A Day to Dream for Humanity - January 18, 2010

January 18 is an important day.  January 18 is a national holiday in the United States, in honor of Reverend Martin Luther King. King accomplished much for humanity. January 18 is also day six following the tragic 7.0 earthquake which shattered the country of Haiti.  Millions are suffering today in Haiti and are in need of our humanitarian aid. January 18 is also day 284 in the wait for the restoration of aid for the impoverished of Sudan.  Millions are suffering today in Sudan in need of our humanitarian aid. January 18 is also the anniversary of the birth of my mother, Claire Burgess (1922-1993) who accomplished much in providing humanitarian aid to her fellow man. January 18 is a day to dream for humanity.

The natural disaster which has befallen Haiti requires our collective and global assistance. The United Nation’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has prepared a “Flash Appeal” which details the immediate and projected needs for the citizens of Haiti. Critical infrastructure (electricity,water, sewage, communications and medical facilities) were universally damaged, some to the point of destruction. Couple this with the fact that the civil service cadre of Haiti was also amongst the hundreds of thousands of casualties; the cadre will require time to reconstitute. Media reports indicate more than 50,000 individuals are believed to have perished and more than 3 million individuals have been affected. The time to help our fellow man in Haiti is now.

• American Red Cross Haiti Relief and Development
• Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund

But we should not forget the man-made or perhaps man-allowed disaster which has befallen the Darfur region of Sudan. This crisis has witnessed the death of more than 50,000 individuals, has seen more than 250,000 flee to refugee camps and has displaced more than 3 million. In September 2004, then Secretary of State Colin Powell unambiguously stated, "We concluded that genocide has been committed in Darfur and that the government of Sudan and the Janjaweed bear responsibility and genocide may still be occurring.” In January of 2010, Deutsche Welle reported, “…the commander of the combined United Nations-African Union peacekeeping force for Darfur, General Martin Agwai, has claimed the war in Darfur is over…” 9 January was designated a global day of action for the Sudan, marking the fifth anniversary of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between North and South Sudan. January 18, is also the 284th day of waiting to act on the proposed resolution made by General Scott Gration, the United State’s special envoy to Sudan which would reconstitute the aid void created when 16 aid organizations were expelled from Sudan. The time to help our fellow man in Sudan is now.

•  Save Darfur Organization
•  OxFam America Organization

In highlighting the needs of the people of Haiti and Sudan, I know in a small way I continue the legacy of my mother. My mother was not one to shy away from confrontation (her younger brothers were all Gold Glove Boxers), she led with a firm and compassionate hand. She also lead by example, ready and willing to step up to address the difference between right and wrong, especially with respect to the rights and plight of the individual most needing her assistance. Though I was young at the time, I remember my mother’s active involvement in the late 50’s and early 60’s in the US Civil Rights movement in Virginia; and her work in the 60-70’s in Turkey and Thailand at various orphanages and leper camps; and then into the 80’s through to her last days of 1993 she gave of herself in Northern Virginia as a volunteer for innumerable causes. Fittingly, from my perspective, prior to her death, she received recognition she never sought, Volunteer of the Year. You see, my mother taught us life is meant to be a life of service and compassion - service to family and fellow man. We were blessed to live in many areas of the world, and as she spoke of those to whom she assisted, one would hear her uttered with frequency, the martyr John Bradford’s quote, "There, but by the grace of God, go I."  And instead of walking on, she stepped up.

Therefore it seems fitting to me that this year, Martin Luther King Day falls on my mother’s birthday. It was in 1963 when Reverend Martin Luther King cried from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.'" Some 37 years later isn’t it time we share King’s dream globally? Our fellow citizens of this world need each of us as much as we need each of them, regardless of race, creed or nationality we can and should assist those in their time of greatest need.

In closing, I appeal to you, to go beyond reading of the crisis in Haiti or Sudan and step forward as those humanitarians who preceded us have and provide resources to assist. While I identified to you avenues to give, I encourage you to do your own research and find those organizations which project your individuality. In doing so please be certain the mechanism you are using to funnel your donation is legitimate, as the criminal element of society has demonstrated a new low with online scams preying on our collective generosity.

Thank you for your time.

