Tacos? Really?

The section 1 of the 14th Amendment to our Constitution, added in 1868, reads:

All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside. No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

For almost 150 years, this law has stood.  You would think that by 2012, people would no longer violate this law.  Unfortunately, discrimination and bigotry still run rampant.  People's lives and liberties are being affected even today.

I recently read this article, telling of the racist remarks of Joseph Maturo, Jr., mayor of East Haven, Connecticut.  The mayor, when asked how he would respond to the discrimination against the Latino community in East Haven, said "I might have tacos when I go home, I'm not quite sure yet."  THIS MAN IS IN CHARGE OF AN ENTIRE CITY.  Will Latino people in East Haven receive "equal protection under the law" (14th Amendment) when a politician--who votes on law-- is so clearly insensitive?  I cannot imagine it possible.

The Huffigton Post says that Hispanic (I am not using the terms Hispanic and Latino interchangeably, but they relate) people, moreso than any other group, are discriminated against in America.  61% of people surveyed believed that Hispanic people faced "significant discrimination."  Racism is alive and growing, it seems.

I am saddened that racism still exists, and that people's liberties are being denied.  I do believe that racism restricts liberties, and that violates the Constitution.  With laws against it already in place, what more can our nation do to stop discrimination?

Happy Thanksgiving!

I feel thankful for my amazing friends, my close-knit family, and Panera (let's be honest, it's outstanding).  What are you thankful for this year?  Here's wishing you and yours a happy and not-too-healthy (enjoy that pie!) Thanksgiving.

Enjoy this ode to Turkey Day from SNL:

http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/update-sandler-thanksgiving-song/1261476

Abuse is Abuse

I was online today and was deeply disturbed by a video that has been circulating the web and landed on the front page of CNN.com and other news sites.  It shows a father and mother beating their disabled daughter with a belt, and later shows the father defending his actions.  He uses a belt to whip her, and he thinks he did nothing wrong.  A cherry on top: he is a judge that resides over family issues.  Watch the news story, at your own discretion, HERE. 

An informal poll, also located on CNN.com, asked readers their opinion on corporal punishment in the home.  Correct me if I'm wrong, but hitting a child and hitting an adult are both examples of hitting.  Hitting an adult is illegal.  Why is it legal to hit a child, and more importantly, why are people OK with it being legal?  Look at the poll results: I think it is ridiculous!

I do not see a difference between corporal punishment and domestic violence, call me crazy.  I believe violence is violence.  If you don't agree, I urge you to look at THIS MEMORIAL and rethink your views of violence-- and corporal punishment is violent-- in the home.

I apologize for coming on so strongly here, but I feel compelled to share this story.  Even those of us not impacted by domestic violence or this type of "discipline" from parents can fight against it by spreading awareness.  I urge you to do so, too.

Glass Half Full

DISCLAIMER:  THIS POST GETS VERY CHEESEY.  PLEASE READ IT ANYWAY.

I bet he's tired becuase he just tried
to change the world...
it's no easy job, but it's still worth doing. 
Bonus: It ups your cute factor.

If I may use a cliche, I like to see the world in a "glass half-full" kind of way.  From a very young age, I have struggled to watch the news because it so strongly disputes my view.  Given, not knowing the news does not change it, but I can do more to help the world when I think optimistically.  I do not need to see the starving children of third world countries to be called to action.  As world citizens, we are born called to action.  I applaud those able to put tragedies in perspective and be able to face the cruel world; I have not mastered this skill yet, and so I still stick to editorials and comics when reading news paper.  Don't get me wrong- I am an informed citizen.  You do not need to seek out news, though.  We are surrounded by it.

This afternoon, when I did chose to seek out news, I looked for what would light a fire under me, not scare me.  Here is what I found, I hope it has the same impact on you.

"Centenarian completes marathon, sets record":  I struggle to do a push up in gym class, and yet am at the prime age of 17 and totally able bodied.  Fauja Singh runs marathons.  With 100 years and 26.2 miles under his belt, this man inspires me to try a little harder in the Fit Female tomorrow.

