Last week young Christian leaders joined forces to launch a new initiative aimed at ridding the world of nuclear weapons. I was on the call and wanted to share what I thought was a great project.  Two Futures Project is a broad-based citizen mobilization, which in the next year will come to schools and churches, in partnership with organizations like former Sen. Sam Nunn’s Nuclear Threat Initiative.

Through Two Futures, citizens can take action in lots of ways—from lobbying their elected officials to educating their peers about the issue.

Tyler Wigg Stevenson, the founder of the Two Futures Project, said “Nonpartisan security experts are telling us that abolition of nuclear weapons is the only alternative to their eventual use, and scientists are telling us that we have the ability to do away with them.

Christians have the capacity to bring moral clarity to an issue that is about enacted blasphemy: who do we think we are to claim authority over life itself and the welfare of all future generations? That power belongs to God alone. I believe that American Christians—especially the rising generation—can and should be at the vanguard of a movement to ensure this important work is accomplished.”

Shane Claiborne, a Christian activist and advocate for the homeless, summed it up like this: “God does not bless bombs… We cannot simultaneously love our enemies and prepare to kill them en masse. It’s time to imagine a different future… and [to] end the instruments of war and move closer to the things that bring life”

Visit the Two Futures Web site to get involved in this important issue!
 

I wanted to share an e-mail I received recently with all of you. 

Though I am often not a fan of a month for this cause or day for that cause, it is helpful in just reminding us of things we should be working on all year round.  April is National Donate Life Month, and LifeSharers.org told me in their e-mail that they have a solution to the organ donation crisis that is causing needless loss of life.

There is a need to create awareness regarding the critical shortage of organ donors, and the ease and benefits of being a donor, is vitally important.

Will you help get the message out? They asked.  My reply: Heck yeah, and so will other Citizenhunters!

I promptly called the number at the bottom of the e-mail and asked what can I do to help oh and by the way how in the world did you get my e-mail and why are you writing me? To which the nice voice on the other end of the line said.

"I don't know you from Eve. I contacted you because you're a member of the press in the hope you'd help spread the word about an easy way to save lives.

Lots of problems are hard to solve. The problem of people dying waiting for organ transplants is not. In the United States we bury or cremate 20,000 transplantable organs every year, which is more than enough to save the 8,000 people who die every year waiting for organ transplants.

»  More April is Donate Life Month

The actions of AIG executives--with their reckless credit default swaps--contributed to the economic collapse we're experiencing today. The fact that $165 million of federal bailout funds were funneled to these same AIG execs symbolizes the core corruption behind it.

While it’s easy to be consumed by outrage about the AIG bonuses, we also can’t forget that millions of Americans are suffering. People are losing jobs and health care, unable to provide for their families and to ensure their immediate needs are met. Non-profit organizations across the country, like food banks and free health clinics, are stepping up to help, but they are buckling under the pressure of this recession. With donations sagging and investment values plummeting, these organizations are facing debilitating budget cuts.

These programs are lifelines for thousands of struggling families, and we need to help.

Sign the Faithful America petition and insist that the government bail out food banks, not just investment banks.

Don’t let local service providers get left out in the cold. Insist that the federal budget increase funds to food assistance, and health care and providing tax cuts to low and middle-income families. Members of Congress will be under intense pressure to cut these vital funds. We need to remind them that difficult times are when th ese programs are needed the most.

The AIG bonuses are shocking, not just due to their size, but what they represent: the rejection of the idea of shared sacrifice and the common good. We might not be able to get those executives to reconsider their priorities, but we can demonstrate our values and commitment to the well-being of all -- not just a wealthy few.

Chive sprig not included.

My friend Ryan Kellermeyer has his hands in several amazing projects. I asked him to share one of them with you and I will post about some others in the near future. Take it away, Ryan...

Since January 1, I have eaten only one bowl of rice a day and lost over 50 pounds.  Flavia Colgan wanted to know why.

An African proverb states that "If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping in a room with a mosquito."  This idea has changed my life.

I am one of the richest people in the history of the world, enjoying greater wealth than 95% of people alive today.  I'm rich.  But here's the trick:  I only make $35,000 a year.  My North Philly community is rich, but the median household income is only $19,000 (top 11%).  Go to www.globalrichlist.com .  Type in your income and see where you stand among the world's elite.

Now that you're rich, what are you going to do?  Are you still too small to make a difference?

Over 25,000 people die every day from hunger, most of them children. That's almost everyone at a sold-out Phillies game. Daily. The UN World Food Programme says the pricetag to end hunger is $30 billion a year and totally within our reach.  Americans spend $35 billion a year in weight loss products.  And don't even get me started on that $170 billion we gave to AIG!  Meanwhile, we give $0.35 per person per YEAR to foreign aid, most of it going to strategic allies such as Egypt, Israel, Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq.  What is wrong with our priorities as a nation and as individuals?  In this time of "Hope and Change" there are billions who need hope and we barely give them the change in our pocket.

It is an amazing time to be alive and even as I type this article I am living proof of the power you and I share.  It's not just our wealth but also our access to others of equal wealth that is so empowering.

Since New Year's Eve I have eaten only 1 bowl of rice a day in solidarity with the hungry of the world.  I've lost over 50 pounds so far and raised over $5,000 for hunger causes.  My goal is to raise $1 million and spread the word that we can and should end hunger right now.  Join me at www.SimpleSizeMe.com .

Consume less.  Share more.  Write to your elected officials.  Talk to your family.  Hunger sucks.  We're rich.  Giving is fun.  It's time to get your mosquito on.

Ryan Kellermeyer

p.s. - I also work for an amazing community center serving children in the Hunting Park neighborhood of North Philly.  www.ayudacc.org. We're having a silent auction on March 28.  Take this opportunity to donate a service or item at http://tinyurl.com/Auction09 or bid at http://tinyurl.com/AuctionBids .  Contact me at ryan@simplesizeme.com  Thank you!
 

