maybe stuff I’ve heard before, but it’s the type of thing we keep needing to hear regularly. I haven’t checked out his other posts, but there’s a list of them at the bottom. Let me know if you find other worthwhile links there.
Also Mike Duran gives an insightful account of his recent writing conference experiences. He has some pitfalls to watch for, as well as highlights of “Trends in CBA Publishing”, as given by Dave Long. Interesting stuff – thanks Mike!!
In some ways I don’t like coming off of cool blog tours like last week’s CSFF tour featuring Karen Hancock. It means I have to come up with new ideas to keep the ol’ blog going! This week seems to be a smorgesboard so far.
This morning I’ve found a couple of links that give some encouragement to those working on their writing. I’ve been getting back into comics recently, and have been checking out Newsarama for updates. They have a guy named Dirk Manning who’s been writing a series called Write or Wrong. Today’s post “Lose Yourself” spoke some encouragement to me – maybe stuff I’ve heard before, but it’s the type of thing we keep needing to hear regularly. I haven’t checked out his other posts, but there’s a list of them at the bottom. Let me know if you find other worthwhile links there.
Also Mike Duran gives an insightful account of his recent writing conference experiences. He has some pitfalls to watch for, as well as highlights of “Trends in CBA Publishing”, as given by Dave Long. Interesting stuff – thanks Mike!!
This Monday is a little disjointed for me, so that’s what will be happening here! I would recommend reading this article from USA Today. The author discusses the glut of “God is dead, religious people are all idiots or worse” books out there right now, with a simple yet elegant rebuff. A snippet:
There is no irrefutable evidence for God’s existence or non-existence. But, if you look closely, his footprints can be discerned in the sands of time.
Check it out. By the way, I got the link from Thunderstruck, a site that compiles oodles of links relating to Christianity and pop culture weekly. Definitely worth its own perusal.
This Monday is a little disjointed for me, so that’s what will be happening here! I would recommend reading this article from USA Today. The author discusses the glut of “God is dead, religious people are all idiots or worse” books out there right now, with a simple yet elegant rebuff. A snippet:
There is no irrefutable evidence for God’s existence or non-existence. But, if you look closely, his footprints can be discerned in the sands of time.
Check it out. By the way, I got the link from Thunderstruck, a site that compiles oodles of links relating to Christianity and pop culture weekly. Definitely worth its own perusal.