"Seeing Value in Ignorance, College Expects Its Physicists to Teach Poetry":  A refreshing change of pace.  Says St. Johns President Chris Nelson in the NY Times article, “Every member of the faculty who comes here gets thrown in the deep end. I think the faculty members, if they were cubbyholed into a specialization, they’d think that they know more than they do. That usually is an impediment to learning. Learning is born of ignorance.”

"Malaria May Be Emilminated From a Quarter of Nations in 10 Years":  Malaria will not stop spreading without a conscious effort.  Rather than dwelling on hardship (and it abounds) this article focuses on forward strides and uses positive examples to call readers to action, not scare them into it.  Although eradicating a disease seems daunting, Bill and Melinda Gates feel confident enough to put forth millions of dollars toward achieving that goal.  A babysitter's salary does not allow for such donations, but still, this article encourages fighting worth while fights... even those that seem impossible.

Clearly there's a lot of good stuff out there-- now go out and make more!!

330 words

Is it bad to begin with a rhetorical question?  Maybe making a metaphor will ease the knot in your back that is an introductory paragraph.  A hyperbole will catch the attention of colleges I'm not even applying to!  Personal style: no longer only attainable at Nordstrom Rack.  Never say never to the cliché topic route.

College essays require eloquent language and developed thoughts.  I have spent a very long time on college essays and I am eloquented-out.  Please bear with me as I speak incorrectly (and rant) for the rest of this post...

I like to write, I really do.  But I don't like having to explain every aspect of my being.  "When did you first realize you were growing up?"  There are a lot of moments I realized I was growing up, but my memory fails to inform me of their chronological order.  Am I cheating if I tell the admissions people about the 2nd time?  There goes my future, I guess.

Another favorite: "Why do you want to go here?"  Following the guidelines of trusty College Board, I know not to list the extra-curricular opportunities or how many students are my potential bridesmaids.  Readers: any ideas as to how to go about this without creating a laundry list?  I went with an "explorer on an expedition to find my passion" concept but am not confident with it yet.

I must say, though, the fact I am struggling and cannot decide what to write about proves the validity of these questions.  I'm not condoning making high scholars stress, but these colleges know what they're doing.  College is about thinking in different ways, so you have a large repertoire of ways to think when you enter the big, bad world.  They're just starting early with the admissions process.

So to College Essay Readers out there: you have made my life complicated but are making me think, and for that I thank you.  Also, please admit me!!! (I will send you a muffin basket.)

If Elle can get into college then gosh darn it, so can I! 

A promise is a promise!

At the beginning of the summer, I promised that I would blog and I did not follow through as I'd hoped I would.  It seems that I should at least post ONCE... so here it is!

Mr. New Oxford English Dictionary should loosen his belt; he just got thicker.  This year's additions to the dictionary reflect the technological age.  Words like "sexting" and "cyberbully" are among the 400 new comers, says THIS CNN ARTICLE.

Not only did words make their way to the prestigious pages of the dictionary, but established words got makeovers.  These words also reflect today's values and concerns:  "woman" and "environment," for example.

Other words, though, have nothing to do with much of anything.  These are some of the random words and phrases that I found entertaining and Scrabble contenders.  (Click HERE for complete list of revisions from June 2011)

• laugh-o-meter, n.
• urb, n.
• brain machine, n.
• Baba Yaga, n.
• Aqr, n.

The list goes on and will be extended this September, as it is four times annually.  Stay posted!

SUMMER



Yay for summer!


I'm sitting in front of my computer and reverting to routines established throughout this year: Gmail, Facebook, Blog, Google image search "Zac Efron."  The order sometimes changed, but for the most part that was my Monday through Thursday afternoons during the school year.  One would think that a recent Junior would want to leave her past far behind her, but blogging calls me back.  To satisfy this urge to write, my promise to myself and to you, my virtual buddies, is that I will continue blogging during the summer.  Stay posted for more!



PS- For reading this, you get a present: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmts3jhp8Gk

Meta Blog Second Semester

Or should I say Mega Blog?  It seems more accurate.  Over 1,000 views and 40 posts later, this is the culmination of a great first year of blogging.  A mega year, if you will.  This semester, I covered a wide range of topics, but they all connected to each other in one way or another.  As I previously mentioned in my first Meta Blog, I write about my life because that is what I know.  I also write about the world the rotates so quickly beneath our feet.  Regardless of the topic, Blogging allows a writer to create their own Author's Style.

