July 22, 2006 by annie.

so i’m late finally getting to see this…but of course i thought it was great. it wasn’t new information for me though. there was one thing al gore said in the movie that really stood out to me. it was more a commentary on personality and it really struck home for me. he said (and i’m paraphrasing), “[some people move from awareness to despair without ever stopping in the middle to take action.]” the whole movie turned around for me in that one sentence. that is exactly how i work. i watch and become filled with overwhelming despair that becomes so big…how can anything ever change? in the case of global warming, i have us dead before the movie is over. but the simple recognition of that, freed me to say, “oh yeah, that’s me…but we’re not dead yet.”

on the way out of the movie there was this elderly couple who had been sitting next to me (the theater was packed)…and this was the exchange that took place:

husband: “we’re walking home.”
wife: “what’re you talking about?”
husband: “i’m serious! forget the car, we’re walking home!”
me: (laughing) “you want a ride?”
husband: (to me) “no! you’re walking home too!!!”

sometimes…i just love people…they put a piece back together for me without even knowing it.

so….i’m pledging to stop “between awareness and despair and take action“. will you?

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July 22, 2006 by annie.

the lebanon daily star (the largest english daily in lebanon) offers this template as a letter to your government representatives: 

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/help_lebanon.rtf

modify this letter as you see fit (or craft your own). i, personally, modified my letters quite a bit…but i felt strongly in asking my representatives to advocate on my behalf for a cease fire on both sides. peace should always be sought after. if only we were pouring the amount of money into diplomacy, peace, and foreign relations as we are in military defense, maybe we wouldn’t be watching such sadness. i find myself constantly vacillating between anger and despair. i really feel like my tax dollars have been killing people and i have no voice. a country’s leader’s are supposed to be representative of it’s people, right? where is my representation? who is my voice? which leader has my interest and the interest of my friends at heart? i am sorry to those people in israel that are suffering. i am sorry to those in lebanon. i am sorry to those around the world. i hope the united states finds its voice…soon.

for united states citizens, here is government guide that has all the addresses and emails of your representatives, just input your zip code: Government Guide

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