Imagine that the dome of the White House had fallen in on itself. Or a disaster hit of such magnitude that nearly everyone west of the Mississippi was affected. This is what happened in Haiti last night.  The presidential building collapsed in on itself when a 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit the island....

10. Local Food Banks We’ve experienced two recessions in the 2000s, and the second is the worst Americans have seen in decades.  This has meant that even more people rely on food banks to meet their daily needs as unemployment rises and incomes stagnate and fall.  The USDA’s recent figures...

10.  Bono Bono, the rock-star-turned-humanitarian, has been speaking truth to power since 1999.  He has achieved near honorary statesman status and has influenced many heads of state.  Since 2002 he has become increasingly involved in campaigning for third-world debt relief and raising awareness...

Some attempts at justice are better than others. Bono stood on the stadium’s stage, a briefcase in his hand. This is what I remember he said, “In a few hours I will be taking this briefcase to Gleneagles Hotel, and turning it over to the leaders of the countries you represent.  Inside they will...

For most of my life I was disgusted by the church and its followers. Hypocritical. Self-Obsessed. Prideful. Unkind. These were the words I used to describe the church and its people. All that changed when I was twenty and read the Bible for the first time. This is what Jesus is like? Why didn’t...

Anyone who follows the news in even the most cursory manners knows that Israel/Palestine has erupted again (please pray). But what’s new? Does anyone pay attention anymore? And if you do – congratulations, and thank you – does your knowledge of what’s going on in the world...

If you’re like me there’s something that you do at least four times a day that you’d rather avoid. It’s not brushing my teeth (I’m not that neurotic), eating my vegetables, or checking my email. All you moms (and savvy title readers) out there guessed it – it’s changing diapers. When...

Africa is big. Especially these days. And caring about Africa is hip: Brad Pitt, Bono, and Gwyneth Paltrow say so. There is nothing wrong with highlighting Africa, reminding us that we are all interconnected, that Africa’s problems are our problems. As we consider this, though, we would do well...

(Note: We understand fully the hypocrisy of running a review of television shows two weeks ago, and running an article on turning off your TV this week. Your letters and snide comments will only make us stronger…) The only contest I have ever won was at my church

I was watching the news recently with a friend from Zambia. The program was covering the Jack Abramoff scandal, and at one point my friend exclaimed, “Oh, I love America! Checks and balances are wonderful!” Ever since I was a little girl I have had an appreciation for the system of democracy,...