I did not discuss as many current events as I had in previous quarters, and I did not talk about me, me, me.  But being the angsty teen I am, SOMETHING has to be about me.  This quarter, my writing style has been reinforced and I am happy with it.

Everything written is also read (diaries excluded) and so when writing one must always keep in mind the reader.  By making my writing clear and empathetic, I feel I did this.  One must also keep their audience engaged.  With the help of a small poll on the side of my blog, I was able to tune into what my audience was looking for.  Integrating pictures and jokes where they were appropriate helped me retain readership.    This empathy for the reader has helped me form the style of writing I enjoy most; that is casual and personal.  Even the most mechanical of events has a human side, and I will continue to strive and improve even more on uncovering it.  I hope you agree.

Please refer to the post I feel has the most unique writing style and that I am most proud of:  Lists.

Lists

Lists: we make them, we break them, we talk about them in AIS.  Today Mr. Bolos asked why we all list the things we do: pack a suitcase, travel the world, learn a new language.  Let's answer why with some possible explanations (In no particular order)...

1. They are bored.  Example: Stuff White People Like.  This list is wonderful; very funny; totally pointless.
2. They are forgetful.  Example: Grocery lists.  "Eggs, milk, bread, and hmmm... what else?  I'll check my grocery list and find out!  Oh, that's right- paper towels!  So glad I didn't forget" (List-Writing Grocery Shopper).
3. They are ambitious, or want to be.  Example: The Bucket List.  For those who want to travel the world and skydive before they "kick the bucket."
4. They seek fulfillment.  Example: Personal lists that are say, under your bed in a red binder.  (Who would do that...pshhh)  This list includes showing kindness, giving hugs, and the like.

We all make them, but why?  I'm a combo of all of the above.  You?

What do you get when you mix Citizen Kane, Brainy Quote, and a teen icon? A blog post!

To Start: I was amazed when I learned that Orson Welles directed, produced, wrote, and starred in Citizen Kane- one of the most critically acclaimed films in American history.  I agree with critics when they praise the film; I very much enjoyed it and the discussions it prompted in class.  Some would call a twenty-something year old a genius for creating a masterpiece the likes few can compete with.  I did some research on this genius, Orson Welles.  I found facts and some fun stuff, too.

Fun Stuff:

I just had to put a picture in (you're welcome).

As a stereotypical teenage girl would react, I was SO happy to find a connection to Zac Efron (My husband, by the way. He'll find out sooner or later).  Me and Orson Welles is "based on Robert Kaplow's young adult novel of the same name, the story blends fictional characters with real ones" (TIME Magazine).  I haven't seen it, but am confident it is a quality movie, maybe not the likes of Citizen Kane, but surely pleasing to the eye.  Okay I'm done with that now, thanks for bearing with me!

The Movie:
George Orson Welles  lost his mother at the age of eight, his father at the age of thirteen.  He created his own empire as an actor, producer, writer, and director (Biography HERE).  Although Citizen Kane is supposedly based on the life of William Randolph Hearst, I see noticable comparisons to Welles' life.  Reading more makes me believe any connection between Welles' own life and Kane's are merely coincidence, as Charlie Foster Kane seems strikingly similar to Mr. Hearst.  They both come from money from mines, they both were expelled from fine universities, and they both ran a newspaper called "The Examiner."  This seems like more than a coincidence.

Quotes:
If you ever get the chance, look up some of Orson Welles' quotes.  I think they can add "comedian" to his list of titles and accomplishments.  He's As said by the Genius:

-Ask not what you can do for your country. Ask what's for lunch.

-If there hadn't been women we'd still be squatting in a cave eating raw meat, because we made civilization in order to impress our girlfriends.

-I don't say we all ought to misbehave, but we ought to look as if we could.

____________________________________________________

So that's a brighter side of a heavy movie.  A very complicated, emotional, thought provoking movie.  I would love to hear your thoughts.  Thanks.

Homework: More than Just Worksheets

Duke University's Harris Cooper says that ten minutes of homework per grade level (first grade, 10 minutes; tenth grade 100 minutes) is effective in solidifying lessons learned during the day and instilling good work habits.  (ARTICLE HERE) Is that true?  I wouldn't know, because this methodology implies I would be in 18th grade, which I am certainly not.

