"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!

Check out this piece on the benefits of being a big sister that was on the Huffington Post.

I am a big sister to five siblings so I get to enjoy the benefits and joys everyday! I love you guys. Now, I know Amadeus and B4 can't get on the computer yet, but this will be a test to the rest of my brood to see how often they check in at Citizen Hunter!

Valerie Sobel Knows. She's a great friend and the smartest cookie I know.

She's a finalist for the 2009 Smart Cookie Award, recognizing extraordinary women who balance family and a career making life better for other moms.

The winner receives a $35,000 prize for her favorite charity and national TV coverage, all sponsored by Cookie Magazine.

Valerie is my pick to win! Please vote for her today!

Sobel is the Founder of The Andre Sobel River of Life Foundation, a foundation that pays urgent expenses for single parent families whose children are catastrophically ill.

When Valerie Sobel's son, Andre, was dying of a brain tumor, she was at his hospital bedside every minute. During that time, she couldn't help but notice how many terminally ill children were alone because their single parents couldn't afford to miss any work or to hire day care to watch over the sick child's siblings.

After Andre died, Sobel established the Andre Sobel River of Life Foundation to pay for urgent expenses (rent, gas, utilities, food) so that single moms can focus on being with their sick and dying children. Sobel is the mother of Andre (deceased) and Simone, 29. The Foundation's mission is: "When compassion can't wait and single parent families are in despair, we help with urgent expenses to allow these caregivers to stay at their child's bedside during catastrophic illness."

Yesterday, evangelicals and political progressives took a significant step towards ending the polarizing "culture wars." Through a process of dialogue with Faith in Public Life, Third Way and each other, these leaders found common ground on tough political questions from immigration reform to gay rights to abortion, without setting aside their principles.

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 for which they've already starting lobbying (PDF) - 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.

(Won't even add that you should be my friend on facebook since I know you are already!)

The not-so-secret inspirations behind citizen hunter -- well, not secret now anyway since I am sharing them with you!

"How lovely to think that no one need wait a moment, we can start now, slowly changing the world!"
-- Anne Frank

Drops that gather one by one finally become a sea.
-- Persian proverb

"A transformational leader stands on the shoulders of his followers, expressing coherently those ideas which lie inchoate in the hearts of the followers -- and in the process makes his followers into new leaders."
-- James MacGregor Burns

This quote I got from an MSNBC viewer, Joe Duran. This quote reminds me of a Chinese saying I always keep in mind: when you are leading you must make sure that you are not too far ahead, people must see you to follow.

Joe is a Sgt. in the Marines, currently stationed in New Orleans, and one of my many e-mail buddies. Joe's thoughtful ideas about his service are showcased on this blog. As if passing on these sage words were not enough, he told me he thought I would make a great Marine! I can think of few better compliments, except that I would make a great mom. For those that know me, don't laugh, Joe only knows me from TV, my columns, and e-mail, in other words has not a clue that I can barely get my self around my own city. If the Marines ever have a division that talks its way out of jams then I might be worthy. Until then, I will let the American Heroes like Joe and others muster the courage that I don't have, and will do my part back here, like we all should, by listening, saying thank you, and figuring out how we can make sure we as a nation, and as a government honor their service with actions and policies that reflect their sacrifice. Also, as parents, and big sisters like me, let's let our kids know that men and women in uniform, our soldiers, cops, firefighters, and our teachers, deserve to be idolized as much as rock stars and athletes.

"You must not expect anything from others. It's you, of yourself, of whom you must ask a lot. Only from oneself has one the right to ask everything and anything. This way it's up to you - your own choices - what you get from others remains a present, a gift."
-- Albert Schweitzer

"If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that's where they should be. Now put the foundations under them."
-- Henry David Thoreau

"Let us put our minds together and see what life we can make for our children."
-- Sitting Bull

"You have to find the courage to talk to the people you don't know about things they don't want to hear."
-- Ann Richards, Former Governor of Texas

I got this quote from one of my readers, Sgt. Mike Collins, an Army Ranger -he did a tour in Vietnam.
"No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit."
-- Helen Keller

"I try to learn as much as I can because I know nothing compared to what I need to know."
-- Muhammad Ali

»  More Citi-Zen

Flavia Colgan is an editorial board member of the Philadelphia Daily News. After graduating from Harvard with a degree in Religion, Flavia returned to her home state of Pennsylvania. After running several statewide campaigns for Democratic candidates, Flavia was appointed chief of staff to Pennsylvania's Lieutenant Governor, the first woman and youngest ever to serve in the position. She also served as a member of Governor Ed Rendell's senior staff.

