Malaria is still a giant problem for African nations and the Gates Foundation is looking to help the people living on the continent. The Gates Foundation is donating $258 million to various places to combat malaria over the next five years.
Random Act of Good
Something somebody/group has done that is an unexpected good deed.
Going Somewhere? Take Someone With You
eRideShare.com is a site that allows people to coordinate efforts to go somewhere. It’s designed for travelers, commuters and mostly anything in-between.
Unfortunately the site is only available to those in North America. But a lot of driving is done on that continent so it’s for the best I guess.
By carpooling one can save money, the environment and meet new people all in one! There are other websites that offer the same service.
Cheney Told “Go F**K Yourself” in Gulfport, MS
Vice President Dick Cheney and his wife, Lynne, flew into Gulfport, Mississippi, Thursday. While he was speaking to reporters, his news conference was interrupted:
DICK CHENEY: I was talking to the mayor in those areas —
BYSTANDER: Go f*** yourself, Mr. Cheney.
DICK CHENEY: We have got to figure out what to do with all of the debris.
BYSTANDER: Go f*** yourself.
REPORTER: Are you getting a lot of that, Mr. Vice President?
CHENEY: That’s the first time I’ve heard it…
It’s good seeing people expressing their feelings, especially when talking directly to somebody like U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, a “former” CEO in Halliburton, a company that is making good profits out of Katrina.
Kellogg Brown & Root – a subsidiary of Halliburton – just received $12 million to rebuild a naval station in Gulfport. It is also getting another extra $5 million to fix another one, and is assessing the damages of the pumps and infrastructure in New Orleans.
Halliburton stocks are hitting a 52-week high, because of Hurricane Katrina. Good for the angry bystander.
(Thank you democracy now for the article. Read the full story visiting their great website)
The Kindness of Strangers
In the disasterous aftermath of hurricane Katrina it can seem almost impossible to look on the bright side of things. However in these kinds of trying times the kindness of everyday citizens can really make apparent the basic goodness we all share as humans on planet Earth. For example the 42 man volunteer rescue crew from BC who arrived in New Orleans on Thursday are just one of many groups of people lending their support where government officials are lacking. The team is the first and only urban search-and-rescue team deployed and operating in the area and is made up of police officers, ambulance personnel, doctors, firefighters, hydraulics experts and three search dogs.
With people like these and numerous other random ‘strangers’ selflessly lending their support it really brings to light that the goodness of people can be a powerful force indeed. A slightly nicer place to dwell than in the neglegent shadow of certain political leaders.
Anything is Possible!
A young woman from Canterbury, England set out to sail across the English channel this week. What makes her story so amazing is that Hilary Lister is a quadripeligic. Her solo voyage is the longest sailing record in history by a quadriplegic taking her 6 hours and 13 minutes. The mechanism used to power the sailboat is similar to one on her wheelchair with two straws connected to switches that control the sails and steer the boat with the use of her breath.
Hilary is using her voyage across the channel to raise money for sailing opportunities for others with disabilities. She is also hoping to encourage people to rethink their views about the disabled.
“We do not need wrapping up in cotton wool and can go out and do silly or dangerous things if that’s what we want to do.” She says.
With her first journey completed Hilary now hopes to sail around Britain next year.