Hey everyone,
This branch works in South America, specifically in Peru and Columbia. They are working to improve the problems that come with poverty. There are three main efforts: economic development, health, and education. The economic development includes supporting organic farms, providing housing for displaced persons, and helping the poor in general to climb above the poverty line. The education program provides schooling for displaced children which includes nutritional classes, counseling programs, self-esteem building and others. The final approach is health based, and it focuses on cataracts which is a serious problem due to unsafe drinking water, and a lack of Vitamins A, C, and E. In the United States, I think that we tend to take these privileges for granted (health, education, and poverty). Imagine where you'd be without these privileges, the time for action is now.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative
Hey everyone,
HIV/AIDS has become a pandemic. However, the problem has hit the Sub-African continent the hardest. Depending on the source, world-wide estimates put the amount of HIV positive at 33.2 million to 42 million people. In Sub-Saharan Africa, there are nearly 25 million who have HIV or AIDS. While in developed countries the outlook is promising, life expectancy is considering lower for those in Sub-Saharan Africa with HIV or AIDS. The HIV/AIDS Initiative branch of the Clinton Foundation focuses on supporting governments to deliver services to underserved populations such as children and rural populations, increasing countries' human resource capacity to deliver care and treatment, and preventing the transmission of the disease from mothers to their children. Africa is where the problem is the worst, but this branch also helps other countries in South America, Asia, and Europe. Together, we can prevent the spread of this disease and eventually wipe it out.
HIV/AIDS has become a pandemic. However, the problem has hit the Sub-African continent the hardest. Depending on the source, world-wide estimates put the amount of HIV positive at 33.2 million to 42 million people. In Sub-Saharan Africa, there are nearly 25 million who have HIV or AIDS. While in developed countries the outlook is promising, life expectancy is considering lower for those in Sub-Saharan Africa with HIV or AIDS. The HIV/AIDS Initiative branch of the Clinton Foundation focuses on supporting governments to deliver services to underserved populations such as children and rural populations, increasing countries' human resource capacity to deliver care and treatment, and preventing the transmission of the disease from mothers to their children. Africa is where the problem is the worst, but this branch also helps other countries in South America, Asia, and Europe. Together, we can prevent the spread of this disease and eventually wipe it out.
Clinton Economic Opportunity Intiative
Hey everyone,
This branch was created to help families and individuals in the United States succeed and businesses in underserved communities grow. They are doing this by providing entrepreneurship opportunities and helping people with personal finance. Since this has begun, these programs have given 72,000 hours of pro bono consultation, helped Hurricane Katrina survivors to earn tax credits, and developed relationships with cities and states to increase access to low cost financial services. This is the kind of charity that this country needs. Poverty is far too common for how much money is available in this country.
This branch was created to help families and individuals in the United States succeed and businesses in underserved communities grow. They are doing this by providing entrepreneurship opportunities and helping people with personal finance. Since this has begun, these programs have given 72,000 hours of pro bono consultation, helped Hurricane Katrina survivors to earn tax credits, and developed relationships with cities and states to increase access to low cost financial services. This is the kind of charity that this country needs. Poverty is far too common for how much money is available in this country.
Monday, November 9, 2009
John F. Kennedy quotes
Hey everyone,
I haven't posted in a while, but I'm back. Next Sunday, I'll write a health diary post, and, after this post, I'll continue to discuss the William J. Clinton Foundation. JFK was a man who I admired very much, and I wanted to share some of my favorite quotes with you. I hope you like them.
"Our problems are man-made, therefore they may be solved by man. And man can be as big as he wants. No problem of human destiny is beyond human beings."
"For in the final analysis, our most basic common link, is that we all inhabit this small planet, we all breathe the same air, we all cherish our children's futures, and we are all mortal."
"If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich."
"Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable."
"There are risks and costs to a program of action. But they are far less than the long-range risks and costs of comfortable inaction."
"Let us think of education as the means of developing our greatest abilities, because in each of us there is a private hope and dream which, fulfilled, can be translated into benefit for everyone and greater strength for our nation."
"If we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity."
I may compile a second list in the future, but this is good enough for now.
I haven't posted in a while, but I'm back. Next Sunday, I'll write a health diary post, and, after this post, I'll continue to discuss the William J. Clinton Foundation. JFK was a man who I admired very much, and I wanted to share some of my favorite quotes with you. I hope you like them.
"Our problems are man-made, therefore they may be solved by man. And man can be as big as he wants. No problem of human destiny is beyond human beings."
"For in the final analysis, our most basic common link, is that we all inhabit this small planet, we all breathe the same air, we all cherish our children's futures, and we are all mortal."
"If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich."
"Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable."
"There are risks and costs to a program of action. But they are far less than the long-range risks and costs of comfortable inaction."
"Let us think of education as the means of developing our greatest abilities, because in each of us there is a private hope and dream which, fulfilled, can be translated into benefit for everyone and greater strength for our nation."
"If we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity."
I may compile a second list in the future, but this is good enough for now.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Prop1 results
Hey everyone,
So, Prop1 passed which repealed the gay marriage law in Maine. Forty-seven percent of voters voted in favor of gay marriage, so it was close. Ironically (at least it seems ironic), legislation allowing medical marijuana passed in Maine. However, on a brighter side, Washington passed a bill to allow same sex unions. Still, it raises a question as to why this was repealed. Perhaps, it's the definition of marriage as compared to same sex unions. However, I don't see how there's a difference. I'm sure there will be an appeal, but I doubt that the results will be overturned even though it's discrimination. Honestly, I'm surprised that a socially liberal state such as Maine would overturn this decision, but, apparently, I'm wrong about the direction of this country. However, with every loss is a possibility of hope because increasingly conflicting results will encourage the Supreme Court to hear these cases and change the law once and for all.