Flavia Colgan is a consulting producer and host of an upcoming Travel Channel show, Miracle Quest. She has been a commentator for Fox News Channel, appearing on shows such as Hannity & Colmes and Fox & Friends. She is currently a commentator for MSNBC and CNBC, appearing on Scarborough Country, the Dennis Miller show, Lester Holt Live, The Situation with Tucker Carlson, and Hardball with Chris Mathews. Flavia has appeared as a guest on other shows including the Montel show and ESPN's Strictly Speaking with Stephen A. Smith. She has interviewed such notables as Walter Cronkite, Prince Albert of Monaco and Michael Moore.

Flavia also serves as a special correspondent for the nationally syndicated show Extra, where she explores the impact of celebrity on politics and causes. Her interviews include: Queen Latifah, Bill Maher, Geena Davis, Jean Smart, Kate Bosworth, Marcia Gay Harden, Daryl Hannah, Larry and Laurie David, Al and Tipper Gore, and Sharon Stone.

She is a frequent guest and guest host on local and national talk radio including Michael Smerconish, the Sirius Satellite show Young Turks, the Alan Colmes Show and NPR's "The Point." She has also served as cohost of a public affairs radio program in the Philadelphia area.

Flavia is a regular contributor to the Huffington Post, Politics PA, the Allentown Morning Call and the Daily News. Among others, her work has also appeared in In These Times, Common Dreams, and the Harrisburg Patriot News.
 

Speeches:

• Call to Humanitarian Equity
   
• Call to action for Democrats

• 5/12: It's time for Hill to take the hint

   

• 4/11: Clintons' squabbles: not funny

   

• 3/12: Hillary's confused veepstakes

   

• 2/4: It's easy: It's Barack to the future

   

• 1/14: Why do we treat dogs better than humans?

   

• 1/2: Bhutto death could be an Iraq wake-up call

   

• 11/13: It's the season of miracles

   

• 2/9: Congress ought to punch a clock

   

• 1/26/07: 2008 - Watching the barriers fall

   

• 12/15: Pelosi's cleanup

   

• 12/8: A 'legacy' in tatters

   

• 12/1: The audacity of the anti-Hillary

   

• 11/9: Dems got that ol'-time religion

   

• 10/27: President 'not satisfied' - or satisfactory

   

• 10/3: Rick Santorum can't take the flak

   

• 9/27: Will Islam rise to Pope's challenge?

   

• 9/12: ABC's '9/11': Clinton was right

   

• 9/1: Double secret Senate shenanigans

   

• 8/2: Don't blame Israel

   

• 5/10: Life, death & Zacarias Moussaoui

   

• 2/10: Dems on ethics: Day late, dollar short
  You can take action on ethics in campaign finance. Here's a recent AP story on developments in the Senate.Also: There will be a "Cleaning Up Our Statehouses" Conference in May.

   

• 1/19: Timmy Kelly's Christmas lesson
  Here I discuss Christmas and progressives on The Situation with Tucker Carlson.

   

• 1/13: Alito hearings drowning in words

   

• 1/06/2006: The war we aren't fighting
  Get more info and take action on AIDS here.

   

• 12/23: 'An eye for an eye, & the whole world is blind' - Gandhi
  Amnesty International reports that worldwide, executions in 2005 fell by more than 1,500, as more and more nations decided to eliminate capital punishment. Here I discuss capital punishment on The Situation with Tucker Carlson. You can take action on this issue here.

   

• 12/09: Bring in the A-team to handle Iraq
  Here I discuss progress in Iraq, or the lack thereof, on The Situation with Tucker Carlson. See also our Support and Defend section.

   

• 12/02: Time for Dems to come clean on dirty politics
  Here I join Sam Seder on the Majority Report in Air America studios, and here I'm on The Situation with Tucker Carlson to discuss corruption in politics. Read how to take action on ethics in campaign finance. And send a message to Congress for ethics reform

   

• 11/25: Why I back Jack in '08

   

• 11/18: The media monster that's eating the Dems
  As you can see I have been very troubled by this issue for quite sometime. The Daily Howler is one of my favorite blogs and I was happy to know they approved of my appearance on Scarborough. He was right in saying that I was pretty much out their alone on this issue, on cable news anyway.