All the best,
Christopher

Links:
Martin Luther King:  I have a dream speech
UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs:  Haiti Earthquake (92 page pdf)
Red Cross:  Red Cross Organization
Haiti:  Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund
Darfur:   Save Darfur Organization
OxFam:  OxFam America Organization

Human Trafficking: Children in the Southeastern United States (Sex Trafficking)

January 11 is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day.  Tragic isn't it, that a need for such a day exists.  Why do members of our society treat children as a commodity, to be bought and sold, traded and bartered all for the use and abuse by others? As I wrote in my prior pieces, children are our society's most precious of all people and we, the adults of this society, have a moral obligation to protect children from danger.  All children, not just our own.

In reviewing the situation in the southeastern portion of the United States I see room for improvement, amidst heroic efforts of the passionate who are engaged, and the State Attorney General's offices are not asleep at the switch - they are working to address the trafficking of children.  But we do need to do more.  More participation, more awareness, more options for victims and more tools for law enforcement and prosecutors. 

The poster to the left was created by Julie Taylor Shematz, founder of Beauty From Ashes™ an organization in Florida whose mission is, "To prevent, rescue and restore victims of sex trafficking," and is used with her permission.

Below I touch the southeastern United States and the situation in the states of Florida, Alabama, Georgia.  I also have included at the end of the piece the complete text of President Obama's proclamation naming January 2010 as a National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.  
_____________________________________________________________________
Florida:  The Florida portion of the Shared Hope International's May 2009 national report, "Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking - America's prostituted children," included sections on the city of Clearwater and the counties of Broward and Dade.
The state of Florida has statute which addresses the trafficking of persons, specifically children and can be found in Section 787.06 - a statute which has been in place since October 2004. The intent of the Florida legislature is:"Department of Children and Family Services and other state agencies cooperate with other state and federal agencies to ensure that victims of human trafficking can access social services and benefits to alleviate their plight." On February 8th, 2006, the state's Criminal Justice Committee passed House Bill 469 with three amendments addressing Section 787.06 - I extract the pertinent portion of the amendments:  "The first amendment adds fraud or coercion to the term forced labor or services. The second amendment adds criminal penalties for knowingly benefiting financially or receiving anything of value from human trafficking. The third amendment provides that an injured person as a result of sex trafficking has a civil cause of action for threefold the amount of profit gained from the sex trafficking."  Shared Hope International notes these are not aligned with the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA) with regard to domestic minor sex trafficking."The Florida human trafficking statute states, “victims of human trafficking are young children, teenagers, and adults,” but does not include the TVPA clarification that fraud, force, or coercion by the trafficker are not required elements of the crime when the victim of trafficking is under 18 years of age. The prostitution statutes provide an alternative by criminalizing the procurement or provision of a minor for prostitution without requiring proof that the perpetrator had knowledge of the victim’s age. The penalty is the same as that for a human enhanced penalty to first degree felony for the use of force, fraud or coercion against a minor under age 14. However, this disconnection of the child sex trafficking provisions from the human trafficking statute hinder the awareness by first responders that child prostitution is in fact human trafficking and a more serious crime than prostitution is often viewed as."

Clearwater: Shared Hope International's findings re the situation in Clearwater startled me and instead of paraphrasing, I provide them verbatim from their fact sheet:

• There is more prostitution taking place in private residences than other locations and it is facilitated through various forms of advertising, such as on craigslist.org.
• It is estimated that more than 400 potential victims of Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking - U.S. children exploited though commercial sex - have passed through the hands of various agencies, organizations, and officers in Florida since 2000.
• The percentage of young females involved in the juvenile justice system for delinquency has grown from 24% to 30% since the early 1990s. The number of males referred to DJJ has declined significantly in recent years, while the number of females has not.
• When brought before a juvenile court judge, prostituted minors are advised to plead “guilty” to the prostitution charge without benefit of counsel from a public defender. Encouraging victims of prostitution to plead “guilty,” even if the intention is to keep them “safe” from their pimps in a juvenile detention facility confirms that they are viewed as criminals and not entitled to justice or services.
• Treatment must address the psychological influence that intermittent positive reinforcement from pimps/traffickers has on victims of Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking.
• The psychological manipulation endured is so severe that the minor will continue to return, defend, and cover for the trafficker/pimp until the bond is broken, which would then allow the minor to view her/himself as a victim.
• In the Florida Statute on Human Trafficking there is no clear definition of sexual exploitation.
• Large numbers of Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking victims have experienced sexual abuse prior to being commercially sexually exploited by a trafficker. Stronger protocols regarding treatment for childhood sexual abuse victims are needed. 
• The large adult entertainment industry in the area increases the opportunities where a minor could be used for commercial sexual exploitation.
• The lack of appropriate and protective shelters that address the unique needs of Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking victims - U.S. children who have been commercially sexually exploited - is a key impediment to proper victim identification, access to services, and pimp/trafficker prosecutions.

