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John Archer The growing gap of Poverty in America, the working poor 1.) Katrina the First Eight Months Fall 2005- Spring 2006" Bill Quigley Editor Blueprint Volume LIX Number 1 Spring October 2005. Publication is the Social justice publication for Loyola University New Orleans. The article traces issues related to the services to the poor and people of color in the city of New Orleans during and after Hurricane Katrina. Issues such as Leaving the poor behind matters on lack of transportation for the poor during the storm and the lack of housing for those trying to return; medical care and the availability to the poor, emergency room coverage due to the closure of Charity Hospital;Lack of voting rights for those displaced changing the makeup of the electorate to majority white for the first time in decades. Simple issues like why does a WWII vet 74 years old sleep in from of the FEMA trailer unable to get the trailer unlocked. 2.) Reforming the system byLois Spear OPAmerica Volume 195 No 3 Whole No. 4740 July-August 2006. The article discusses the prejudices in the American people and the judicial system. People now actually write off those who commit crimes and there is not attempt at rehabilitation. The system seems to punish minorities more than whites 2/3 of those incarcerated are Black or Hispanic. Drug laws are geared to crack poor mans drug of choice vs cocaine rich man’s choice. Call for change. Why are drug offenders barred for life from food stamps? Why do we not try rehab drug offenders? 3.) Columbia Dreams James Stormes America Volume 195 No 2 Whole No. 4739 July 17-24 2006 The article explains the current economic and political situation in the country of Columbia. The country is split in two the very poor and the very wealthy. Up to 60% of the population is in "grinding "poverty along side the few who are very rich. Land taken during the wars of the last 40 years has been taken from the campensinos,, Afro Columbians and indigenous people. Spraying to kill the Cocoa plants is killing other plants and poisoning the air water, land and inhabitants. US policy supports the military objective and while helping support the Government it hurts the poorest of the poor in that it could do more by providing direct help to those that need the aid. 4.) A Tale of two Worlds Peter Gyves America Volume 195 No 16 Whole No. 4753 November 20 2006 Only 6% of pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa are offered treatment against mother to child transmission of the AIDS virus.64% of the worlds total HIV live in sub-Sahara (10% of the population) 75% of the women with the disease live here. Access to medical treatment can reduce transmission rates from 25% to 1% (US rate where treatment is available). Treatment and training is available and has reduced the transmission rates in the US and other parts of the world. With assistance, aid and training the same can be done for the women and children of the sub-Sahara. 5.) Article in the Oakland Tribune on a father deported to Mexico Humberto Fernandez was arrested at the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services in Salt Lake City as he applied for a green card based on his marriage. Officials detained him because he had been deported before, and after a year in a Utah jail, Fernandez was sent to Mexico on Sept. 9, 2004. In the 12 months before Sept. 30, 186,600 illegal migrants were deported, nearly four times more than in 1995, the year before a new law mandating the expulsion of illegal migrants who have returned illegally after being deported. Fernandez, 54, was born in Cuauhtemoc but says he ran away from home at age 13 to escape poverty and a father who beat him. Two years later, he crossed illegally into the U.S. by claiming he was a U.S. citizen. He lived in California, Arizona, New Mexico, Wyoming and Colorado 6.) Trade bill for Haiti hailed as trigger for turning around its economy A bill that will give Haiti duty-free access to U.S. markets for products. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, with an estimated 80 percent of its population living below the poverty line, and a per-capita annual income of about $440. An estimated 70 percent of the workforce is unemployed. In the early 1980s, there were as many as 150,000 textile industry jobs in Haiti, he said. But amid turbulent political times, many factories closed, leaving fewer than 20,000 textile jobs today. Joseph said many of those companies will reopen almost immediately. Estimates are that within two years the textile plants will employ 40,000 new workersCopyright (c) 2006 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed. CNS · 3211 Fourth St NE · Washington DC 20017 · 202.541.3250 7.) Made in the Image and Likeness of God A Pastoral Letter on Racial Harmony; Archbishop Alfred Hughes STD, Archbishop of New Orleans Issued on the 50th Anniversary of Archbishop Rummel’s 1956 letter on The Morality of Racial Segreation. Addresses racial issues that exist in the city and Diocese of New Orleans. The Bishop asks forgiveness for sins of the past and the present. Using a specific example of his own shortcoming in the months following Hurricane Katrina he apologizes for the conditions that continue to exist. LATAM-ECONOMY Feb-7-2007 (870 words) xxxi 8.) Dominicans discuss poverty, failed economic policy in Latin America By Barbara J. Fraser Catholic News Service The Latin Bishops to discuss the impact of the economic policies of the America’s on the countries poor. These people are no longer marginalized they are completely cut off from any hope of inclusion in the economic system of their countries. The Dominican’s in the area, one of whom is a Bishop in southern Mexico, hopes that the summit of bishops will be more radical than the meeting held in Medellin. 9.) Faith leaders, parents urge Congress to expand children's health care 10.) Putting a Face on Poverty The Spring Hill College Magazine Vol 1 Number 1 Winter 2007 Mobile, Alabama Article reports on the Pacing Poverty pilot program being launched at the College. The program will review the extent and the scope of poverty in the state of Alabama. It will attempt to put a face on poverty, moving it from the abstract to the human and show the lives of real people and the difficulties they face. Professor Barbara Starr is the director of the program, she became involved when she heard the Govenor in a speech on tax revision explain that an Alabama family of four earning $4,600 a year is required to pay state income tax. 11.) Catholic Charities USA pledges to attack the "roots of poverty" Jerry Filtreau Catholic News Service and The Catholic Voice Vol 45 No 2 January 22, 2007 The article outlines the January 10, 2007 release of the policy paper of Catholic Charities USA "Poverty in America a Threat to the Common Good" The story point out the poverty has been largly ignored in the country and that Catholic Charities pledges to speak out "in the public square" The realease mentioned that the agency will work in partnership with other service agencies and it confronts the question of the revenue needed to fund the necessary programs. 12.) Notarios preying on immigrants Staff Reports and wire services Oakland Tribune February 6, 2007 The story describes the situation encountered by many Spanish speaking immigrants who are cheated out of money by those who claim they can help them. It is a scam on the most vulnerable. In most Latin American countries Notary Publics are also lawyers, in the US they are not. Most approach the notraio publicos thinking that they will be able to receive legal assistance only to find much of what they have been given is not worth the paper it is printed on. In the worse cases the notario is hired to help with immigration issues only to find out the work was never done and the person is to be deported because the required filing never were completed. 