I cannot vouch for this claim, but Dr. Cooper can.  Time Magazine (ARTICLE HERE) analyzes his findings:

Kids who do some homework in middle and high school score somewhat better on standardized tests, but doing more than 60 to 90 min. a night in middle school and more than 2 hr. in high school is associated with, gulp, lower scores.

Test scores refer to standardized test scores, not necessarily the Spanish quiz Tuesday or math test next Thursday.  The ACT asks of our religious background, whether or not we like building bird houses, for example, but not about how much time per night we spend on homework.  Is that fair?  Well, maybe the general background information is enough.

I found that the homework debate encompasses much more than worksheets and assigned readings: it encompasses, too, predisposition to success.  Socio-economics play a part in homework's effectiveness.  The "home" part of "homework" plays an important role in the educational process, says CBS News (ARTICLE HERE):

Homework, as its name implies, is usually done in the home. That is where differences in class, education, and family structure are starkest. As Richard Rothstein details in "Class and Schools," those differences are not slight: Disadvantaged parents are less likely to help their children and, when they do, their help is likely to be less valuable. 

This argument says that parent's helpfulness is reflected by their CLASS SYSTEM (ding ding ding!), but I would like to extend this to the entire family.  I turn to my siblings for homework help far more often than I do my parents.  Will, my brother and NT senior, helps me with math and science since he took the same classes only a year ago.  If my brother were in a gang, or working all the time to help pay bills, then I would not have the advantage of his help.  The validity of this point can be proven if we all think about the environment we work in at home.  Although I cannot say everyone in our class has a safe and supportive environment to work in, it is easy to say that most of us do.

These findings hold true even across the pond.  UK's The Guardian reports (ARTICLE HERE) that the more middle class a school is, the higher their test scores.  Even though this refers to more than just homework, it references the involvement of most middle-class parents in the school system.  Whether at home or at school, a student's work is influenced by their family.

So, I ask you, is homework effective?  I argue that it is often given overzealously and gives an arguably unfair advantage to middle and upper class students.  What do you think?  All opinions are welcome; thanks for reading.

Osama Bin Laden is Dead: Fuel for Prejudice

Yesterday, a shocking announcement instilled joy, patriotism, fear, and confusion into the hearts and minds of Americans.  Barack Obama addressed the nation with the following words (click HERE for full transcript and video):

"The United States is not –- and never will be -– at war with Islam.  I’ve made clear, just as President Bush did shortly after 9/11, that our war is not against Islam.  Bin Laden was not a Muslim leader; he was a mass murderer of Muslims.  Indeed, al Qaeda has slaughtered scores of Muslims in many countries, including our own.  So his demise should be welcomed by all who believe in peace and human dignity."

I would like to draw attention to "Bin Laden was not a Muslim leader" and say THANKS to President Obama for spelling this out for those who do not already know it. It seems that most prejudice against Muslim people, and all middle eastern people for that fact, is rooted in misconceptions of terrorism.  The post 9/11 world is no easy place to live for any one who identifies as Muslim or looks middle eastern.  Whenever fear is involved, people turn nasty.  9/11 scared people- it hurt them- and human nature tells us that someone needed to take the blame.  This seems terrible to me.  WHY WHY WHY do people use hate to combat hate?!  A simple math problem (I know, I know, sorry to make you do math) proves that this "method" of resilience is not only ineffective, but counter productive:

Hate + Hate = More Hate

The death of Osama Bin Laden provides fuel for people to act cruelly towards their fellow Americans, and human beings.  Stereotypes, prejudices, ignorance, and cruelty are all too common; we can and we must stop them.  Please take a minute and read these articles (linked) that show the impact of discriminating against "terrorists," "radical jihadists," and adherents of Islam (because "Islam is the Devil").

So, again, I want to thank President Obama for recognizing a very important distinction; hopefully people who stereotype and judge will recognize their failings and correct them.  Only then can we come closer to peace.

Stay Classy!

Reading The Great Gatsby has prompted discussion about social class.  I did a little research about America's perceptions of social class and reflected on my own.  Here are my findings:

I came across an interesting report by the New York Times (click HERE to see it).  Ms. Goulart, of the self-proclaimed lower class, said "The rich get more benefits and tax breaks and the poor people don’t," directly relating to self-proclaimed upper class woman, Ms. Freeborn.  She says that rich people get "preferential treatment, where they don’t have to pay for things." 