Broward and Dade County:  Similarly Shared Hope International's findings re the situation in these two counties was equally sobering.

• Children continue to be arrested for prostitution. "...children are pulled into the juvenile justice system as delinquents, placed in detention or returned to their home or foster care, but rarely provided the care and treatment specifically needed by a child victimized through commercial sexual exploitation."
• Awareness training for first responders.  "Presented with false identification and defiant attitudes, many officers choose to leave the child on the street..."
• When identified, prostituted children are often arrested and charged with prostitution.  "...more than 400 child sex trafficking victims have had contact with first responders statewide in the past six years but were misidentified as delinquents."
• Lack of shelters.  "For most sex trafficking victims, a runaway shelter or state-run group home is not appropriate, as they can continue to be psychologically manipulated and are at risk of returning to the control of their trafficker, who often aggressively recruits the girls back into exploitation."
• Plead Guilty. Minors charged with prostitution sometimes are encouraged to plead guilty to the prostitution charge. A guilty plea move the judicial process forward more quickly and allows the judge to adjudicate the minor to a treatment program or other services, such as Project GOLD counseling. Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office records show that 20% of the juveniles prosecuted for prostitution in 2008, pled guilty to the charge and an additional 13% were committed to the Department of Juvenile Justice. Encouraging victims of child sex trafficking to plead guilty, even if the intention is to keep them safe from their trafficker in a juvenile detention facility, only serves to confirm their self-perception as delinquents and may impair their access to justice and services, such as victim of crime funds and specialized therapeutic trauma counseling for the victimization. 
• Ineligible for victim of crime funding.  Domestic minor sex trafficking victims frequently are ineligible for victim of crime funding for their treatment and care.
• Gaps in how minors are processed in the detention system may be exploited by pimps/traffickers familiar with the system. Florida Statute 985.115 mandates that juveniles who are not determined by the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) Risk Assessment tool a community safety or a flight risk are ordered released from custody as soon as reasonably possible. This statute allows juveniles to be released from the juvenile assessment center (JAC) to any adult without certain criminal charges appearing in a background check. This could mean that a minor arrested and/or charged with prostitution could be released within hours to the trafficker or a person who may not be their legal guardian.

To the good, there are a number of organizations in Florida which are actively addressing the situation, and not just in the Clearwater or Dade and Broward Counties.  The Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking (FCAHT) is active and providing creative content in raising the awareness, not only in Florida, but nationwide.  Their public service announcement created which they posted in July 2009 delivers the message in a clear and concise manner. Similarly, Julie's organization Beauty From Ashes™ provides not only victim assistance, the organization also addresses some of the issues highlighted in the findings - as they work to provide shelter, rehabilitation and job training.  In addition, multiple Anti Human Trafficking task forces exist, and the FCAHT notes they work with Lee County Human Trafficking Task Force, Collier County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, Broward County Human Trafficking Working Group, Broward County Refuge Task Force, and Palm Beach Refuge Task Force.  And the work of Stop Child Trafficking Now has served to raise awareness state-wide to the existence of child trafficking. In addition, the work of Human Trafficking Awareness Partnerships served as the nuclei for the creation of the Lee County Human Trafficking Task Force. 
____________________________________________________________________

Alabama:   I could not find a statute which specifically addresses the trafficking of persons within the Alabama statutes.  The Polaris Project called out the lack of such statute in their February 2007 report "U.S. Policy Alert on Human Trafficking" which identified Alabama and six other states as U.S. States with no existing law or pending legislation specifically addressing human trafficking.  (If a reader knows of such legislature, please drop reference into a comment and I will adjust the prior sentences.) 