13. ) Homelessness: A Solvable Problem Editorial America Magazine March 5, 2007 Volume 196 No 8 Editorial starts with the findings of the US Conference of Mayors that shelters are full and transitional housing is limited. Homelessness has been rising for the last two decades, roughly one third of homeless are families, many single parent, homeless children living in shelters are prone to health problems and psychological problems. Las Vegas has made it a crime to share food with the homeless or destitute in public. The solution is not easy, most do earn enough to pay rent, in fact according to one study there is NO part of the country where it is possible for a minimum wage earner to rent a one-bedroom apartment at a fair market rate. The 1987 McKinney Homeless Assistance Act is a significant help but it is not enough. The Congressional Budget Office reports that income inequality continues to widen! 14.) Cures for the Poor. Morality Matters Marianne Cusimano Love America Magazine March 5, 2007 Volume 196 No 8 Ms Love points out the disparity of drug availability between the rich and the poor of the world. While a child dies every 30 seconds from pneumonia (1.9 million per year) in the US vaccine costs $40-60 per dose. 90% of the deaths occur in developing countries. Between 1795-1997 of the 1,233 licensed drugs only 13 were for tropical diseases. A recent hopeful development is the Advance Market Commitment, which is a group of wealthy countries along with the World Bank and the Gates Foundation. This group as guaranteed funding of $1.5 Billion to purchase effective affordable vaccines for poor countries. While US academics, philanthropists and doctors developed the approach the US government has not joined the group and does not appear to be a high priority of the current administration. 15. ) Federal raids on plant cause humanitarian crisis, say advocacy groups NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (CNS) March 9, 2007. 327 illegal aliens primarily from the countries Guatemala, Mexico and Honduras were detained in a raid of a manufacturing plant in Fall River, Mass along with the plant owner and managers. The parent were taken away leaving the children without childcare, causing what one person described as a "humanitarian crisis". The concern in this case is for the legal rights of the workers and for the care of the children of the workers. The local Catholic Church along with the community has offered assistance. The quote of the pastor sate the situation well "But what's important here is that the church's stance supports caring for people hurting and seeing them treated fairly, normally, with due process and their human rights respected and for family unification. To say these illegal immigrants have no rights is wrong," 16. ) Nowadays, society doesn’t have time to hear about poor people. Joe Queenan, Oakland Tribune, Oakland, Ca May 6, 2007 Written a bit "tongue in cheek" this article addresses the issue that the poor have no one to take up their cause or to stand up for them. The author compares the Grapes of Wrath written about the struggling poor of the era with the modern concerns of what is happening to people like Paris Hilton and Mark Cuban. We have become a society that does not place value of those who are not among the rich and the famous. 17. )Poverty in California Our Catholic Repsonse Position Paper written by Catholic Charities of California, Sacramento, Ca This paper is written in response to the larger program by Catholic Charities USA to reduce poverty in the US. The paper outlines on a high level the current situation in the state as well as; State Budget process Effects of Poverty Types and cause of poverty Our Catholic response as a profession of faith Using Deus Caritas Est as a foundation. Experiences of Catholic Charities Policy recommendations The paper stress the role of the laity through organizations such as Catholic Charities to be involved in the issues and asks all to reflect and to get involved in trying to reduce poverty in California 18. ) Number of working Poor families Growing in America Dr. Amy K. Glassmier July 12,2005 Penn State University Poverty in America One Nation Pulling Apart http://www.povertyinamerica.psu.edu/2005/07/ This article describes the impact of poverty on those who are working. While it mentions that some progress has been made since the 1960’s when "war" was declared on poverty. The plight of the working poor has gotten worse as wages have failed to keep up with the resources required to live. Even the statistics of poverty have failed to keep up to date with the rise in costs over the years . The number of jobs in the US that do not pay a living wage has increased drastically over the last 30 years. Of the 35 million living in poverty 7 million are "working poor". The working poor are focused in the south, Appalacia, border regions and the Mississippi Delta region.19. ) The Millions Left Out By Bob Herbert New York Times Saturday May 12, 2007 The story cites many of the statistics that are shown elsewhere above. It goes a little further when it points out that there are even more that those cited by "official’ statistics that are poor. While the "official" poverty level is slightly below $20,000, there are some 90 million people who have a difficult time making ends meet at an income almost twice the poverty rate. Many of these people are the working poor and it represents almost one third of the nation. Mr Herbert points out that the gap between rich and poor has widened with the top 1% garnering 20% of the income while the bottom 20% garners only 3.4%. The article mentions that the gap has in part been caused by an increase in low paying job and that many struggle working several jobs to make ends meet. He offers several recommendations such as increasing the minimum wage and increased availability of the earned income and child care credits. Peter Edleman a Georgetown professor and former Clinton Whitehouse staff stated "It is unacceptable for this country, which is so wealthy, to have this many people who are left out." 20. ) Child Care Workers get right to Organize By Steven Greenhouse New York Times Saturday May 12, 2007 New York State Govenor Eliot Spitzer passed legislation that will allow some 60,000 child care workers organize for the purpose of improving their wages and obtain some medical coverage. The United federation of Teachers and the Service Workers Union will represent the workers The workers who make minimal wages and have no benefits have been fighting for right to have the representation. Arguments have been made that the passage of the law will cause a decrease in the care available due to the increase in the costs. City and State officials will need to work on funding issues as it will increase the cost of child care provided to all. 21. ) Maryland is the First State to Require a living Wage By Steven Greenhouse New York Times Wednesday May 9, 2007 Gov. Martin O'Malley of Maryland signed the nation's first statewide living wage bill yesterday, giving fresh momentum to a movement that seeks to raise wages through legislation. Under the law, employers with state contracts will generally have to pay workers a minimum amount -- $11.30 an hour an hour in the Baltimore-Washington corridor and $8.50 an hour in the rural counties, where wages and prices are usually lower. The Maryland state minimum wage is $6.15 an hour, one dollar above the federal minimum State delegate Herman Taylor "Maryland is one of the wealthiest states in the nation, but one in 10 Marylanders is in poverty. This should help reduce poverty, and this is important because it helps fight poverty without using public assistance programs." 22. )The Ross Report - How the Rich Can Save the World By Andrew Ross San Francisco Chronicle Wednesday May 15, 2007 Article harkens back to a time when the affluent did spend their money helping others. In referring to an story in Time by Jeffery Sachs, the author reminds us that John Rockefeller contributed to the elimination of hookworm and malria. The theory is posited that if the Forbes’ richest pooled their money and used the interest proceeds they would be able to extend basic health care to all the poorest of the world, bring an end to aides and provide safe drinking water. The billionaires club could he proposes bring and end to poverty. A pretty interesting idea especially considering it only requires a portion of the interest annually. In any case it would not absolve us NON billionaires of our own duty to help. (My comment) 23.) County’s uninsured to receive coverage? By Rebekah Gordon Inside Bay Area..com Bay Area Newspaper Group Wednesday May 15, 2007 http://www.insidebayarea.com/search/ci_5899543 San Mateo county is about to launch a program that will provide health coverage to approximately 40,000 residents at a cost of $165 Million. The story notes that serious practical problems remain to be solved such as who will provide the service and how it will be funded. Coverage would be provided to those residents that earn up to 400% of the federal poverty guidelines. 