I hope this site becomes a place for dialogue and the exchange of ideas. I want to raise consciousness about issues and stories that don't always make the headlines. I believe that global awareness makes a person smarter and ultimately more human. I'm grossed out by what some "news" outlets masquerade as news. It seems that so many of these outlets cover international stories only when there's catastrophe or war. It's a shame.
There are so many fascinating people doing important things out there. As a journalist I've been blessed with the opportunity to travel all over the world. I want this to be a place for everyone to find out about people and organizations that I've encountered that are doing good work. I'd like to share some of my experiences and invite all of you to share your thoughts and stories you think should be told. Let's expand our horizons together!
Child Trafficking: India In India, there are millions of children who are being forced to work as slaves.
There is certainly no shortage of issues that should demand our attention, but here’s a list of some that I think are of vital importance. Please share with me your thoughts on these and issues that are of concern to you.
It's is about my friend Sunny Schwartz's new book, "Dreams from the Monster Factory." Sunny is a long time criminal justice expert who has spent her career trying to reform the prison system in America. We have more Americans locked up behind bars than any other country in the industrialized world. Prisons literally breed better criminal. They have essentially become higher institutions for learning more criminal activity. Sunny is on the front lines of trying to figure out how to stop this revolving door, and she's doing it with a combination of toughness, but more importantly, compassion. Having spent a great deal of time in American correctional facilities for documentary projects, this issue has become a close one to my heart. Please check Sunny out at: www.sunnyschwartz.com.
Am still thawing out from several days in the Alaskan Arctic. Was hoping to see Russia from my hotel room, but no such luck. Am
From Alaska with love...
working on a story for CNN's "Planet in Peril" special airing in December about off shore oil drilling in the Arctic. When "Drill Baby Drill" is chanted, this is where they're talking about--it is Ground Zero in the battle to tap into what may be a potentially huge domestic source of oil.
My most profuse apologies for the irregularity of my blog entries of late. I've had a crazy-ass travel schedule.
So I have a report airing on the Oprah Show this Tues, Oct.14. Its focus is a California ballot initiative that seeks to provide better treatment for animals that will enter our food supply before they are slaughtered: Proposition 2. For the most part, the animals that will be affected are egg producing,
caged battery hens, sows (female birthing pigs), and baby calves used for veal. Many people think,"if they're inevitably going to killed for food, who cares how they're treated before?"
Tragically, Uber is shutting down, but as far as I know I'll still be up at www.lisaling.com
I am frankly, stupefied! Last night's Veep show was truly a spectacle to behold. Irrespective of one's political leanings, one candidate is clearly more qualified than the other to potentially assume the role of President. It's not to say that both candidates have not achieved impressive accomplishments throughout their respective lives and careers, but let's get real here: the job requires a substantive command of fiscal policy, foreign affairs and the judicial system. We have been severely lacking in those qualities for the last eight years and as a result, we've watched out country descend into the worst economic and foreign policy crisis' in our history.
Watching my retirement and stock portfolio whittle away has been tough. I am not panicking, however, as far more people have been dealt far more serious blows than I. The Dow dropped nearly 500 points yesterday after three consecutive days of huge losses. Not since the Great Depression have our markets been so ravaged. Home prices have sunken to 2003 prices and our overall economy continues to spiral downward.
We Americans all got caught up in the frenzy of the last five years. We took gluttony to unprecedented levels and allowed ourselves to get sucked into systems and situations that were not being properly regulated and essentially raped. Everyone wanted a piece of the action and now everyone's paying the price.
After several days of ceaseless vitriol and incorrigible fear mongering, John McCain’s acceptance speech at the RNC came as a refreshingly collaborative surprise.I was, frankly, disgusted by the insidious mudslinging and character assassination that took place in the preceding days and hours before his address.I found most of the chosen speakers to embody the worst of what America has to offer: arrogance, condescension and close-mindedness.For the most part, I thought McCain delivered a most civilized address.