[Addendum February 24, 2010:  Alabama State Senator Wendell Mitchell of Luverne sponsored legislation to make human trafficking a crime in Alabama, punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment.  The bill passed the Alabama Senate by a vote of 29-0 and now awaits the consideration of the Alabama House of Representatives.]

I was, however, able to find reference to law which addresses the sexual exploitation of children, "Alabama's Mandatory Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Law."   Within the Alabama Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Investigation Division, Criminal Investigation Support Group, exists the Alabama Center for Missing and Exploited Children. They coordinate and post the Amber Alerts, Missing Children Posters, and man a 24-hour hotline (1-800-228-7688) for reporting a missing child or providing information about a missing child.

Though studies such as those which touched on cities in other states may not have been conducted in Alabama, nor perhaps have Federal dollars found their way in the formation of task forces which require audit and reporting, one should not misinterpret such as a lack of need within Alabama.  Nor should one construe the absence of "news" which highlights child exploitation or trafficking of children as an indicator none exists.  My experience has been when one begins applying resources to an issue, the number of reported instances increases (see Lee County Florida's Task Force - when they stood up the task force there were few instances of arrests/convictions involving human trafficking, once the task force was created, that statistic adjusted.).  From my limited research I was unable to unearth the existence within the state of any Task Forces, or other systematic efforts to track the trafficking of persons (adult or children).

What I did find?  Located in Birmingham, Alabama is the headquarters of Make Way Partners and their good works do serve to shine the light on the fact that human trafficking is a global phenomena.  Their mission is primarily focused abroad, where they reach out to assist the most vulnerable.  They are addressing the exploitation and trafficking of children in Romania and Sudan, but they drive awareness both locally and globally - witness their excellent awareness video which highlights the fact that half of all trafficked persons are children.  I also found the Voices for Alabama's Children, located in Montgomery, Alabama tracks legislative bills within the Alabama Senate and House of Representatives, bills which impact the children of Alabama. They also produce an annual report, Kids Count Data Book, which, since 1993 has served to highlight the social, physical, economic and educational well-being of Alabama's children.  The report does highlight the fact Alabama is ranked 48th out of the 50 US states, but does not address the instances of child exploitation or trafficking which occur within the various counties of the state. 

____________________________________________________________________

Georgia:  You don't have to listen carefully or read esoterically to be aware Atlanta is a "destination" location within the commercial sex trade. In 2006, New York Times reporter, Bob Herbert, wrote a truly poignant op-ed piece "Young, Cold and For Sale" which called-out children as young as ten were being prostituted, in the piece, the mayor's office noted, “Sex tourism is coming south.” And kudos to the Mayor of Atlanta for her "Dear John" campaign which was kicked off in 2006 and included these two videos.  

Or the 2008 PBS piece, "Stories from the Sex Trade," which carries an interview with Kasey McClure, who is the Executive Director and Founder of 4Sarah, a non-profit which "provides spiritual, emotional and physical support system to women involved in the sex trade industry; offering opportunities to reach for a new beginning in life."  Fast forward to July 2009.  This piece from WAGA in Atlanta, speaks volumes to the situation in Georgia with respect to the fact that Atlanta remains one of the nation's top-hubs for child prostitution.  The piece also identifies the good works for two organizations.  One which provides shelter and support to child prostitution victims is Wellspring Living, their effort focused on girls:  Wellspring for Girls, in partnership with other child service organizations, cares for girls (ages 12 – 17) who have been devastated by forced prostitution. Wellspring Living offers a therapeutic and educational day program for abuse survivors. The other, A Future, Not A Past,  pointedly calls out the need for lifting up the carpet and looking at what has been swept under for so many years, "The prostitution of Georgia’s children knows no racial, economic or geographic boundaries. It's hard to imagine that on a busy night as many as 129 girls are exploited across our state, but the time for cloaking the truth is past ... Our children demand our attention."   The program was the creation of the Juvenile Justice Fund as their focus is on the children, and their mission statement speaks volumes, "All children always matter."

Another highlight, is the part the Attorney General of Georgia, played as one of the main proponents of crafting the agreement with Craigslist under which the online classified ad website will take action to deter and crack down on inappropriate content and illegal activity in its erotic services section.

