Tuesday, January 22, 2008

GOOD ENOUGH...TO READ

www.prisonproxy.blogspot.com is the blogumentary of a young man incarcerated with a life sentence in the Texas State Penitentiary. Prison Proxy covers everything from daily happenings to philosophical revelations, such as the paradox of freedom.

It’s your looking glass in to the absurdity of prison life. You will learn of its political, logistical and sociocultural aspects. You will meet the kinds of people who dwell in prison. From the evil and corrupted, to the few who don’t belong, and especially the majority who turn into products of their environment.

You will learn about how one particular prisoner, the author, is trying to circumvent the absurdities of his situation by taking college courses, investing in the stock market and planning for a future beyond his confinement.

It’s captivating. Educating. Enlightening. Frightening. And truly eccentric.

www.prisonproxy.blogspot.com

submitted by Marc Feder

Monday, January 21, 2008

GOOD ENOUGH...TO SIGN UP FOR

Interested in the idea of becoming eco-friendly, but not sure how to transition your life style to a more "green" way of living? Sign up for free "eco-tips" online to learn daily tips on everything from recycling, food and drinks, personal care, travel, home and garden and many more.
Check out their website and sign up for the daily bite at www.idealbite.com

Friday, January 18, 2008

GOOD ENOUGH...TO WATCH

The band, Five for Fighting, is generously donating $0.49 to Autism
Speaks each time this video is viewed. The funding goes toward
research studies to help find a cure. When you have a moment, please
visit the link below to watch the video and pass it along. They are
aiming for 10,000 hits, but hopefully we can help them to surpass this
goal.

http://www.whatkindofworlddoyouwant.com/videos/view/id/408214


GOOD ENOUGH...TO SIGN

On December 27th, 2007 Kenya, one of the more developed and stable countries in Africa, became a country of political violence, ethnic cleansing and has left over 250,000 people homeless due to their political elections that ended up being rigged. My youngest sister Lydia was living in Nairobi, the capitol of Kenya, where most of the violence is occurring, for the past four months, studying health and development as a human rights major at Duke. Just a week before this violence my parents and I and a great friend of mine were in Nairobi. People were living their daily lives, stores were open, businesses running and people walking peacefully in the street, or as Lydia calls is "cheza dancing in the streets." Exactly a week after we left, the violence started. Over 600 people had been killed, people hiding in churches were burned, businesses and shopping centers completely demolished, due to political differences and the rigged presidential election. The small market my sister took us to for lunch, where we sat in the Miracle Cafe, and saw where she ate daily and shopped for small goods, those today do not exist, everything was burnt down. It hit me hard when I was looking through some of my pictures and saw one of Lydia and I at the table inside Miracle Cafe, a very local spot that serves whatever they cooked for the day. A few days later, Lydia emailed me a photo she had received of the market. Everything was leveled and the place was still in flames. This affects everyone. This was peoples only income. People didn't leave their homes in fear of being killed by machetes, stones, or being burned. Businesses closed in this fear. Lydia has been in contact with her host family and they expressed their need of food and water. No one could get any of this for the first week of the violence.
Thankfully, things have started to slow down, but are definitely not over. I ask you to please keep Kenya in your thoughts and just add your name to the petition below, where a pre-typed note (if you don't have time to write your own) will be sent to Condoleezza Rice. The number of messages sent to our government will be an ad in a Kenyan newspaper.
Kenya relies on tourism. This violence has hurt their economy and not only in Kenya but in Tanzania as well. I have been in touch with my great friend Simbo (in Tanzania), who was my guide for Kilimanjaro and he has expressed that all of the clients he had for the next few climbs up Kilimanjaro have all canceled due to Kenya's violence. No clients, no pay check, no food. Lets try and do something as we sit half a world away and the first and easiest thing is to sign this petition.
The site is:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/kenya_free_and_fair/5.php

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

GOOD ENOUGH...TO SUPPORT

Their mission statement says it all: "WE HELP HOPEFUL PEOPLE IN NEED SHARE THEIR STORIES TO ACQUIRE RESOURCES THAT WILL IMPROVE THEIR LIVES."
Their approach to making an epic change in our world is a "4 step" process:
1. Raise capitol by accepting donations
2. Use donations to make loans to organizations to fund efforts that will promote positive change in the communities they serve.
3. Facilitate loan repayment by working with these organizations to develop creative income-generating projects that share the stories of the organizations themselves and the people they serve.
4. Recycle the repaid loans to help fun epic change in other communities.
Their first project which they are currently working on, is to rebuild Shepherds Junior Academy, a pre and primary school located in Arusha, Tanzania. The school was started in September 2003 and has quickly grown from a class of 10 students to now 110 students.

Epic Change is participating in America's Giving Challenge. If Epic Change can get the most donors by Jan. 31,2008 they will be rewarded $50,000 which will go into rebuilding Shepherds Junior Academy.
Take a few minutes from your day and donate to help make this dream a reality!!! Its quick and easy:
go to their website:
www.epicchange.org
click on the right hand side where it says America's Giving Challenge. Donate your desired amount. Know that you are making a difference out there and others do appreciate it!


Epic Change is a 501(c)(3)non-profit

enjoy this video about Epic Change and see the children whose lives you've just improved by not only donating, but spreading the word.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afqPXlsHdvc

Monday, January 14, 2008

GOOD ENOUGH...TO CARRY

FEED.
Need a new bag to go grocery shopping to help eliminate plastic bags or a bag to carry your school books in? The FEED bag was designed by Lauren Bush and Ellen Gustafson, a former United Nations World Food Program (WFP) communication officer, to raise awareness and funds for children living in hunger to get an education and out of living in hunger. Each FEED bag sold will feed a child for one school year. The FEED bags are made with sustainable materials and are designed to be used as an alternative to using plastic bags and disposable paper.
The numbers:
There are 400 million hungry children in the world
There are 115 million school aged children who do not go to school
There are 62 million girls who do not attend school
There are 50 million hungry children who do not receive any form of assistance

$20 is the annual cost for WFP's Food for Education program per child
10 US cents is the average cost of buying a school meal for a child in a developing country

Shocked by the numbers? Do something about it. Buy a FEED bag, donate to the UN World Food Program, Volunteer your time, get out there and see for yourself. Together we CAN make a difference.

Purchase your FEED bag through Amazon.com

Sunday, January 13, 2008

GOOD ENOUGH...TO VOTE

Its the countdown again, when all of the media is covering the presidential candidates for the 2008 election. You've heard the names, watched part of the debates, but are unsure of where you stand and which candidate best fits your views? Go to www.electoralcompass.com
Take a few minutes to answer some key questions and in moments you will be given your position and where you stand among the presidential candidates.