Is there truly a cycle of rich to richer, poor to poorer?  I don't believe so.  Although certain advantages come from having money, preventative measures between being financially unstable to financially stable can, and have been, overcome.  To give extreme examples, I turn to Forbe's "Rags to Riches Billionaires," which states that "almost two-thirds of the world's 946 billionaires made their fortunes from scratch."  Not relying on a cycle of wealth, government leniency, or inheritance, these people created their own wealth.

So social class is based on money, people can move among classes, and it is based on perspective.  However, the question remains, what is it?  I conclude that it is a mindset; an idea.  If you take another look at the photos of the NY Times interviewees, their facial expressions become proportionately happier with the amount of money they have.  The people in between are "transitions" from one emotion/social class to the next. 



Rich n' Happy.



Poor n' Not.

Money does NOT necessarily match wealth.  Wealth in terms of family, in terms of experience, in terms of friendship, and in terms of insight do not depend on a pay check.  If a financially poor, happy, confident, and intelligent person tried to make friends with a person similar in all aspects aside from salary, would they be able to form a relationship?  I would hope so, and do believe so.  It's called social class after all; we're not talking about socio-economic class.  That's a different ballgame.

I consider myself upper class because of my education environment, physical and emotional safety and security, and because of my strong friendships.  My financial situation may or may not match my mindset of class, and honestly, that doesn't really matter much. 

Any input on how you define "Social Class" is much appreciated.

Winding Down: Junior Theme #(I forget what number this is...)

Hello fellow Junior Themers!  Hope all research and writing is going well!

As we review our final drafts of this lengthy project, it seems appropriate to reflect on the journey on which we have just ventured.  At the beginning of this process, "Junior Theme" seemed like an all-encompassing project of doom.  Thousands of potential articles- a vast population of potential interviews- hours in front of a computer screen lied (laid?) ahead.

Personally, the interviews proved challenging.  All were set up to be email interviews, as hundreds of miles  separated us.  The three experts I approached agreed to do an interview.  The first try, I received a response within hours, sent questions, and received answers before the end of the night.  My next try seemed successful.  I approached, she replied, I questioned, and... nothing.  No response to the questions.  I moved on.  Take three!  I approached, he responded, I questioned, and... nothing.  However, this third try was not totally in vain.  In his initial response, Mr. Scott Robertson offered over a page of insight to my Why question.  Even though I did not hear back regarding my questions, his words proved quite effective in my paper.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank our teachers for their help above and beyond the typical teacher.  Ms. Gressel, Mr. Bolos, Ms. O'Connor, and Ms. Eich, made Junior Theme manageable and even enjoyable.  Thanks you, everyone!

Not All Protests are Created Equal: Take Two

If I may, it seems appropriate to revisit a post from not too long ago, Not All Protests Are Created Equal from March 6th.  Interestingly enough, that very same week, a radio piece addressed the same topic.  (Thanks for the LINK TO THE RADIO PIECE, Mr. Bolos!)  It asks:  What is a protest?  What is a civil war?

On the Media analyzes the use of the term "rebel" and "civil war" to identify anti-Qaddafi forces, while some could argue these men and women are "protesters."  The last bit of the radio show seems to sum up their discussion well:

Several people have told me that the moment they hear the word “rebel” they begin to disconnect. The effect is compounded when combined with the phrase “civil war.” Whether or not people like us on the other side of the world choose to engage or even follow the story is a decision each of us makes every day. We think we make those choices consciously, weighing the expense and time and mental energy with what we stand to gain. But often we decide without deciding. What we choose can hinge on the unrecognized power of a single world.

 We know that Madison, WI is not in the state of unrest it was in March... it lived the life of a "protest."  People had signs, people swayed government policy makers, people put down the signs, people (like myself) wrote blogs about it.  In Libya, the conflict continues.  Is calling anti-Qaddafi forces protesters accurate?  What do we call them?


Just yesterday CNN published "Inside Libya's Rebel Movement," a video that tells about the current status of the goings on in Libya.  This is by no means a protest, folks: military communication devices, guns, international military aid?  No, no, no.  This is a war.