In the legal arena, the Georgia General Assembly created the Joint Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Minors Study Commission (“the Commission”) in 2008 through the passage of Senate Resolution 445.  The purpose of the Commission was to study the problem of children engaging in prostitution and related activities in Georgia.  The study provides the following data points:

• 14.5 - average age of a child prostitute in Georgia
• 200-300 - number of girls which are commercially sexually exploited each month in Georgia
• 50-100 - number of underage girls involved in escort services
• 90% - percentage of runaways which end up engaged in the sex industry

The study notes, soberly, "On a typical weekend night, more girls, 129, are commercially sexually exploited in Georgia than the number killed in car accidents, 58, in an entire year." The study also notes that in Georgia, the age of consent for sexual activity is 16 years of age, and that there is no minimum age for the crime of prostitution, and how many jurisdictions have taken a policy to not prosecute children for prostitution, the law continues to permit prosecution.  In 2001, Georgia passed SB 33, the "Child Sexual Commerce Prevention Act of 2001."  The act creates harsher criminal penalties for the pimps and johns who exploit minors, and even though the age of consent is 16 in Georgia, the law sites those under the age of 18.  In 2006, Georgia passed SB 529 the "Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act" which contained portions which specifically address the trafficking of minors for the purposes of sexual servitude. The Georgia legislature defines sexual servitude as:
            (A) Any sexually explicit conduct as defined in paragraph (4) of subsection (a) of Code
Section 16-12-100 for which anything of value is directly or indirectly given, promised
to, or received by any person, which conduct is induced or obtained by coercion or
deception or which conduct is induced or obtained from a person under the age of 18
years; or
             (B) Any sexually explicit conduct as defined in paragraph (4) of subsection (a) of Code
Section 16-12-100 which is performed or provided by any person, which conduct is
induced or obtained by coercion or deception or which conduct is induced or obtained
from a person under the age of 18 years.
__________________________________________________________________

I wish to reiterate the call-to-action by the Polaris Project's Executive Director, Mark Logan, "The onus is on society and government to stop the trafficking of American children" and my own observation "The skeptic says, "This can not be." The hopeful says, "There aren't many." And the activist says, "Where are they and how can I make a difference.""
With Monday, January 11 National Human Trafficking Awareness Day - Please engage your government at the local, state and national level and get involved yourself - we can use more activists.  The children need your help.

Thank you for your time.

All the best,
Christopher



If you wish to report a case of trafficking of children (or any other person) call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 1-888-3737-888.  This national center is maintained by the good folks at the "Polaris Project" and they advise this same number may be used "to connect with anti-trafficking services in your area;  or to request training and technical assistance, general information, or specific anti-trafficking resources."

Links:
Polaris Project:  National Human Trafficking Resource Center
Stop Child Trafficking Now:  Mission Statement
Shared Hope International:  Clearwater Assessment (171 page pdf)
Shared Hope International:  Broward and Dade County Assessment (78 page pdf)
Beauty From Ashes:  Beauty From Ashes Web Site
Human Trafficking Awareness Partnerships (FL):  About HTAP
Florida State Legislature on Human Trafficking:   Chapter 787.06
Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking:  FCAHT Web Site
Alabama's Mandatory Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Law:  Chapter 26-14
Make Way Partners:  Mission  and Vision Statement
Voices for Alabama's Children:  Alabama Kids Count Data Book (101 page pdf)
New York Times:  Young, Cold and For Sale 
Public Broadcast System:  Stories From the Sex Trade
4Sarah:  Mission and Vision Statement
City of Atlanta:  Dear John Campaign
A Future Not a Past:  Stop the Prostitution of Georgia's Children
Wellspring Living:  Changing Our World by Changing Theirs
Georgia Juvenile Justice Fund:  Annual Report (20 page pdf)
Georgia General Assembly:  Joint Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Minors Study (11 page pdf)
Georgia Child Sexual Commerce Prevention Act of 2001:  SB 33
Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act of 2006: SB 529 (14 page pdf)

____________________________________________
President Barak Obama's Proclamation that January 2010 shall be National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month:

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

January 04, 2010

Presidential Proclamation - National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month

A PROCLAMATION

The United States was founded on the principle that all people are born with an unalienable right to freedom -- an ideal that has driven the engine of American progress throughout our history. As a Nation, we have known moments of great darkness and greater light; and dim years of chattel slavery illuminated and brought to an end by President Lincoln's actions and a painful Civil War. Yet even today, the darkness and inhumanity of enslavement exists. Millions of people worldwide are held in compelled service, as well as thousands within the United States. During National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, we acknowledge that forms of slavery still exist in the modern era, and we recommit ourselves to stopping the human traffickers who ply this horrific trade.