70% of those uninsured earn less than $68,000 for a family of three and nearly half of them work full time. Coverage would be provided through a single third-party administrator. The charity care offered by private hospitals, as well as the county's programs that serve a portion of uninsured adults 24.) The Poverty Business Inside U.S. companies' audacious drive to extract more profits from the nation's working poor By Brian Grown and Keith Epstein Business Week May 21, 2007 The authors describe the varied ways the poor can be targeted by business. It appears that business that once shied away from the poor can now make money by doing business with same people. Some of the types of transactions that target the working poor are: Financing of car purchases, One lady’s calculated car payment was due twice a month was not the monthly payment . Interest rates for credit transactions are extremely high. New businesses such as check cashing and tax return advances have become big business. But they extract a heavy fee for the advance. Furniture and computer purchases that cost 2-3 times their purchase price. In the case of one business they actually target consumers who make less than $25,000 per year. While the story does acknowledge that some of the fault is with the consumer it also mentioned that hard selling and deceptive marketing play a part. The poor choices and inability to handle the debt causes the cycle of poverty to continue, leaving many with debt that they can not afford. 25). Poverty in California Moving beyond the Federal Measure by Deborah Reed. The California Policy Institute, California Counts Population Trends and Profiles Hans Johnson Editor ; Volume 7 Number 4 May 2006 Ms Reed outlines the current rates of poverty in the State and points out some key statistics and then some misleading information behind the statistics. The California poverty level is 13.3% vs 12.7 nationally.(2004). The California poverty level ranks 15th among all the states. What the number does not take into account is the higher cost of living in California. Once the impact of housing costs is calculated the rate rises to 16.1% making California the 3rd behind only New York and the District of Columbia. Poverty affects various groups; Children 21%, Latino and African American are almost double (20 vs 9%) the rate for Whites. Those lacking a HS diploma are highest at 41% Single mothers are 37% Foreign born Latinos are 27% While the rate improved in the early 90’s it has now higher than it was in the 60’s and 70’s. Another key statistic is "between 1976 and 2004 the share of poor families with a full time worker increased from 12% to 31% in California while holding steady at about 20% in the rest of the nation". Ms Reed indicates that properly measuring the data is important for ensure that the proper people are targeted and that people are aware of the size of the problem. John Ashmore Annotated Bibliography, Catholic Social Teaching1. The Pursuit of Happiness, movie about the struggles of a young salesman trying to make a better life for himself and his son. · Brought me back to the brief period in my life when I was also homeless, a time I had forgotten or erased from my memory · Demonstrated how much the system can be stacked against the poor, even those who continue to struggle to be honest productive, citizens · Chis Gardner (the real life character portrayed by Will Smith) was shown to be a person of faith, strength and perseverance throughout his struggle. After he became a successful stock broker, he continued (to this day) to give financial support to Rev. Cecil Williams at Glide Memorial Baptist Church in San Francisco, a place that had given him and his son refuge in their homeless period. 2. San Francisco Chronicle, Saturday February 4, 2007, Section C, Page 2. Story Title: “Nonprofit founder was homeless and now reaches out to others” · Gwen Strain was a homeless, drug addicted single mother, living on the streets of San Francisco · Through the help of local churches and homeless outreach programs, Strain got off drugs and off the street · Use money from her mother’s estate to start a program, Families in Need, to reach out and help others. “Whatever you do for the least of these, you do unto me…” Makes one think about his own financial health and how it is or is not used to help others. 3. Contra Costa Times, Sunday January 14, 2007. Section A, Page 23. Story Title: “Pricey corn hits hard in Mexico”. · Industrial world effort to become less oil dependent has unintended consequences · Turning corn into ethanol has made corn a more valuable “fuel commodity” than a food item · Unintended consequence: Corn prices are soaring in Mexico and throughout the world and making the once affordable stable food source for the region unaffordable for the poor. 4. Contra Costa Times, Sunday January 14, 2007. Section A, Page 9. Story Title: “Whistle-blower who lost job sues Kaiser”. Person helped undercover investigations into Kaiser allegedly dumping patients onto skid row. · Irene Hernandez has not been employed as an registry nursing assistant since she cooperated with the investigation · She discharged a patient into a taxi. Patient was later dumped onto skid row, left to wander aimlessly (Hernandez did not realize the fate that was ahead of the patient she discharged) · Who is watching out for the indigent and defenseless in our health care system? How does an organization strike a balance between staying in business and maintaining a solid moral course in the care of patients? 5. USA Today, Friday March 2, 2007: Section A, Page 2. Story Title: “Study: Uninsured kids fare worse at hospitals” · Story said uninsured hospitalized kids twice as likely to die from their injuries than their insured contemporaries · Study methodology and thoroughness disputed by hospital group · In 2004 more than $25 billion in uncompensated care was borne by hospitals according to the Kaiser Foundation. · Again, how does one run a solvent business and do the right thing from a moral perspective? Huge problem. 6. USA Today, Friday March 2, 2007: Section B, page 1. Story Title: “Feds charge 13 with insider trading”. From December 2001 to August 2006, traders netted $8 million from trades made with the advantage of inside information. · Different from previous scandals: less money involved, but more people participated in the fraud · Most of the trades alleged involved small amounts where the trader couldn’t resist the temptation to make a quick buck · Are people excusing themselves based on the amount of ill gotten gain they take? Seems easy to rationalize small sins. 7. The Contra Costa Times, Sunday February 25, 2007: Section A, Page 1 & page 10. Story Title: “More Poor hit depths of poverty”. Story reveals that while the overall economic expansion of the past five years looks good on paper, the percentage of Americans living in sever poverty has reached a 32-year high. · Nearly 16 million Americans are living in deep or severe poverty, defined as income less than $9903 for a family of four · During the study period (2005) amount of national income dollars going to corporate profits has dwarfed the amount going to wages and salaries; median income of working age families, adjusted for inflation, has fallen for five straight years · While whites make up the majority of those in sever poverty, blacks are disproportionately represented in the group. Blacks are nearly three times as likely as non-Hispanic whites to be in deep poverty. 