In March, I could make analyze the fact that the situation in Libya and that in Wisconsin were titled similarly when their nature was so vastly different.  Now, with time aggravating the situation in Libya and dispersing the one in Madison, there is not even a title to compare.  These two events are no longer in the same realm of conflict.  


Clearly calling both the situations in Libya and Wisconsin did not change what they became, or else they would have become essentially the same thing.  So I must ask, do words actually have that much power?  Can a combination of symbols on a piece of paper or screen mean anything?  I don't think so; the blood in the dirt describes the situation quite accurately on its own. 

Junior Theme continues...

This long weekend, I began looking for holes in my research. I found that most of my research focused on the nature of Autism, like its symptoms, personal accounts, and its historical context. Making a topic outline allowed me to recognize my lack of information about treatment, public ignorance, and government aid. 

I came across some information about IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) of1975. It has made high school graduate rates double in the last few decades, to give an example of its success.  I also learned that ABA stands for Applied Behavior Analysis, which according to Autism Speaks is "a scientific approach to understanding behavior and how it is affected by environment."

I hope to begin writing today or tomorrow... keep checking the blog for progress!  Again, hope all is well with everyone's Junior Theme.

Excited! Junior Theme

G'Day Mates,

Exciting news! I sent an email to a professor in AUSTRALIA this afternoon and he already responded!! So I'm pretty pumped; scratch that- I'm very pumped.

I asked him to answer a few questions because an article he wrote possibley disproves my argument... not because he is the perfect compliment to my thesis statement. I am trying to understand my topic, autism, as fully and completely as possible. Direct quotes from the interview may not integrate easily, but a greater understanding will impact the entire paper.  Hopefully I will recieve his responses soon.

He's all the way in Melbourne, Victoria!!

Do you want fries with that?

First of all, I would like to apologize for my misleading title; this has nothing to do with fries.  However, it does has to do with extras, like fries.  EXTRA:  PLEASE LOOK AT NOT ALL PROTESTS ARE CREATED EQUAL.
And now for the actual post!

Junior Theme is in full swing, and thus I am utterly confused.  I went about my "Why" question as if it were sarcastic, like "Duh, Autism shouldn't be considered a childhood disorder even though it impacts people their whole lives" rather than "I'm going to answer the question 'Why is Autism considered a childhood disorder when it impacts people their whole lives.'''

So I am redirecting my research from where it has been focused the last week.  I spent a lot of time researching Autistic adults rather than the reasoning for the child-focused attention it recieves.  So now, I am researching the history and authorities during different time periods, rather than stats and facts.  So far so good; how is your research going?  Hope it's going well!

What Should I Title This? (Junior Theme Day 1)

Everyone has their "isms."  My sister has a Chloeism of picking her outfit the night before she wears it.  My dog has a Mikeism of barking at very inconvenient times.  Me?  My Glennaism is being indecisive.

This has been an ongoing problem at places like restaurants, clothing stores, and libraries.  "I like the blue one... No, no, no I don't like that one- I'll try the red.  Or maybe the green?"  Some decisions are never decided, they just hang there in my head.  Example:  Hmm, which example should I use?  There are too many to count.

This state of uncertainty may be uncomfortable, but is FAR better than actually making an important decision; buyers remorse, anxiety, and self doubt ensue.  Yet, today for the first time in a long time, that didn't happen.

Today I picked my Junior Theme general topic: Autism.  I am still deciding between "why" questions, but the fact that I actually made a decision in a timely manner is invigorating!  Maybe it is a sign or maybe the sun and moon are aligned in a certain way or something, who knows!  More likely, it is something I am genuinely interested in and know very little about.  So Curiosity overcame the long established Glennaism.  Here's hoping Curiosity comes your way, too.

8.9

Please join me when I send thoughts and prayers to those devastated by the natural disasters in Japan.  A summary of today's events can be found on the links below:

• CNN video...http://cnn.com/video/?/video/world/2011/03/11/natpkg.japan.day.of.quake.cnn 
• US Geology Survey...http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/usc0001xgp.php

To aid in relief efforts,
...Text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation
...Donate at redcross.org
...Donate at http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/japan-earthquake-tsunami-relief/

Thank you.