As we continue our fight to deliver on the promise of freedom, we commemorate the Emancipation Proclamation, which became effective on January 1, 1863, and the 13th Amendment, which was sent to the States for ratification on February 1, 1865. Throughout the month of January, we highlight the many fronts in the ongoing battle for civil rights -- including the efforts of our Federal agencies; State, local, and tribal law enforcement partners; international partners; nonprofit social service providers; private industry and nongovernmental organizations around the world who are working to end human trafficking.

The victims of modern slavery have many faces. They are men and women, adults and children. Yet, all are denied basic human dignity and freedom. Victims can be abused in their own countries, or find themselves far from home and vulnerable. Whether they are trapped in forced sexual or labor exploitation, human trafficking victims cannot walk away, but are held in service through force, threats, and fear. All too often suffering from horrible physical and sexual abuse, it is hard for them to imagine that there might be a place of refuge.

We must join together as a Nation and global community to provide that safe haven by protecting victims and prosecuting traffickers. With improved victim identification, medical and social services, training for first responders, and increased public awareness, the men, women, and children who have suffered this scourge can overcome the bonds of modern slavery, receive protection and justice, and successfully reclaim their rightful independence.

Fighting modern slavery and human trafficking is a shared responsibility. This month, I urge all Americans to educate themselves about all forms of modern slavery and the signs and consequences of human trafficking. Together, we can and must end this most serious, ongoing criminal civil rights violation.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 2010 as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, culminating in the annual celebration of National Freedom Day on February 1. I call upon the people of the United States to recognize the vital role we can play in ending modern slavery, and to observe this month with appropriate programs and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourth day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.

BARACK OBAMA

Happy New Year - Time to Do the Right Thing

Hello 2010 - We have been waiting, patiently, for you.  Did we have a choice?  Not really.

You arrived as scheduled, in the nick of time some would say, and we thank you for it. I am not far out on a limb noting how the passage of time is indefatigable and resilient.  Time marches on with us in tow.

Before we get into the review of 2009 and the goals of 2010, let me wish you a Happy New Year! To the left is my family (wife, daughter, son-in-law and sons) and the retreat-like paradise from which I craft my pieces (which explains why I work from my home).  And to be clear, all the credit for the tranquil retreat we share with our menagerie goes entirely to my wife, she created and maintains it, I enjoy it.

I wish to recognize and thank the men and women of the United States who serve us so bravely and gallantly both in uniform and out; this has been a tragic year-end for so many families who have lost their loved ones in far-away lands such as Iraq and Afghanistan.  I also thank the first responders who willingly step into harms way each and every day in service of others - protecting us all.  This year in western Washington was especially tough for those in law enforcement as they saw the violent deaths of too many personnel - six in sixty days.  And sadly a few days ago we learned of the tragic deaths of seven of my former colleagues, killed by a suicide bomber - each individual voluntarily serving far from home, serving their country to the best of their abilities, serving without the expectation of public recognition, but with an understanding their work was important and was making a difference, though it was not without risk.  Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and loved one's as they cope with their tragic losses.  Tragic losses such as these bring home the point, "Freedom is seldom free."

In 2009, I invested  a great deal of my time messaging safety, security and shining light on a myriad of humanitarian issues - all as widely as possible, all in a manner in which the data or message could be taken and used - again and again. As a curious soul, with an insatiable appetite to learn I also absorbed the messaging and successes of others.  I thought I'd share some of the pieces which provided inspiration to me this last year and also highlight to you some of the causes about which I have a personal passion; I'll close this posting with my wish for the new year, all the more appropriate given we are experiencing a Blue Moon.