I was going to let you guys know about this great group, You2Gov, and then realized, one of its founders was a Facebook friend (and one in real life too). So I figured he would do a better job -- Alan Silberberg, take it away!

When I started You2Gov with the co-founder last April, America was still getting over the possibility that “Super Delegates” might decide the Democratic side of the race. This was the catalyst for the original creation of the site.  The idea that a “chosen few” would decide such a momentous thing was just too much. It went against everything we have been taught about our democratic process.

But when we started to think about what kind of Country the Founding Fathers had envisioned, it became clear that there was a much larger question: How do normal, everyday people communicate in a real way with their Elected Officials? To many of us this seems like an abstraction. 

Most Americans have never met any of their politicians. Some have seen them in a crowded room with lots of other people. But how many of us can honestly state that we communicate with our leaders, and that they hear us and respond?

By analyzing over a thousand websites, it became clear that in order for people to take more control of their civic lives through online advocacy, tools were needed to  make that as easy as online banking, online dating or using Craigslist to sell something.  I felt that by building a social network like Facebook, but devoted to the political process and civic life; more people would find themselves enabled to take control over their civic lives, maybe for the first time in their life.

When the Founding Fathers met in Philadelphia all those years ago at Independence Hall, all sides were heard from. There was honest debate, interaction. What came out of that hot July Summer were the universal frameworks for Constitutions and Declarations of Independence since copied worldwide.  What has happened since? The U.S. Political System has become more and more closed off to the regular folks, the families, the taxpayers who foot the ever increasing bills. If you are a big donor – skip this sentence. But to the majority of Americans, our Government seems more and more distant. Not anymore.

Technology allows us to bring our political system back to a place where the power flows from the people, to the people, by the people as was intended.  By using cutting edge social networking tools, You2Gov is now able to offer secure communications in a spam-free environment with your elected officials at the State, and Federal levels, including State House, Governors, State Constitutional Officers, Congress, The Senate and White House. Technology also allows us to bring together Legislative Tracking, C ongressional Committee Reports, other Government documents all in the same place as our Contact Your Representative custom made engine.

What has happened over the past few months? We have witnessed a massive upheaval in our Banking, Political and Business systems throughout the Country.  How much of this happened because the People were not actively involved in the oversight process, thus allowing these massive failures under our collective noses.  Don’t let your Government run things without your knowledge. After all, we are all shareholders of the United States. Register for free on You2Gov and become a self-empowered citizen. Let your Government hear from you. Often.

Alan W. Silberberg   
CEO, YOU2GOV.com

Late last week, evangelicals and political progressives took a significant step towards ending the polarizing “culture wars.”  Without setting aside their principles, these leaders found common ground on tough political questions: from immigration reform to gay rights to abortion.

This collaboration between unlikely allies demonstrates a model for finding a way forward on difficult political questions.  We as citizens can learn a lot from this ethos of bridge-building; it’s certainly a productive way to engage with the political process.  The agenda this coalition has rallied around—and which they’ve already started lobbying for—will have significant political implications.

Say yes to working together and realizing our shared values.  Sign on as a supporter of a common ground approach to abortion by joining the Real Abortion Solutions Facebook group.  This approach calls for increased access to adoption, the prevention of unintended pregnancies, support for women and families, and better pre- and post-natal healthcare.  Also, become a Facebook fan of the common values governing agenda at “Come Let us Reason Together.”

We've got until Friday to raise money for MDA!! (Muscular Dystropy Association).  All the money is going to research, for MDA.

If you're not familiar with Muscular Dystrophy, it's a horrible disease that leaves many people unable to move their legs, and arms. It destroys people's muscles, until they cannot function any longer, and eventual die from heart failure.  Many people with MD die in their 20's and 30's.

My friend Terry is a physical therapist who has been working with MD patient's for the past 2 years and he is the one that reached out to me on this very worthy cuase.  I have raised money for it in the past, particularly in Pittsburgh, but I have been so in awe of all the car washes,  parties, everything he has done to raise money, I wanted to reach out to you guys for help.

One of his recent patients was a pleasant 27 year old kid.  He was diagnosed with MD about 3 years ago, after playing college basketball. When Terry went to see him a few months ago, he noticed that his leg muscles were wasting away, and he's having difficulty standing up and walking.  He has to use a cane for balance. And he has one of the mildest types of Muscular Dystrophy.  Terry promised him that he would try to help to raise money for research, to help to find a cure for Muscular Dystrophy.

That's what brings me here today!!  Terry is amazing and I have known him for 15 years and want to help him out in keeping his word. So far, we've raised $720! 

Here's the link to Terry's MDA page, and here you can find out more about the disease and where your money goes. I really hope everybody can give at least $5 or $10.........;)

I want to recognize everyone for participating.  So, for everyone giving at least $10, I'll send you a professional certificate saying that you participated in the Muscular Dystrophy Asscociation Annual Fundraiser.  You can frame it, and hang it on your wall, with your other professional licenses and certifications, in your office, or at your home. ;)

Please help these people out!!! Keep your online receipt, as it's tax deductible at the end of the year.......

Lastly, after you donate something, please email Terry  and let him know, so we can send you a certficate!!! Please forward this link to everyone on your list......;)

"When I first looked at the Declaration of Independence, my eyes welled up. I thought - this is our nation's birth certificate, the people's document, and it should visit Americans, rather than sit somewhere on a wall waiting for Americans to come to it, as a reminder of the freedoms we all cherish."
 

-- Norman Lear

Go to www.declareyourself.org and remind yourself of lucky and blessed you are to be an American, what it means to be an American and what you can do to keep freedom ringing!