Unsubscribe Me: Waterboarding

Amnesty International released a new commercial as a part of their Unsubscribe Me campaign to end torture. The ad will be playing in select movie theaters in the coming months.

Tell me what you think.

Social Justice for Life Expectancy?

Overall, the United States has a relatively high life expectancy; women have a couple of years on men. However, as the article posted below shows, that overall number is not the same across the United States:

The study found that 4 percent of the male population and 19 percent of the female population experienced either declines or stagnation in their life expectancy in the ‘80s and ‘90s. Although this deadly trend is mostly centered in the southern parts of the nation, several largely rural counties in Washington – Cowlitz, Lewis, Benton and Grays Harbor – are also on the verge of seeing a decline in overall life span.

Surely, there's something to be said for where the life expectancy is lowest: southern parts of the nation (yes, that includes us!) and in some rural counties. What does this say about the (lack of) quality of life in our own nation? Why are these areas targeted?

Check out the full article for more information.

yours in wondering why some people live longer than others,
-j.

And we thought Nalgene's were so good!

So, as Chad disappointingly mentioned to me the other day, skipping out on plastic bottles for resuable polycarbonate is NOT as good as an idea as we once thought. If yours has a 7 on the bottom--sorry! You're probably drinking bisphenol-a, which unfortunately is most dangerous for the very old and very young. Check out the article on Canada's new ban below:

http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=5215109782482807501

Yours in thinking of other ways to not buy plastic bottles,
-j.

School Busing

Here's a very interesting slideshow on controversy surrounding busing in Northeastern cities in the 1970s. It focuses on some jarring pictures taken during the era, and concludes with a picture taken during the immediate aftermath of Katrina that I hadn't seen, yet was powerfully moving.

Shame on you, polluters

The Catholic Church released an article in "L'Osservatore Romano" listing several new ways to sin. Among them: polluting. Its always a good feeling when the Catholic Church supports what you've been believing for a while.

This raises the question. What's the penance for driving an SUV getting 12 mpg?

Presidents: Loyola and Abroad

Today's LUCAP meeting is focused on the chief executive. As the nation's primary elections close, the country grows closer to the general election in November. Many LUCAPers have been following the races closely and will lead discussion on various positions of candidates.

This week also marks the start of active campaigning for SGA President at Loyola. LUCAP is having both candidates for SGA President speak at the meeting, giving the candidates a chance to explain their platforms and answer (usually tough) questions. This year, pre-med/finance/sociology student Greg Fontenot (pic above)and political science student Cade Cypriano (pic below) are running to represent the student body.

Be thinking of questions you might want to ask the candidates.

Check out their facebook groups, websites, flyers etc. for ideas on their platforms.


Greg Fontenot: website
Cade Cypriano: website

Fair Trade across Freret and beyond

Fair Trade certified products are items that (in their simplest form) are guaranteed to have paid the people who produced them a fair wage.

While there are tons of places to buy fair trade products online, a few stores are right in New Orleans for your shopping convenience. Whole Foods has a few things, but here's a few more you might not have heard about:

InExchange
Tulane University
Lavin-Bernick Center for University Life
http://www.inexchange.org

A new store in Tulane's LBC (student center) sells exclusively fair trade products and local art. The founder, Erica Trani, is a Tulane alumna and is active in the justice groups of both Tulane and Loyola Universities. Trani drew upon her experiences working with artisans and growers in Ecuador as well as selling handmade jewelry made by independent artists at a French Quarter store. InExchange carries chocolates, coffee from Cafe Justo (starting March 2008), jewelry, rugs, ceramics, glasswork, textiles, reusable shopping bags and so much more. The inventory changes quickly, so check often.

Blue Frog Chocolates
5707 Magazine Street
http://www.bluefrogchocolates.com/

This candy store sells several kinds of fair trade chocolate as well as lots of locally made candy. Not everything is fair trade, but its still a delicious stop.

Fair Grinds Coffeehouse
3133 Ponce de Leon
http://www.fairgrinds.com

By far my favorite coffee house in New Orleans. Its located in the Mid City/Fair Grounds area. All coffee used is locally roasted by Orleans Coffee Exchange and 100% fair trade. Their cold drink cups are made from biodegradable corn plastic. Fair Grinds also hosts some cool community events such as a recent series relating sustainability to spirituality. This is the kind of coffee shop you want to live next to.