8. The Orange County Register, Saturday March 3, 2007: Section A, pg19 & 20. Story Title: Army secretary resigns: Defense secretary displeased with how Walter Reed fallout is handled”. The substandard conditions endured by wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Hospital are a disgrace. Whatever side one supports in the war effort, the care of the wounded should never be compromised. · Current administration is accused of being out of touch with problems · Other high officials have also been forced to resign in the wake of discoveries · Defense Secretary created an outside panel to review the situation and Walter Reed and National Naval Medical center in Bethesda, MD 9. The Orange County Register, Saturday March 3, 2007: Section A, Pg 1 & 3. Story Title(s): “Catholics Convene in Anaheim”, and “Conference runs spectrum of sanctity”. Articles cover the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress. 40,000 Catholic educators of various stripes (priests, deacons, religious, lay ministers etc) gather to hear various speakers on huge variety of topics. · Personally most memorable: Fr. Kennan Osborne held out great hope for the future of the permanent diaconate in the Church · Osborne pointed to the historical records as the basis for the inclusion of both married men in the priesthood and for the inclusion of women in the ranks of the diaconate · Fr. Massengale’s presentation on the Life of Malcolm X and what he teaches us about Catholic social teaching. Most compelling! 10. The Orange County Register, Saturday March 3, 2007: Section A, pg 1, 4 & 5. Story Title: “A Global Embrace”. Tells the story of a California man abandoned by his mother, adopted by a loving couple. He went on to become a lawyer, but his heart is with other abandoned children: and he has done something to help. · Established homes in Nicaragua, Senegal, the Phillipines, Mexico for abandoned children · Works with local churches to find abuelitos (grandparents) to become the loving parents in the homes he builds. This is to be a real family for the children who are adopted, not just an institution where they are warehoused · Robert Benson, the lawyer, is a saint. His efforts are ongoing and his success stories should inspire all of us. Kind of a latter-day Mother Theresa with a JD. 11. The Contra Costa Times, Sunday March 1, 2007: Pg A 34. Story Title: “Woman gives birth on street; baby dies”. Story of woman, possibly mentally ill with amnesia. Gave birth on the city street, walked away. Baby was premature, probably 5 month term. · Witnesses seemed to stay far away while the event was in progress. Why didn’t anyone intervene? · If mentally ill, why can’t we find care for such people? · What’s happening to the fabric of society that life can begin and end without a family being anywhere around? 12. The Contra Costa Times, Sunday March 18, 2007: Page a 19. Story title: “Middle schools need the best teachers, but get the fewest”. Plight of middle schools to educate kids during most challenging adolescent years. Many first year teachers drop out, the best teachers go to elementary or grade schools. · Education is the key to success: How do we attract and retain good teachers? · Are teacher salaries commensurate with the value they deliver for society? · Is educational choice (vouchers) part of the solution? 13. Contra Costa Times, Sunday March 18, 2007: Page A5. Story Title: “Citizenship divides veterans from families”. Story of how the US government has reneged on promises made to Filipino veterans who fought with the US against Japan in WWII. Elderly veteran allowed entrance into the states and claim citizenship, but is not allowed to bring his family. · It is reprehensible to not keep promises made to those who sacrificed and risked everything when they were asked · It is immoral for us to separate a man (88 yrs old at that) from his family on a mere technicality · How do we right this kind of wrong? 14. Contra Costa Times, Sunday March 18, 2007: Page A 19. Story Title: “Married priest steps up to the altar for Catholics”. Former Episcopal priest to be ordained in May in Los Angeles Diocese. · Is this a good step forward? · If it’s really a step forward, why isn’t it good enough for life long Catholics who want to be married and be priests also? · When is the Church going to step into the modern world and return to its roots? If marriage was good enough for St. Peter, why isn’t it good enough for the rest of us? 15. Contra Costa Times, Sunday March 25, 2007: Front Page. Story Title: “Elderly suicide rates sound alarm”. Story of suicide rate among elderly. Some in relatively good health even commit suicide after the death of a wife or another loved one. · How do we give the elderly more meaning in their lives? · How do we stop the advancing wave of assisted suicide laws? · Another symptom of the “Culture of Death”. How to stem the tide and reverse its course? 16. Contra Costa Times, Sunday March 25, 2007. Page A 4. Story Title: “Bill would make attacks on homeless a hate crime”. After several incidents involving the beating of the homeless, mostly by juveniles, a state senator has introduced a bill to add violence against the homeless to the list of categories of hate crimes. · What is causing kids to engage in this activity and then to video tape their violent behavior as well? · Is hate crime legislation really valid or effective? · How do we cure the problem by curing homelessness? 17. USA Today, Wednesday March 28, 2007: Pg. A 3. Story Title: S.F. board votes to sack plastic bags.” SF supervisors vote to outlaw plastic grocery bags in the city because they are not biodegradable. · Wait a minute, I thought the paper bags were tree killers? · The law of unintended consequences strikes again. · Plastic bags made from corn or potato starches can be composted but cost $0.06- $0.10 each; regular plastic costs $0.03. Good for environment, bad for small grocers. Small grocers will pass on costs to consumers. 18. Contra Costa Times, Saturday March 31, 2007: Page A 11. Story Title: “Immigration Reform starts at Ellis Island”. Lawmakers met on Ellis Island to begin push for immigration reform. Historic back drop underscores the reality that we are a nation of immigrants. · How does the nation humanely and affordably absorb 12 to 20 million people who are here illegally? · How do we address the infrastructure problems that force these people to leave their native countries to live in the US? Unjust economic systems in Latin and South America must be challenged. · How do we treat the hard working people here illegally without devaluing the legal process of immigration for those who have followed the legal path? 19. . Contra Costa Times, Saturday March 31, 2007: Page A13. Story Title: Texas Teen’s prison term sparks nationwide outcry”. Black girl sentenced to indeterminate term at age 14 for pushing a teacher’s aide. Same judge sentenced a 14 year old white girl to probation after an arson charge. · How can a 14 year old be locked up for a year before this becomes a national story? · How can a judge be allowed to sit on the bench and hand down such disparate sentences to two girls the same age? · A case of a poor minority child getting a bad deal versus her white counterpart. When’s this going to end and how do we stop it from repeating? 20. Contra Costa Times, Saturday March 31, 2007: Page A3. Story Title: “Campaign urges respect for women”. Posters are going up encouraging young boys to learn to respect women. · Where are the parents in all of this? · Program being sponsored by a Christian minister. Perhaps more time in church, mare stable families and this would already be taught? · How much of this negative behavior is reinforced by video games and TV or movie violence? 21. Contra Costa Times, Sunday April 1, 2007: Page A 18. Story Title: “Battle lines drawn on children’s health program”. Democrats want to triple the size of the Children’s Health Insurance Program. New eligibility parameters will bring children in who are now covered by private insurance. · Children’s health should be the primary issue · If many/most are already covered, isn’t this just pandering for votes? · Who pays the bill? There is a finite amount of dollars available. If most are now covered by private insurance, couldn’t these dollars be better spent elsewhere? 