Hello Friends!
Together, We Can Create Peace on Earth!
The majority of Americans want us out of Iraq and wish to avoid war with Iran. It’s time for us to stand up for peace this holiday season. I just pledged to choose one simple act per week from our 10 Ways to Have a More Peaceful Holiday to create a more peaceful world. This December you can pledge to take action weekly to create peace! CODEPINK, a women-initiated peace group, has created 10 simple and creative actions to help you promote peace in your community and the wider world.

This December, Take action each week for a Peaceful Holiday Season.

Hi Friends,
I have just read and signed the petition: “Stop Rape and Other Violence Against Women in the Democratic Republic of Congo”.

The physical and emotional harm these women and girls face is staggering, and they rarely find the medical and psychological care they so desperately need. While the perpetrators of these horrific crimes move with impunity to their next victims, whole communities live in constant fear of the next wave of violence.

The International Violence Against Women Act (S.2279) would significantly increase U.S. commitment to ending gender-based violence in the DRC and around the world. By passing the IVAWA, we will take a significant step toward addressing this type of violence in the DRC and other crisis regions around the world.

I am your mirror. When you look into my eyes,
you see how beautiful you are.
When you enter a room, my heart lifts up to meet you;
a smile of greeting lights me up from within.

I am your mirror. When you look into my eyes,
you see love, as my soul embraces yours,
revealing to you just how wonderful you are:
my friend, my heart, my son.

Excerpt from

Son of My Soul
by Debra Shiveley Welch

For her 16th birthday, this young donor wanted to give the gift of life, by donating blood for the first time. The experience went well and the different steps she took are displayed her and explained in captions below.

To learn more about the service of donating blood and/or how to start donating at a blood bank near you, visit: http://www.givelife.org/

With over 3.2 million baby boomers becoming eligible for Medicare in three short years, and a government-predicted shortage of 85,000 doctors by 2020, doctor payment cuts will create an access-to-care crisis for America’s seniors.

If Congress doesn’t act soon, doctors will be forced to defer the purchase of new medical equipment and information technology; seniors will have a harder time finding medical and surgical specialists and will have to travel greater distances to see a doctor; and more Medicare patients will be forced go to expensive emergency rooms for routine care that could have been treated in a doctor’s office.

Urge your Senators to make good on their promise to older adults by saying no to Medicare pay cuts. Click here.