...and In the News

I woke up this morning to news of the 7.0 quake in Haiti. My heart dropped. I had only just received information on my sponsored child, Briana and I feared for her life. I spent the next half hour looking for any information I could get anywhere and finally found her center at Cape Hatien, which is about as far from the epicenter as you can get, so I'm sure she is safe, if shaken (a news reporter who was in Cape Hatien described the sensation of the shock, even as far away are they are, but says that now it's "business as usual" in that city). Still this is a disaster of monumental proportions in a country which can ill afford it.

Fortunately, many organizations have immediately stepped up to help. Here are some ways to donate:

One way to help Haiti Earthquake Relief efforts is Yele, an organization set up by musician and native Haitian Wyclef Jean. Unfortunately, Yele is being hammered right now by those wanting to give, and the site is extremely slow. Once you get through, you can give to Haiti Earthquake Relief here.

Doctors Without Borders is a way to give Haiti Earthquake Relief people may forget. The organization has been on-site in Haiti for years. They themselves need help in this emergency, as well, as it has been reported that their facilities have been badly damaged by the quake.

Operation Blessing International has Haiti Earthquake disaster relief teams on the way. They are accepting donations as well.

Catholic Relief Services is another way to give to Haiti Earthquake Relief. Don't forget the plea by Pope Benedict XVI to give generously to Haiti.

Save the Children has set up a "Support the Haiti Earthquake Children in Emergency Fund." It is accepting Haiti Earthquake Relief funds, and has a printable form if for some reason you don't want to donate via their website.

Compassion's Disaster relief page is here and you can make a one-time donation without committing to anything further.

Someone from The Lamplighters highly recommends Missionary Flights and assures everyone that money will be used for disaster relief and that flights to Haiti are beginning from Florida today.

UNICEF is another location you can go to for Haiti Earthquake Relief donations. UNICEF says the following on its donation page: "Children are always the most vulnerable population in any natural disaster, and UNICEF is there for them."

Of course, the American Red Cross is accepting donations, though it's listed last because, for Americans, it's probably the first place they think of. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is also available for Haiti Earthquake Relief.

Quite possibly the easiest way to give to Haiti Earthquake Relief involves that ubiquitous device, the cell phone. You can text "Haiti" to 90999 to donate $10 to the American Red Cross. Or, if you text Yele to 501 501 to donate $5 to Yele.

Whatever your preferred organization, the important thing is that Haiti is going to need an incredible amount of help. Give whatever you can, even if it's only $5. Give up a coffee at Starbucks to help save a life.

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Since not everyone is connected to web sites which are discussing the ramifications of California's Prop 8, there is a case before the California Supreme Court right now challenging the legality of the proposition on behalf of two legally married same sex couples.

Amazingly, former Bush Solicitor General, Ted Olson, is one of the attorneys arguing the case for the gay couples. His statement about why a staunch conservative would take up the cause of gay marriage is eloquent, moving and brilliant. Please read it here.

In part, he says, My involvement in this case has generated a certain degree of consternation among conservatives. How could a politically active, lifelong Republican, a veteran of the Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush administrations, challenge the "traditional" definition of marriage and press for an "activist" interpretation of the Constitution to create another "new" constitutional right?...

...same-sex unions promote the values conservatives prize. Marriage is one of the basic building blocks of our neighborhoods and our nation. At its best, it is a stable bond between two individuals who work to create a loving household and a social and economic partnership. We encourage couples to marry because the commitments they make to one another provide benefits not only to themselves but also to their families and communities. Marriage requires thinking beyond one's own needs. It transforms two individuals into a union based on shared aspirations, and in doing so establishes a formal investment in the well-being of society. The fact that individuals who happen to be gay want to share in this vital social institution is evidence that conservative ideals enjoy widespread acceptance. Conservatives should celebrate this, rather than lament it.

There is much, much more and it deserves a read especially by those who oppose gay marriage.

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And then there is the Tonight Show dust-up. Not that anybody cares about my opinion, but it's time for Leno to go home and take care of his cars. While I occasionally watch his Headlines segment, I long ago lost my enjoyment of him. His humor is often at the expense of others and I hate humor like that. I thought it was a terrible disservice to Conan O'Brien (whom I don't watch either...I've switched the Letterman) to put Leno on at 10 p.m. Moving him back to his old slot as a "Tonight Show Lite" sort of program is sour grapes on the part of Leno and he should just go off and do his personal appearances and leave NBC to his successor. Johnny Carson left with class. Leno should do the same, not leave a bitter taste in so many people's mouths by fighting to take back what he gave up 7 months ago.

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And finally, a personal note. We have new foster dog.

He sheds.

(someone pointed out I've gone from hairless to overabundance of hair!)