22. Contra Costa Times, Sunday April 1, 2007: Page A 9. Story Title: “Wal-Mart looks to reduce environmental footprint”. Story of Wal-Mart store in Sacramento installing sky lights to cut energy consumption. Story indicated that Wal-Mart is committed to cutting its greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2012 versus 2005 levels. New construction will emit even less. · Wal-Mart is trying to clean up its image while saving some money on expenses · Congress says that rules to cut emissions are not far away. · If Wal-Mart can cut emissions and save money, is that a win-win? 23. USA Today, Monday April 2, 2007: Page a 4. Story Title: “Immigrants’ advocates look to churches”. Politics makes strange alliances. Sen. Ted Kennedy, long time abortion rights supporter, is getting applause from clerics of various denominations as he pushes for an immigration reform bill. · As in other stories, how do we find a balance between respecting the dignity of the workers who are here and otherwise law-abiding, while managing the additional costs to the tax-payers? · How do we convert Sen. Kennedy and others on issues like abortion? · Can we hold Latin American governments accountable for the economic systems that force their citizens to come to the US illegally because they have no other economic choices? 24. Contra Costa Times, Friday May 4, 2007: Page A 1. Story Title: City tackles concern about blight”. Brentwood officials may establish a rental inspection program after some residents complain about property conditions and crime. · Landlords will be held accountable for property appearance. Good for renter and for neighbors, neighborhoods. · Police will track problem houses for incidents of criminal activity. · Needs to be monitored to make sure it doesn’t become a way to discriminate in the process of renting homes to lower income folks in the Section 8 program. 25. The Catholic Voice, May 7, 2007: Internet Copy: Story Title: “Doctors explore impact of toxins on life in the womb”. Doctor brought concern before the USCCB in Washington. Estimated that 300,000 to 600,000 children are born in the US each year with a loss of 0.2 to 24.4 IQ points because of methylmercury that was passed to them in-utero through the placenta. Even toxins that have been banned for years remain in the food chain. · How do we manage competing interests, energy from power plants versus the risks of this kind of problem? · Should congress be lobbied to initiate legislation to address this issue? · This is a monumental life issue. Herb Casey
This relates to CSD regarding life and the dignity of the human person, as well as, options for the poor and vulnerable. The poor are caught in the legal loopholes by narrowly defined regulations and the legal “process” when something tragic happens. While each family situation is unique there appears to be no exceptions in legal process. Outpouring of neighbors is bountiful but limited in duration. With little hope of a speedy recovery, there was no mention of financial aid relief from medical bills or legal assistance.
Relates to CSD Rights and Responsibilities of all peoples. In this case the rights to fare wages and compensation for work performed. Quadragesimo Anno (71),”In the first place, the wage paid to the workingman should be sufficient for the support of himself and of his family.” Interesting how small shop owners, many of whom are immigrants themselves, try to take advantage of undocumented workers. Why isn’t there a state agency checking these small shops for violations to laws that already exist.
Relates to CSD the dignity of the human person and the fair treatment of prisoners. “Whenever public authority – which has its foundation in human nature and belongs to the order pre-ordained by God – fails to seek the common good, it abandons its proper purpose and so delegitimizes itself.” (Cf. Second Vatican Council Ecumenical Council, Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes, 74 Interesting how other nations place almost no value on life, especially their youth. Why isn’t there any pressure exerted by the UN or other human rights organizations to end these types of abuses?
CSD relating to the common good applies. Strange how we can spend $1 trillion dollars fighting a war in a foreign land, yet our own citizens can’t afford housing. How many of these are the direct result of hurricane Katrina is unknown. Looking to the 110th Congress, there is hope of passing the Affordable Housing Fund early in the session, according to Rep. Barney Frank, the incoming chair of the House Financial Services Committee. One reason for hope is that President Bush reversed his demand that the GSE Portfolios be slashed. This makes available funding through Freddie Mac and Fannie May Foundations. Rep. Frank continues to consider a National Housing Trust Fund a top priority.
CSD relating to the basic need of medical care to all needy human beings. How can we as a Christian nation put obstacles in the way of those that need medicines to combat HIV/AIDS?
CSD relating to the dignity of man and the basic rights that should be afforded each child of God. It’s frustrating to read about this condition and the selfishness that continues with people in high ranking office in many governments stand by and do nothing while thousands of innocents are driven from their home or killed.
CSD relating again to rights and responsibilities of all nations to see that human rights are protected. While our government can not control other governments it certainly can try more vigorously to influence their policies in this regard.
CSD relating to rights and responsibilities, and options for the poor and vulnerable. How can our government be so blind as to propose further restriction on the most vulnerable and enrich the pockets of the wealthy? We need to expose this plan to the average voter.
CSD relating to solidarity, rights of workers and options for the poor and vulnerable. ·
The political debate
about Mexican immigration in the United States cannot ignore the growing
presence and importance of migrants in that country's social, economic,
political, and cultural life. The same can be said of the Mexican side.
· Cooperation for development. In the context of regional economic integration, a form of bilateral cooperation is needed that addresses the root causes of migration — namely, increasing socioeconomic asymmetries — and that replaces security concerns as the central focus of the two countries' political agenda. · Full respect for the labor and human rights of workers. In light of the insecurity and social exclusion prevailing in the binational arena, new legal and political instruments are needed to protect the living and working conditions of workers. · Incorporating the Mexican diaspora into the country's development process. Considering that Mexico has a sizeable population in the United States that maintains its Mexican identity and keeps strong ties to Mexico, the participation of this important segment of the Mexican citizenry is central to an alternative development model for Mexico.
CSD related to rights and responsibilities to each person since they have a right to those things required for human dignity. Why have we forgotten about these people? How can we increase our spending on the military when those who deserve to reclaim their homes can’t do so. How can we allow insurance corporations to hide from their responsibility based on technical language? What ever happened to justice?
CSD related to Options for the poor and vulnerable, life and dignity of the human person and solidarity. While it may have been ideal to replace the Iraq dictatorial old regime with a democracy, how could we not see this civilian disaster coming? What were we thinking? Unemployment and substandard living conditions are a breading ground for terrorism, the objective we were hoping to resolve by our invasion of this country in the first place. It makes one suspect that other immoral objectives have been pursued.