   

• 11/4: Time to learn Alito bit more

   

• 10/17: Democratic cacophony

   

• 10/4/2005: Memo to Dems: Keep the faith, baby
  I talk about this issue on Jerry Bower's podcast and on The Situation with Tucker Carlson in December. And here from March I discuss with Tucker what I feel is the real war and more important issues facing Christians than a "War on Christians" conference where, of all people, Rep. Tom DeLay was introduced as the paragon of Christian values in government. (No, folks, I am not describing a farcical skit on Saturday Night Live.) Here's a recent PhillyFeed podcast on the topic of progressives and religion. And an AP story from July on the need for Dems to talk about faith.

   

• 10/25/2004: Bush flip-flops, we get the flu

   

• 10/5: Domestic violence: George, we have a problem
  To learn more about this very important topic please visit the National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence. If you or someone you love is involved in an abusive relationship get help now and break the cycle of violence. You are not alone and there are many resources to help you. Domestic Violence does not discriminate. It affects pre-teens and elderly couples. Black, White, Latino, rich, poor, gay and straight.

   

• 8/27: Adrift in the Swift Boat swamp

   

• 8/9: Face the heat: No more excuses
  Take action against global warming and find out more here. NEWS: Ford to offer zero-financing nationwide for hybrid SUVs as an incentive for buyers to go green! And: John Podesta's remarks on clean energy and global warming

   

• 7/22: Reagan's legacy: A coin or a cure?
  You can read my letter to Harvard magazine on this topic. (Scroll down.)

   

• 7/16: Sen. Santorum's elusive sweet spot

   

• 6/2: Three strikes - and he's out?

   

• 4/21: What'll it be: Peace or politics?

   

• 3/29: You're gay? You pay!

• 11/11: Bad Service: Vet treatment needs work

   

• 5/16: BUSH & EPA WAGE WAR ON SCIENCE
  WE ALL LOSE WHEN SCIENTISTS ARE ASKED TO HIDE INCONVENIENT TRUTHS

   

• 5/15: SCHOOL-SAFETY CONFUSION
  DUELING REPORTS MAKE ONLY ONE THING CLEAR: FIX THE MESS!

   

• 5/9: A GI 'NO-BRAINER' MEETS 'NO BRAINS'
  WHY IS THE NEW GI BILL NOT A DONE DEAL?

   

• 3/19: IRAQ: FIVE YEARS, AND A FEW TRILLION DOLLARS
  WE ARE PAYING TOO HIGH A PRICE FOR THIS WAR

   

• 3/17: THE BIRDS, THE BEES & THE STDS
  TIME FOR BETTER EDUCATION ON RISKS OF SEX

   

• 3/10: GET RICH(ER)

   

• 1/8/08: TWO LEADERS, SAME PROMISE: HOPE
  MOVING AWAY FROM THE CULTURE OF FEAR

   

• 12/14: JUICED!

   

• 10/22: FIGHTING THE 'SUPER BUG'
  STATE IS RIGHT TO TARGET HOSPITAL INFECTIONS

   

• 10/8: BODIES OF EVIDENCE

   

• 10/8: FREEDOM OF TEXT

   

• 9/24: SPECTER DOES NO FAVORS TO TROOPS
  WHY DID HE VOTE AGAINST GIVING THEM RELIEF?

   

• 9/20: IS THIS FARE?

   

• 9/20: CITY HALL'S COP

   

• 9/20: PARK CHANGE

   

• 9/18: TAILGATE-GATE

   

• 9/14: SCHOOLS GET MONEY; NOW WHAT?
  THE HARD PART: WHO RUNS THE PLACE?

