VT Post

This blog author would like to extend my thoughts and prayers to the families of the Virgina Tech incident which happened yesterday. Unfortunately incidents like this happen and it breaks everyone out of their bubble. If we do not learn anything from this except one thing, i hope that one thing is that we need to look out for each other all the time. Just because somebody looks like they are in a good mood does not always mean they are in a good mood. It only takes a couple of minutes to see how someone is doing and reassure them that they have someone to talk to. It happens too many times in this world that people are put off to the shelf because they are different. We are all different, no two people are alike. If someone acts a little strange that does not mean they are bad people.

News From UNICEF Campus Initiative

If you have already signed up as volunteer for the Campus Initiative on the UNICEF home page you should have received a special email from Rachael Swanson talking about the Idea List Conference in Chicago.

(From an Email) Campus leaders, Jeff Loftsgaarden and George Petruck from Loras College in Dubuque Iowa, and Bethany Carriger from Southern Illinois University met with UNICEF staff at the Idealist.org Campus Conference, March 23-25th in Chicago, IL.

The conference was packed with relevant and inspiring content for student leaders. Highlights included hearing from Ami Dar, Founder of Idealist.org, participating in groups with students from all over the country to discuss social change, workshops, performance art, and closing thoughts from student activists.

(From Left to Right: Lofty, Myself, Bethany, Rachael)

That was such a fun weekend, I cannot wait till this weekend's Charity Ball....

Clay Akin's Drive

Currently Clay Akin (of American Idol Fame) is appealing for your help in raising money for the children of Afghanistan. Clay is attempting to raise $100,000 in 10 days and is almost at his goal. Please take the time to help Clay reach his goal, donate anything you can.

State Department Deally

So our little State Department has a list of every country in the world and their records on Human Rights over the course of the year. There are way too many countries to reach and read right now, but thats where you come in, what is your favorite country in the world (besides the one you live in) and what does the State Department say about them?

Rumors about..

Dear Faithful readers (/reader),

There are rumors floating around that there might be another blog author coming on board in the next couple of days. This is exciting news because she (according to jeff) is really smart. I personally am looking forward to having another writer on board but I ask one thing from everyone, please comment on the blog. Make this blog your blog.

Thanks,
GWP

Question of the Day

Off Topic Post:

How many games will the Chicago Cubs win this year?

S. 594

In honor of Mine Awareness Day 2007 (it was yesterday, sorry everyone):
From the Senate Database:

A BILL

To limit the use, sale, and transfer of cluster munitions.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Cluster Munitions Civilian Protection Act of 2007'.

SEC. 2. LIMITATION ON THE USE, SALE, OR TRANSFER OF CLUSTER MUNITIONS.

No funds appropriated or otherwise available to any Federal department or agency may be obligated or expended to use, sell, or transfer any cluster munitions unless--

(1) the submunitions of the cluster munitions have a 99 percent or higher functioning rate;

(2) the policy applicable to the use, or the agreement applicable to the sale or transfer, of such cluster munitions specifies that the cluster munitions will only be used against clearly defined military targets and will not be used where civilians are known to be present or in areas normally inhabited by civilians; and

(3) not later than 30 days after such cluster munitions are used, the President submits to the appropriate congressional committees a plan, including estimated costs, for cleaning up any such cluster munitions and submunitions which fail to explode and continue to pose a hazard to civilians that is prepared, as applicable--

(A) by the head of such Federal department or agency in the event such cluster munitions are to be used by the United States Government; or

(B) by the government of the country to which the United States Government sold or transferred such cluster munitions.

SEC. 3. PRESIDENTIAL WAIVER.

The President may waive the requirement under section 2(1) if, prior to the use, sale, or transfer of cluster munitions, the President--

(1) certifies that it is vital to protect the security of the United States; and

(2) not later than 30 days after making such certification, submits to the appropriate congressional committees a report, in classified form if necessary, describing in detail--

(A) the steps that will be taken to protect civilians; and

(B) the failure rate of the cluster munitions that will be used, sold, or transferred and whether such munitions are fitted with self-destruct or self-neutralization devices.

SEC. 4. APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES DEFINED.

In this Act, the term `appropriate congressional committees' means the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.

(Otherwise known as the Cluster Munitions Civilian Protection Act of 2007)
Please take the time to write a letter to your senator in support of this legislation.

Question of the Day

How would you inform the world about the current situation facing children in the world?

Question of the Day

What do you think about the American Governments lack of response to Land Mine legislation?

Charity Ball

On April 21, 2007 The Loras College UNICEF Campus Initiative will host its first annual charity ball from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm in the Loras College Alumni Campus Center Ball Room.

Stay Tuned for more Information!

Press Release

UNICEF AT LORAS COLLEGE!

UNICEF is a global fund that operates in over 157 countries and territories working for the survival, protection, and development of children. While the world’s children have benefited from UNICEF’s efforts, the work is far from over. With more than 10 million children dying before their fifth birthday each year from preventable causes, the children of the world need the help of concerned college students more than ever!

We at Loras College have the unique opportunity to utilize our small campus and connect a broad range of people by using our vast resources to increase public awareness about global issues. The existence of student organizations, professors and international programs provide a forum for campus-wide education, advocacy and fundraising. The Loras College UNICEF Campus Initiative will substantiate the power of our student body, faculty and staff to make a measurable difference in the world by raising funds to support the work of UNICEF! We have the opportunity as students to educate our peers on a broad range of global issues through the UNICEF initiative. The Loras College UNICEF Campus Initiative will endorse an annual Charity Ball, fundraise, host a variety of different speakers and write campus editorials on the work of UNICEF.

Most importantly, this group was created to have FUN while engaging in a beneficial cause!

Question of the Day

What have you done recently to get involved in your community?

Mine Awareness

International Mine Awareness Day is coming up on April 4th. Land mines are effecting children all across the world. Land mines are not used much during warfare these days. Most countries have signed some sort of treaty prohibiting the use and production of land mines. The problem that the world is facing currently is those land mines which were used during wars that did not go off, are still active and in the streets where children are playing. Children are paying the price by activating these objects either on accident (not knowing they are there) or activating the mine out of curiosity.

Landmines and explosive remnants of war continue to kill or injure as many as 15,000 people a year. The overwhelming majority are civilians who trigger these devices years or even decades after a conflict ends. In some countries, such as Afghanistan, the majority of victims are under the age of 18.

So ladies and Gents, mark your calender for April 4th.

(The official definition of a child, according the United Nations and UNICEF is any person under the age of 18.)

Opening Day Blog Post

I understand that this blog is dedicated to UNICEF and Loras College's Campus initiative but I am going to take a different path for this post and talk about Opening Day 2007.

Here are my predictions for MLB Division Champions and Wild Cards:

AL East: New York Yankees
AL Central: Minnesota Twins
AL West: LA Angles of Anaheim
AL Wild Card: Boston Red Sox
AL Champ: NY Yankees

NL East: New York Mets
NL Central: St. Louis Cardinals
NL West: LA Dodgers
NL Wild Card: Philadelphia Philies
NL Champ: LA Dodgers

What are your thoughts??