CSD related to the right to life, the dignity of the human being Weapons developed for conventional war are not only ineffective in current terrorist conflicts but cause immeasurable harm to civilian populations.
CSD related to options for the poor and vulnerable. Health insurance needs to be provided to all those living in poverty in this country, subsidized by everyone that makes over the poverty level and by all businesses too. Do we not have a moral obligation to the least of our brothers and sisters, especially the children?
CSD related to call to family, community, and participation, and the life and dignity of the human person. I suspect most of us in American realize that our children’s condition, as reported in this UNICEF document, is the direct result of the cultural demands put on families to work, the attitudes and acceptance of divorce, and social laws like taxation, that undermine the family structure.
· Media saturation. – Younger viewers encounter a world that is disproportionately male, most female characters are significantly more likely to be attractive and provocatively dressed. · The same is true in music videos · Big-screen movies study shows 75% are male · In Magazines woman are sexualized Result is APA report stated that sexualization of girls is linked with three of the most common mental health problems of girls and women: eating disorders, low self-esteem and depression. CSD related to life and dignity of the human person. I’m not sure I understand why the bishops of the US haven’t taken a stronger stand on bringing this message to all Catholics. Perhaps they have but I haven’t heard of any suggestions. I am increasingly intolerant of the programs on TV and am less and less incline to watch it myself, but I’m concerned about our children and grandchildren’s generation. 16. Education for Justice, http://www.educationforjustice.org/, April 25, 2007, Catholic Leaders Urge Healthcare for Children in 2008 Federal Budget. Catholics leaders signed a joint statement March 19, 2007, urging increased funding in the FY2008 budget so that 9 million uninsured children in the U.S. can have access to healthcare. CSD - As Catholic organizations united by our common faith and committed to the principles of Catholic social teaching, we recognize and affirm the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death and the inherent dignity of every human being," the Catholic leaders said in the letter. Isn’t it strange that we can find money for so much pork in the federal budget, yet children in our country die or are acutely ill because there is no money for the children of the poor? 17. Coalition of Human Need, www.chn.org, 4/30/2007, Families USA, April 2007. http://www.familiesusa.org/tenncare-report.htmlTennessee cut 120,000 people from its Medicaid program (TennCare) starting in 2005. The Families USA report does the morally essential job of letting some of those 120,000 speak about what they've lost. Teresa Henderson from Memphis has a brain aneurysm and degenerative arthritis. While receiving medications and treatment through TennCare, Teresa was able to work. Now debilitating headaches and arthritis have prevented her from working most of the time because without TennCare she cannot afford the 5 prescriptions that controlled her symptoms. Jerry Springfield of Jackson, TN has muscle spasms in his heart. When he was dropped from TennCare, he could no longer afford to fill prescriptions costing hundreds of dollars per month. Linda Drain of Maryville, TN has severe seizures - as many as 100 per day. Her TennCare coverage was reduced; although she needs 10 medications, some are not covered, and she can't afford to take them. The pages of this report tell story after story of people with life-threatening conditions going untreated. This is not just a problem of one state. Across the U.S., 45 million are uninsured. Threats to limit Medicaid coverage either in other states or at the federal level could make more sick people sicker. CSD related to dignity of the human person. Catholic tradition teaches that the human dignity can be protected and a healthy community can be achieved if human rights are protected and responsibilities are met. 18. Coalition of Human Needs, http://www.chn.org/humanneeds/070504a.html, May 5, 2007, MINIMUM WAGE LANGUISHES AS WORKERS WAIT - An increase in the federal minimum wage was attached to the fiscal 2007 war supplemental funding bill struck down by the President’s veto pen this week. For months, passage of an increase in the minimum wage was held hostage over the size of an accompanying set of business-related tax breaks. The House initially passed a clean bill with no tax breaks. Then the Senate added $8.3 billion in business-related tax breaks to its bill. The House responded by including a much smaller $1.3 billion package of breaks. When negotiations stalled, both the House and Senate added their minimum wage increase and tax packages to the supplemental spending bill. CSD related to dignity of the human person. A basic moral test is how our most vulnerable members are faring. In the US, our society is marred by the deepening division between the rich and the poor. 19. Coalition of Human Needs, http://www.chn.org/humanneeds/070504.html, May 2, 2007, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), published its annual report together with its recommendations on which nations should be nominated "countries of particular concern" (CPC). The commission was created by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998. Its annual report differs from the State Department's extensive country-by-country analysis on religious freedom in that it only examines a limited number of countries. The CPC list covers those countries where authorities engage in systematic violations of religious freedom. The commission's recommendations for 2007 are: Burma, North Korea, Eritrea, Iran, Pakistan, China, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. The actual designation of a country as a CPC depends on a decision by the State Department. In November 2006, Saudi Arabia, China, North Korea, Sudan, Iran, Eritrea and Burma were re-designated as CPCs by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. CSD relating to the right to practice one’s faith. Continued pressure needs to be brought to our national legislature to deal with these foreign governments to enhance their citizen’s rights to religious freedom. 20. ZENIT, May 12, 2007, In his address Archbishop Celestino Migliore, the Holy See's permanent observer to the United Nations, delivered May 10 to the 15th session of the U.N. Commission on Sustainable Development of the Economic and Social Council on "Turning Political Commitments Into Action, Working Together in Partnership”. The question of energy is rapidly becoming one of the key questions of the entire international agenda, as all of us struggle to assemble a common, global, long-term energy strategy, capable of satisfying legitimate short- and medium-term energy requirements, ensuring energy security, protecting human health and the environment, and establishing precise commitments to address the question of climate change. The scientific evidence for global warming and for humanity's role in the increase of greenhouse gasses becomes ever more unimpeachable, as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change findings are going to suggest; and such activity has a profound relevance, not just for the environment, but in ethical, economic, social and political terms as well. The consequences of climate change are being felt not only in the environment, but in the entire socioeconomic system and, as seen in the findings of numerous reports already available, they will impact first and foremost the poorest and weakest who, even if they are among the least responsible for global warming, are the most vulnerable because they have limited resources or live in areas at greater risk. We need only think of the small island developing states as one example among many. Many of the most vulnerable societies, already facing energy problems, rely upon agriculture -- the very sector most likely to suffer from climatic shifts. CSD relates to Care for God’s Creation. We show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of creation. This has to be an unending theme if world leaders are to change their national internal political strategies. 