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!
North Korea A trip to one of the most isolated countries on the planet
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.
For someone who is constantly referred to as "naive" by his opponents, Senator Obama seems to be making quite an impression in his trip to Afghanistan and the Middle East. In a statement that shocked many people, Iraq's Prime Minister al- Maliki publicaly voiced his support for Obama's withdrawal timetable.
I've written about Afghanistan quite a bit here. My first experience to the country in 1994, changed my life and propelled me to want to continue pursuing journalism as a career. This was a country in which the U.S. was deeply involved throughout the 1980's but the year I visited, no one was talking about it, no one was reporting there, no news was coming out of it. A civil war had been raging there for five years and our U.S. State Department source told us that it was the one country that was in danger of just disappearing off the map as a result of constant war. Well, we certainly know that that did not happen. Afghanistan is very much still on the map and just the other day 9 U.S. servicemen were killed there, the most since 1995.
I'll be joining ABC's Nightline as a contributor to the show. My first segment, which airs tonight, looks at America's seniors and the growing demand to meet the needs of this increasingly large population. As someone whose grandmother lived with her as child, I have always be sensitive to the issues facing the elderly in America. My grandma was one of the most important people in my life and I am still haunted and devastated by how she had to live in the latter part of her life.
I've been in Taiwan working on a series for CNN called "Planet in Peril." with Anderson Cooper and Sanjay Gupta. One of my stories is about the demise of the shark population and how it's affecting the ocean's eco system. The following is what I wrote for the CNN blog.
I haven't gotten over the shock of the recent SCOTUS decision vis a vis guns and the applause it's receiving on both sides of the ticket. I really wish that someone could help me better understand why guns are held so precious in our country and society. Please enlighten me.
Was watching a report on a morning show today about how dire the U.S. economy is. Gas prices are at all time highs, the housing market is experiencing its biggest slump in years and home utilities are becoming costlier. A woman was kvetching about how she can only do one load of laundry a day now. What?!?!
If the U.S. Government knows that a foreign company is propping up another corrupt government that has been sanctioning the killings of peoples opposed to their rule, what should be done? Should we impose sanctions on the company and cease doing business with it?
