Today is the
International Day Of Peace. So go out there and fail to hit people about the head and ears! And while you're at it, maybe you should think about and research what peace is really about, and how you can make a difference in the world (hint: voting is one good way to make a difference!). Why not? You got something better to do today? Listen to Hamumu and make the world a better place!
Really, peace is something to think about right now, while we're bogged down with the incredible mess in Iraq, and this very minute, people are being held hostage, some of which have been killed. Not to mention all the deaths of soldiers and civilians. The war in Iraq has cost over 14,000 people their lives, and injured tens of thousands more. The numbers are going up faster now than they ever have before. What does peace mean? And how can we bring it about? The world is a real mess right now. I don't care if you think invading was a good or bad idea, right or wrong. The fact remains that people right now are dying, and nobody thinks that's okay - pro-war people wanted it to get handled quickly and cleanly with a minimum of violence, and anti-war people never wanted it to happen in the first place. It's also not the only trouble in the world, by a long shot! There's terrorism around the world, genocidal dictators, gang violence, good old fashioned murder on the streets, bar brawls, playground bullying, domestic abuse, siblings picking on each other, and probably more than a few small tribal wars off in some jungles we never hear a thing about. Maybe there are small things you can do in your local area to make a safer, more peaceful world.
Want some ideas for Peace Day? Here are the charities that
Working Assets (my long-distance company, and one I highly recommend you switch to - quite cheap, and 1% goes to charities, AND you get free Ben & Jerry's ice cream for your first 6 months or something! Plus if I refer you, I get $10! So if you do want to sign up, let me know) lists under their Peace & International Freedom category. You can decide which, if any, support something you like, and today would be an awesome day to make a donation to one or more of them!
Alliance for Responsible Trade
A network of labor, family-farm, religious and environmental groups that promotes equitable and sustainable trade.
Americans for Peace Now
Works with the Israeli peace movement Shalom Achshav to advance political solutions to the conflict between Israelis and Arabs.
Amnesty International
Campaigns to ensure fair trials, free prisoners of conscience, and stop torture and executions worldwide.
Center for Victims of Torture
Helps victims of government-sponsored torture recover physically and mentally and rebuild their lives.
Doctors Without Borders (France)
Delivers emergency aid to victims of armed conflict, epidemics, and natural disasters.
Global Fund for Women
Makes grants to women’s rights groups around the world that are committed to increasing women’s economic independence, access to education and stopping violence against women.
Grassroots International
Aids local groups working for political, economic and social rights in Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean.
Peace Action
Educates and organizes people at the grassroots level to campaign for peace and disarmament.
Physicians for Social Responsibility
Promotes public policies that protect human health against weapons of mass destruction, global environmental degradation and gun violence.
WITNESS
Places video cameras in the hands of local human rights defenders and trains them to use the technology, along with computers and editing software, in the fight for human rights.
So there you go... it's the day of peace, so peace out, homies.