21. Catholic for the Common Good - Internet link http://www.ccgaction.org SACRAMENTO, CALIF., May 9, 2007 - As critical deadlines approach this month, there is a good chance of stopping AB 374 - the bill that would make suicide a medical treatment in California. In order to keep the bill alive for this year, the proponents must get the bill out of the Assembly Appropriations Committee by June 1 and pass it on the Assembly floor by June 8. CSD relates to Life and dignity of the Human Person. Our faith teaches us that the foundation of our opposition to assisted suicide is based on the fact that each person created by God is a manifestation of His love -called by name, destined for eternal life. Creation is ongoing and God keeps all of His creation in existence. Therefore persons are not owners, but rather stewards of their own lives. While the majority of the population in California are Christian and the number of Catholics substantial, it’s it ironic how this legislation (AB 374) can get this far? 22. WASHINGTON, D.C. APRIL 23, 2007 ( Zenit.org). - The U.S. bishops' conference is calling all dioceses in their country to give concrete support to the Church in Africa. A Pastoral Solidarity Fund for the Church in Africa supports the growing population of Catholics on that continent, supporting needs in all the African countries. When the appeal began in 2005, nearly 60 U.S. dioceses contributed $822,000. In response to the 2006 appeal, 97 dioceses gave $1,727,000, an increase of 110% in total contributions and a 70% increase in the number of dioceses participating, the bishops' Web site reported. The bishops reported that in the past 25 years, the number of Catholics in Africa has increased to 144 million from 55 million, and the number of priests has increased by 73%. Still, more than 70% of Africans live on less than $2 per day.Bishop John Ricard of Pensacola-Tallahassee, chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee for the Church in Africa, said: "The vibrant church in Africa today, so rich in spiritual wealth, has enormous material need that calls us as sisters and brothers in the universal church to respond generously with solidarity and love. "This appeal has become an integral part of helping the flourishing Catholic community in Africa reach its enormous potential." CSD related to Solidarity. We are our brothers and sisters keepers, wherever they live. One Starbuck’s coffee per day could support a family in Africa. Remind me again, how much per day is this war in Iraq cost us? 23. Catholic for the Common Good , http://www.ccgaction.org/index.php?q=family/marriage/reflections/foundationofsocietyMarriage is the very foundation of society. It is the institution that provides for procreation, a mother and a father and a stable family structure, which are so important to the development of children. The family with a mother and father is where the next generation is nurtured and formed. Without these conditions it simply cannot be marriage. A legal relationship that is not life giving and excludes the possibility of a mother or a father can never be marriage. History has shown that there cannot be a strong nation without marriage and strong families. This is a significant reason that societies have laws to encourage and protect marriage. Through reason alone, there is nothing that can be made equivalent to marriage. If the law were to sanction relationships that are not marriage and falsely call them marriage, it would be necessary to redefine and diminish what marriage really is. Marriage would simply become one of several life-style choices for adults. To advocate for “same-sex marriage” is to pursue the special interest of a small group of adults at the expense of children, families and our future. Through the Eyes of Children: To understand the seriousness of the threat, one must approach the issue through the eyes of children who are forming opinions and attitudes for their future regarding commitment, marriage and family. In countries that have adopted "same-sex marriage", there seems to be disconnection with the true meaning marriage has in relationship to children, parenting and families, and the institution has become purely adult-centric. This has resulted in a rapid deterioration in the understanding and appreciation of what marriage offers to young people, leading to a documented decline in the number of marriages and an increase in births outside of stable families with a mother and father. In Norway and Sweden, the majority of births are to non-married parents. In Denmark, over sixty percent of firstborns are to unmarried parents. Since "same-sex marriage" was adopted in the Netherlands in 1997, the number of births outside of marriage has tripled. CSD related to call to family and community. Marriage, which under girds the institution of the family, is constituted by the covenant whereby "a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of their whole life", and which "of its own very nature is ordered to the well-being of the spouses and to the procreation and upbringing of children". Only such a union can be recognized and ratified as a "marriage" in society. Other interpersonal unions which do not fulfill the above conditions cannot be recognized, despite certain growing trends which represent a serious threat to the future of the family and of society itself. Pope John Paul II - Letter to Families Marriage is a basic human and social institution. Though it is regulated by civil laws and church laws, it did not originate from either the church or state, but from God. Therefore, neither church nor state can alter the basic meaning and structure of marriage. Marriage, whose nature and purposes are established by God, can only be the union of a man and a woman and must remain such in law. In a manner unlike any other relationship, marriage makes a unique and irreplaceable contribution to the common good of society, especially through the procreation and education of children. The union of husband and wife becomes, over a lifetime, a great good for themselves, their family, communities, and society. Marriage is a gift to be cherished and protected. US Bishops (USCCB) Between a Man and a Woman 24. Catholics for the Common Good, April 20, 2007, Internet link; http://www.ccgaction.org/poor/extreme_poverty/Sudan/Cauldron_of_Tragedy,Sudan is the largest African country- about a quarter of the size of the USA- and one of the most diverse on the continent. The diversity is not confined merely to the landscape, ranging from deserts to mountain ranges, swamps and rain forests, but it also extends to the inhabitants: Sudan's people comprise 597 ethnic groups who speak more than 400 different languages and dialects and represent various religions. For over four years violence has raged in Darfur, the western region of Sudan. More than 400,000 have been killed and over 2.5 million have been displaced since the conflict began. In 2003 several rebel groups from the Darfur region rose up against the Sudanese government citing the oppression of black Africans in preference to Arabs in the Sudan. (Although the blacks are the largest ethnic group in Sudan - 52% - the Arabs, who constitute a smaller group of 39 %, are in positions of power in the government.) The Sudanese government replied by repeatedly blanketing villages supposedly tied to the rebel groups with aerial bombs, burning homes, and killing fleeing residents. Despite public statements to the contrary, the government in Khartoum has been sanctioning the systematic and brutal attacks by the Arab mounted militia known as the Janjaweed by providing money and assistance and participating in some of their attacks. This conflict is very different from the Second Sudanese Civil War, which ran along the lines of religion, with the primarily Muslim north fighting against Christian and Animist south- in Darfur most of the residents are Muslim, as are the Janjaweed. Relief efforts have been stymied by continued insecurity in the region and a lack of cooperation from the Sudanese government. As it stands today, one third of Darfur's total population of 6 million is desperately in need of aid. The victims in this conflict, the citizens of Darfur, are among the poorest of the poor and the most vulnerable. Children in this war-torn region have been forced into military service and lack basic needs like food and medical care. During attacks on villages and at refugee camps, women have been raped and killed. Both women and children have been abducted and used as slaves. Family members have been scattered, leaving many unsure where their loved ones are and whether they are alive. Water is a luxury: most people have to walk for miles before reaching the nearest well, and tragically many wells have been poisoned by the Janjaweed, so they can no longer be used. The Save Darfur Coalition is advocating: · Strengthening the understaffed and overwhelmed African Union peacekeeping force already in Darfur; · Pushing for the deployment of a strong UN peacekeeping force; · Increasing humanitarian aid and ensuring access for aid delivery; · Establishing a no-fly zone over the region to assure the security of the population and aid workers on the ground. CSD relates to "The human being is single, unique, and unrepeatable, someone thought of and chosen from eternity, someone called and identified by name" John Paul II, Christmas message 1978 "Rich nations have a grave moral responsibility toward those which are unable to ensure the means of their development by themselves or have been prevented from doing so by tragic historical events. It is a duty in solidarity and charity." Catechism of the Catholic Church 2439 We need to bring more pressure on our elected officials to address these problems. 25. May 13, 2007, Contra Costa Times, page P2, New Housing Chief Must Fix Section 8. HUD will withhold funds or seek another manager if problems in maintaining properties are not addressed. The County made “unsupported housing assistance payments” when determining subsidized rents. CSD related to Call to Family, Community, and Participation. Elected officials must be held accountable to ensure government programs are run correctly. Clement Chin Catholic Social Doctrine Annotated Bibliography Assignment # 1
Noble Peace Prize awarded to Bangladeshi economist Mohammad Yunus on December 10, 2006 for his bold initiatives to fight poverty and eradicate the root causes of terrorism. Shared the award with his Grameen Bank for helping poor Bangladeshis rise above poverty by giving them microcredit – small, usually unsecured loans. Very small loans to the poor who do not qualify for loans from conventional banks. Repayment based on honor system with a nearly 100 percent repayment rate. We can create a poverty free world if we collectively believe in it. Ending poverty is the best way to fight terrorism. Putting resources into improving the lives of the poor is a better strategy than spending it on guns. Isn’t this what the Cycle of Gospel Living teaches us to do?
