permaculture

[Lora Boge <loraboge@phreego.com>]

In case anyone is Interested and isn't on the MoveOn list:
  Dear MoveOn member,

The tsunami in southern Asia and Africa may
be the worst natural disaster of our time.
More than 116,000 lives were wiped out
within hours. The toll in death and
suffering from smashed cities, broken
families, rampant disease, and crippled
economies cannot even be calculated. In the
face of this horror, MoveOn members have
poured in requests to help, asking how we
can push through our sadness and lend a
hand.

Rising to this challenge is at the heart of
global leadership, and the world is
depending on us. The U.S. government can
lead billions of dollars of aid into this
relief effort, if it chooses. Americans are generous and ready to step
forward, but the U.S. Congress and the Bush administration have made a
weak initial contribution to the effort -- first offering $15 million
and then $35 million when they came under pressure. Clearly, we can do
more.

Let Congress and the President know that Americans are supporting strong
leadership in this relief effort -- that millions of lives are at stake
and we have to help. In this hour of need, if America chooses to embrace
our role as a world leader, we can have an unparalleled impact. Send a
message to our leaders at:

  http://www.moveon.org/tsunamirelief/

But we can't just wait for this Congress to move. We can help directly,
as individuals, and save lives today. Our friends at Oxfam are already
scrambling on the front lines to fight off starvation and disease -- and
beginning to rebuild. Because Oxfam has worked for years with grassroots
groups in the hardest hit areas, they were able to mobilize local
leadership to help survivors immediately after the tsunami hit. And
Oxfam will be there for the long-term, helping communities recover and
regain their ability to meet basic needs. Oxfam needs to raise $5
million immediately to provide safe water, sanitation, food, shelter,
and clothing to 36,000 families in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and India. Your
contribution can make this possible.

Please give what you can, at:

  http://www.moveon.org/r?r=631

Of course, Oxfam is only one of dozens of great organizations, like
UNICEF, CARE, and the Red Cross/Red Crescent, rushing to help with the
immediate need. Their efforts give the victims a head start, but it
won't be enough unless the great nations of the world step forward in a
big way for the long-term challenges.

Indonesia, by far the hardest hit country, is also the world's largest
Muslim nation. Their estimated death toll stands at 85,000 -- in some
areas, 1 out of 4 people have already been killed. Now it's time for
America to show its true colors. We want to be known as a nation that
leads the world with compassion, generosity, and community -- not with
disastrous foreign military adventures. We are a nation that values
human life, family, and extending freedom and opportunity to where it is
most needed. We must now reach out in a serious way to do just that.

The $35 million offered by the Bush administration seems like a lot of
money, but it's insignificant compared to what's needed in a disaster
relief effort than spans continents and is expected to be the most
expensive in history. To put it in perspective, we're spending $35
million in Iraq every 7 hours. (The Bush administration is about to ask
for another $80 billion to cover the next installment of this tragic
occupation.)1

We can and will do better. Thanks for doing your part to show the true
generosity of the American spirit.

Sincerely,

--Adam, Ben, Carrie, Eli, James, Joan, Justin, Laura, Mari, Noah,
Rosalyn, and Wes
  The MoveOn.org Team
  December 30th, 2004

P.S. Just as we were finalizing this email, we received a note from
17-year-old MoveOn member Annalise Blum, who has a great idea for New
Year's Eve parties. Here's her email:

     Dear Joan and Wes,

     We arrived in Cambodia today and turned on the TV in our hotel
     room to learn more about the Tsunami. It has been horrifying
     to follow the rising death toll and especially learn about all
     of the children who have died. I really wanted to do something
     when I learned that just as many more people could die from
     lack of access to clean water and the spread of disease if not
     enough is done quickly.

     I realized that New Years Eve Parties would be a perfect place
     to have people contribute online to the relief effort. Someone
     in our group came up with the name "Throw out a lifeline
     Online."

     If MoveOn were to send out a message to its members suggesting
     that they turn on a computer and donate money to one of the
     relief organizations at their new years eves parties, it could
     save thousands of lives. Maybe this sort of message would be a
     welcome opportunity for its members to help people directly. I
     would greatly appreciate anything you could do to help.

     Below I have written a message I am planning send to my
     friends. MoveOn, if interested, could send out something
     similar.

     Throw Out A Lifeline Online
     Help the Victims of the South Asian Tsunami

     As most of you undoubtedly know, many parts of the eastern
     coastal regions of South Asia were hit on Sunday, December
     26th, with one of the largest tsunamis in recent history. The
     death toll of the tsunami, caused by an earthquake of 9.0
     magnitude, has already risen to over 60,000 people. All
     regions affected are in desperate need of clean water, food,
     temporary shelter and medical help to the survivors. Some
     estimate that one third of the dead are children.

     World Health Organization expert David Nabarro told reporters
     "there is certainly a chance that we could have as many dying
     from communicable diseases as from the tsunami".

     Start this year off by contributing money to an effective aid
     organization to prevent this humanitarian catastrophe from
     getting even worse. If you are going to a New Year's Eve
     Party, make it meaningful by turning on a computer and
     encouraging everyone to donate.

Footnote:
1. Bush Says America Will Lead Global Relief Effort, Washington Post,
December 30, 2004
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A33290-2004Dec29.html

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