Hunger: As noted in many of my November blogs, food insecurity in the United States is at an all-time high - 12% of the US population is currently food insecure.  We collectively took a bite out of hunger and for that I thank all of you who participated in the Virtual Canned Food Drive via Libby's Food for Feeding America - we raised sufficient funds to provide 60,000 meals to hungry Americans at food banks throughout the United States.  While I focused my actions close to home, I found the following video from the US Department of State useful in describing the global hunger situation and take heart in Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton's call to action: "The question is not whether we can end hunger, it's whether we will."


Human Trafficking / Sex Trafficking / Child Trafficking:  And those who follow my blog and tweet stream know of my passion with respect to protecting those unable to do so both online and in the physical world.  I, like you, am stupefied with the realization the trafficking of fellow human beings is at a historical all time high - and am viscerally repulsed with the statistics surrounding the trafficking of children.  Three videos touched me in 2009, and I share these with you:

UNICEF, MTV EXIT (End Exploitation and Trafficking) and The Killers released a music video, "Goodnight, Travel Well"  to bring attention to the global situation of human trafficking and they succeeded:


Also joining in the music video milieu was a piece which packed punch from Sojourner Picture, "Believe in Me" on behalf of the Courage to Be You organization.  Take a moment and view the video, when you finish I think you will have a better understanding as to the value of investing in the rehabilitation of the victims:


The third video comes from Diana Scimone and her Born to Fly organization. What I admire most about this organization is their creative effort and their vision,“You were born to fly—don’t settle for less.” The video is "Get Angry" and when you finish watching it, I believe you will be angry, and as asked in the video, "Do something about it." 


Women:  In August I stumbled upon an organization called, Girl Effect and their creative two minute video.  I had the pleasure of sharing this video at Chris Prillo's Gnomedex conference in Seattle this year.  A few months later, I smiled large when I saw Oprah shared it in one of her segments and on her website.  Having lived in various parts of the world where the value of the female child is viewed as a burden vice a blessing, I found this presentation projects the value of not only the female child (the girl), but also the value of investing in education so a girl may make a contribution to society in a clear and unambiguous manner. This solution resolves so many of the root-causes of human trafficking and hunger in the world.   Take two minutes to view the piece and see if you don't agree:
===============================================
The year 2009 also carried with it lighter and happier moments.  Two in particular brought repeated smiles to my face.  I think I visited these two pieces a hundred times - revisiting each again and again throughout the year.  Who can forget Susan Boyle and her introduction to each of us via the UK television program, Britian's Got Talent:


Or the absolute best Flash Mob I've ever seen, one often emulated but never matched which occurred at the Antwerp Train Station - view this one and keep an eye out for the smiles of the unsuspecting - and of course your own smile.  Train travel has benefits!


Now didn't both of these simply inspire you and fill you with a bit of joy, dare I say optimism?  Feeling good is important, its through our positive energy which we garner our internal strength.

As we look forward, we must remember the past or be destined to repeat the lessons of days gone by.  What should we do with the time allotted to us in 2010 - our time?  I say, use it wisely, it is precious, not to be squandered, and absolutely irreplaceable. To my way of thinking, time is your most valuable asset and if you give of your time, to read this blog for example, you've shared your most precious asset with me.  So I thank you for your time.

Similarly, my investment of time in support of my family, friends, a cause or project are clear indicators that I have assigned a value to the engagement and therefore have an expectation of a mutual return on investment.  So how should we, collectively, invest our time for 2010 to provide the greatest possible return on the investment both for ourselves and those receiving the benefit of our time?  Choose wisely.

I have set a lofty and remarkably simple aspirational goal.  Throughout 2010 I know we will have opportunities to do the right thing, and there-in lays my 2010 goal:  "To do the right thing."

I will endeavor in 2010 to invest my time wisely - be it shining the light on a just cause; engaging in a project; spending time with family and friends; discussing the inhumane aspects of humanity; keeping our families safe; or simply sharing thoughts while breaking bread - in each case my intent will always be to "Do the right thing."

I have tremendous faith in you - please take a moment of your time and think how your choices will enable you to do the right thing in the giving of your time.

Thank you for your time.  I welcome your comments, thoughts and collaboration.

All the best,
Christopher

LINKS:
Born to Fly:  Born to Fly Project
Girl Effect:  Girl Effect Organization
MTV's EXIT:  End Exploitation and Trafficking
Courage to Be You:  C2BU Project
US Department of State:  Global Hunger and Food Security