   

• 9/14: PATRIOTS***

   

• 9/5: YOUTH PROGRAM GETS ELEVENTH-HOUR SAVE
  EVANS, STREET FIND MONEY TO KEEP AND EXPAND YVRP

   

• 7/3: TURNING ON THE ANTI-IRAQ SPIGOT
  MAYBE ONE MORE REPUBLICAN, LIKE ARLEN SPECTER, CAN TURN THE TIDE

   

• 6/20: UN-CUFF GUN LAW ENFORCEMENT
  CONGRESS SHOULD REPEAL TIAHRT AMENDMENT

   

• 6/20: FREE COLLEGE

   

• 6/14: TILTING TOWARD DEATH
  RULING A BLOW FOR ANTI-CAPITAL PUNISHMENT FORCES

   

• 6/13: GONZO JUSTICE
  NO-CONFIDENCE VOTE DERAILED, BUT SITUATION STILL FESTERS

   

• 6/5: BORDER SKIRMISHES NOT OVER YET
  IMMIGRATION BILL STILL HAS WORK AHEAD

   

• 5/25:IS THIS ANY WAY TO REMEMBER OUR TROOPS?
  BUSH THREATENS VETO ON MILITARY PAY AND DEATH BENEFITS

   

• 5/24: JOBS THE REAL AMMUNITION AGAINST VIOLENCE
  NEW BILLS IN H'BURG COULD PUT KIDS TO WORK, KEEP THEM OFF THE STREETS

   

• 5/11: A FEW LESSONS ON HOMEGROWN TERROR
  WE HAVE TO KEEP OUR EYES OPEN - AND OUR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT

   

• 5/1: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED? NOT THEN, NOT NOW.
  TIME TO JUST SAY NO TO CONTINUED IRAQ ESCALATION

   

• 4/23: A WORLD WATER PROBLEM
  EARTH WEEK'S A GOOD TIME TO FOCUS ON WATER SCARCITY

   

• 4/9: BUSH OFFERS NUTTY EXCUSE FOR BILL VETO
  EMERGENCY WAR-FUNDING BILL IS FLAWED, BUT WORTH SIGNING

   

• 3/14: WHY ATTORNEY GENERAL GONZALES SHOULD GO
  'MISTAKES WERE MADE' IS TOO PAT AN ANSWER

   

• 2/28: THE BEST CRIME-FIGHTER? JOBS
  DO YOUR PART: HIRE A YOUNG PERSON

   

• 2/22: THE PREZ STANDS ALONE
  WITHOUT SUPPORT, HE NEEDS TO CHANGE COURSE

   

• 2/20: THE MINIMUM RAGE
  WAGE HIKE STALLED IN SENATE

   

• 2/2: THE COST OF DROPOUTS
  PAY NOW - OR PAY LATER

   

• 2/2: 'OTHER' DECIDERS BLEW IT, TOO
  SPECTER'S CRITIQUE OF BUSH IS RIGHT, BUT LATE

   

• 1/29: WANTED: A FEW GREAT MINDS FOR A GREAT CITY
  

   

• 1/25: GOODE PLAN FOR MORE SCHOOL $
  SCHOOL REINVESTMENT ACT GOOD FOR KIDS

   

• 1/23: THE WATCHDOG STUMBLES
  CONSUMER REPORTS IS WRONG, BUT THAT'S ALL RIGHT

   

• 1/19: LET'S FILL PRESCRIPTION FOR PA.
  RENDELL'S HEALTH PLAN DESERVES SUPPORT

   

• 1/18: DON'T BORROW TROUBLE
  TAX SEASON WARNING ON 'PAY STUB LOANS'

   

• 1/12: WHY BUSH'S IRAQ DO-OVER WON'T DO IT
  AND WHY CONGRESS MUST PUT AWAY THE RUBBER STAMP

   

• 1/11: FEDERAL HOUSING CUTS: KATRINA, ROUND TWO
  NO WIND, NO RAIN, BUT LOTS OF SUFFERING BY THE POOR

   

• 1/3/2007: SADDAM'S EXIT - AND OURS
  THE TRUE MEASURE OF JUSTICE IS GETTING U.S. OUT OF IRAQ

   

• 12/29: WHAT WE'RE BETTING ON FOR 2007
  CITY DREW WEAK HAND LAST YEAR, BUT A NEW DECK'S READY TO GET DEALT

In 2008 I did a series of reports for CBS' Early Show called "Extraordinary People." Here is a collection of the blog posts spotlighting those pieces.

7/16/08: Supporting our Troops

6/2/08: A prom for Smiles

5/16/08: A night to remember

5/14/08: Kathryn Martin - CJ's Bus

5/9/08: The Dawn's Early Show