Las Vegas march to save children in Africa

The plight of children half a world away took center stage for people in the valley on Saturday.

Members and supporters of a non-profit group known as "Invisible Children" marched from the Stratosphere to Hertitage park to make their message clear.

They're trying to spread awareness, gain support and use their voices for change.

About 150 signed up for the event, mostly teens, giving up what they call the comforts of home to symbolize all of the children in Africa who are being forced into a Ugandan civil war.

Alot of outrage and alot of compassion culminating together for all of the youth being abducted and forced into violence.

"They were forced against their will, and it made me appreciate what I have even more. To see the children deprived of a regular life, it's really sad to see the hurt that they've gone through," said Amanda Walters, a student at Seville Middle School.

Walters says she never knew about this widespread suffering for children in Africa, until she saw a video at school. That's when she knew she had to get involved.

It wasn't just Las Vegans joining in on the march. Tourists who were around for other reasons also got word of the event.

"They're having to murder other people, not something they want to do. No one is speaking out for them. We need to speak out for the children," said Jennifer Drake, who was visiting from Fresno for a wedding.

Drake brought her 12-year-old son along, who is suffering from diabetes. She thought it was important for him to see that other childrens' struggles are worse than his own.

Organizers of the event said they planned on spending the night outside in sleeping bags at Hertiage Park.

What they're hoping for is a brief appearance from a local politican or celebrity to help speak out for the cause.

They say, if that doesn't happen, they plan to take their march to the front steps of City Hall until somebody recognizes.

Stay tuned to Channel 13.

All Living Presidents got together today!

"One message that I have, and I think we all share, is that we want you to succeed. Whether we're Democrat or Republican, we care deeply about this country," Bush told Obama before lunch with the former presidents.
Very good Bush. Very good.

Obama's White House

Keeping Robert Gates as Secretary of Defense

Senator Clinton as Secretary of State

Evangelical pastor Rick Warren will deliver the
invocation at the presidential inauguration next month.

* I am really excited about what Obama is doing.
Even though I am a democrat I like to see he isn't choosing single minded people
What do you think? It will be interesting!

Water for Christmas

Statistics show that Americans spend 450 billion dollars on Christmas every year. Experts estimate it would cost 10 billion dollars to give the whole world clean water. This has become a national campaign to see if we can change these statistics. To swing the pendulum from consumerism to compassion.

To see what happens when we come together and buy Water for Christmas.

charity: water is a non profit organization bringing clean, safe drinking water to people in developing nations. We give 100% of the money raised to direct project costs. With the help of exemplary organizations on the ground and individuals here, we can drill wells and provide people with this basic, essential need.

I have been heavy hearted lately... these are good things.

Curtis and Danielle’s Haiti Site
“If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor he too will cry out and not be answered.” Proverbs 21:13

Patrick Hughes - Inspirational Story

Poverty Guidelines

After doing my taxes last night I was wondering what the povery limit was.
This is a chart I found as of 2005. Number of people in a household is on the left and the right is the poverty limit, this is crazy!

1 $9,570
2 12,830
3 16,090
4 19,350
5 22,610
6 25,870
7 29,130
8 32,390

My prayers go out to the Families of those who lost someone today in Virgina

The Lord replies, "I have seen violence done to the helpless, and I have
heard the groans of the poor. Now I will rise up to rescue them, as they
have longed for me to do." - Psalm 12:5

Go to cnn.com to hear more about the Virgina Tech shootings.

The Solve-Everything Tax

Its early and I went to be late, I have been studying for a half hour and needed a break. One of the articles we were required to read for my Econ 201 test today was from the NY TIMES titled The Solve-Everything Tax.

The author starts out by saying, "I have a modest proposal to fight gobal warming, save energy, cut air pollution, ease traffic congestion, reduce highway fatalities and , while we're at it, reform Social Security. " He goes on to say all we have to do is raise the federal gasoline tax by 50 cents per gallon and put this revenue into American's Social Security accounts. He states and I agree, this sounds crazy because of the rage of high prices on gas. He says though, to do it as the gas prices are coming down (since they are predicted to do so). "Consumers would still see their cost declining at the pump, so there'd be no sudden shock at any tax increase." Democrats wouldn't be able to oppose a energy policy and wouldn't like the private account part. Republican's would hate the new tax and the fact that taxing drivers are paying for retirement accounts. A gas tax makes people drive less which is then better for the environment. "And then, after we've reformed Social Security while saving the planet, we could take on something really challenging."

I need someone to shine some light on this because to me it sounds perfect, am I missing something??

Rise in Minimum Wage

Back in Januarty Congress passed a bill to raise federal minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 over the next two years!! I had heard about this over a month ago but learned more details today. Minimum wage has not been risen since 1996 when it went from $4.75 to $5.15. The government try's to ease businesses into the increase over a two year period the first of which goes into effect next month. 7% of our work force earns minimum wage (not counting illegal immigrants which is a completly different workforce the government does not account for; whom many times make less then $5.15). Making mimum wage would be $10,712 (at $5.15) a year if you worked full time. This ofcourse is very much below the poverty line. This rise will effect 13 million workers. Some cities have whats called a living wage ordinance since cost are higher in some cities, this is a local governments decision. Its not just true in large cities to have high cost of living. Lexington's living wage is estimated to be $9.63/hr for a decent standard living and this is higher then Louisville's because of housing is more student driven here. The problem local governments have with a Living wage ordinance is you must raise everyone's salaries because if Sue starts out at $9.63 in 2007 and Tom started out at $5.15 in 2000 and has work 7 years and is only making $10 he wont be happy. With all that said the new (in two years) $7.25 will still not keep people working out of the poverty line but its a start!

Senator Barack Obama

Sen. Barack Obama is starting a committe to prepare to run for President in 2008. I am excited about this! I think he is what our contry needs- he is a conservative democrat!

MLK Day