So, Prop1 passed which repealed the gay marriage law in Maine. Forty-seven percent of voters voted in favor of gay marriage, so it was close. Ironically (at least it seems ironic), legislation allowing medical marijuana passed in Maine. However, on a brighter side, Washington passed a bill to allow same sex unions. Still, it raises a question as to why this was repealed. Perhaps, it's the definition of marriage as compared to same sex unions. However, I don't see how there's a difference. I'm sure there will be an appeal, but I doubt that the results will be overturned even though it's discrimination. Honestly, I'm surprised that a socially liberal state such as Maine would overturn this decision, but, apparently, I'm wrong about the direction of this country. However, with every loss is a possibility of hope because increasingly conflicting results will encourage the Supreme Court to hear these cases and change the law once and for all.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Prop1 in Maine
Hey everyone,
Maine passed a law allowing same sex marriage a few months ago. Today, there is a vote to repeal this law. As you may have figured out, I am in support of gay marriage, and I hope that Maine will prove that the state, in whole, is as well. The problem for me is that this is even an issue at all. I can understand where the opposing side is coming from. The world is changing to something where they aren't the majority. As a straight, white man, I can see how gay rights may make someone feel like their glory days are over or that morality is slowly being destroyed. However, this is not the case. These laws are balancing the scales creating equality. So, people say that the bible speaks against it, and that gay people are unnatural. However, examples exist in the animal kingdom (google it) showing that it may not be as unnatural as you think. And, if you're against gay rights because the bible says so, well, you've never read the passage about loving your neighbor. This didn't say love everyone but gays or some other minority. All were included. Jesus also discusses a man and a women becoming one, but this seems more like a condemnation of divorce than gay marriage. Marriage is a unification of two people (man and woman, woman and woman, or man and man). Marriage is a right that we all deserve to whichever human being we want to marry as long as it consensual. Imagine if you had been told that you couldn't marry the person that you love and who loved you back. Would that be an injustice or discrimination? Absolutely. Not allowing the same rights to a minority group is discrimination. There are no exemptions to this rule. If Prop1 passes in Maine, it will be a sad day in this country and will set a precedent for discrimination. No one should have to fight for rights, and no one has to as long as they aren't denied to anyone.
Maine passed a law allowing same sex marriage a few months ago. Today, there is a vote to repeal this law. As you may have figured out, I am in support of gay marriage, and I hope that Maine will prove that the state, in whole, is as well. The problem for me is that this is even an issue at all. I can understand where the opposing side is coming from. The world is changing to something where they aren't the majority. As a straight, white man, I can see how gay rights may make someone feel like their glory days are over or that morality is slowly being destroyed. However, this is not the case. These laws are balancing the scales creating equality. So, people say that the bible speaks against it, and that gay people are unnatural. However, examples exist in the animal kingdom (google it) showing that it may not be as unnatural as you think. And, if you're against gay rights because the bible says so, well, you've never read the passage about loving your neighbor. This didn't say love everyone but gays or some other minority. All were included. Jesus also discusses a man and a women becoming one, but this seems more like a condemnation of divorce than gay marriage. Marriage is a unification of two people (man and woman, woman and woman, or man and man). Marriage is a right that we all deserve to whichever human being we want to marry as long as it consensual. Imagine if you had been told that you couldn't marry the person that you love and who loved you back. Would that be an injustice or discrimination? Absolutely. Not allowing the same rights to a minority group is discrimination. There are no exemptions to this rule. If Prop1 passes in Maine, it will be a sad day in this country and will set a precedent for discrimination. No one should have to fight for rights, and no one has to as long as they aren't denied to anyone.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Health diary: post 8
Hey everyone,
So, I actually weighed myself on Friday, and I was 305.0lbs. The weight loss continues, but I'm becoming less consistent with my running and habits. I'm worried that I'm going to fall off the wagon soon, and I can't allow that happen. Personally, I think I need to get out of the house for a while and shake things up. Maybe I should move my exercise outside while I still can. Treadmills are incredibly monotonous, and they aren't helping me out. Pop is still an issue, but I'm becoming sick of it. The really good thing is that, when I don't eat well, I feel terrible, and I never want to eat consistently like that again. The final thing is to eat more fruits and vegetables and possibly drink more alcohol on a regular basis. Other than that, the weight loss journey continues.
So, I actually weighed myself on Friday, and I was 305.0lbs. The weight loss continues, but I'm becoming less consistent with my running and habits. I'm worried that I'm going to fall off the wagon soon, and I can't allow that happen. Personally, I think I need to get out of the house for a while and shake things up. Maybe I should move my exercise outside while I still can. Treadmills are incredibly monotonous, and they aren't helping me out. Pop is still an issue, but I'm becoming sick of it. The really good thing is that, when I don't eat well, I feel terrible, and I never want to eat consistently like that again. The final thing is to eat more fruits and vegetables and possibly drink more alcohol on a regular basis. Other than that, the weight loss journey continues.
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