Anderson Cooper/Doctors without Borders

I saw Anderson Cooper. I feel the need to mention it because
a) it was an informative event
b) i poke fun at him on my blog. i will probably take it down soon, so check under my blog title while you still can. between his coverage of the US primaries from Israel/Lebanon and seeing him deflect compliments at this event, i don't dislike him so much anymore...

At the event, Anderson Cooper interviewed Doctors without Boarders Executive Director Nicolas de Torrente, PhD, and long-time aid worker Milton Tectonidis, MD, to discuss the organization's recent humanitarian work around the world, and the challenges it faces delivering medical care in complex crises such as Darfur, Sudan, Lebanon and Niger.

Doctors without Borders is a great organization. If I had medical skills, I would do it in a heartbeat. These guys were on the ball. http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/

I must look really bad.

School is hard. I stay up late and get up early. I am never finished.

After a particularly grueling night of homework (among other things), I was riding into school on a bus. By this time I had already been en-route for well over an hour—walk crowded subway---transfer---crowded subway--- crowded bus). I was leaning up against a metal pole, ignoring the pack of high school kids throwing things and bumping into me. We were about 10 minutes from my school, when we approached a stop.

An old woman, about 70 years-old, clearly a laborer on her way to work got up and tapped me. She told me to sit down and take her seat. I graciously accepted, thinking she was going to get off at the bus stop where we were arriving.

Low and behold, she doesn’t get off.

A 70 year-old woman gave me her spot on the bus. It was at that point I knew I needed to apply more concealer and get some rest.

Darfur Rally

Hopefully this isn't news to you, but as one of the worst humanitarian crises in our time, the genocide in Darfur needs attention. I went to a rally in Central Park a few days ago. It was part of a world-wide campaign to send UN Peacekeeping troops into Darfur and to draw attention to the conflict. There were over 20,000 people at the rally in NYC alone. We listened to speakers--diplomats, aid workers, Sudanese people,-- and we also texted president Bush and Kofi Annon (how we got their #'s, I don't know...).

There were little sheets passed out by Amnesty International (I'm a member, and it's a really good thing. Ask me if you wanna know anything or go to their webstite.) detailing what we can do. Here is what applies:

________________________________________________________

Protect Darfur
Take the Next Step

September 18-23
Telephone, tell a friend, tell the President
-Call the White House each day this week- it takes less than 5 minutes!
Phone scripts will be available online at: http://darfur.amnestyusa.org.

Sept. 25-29
Lobby Congress
- Join a local delegation to educate your Members of Congress about the situation in the Darfur region.
-Find a delegation in your area at: http://darfur.amnestyusa.org/search.

Today: Join Amnesty Int'l www.amnestyusa.org/join.
________________________________________________________
Sudan's western boarder has now been plagued by political and ethnic violence for three years after rebels took up arms against the government. Over 200,000 people have been killed. And the more than two million people are displaced by conflict. This is not a war--it has been declared genocide.

I don't claim to be an expert on the Darfur crisis, but I do know that it is just that. A crisis. It feels daunting to me that there are such atrocities being committed in the world, and I feel virtually helpless to stop them. Even so, with this as with other world issues, I think it is so important to DO something, however small. Apathy and inaction are responsible for more than we care to address and admit (get it?). If you care at all, do something. Educate yourself. Educate others. Take some concrete steps.

Here are some photos I took at the rally:





Info on Darfur and the rallies all over the world on Sept 17:

http://view.nowpublic.com/?src=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.news.com.au%2Fdailytelegraph%2
Fstory%2F0%2C22049%2C20430642-5006003%2C00.html

Photos and Essay:

http://www.ushmm.org/conscience/alert/darfur/steidle/?gclid=CJCg9bPszIcCFQ8BOAody1
jUHg

The wonders of labratory science.

"After testing a variety of explosives, the FBI and other laboratories found that tiny amounts of substances -- so small they fit into a quart-size plastic bag -- can't blow up an airliner."

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Air-Travel-Security.html?hp&ex=1159329600&en=35d863b63667dc66&ei=5094&partner=homepage

I'm back.

So. I haven't written anything about NYC. What can I write? I looooove it here. Everything I want, whenever I want it. That's pretty much heaven to me.

Law school is tough, but I'm enjoying the challenge for the most part. I can already tell I am thinking in new ways. Since CUNY is the first law school specifically designed "in the service of human needs" aka it's a public interest school, I have had the chance to people with really interesting and diverse backgrounds, ei a nun who just got back from working in Africa, NYC police officer, sexual abuse activists, and ppl from all over the world. We all have similar values though completely different goals. The professors are great too--very knowledgable, and they've all contributed important work to their respective fields.

I've gotten to hang out with a bunch of my friends who A) are from NY, B) have recently moved here and C) are just passing through. Meeting new people has been great---I have a lot of people to meet here.

I've been going to clubs, cd release parties, campaign events, pubs, and and various shabbat services and dinners (mmmmm). And school. The end. I don't even have enough time (or money) to buy tylenol.

Here are some pics:

me jess adam

me and melissa (who is now back from morocco)

Pope's comments

It is very unfortunate when a leader who has such international authority makes such inflamatory remarks. His is a position traditionally (and ideally) requiring great learning, perception, and compassion. Saying something like this, in my mind, shows he was lacking all three. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/14/world/europe/15papalcnd.html?hp&ex=1158292800&en=9744049177c86564&ei=5094&partner=homepage