11-year old girl from Guangdong province in China sold for HK$1,000 (US$130) by her parents to an “aunt” in Hong Kong. Made to work as a servant from 5am to 10pm. Severely beaten from head to toe (fractured arm, injured rib, scalded and multiple kicks all over body) when she failed to perform her “duties”. Rescued by supermarket staff, where she was asked to shop by her employer, who noticed her injuries. Employer persecuted by Hong Kong authorities, girl given medical attention and then deported back to her parents in China. Why? Poverty in some villages in Guangdong province is so severe that girl would very likely be “sold” again! Did the Hong Kong authorities take the easy way out by simply deporting the child? Is the Hong Kong government’s immigration policy any different from what our government is trying to implement here in the United States? 3. The Second Holocaust by Deacon Bill Starrs… Deacon Digest, January- February 2007 issue. Association with Max at the end of World War II who together with his parents and baby sister were arrested and sent to the concentration camps because they were Jews. Parents and baby sister were killed in the gas chambers and their bodies incinerated in huge ovens. Max’s anguish and hatred for the Germans especially over the loss of his innocent baby sister. Deacon Bill’s comparison over the death of an innocent child with the death of innocent children during the holocaust when an abortion is performed. “Only now we do not gas them, we cut them up in their mother’s wombs. We place suction machines inside their mothers so that their little heads explode and their arms and legs are ribbed from them down a suction tube, or we scald them to death with a saline solution injected into their mother’s placenta.” Nazi Germany, its citizens ignored the plight of the Jews; are the doctors, nurses, politicians and others who support abortion not doing the same thing when they ignore the plight of innocent children that are killed when an abortion is performed? We cannot be personally opposed to abortion and not impose our values on others. The Germans had their values but made the murder of Jews legal. We cannot say we are pro-choice; what choice does the baby have? Pro-choice in this case is no different from pro-death.
Organized by School of the Americas Watch, founded by Maryknoll Father Roy Bourgeois in 1990 to push for the closure of the School of the Americas, located at Ft. Benning. Thousands of unarmed, materially impoverished people from Latin America including six Jesuit priests were killed by their own government soldiers trained at the Army’s School of the Americas. Many more of the school’s graduates have been charged with human rights violations and participating in the killings, disappearance and torturing of untold thousands of civilians. This protest shows how U.S. tax dollars are sometimes misused to support ill-conceived military endeavors. 22,000 participated in this protest to bring to light the social justice issues involved including militarism, violence and economic disparities between the first and third world countries. Positive developments: amendment to cut funding for the school was narrowly defeated, governments of Venezuela, Argentina and Uruguay no longer sent their military to the school and national and international efforts to close the school continue to grow. Why do some of our government officials continue to support such projects? How much have we learned from the unjust war we created when we invaded Iraq under false pretences?
Reference to the holiday season as a time for celebration, reflection and for giving help to those who are poor and vulnerable. Survey shows an increase in the number of working poor families seeking just the basic needs – financial assistance to pay utilities, housing and food. Nearly half of Catholic Charities agencies cannot meet the needs of the people they serve. The impact of no medical insurance associated with low wage jobs has an enormous effect on family stability. Just one illness requiring an emergency room visit can cause a marginal family to lose their housing. Catholic Charities do not have the resources to take on responsibilities that used to be undertaken by government that are no longer available as a result of cuts and change in policy. Campaign being launched to show why government polices and laws must be revised. What can we do to support such campaigns? In line with Catholic Social doctrine what can we do to stand up and make a difference? How do we let our elected government officials know how we feel and what we would like done to eradicate this serious and heartbreaking poverty issue? Assignment # 2
Quoting Dr. Graeme Pearman, former climate director of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization. By the end of the century, climate change will bring water scarcity to between 1.1 to 3.2 billion people as temperatures rise by 2.6 to 4.8 Fahrenheit. An additional 200 million to 600 million people across the world would face food shortages in another 70 years. Africa and poor countries such as Bangladesh would be most affected because they were least able to cope with drought. The report details the consequences of global warming and the options to adapting to them ……there was an enormous amount the international community could do to avert climate change if swift action was taken.
When the news report confirmed that Saddam Hussein was hanged, a group of people in the restaurant broke into a loud applause and cheers. How could we be so barbaric in cheering the execution of another human being? The Ten Commandments says, “Thou shalt not kill.” All Christians, Jews and most other religions live by that law. Why do we still have capital punishment, even here in California? Families and friends of victims say that it will bring closure. It is more an act of revenge. Closure is to follow the example or John Paul II who visited his would be assassin in prison and forgave him. Closure is the example of the Amish people in Pennsylvania who forgave the men who killed 10 of their children. They will receive God’s abundant blessings.
Fr. Gregory Boyle, a Jesuit priest brings hope to a barrio in East Los Angeles by putting thousands of street kids to work. Created Homeboy Industries, a nonprofit coalition of businesses that hire gang members to lure them away from old lifestyles. Largest gang interv |
