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Justice Jottings July 2007 |
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Climate Change and You
Climate Change has been a hot topic lately. Justice Jottings has been offering tips on ways you can impact the climate in a positive way. This month you will find tips on taking care of your lawn in the Ecology and Environment section below. We also have a humorous piece on how God views lawns at Social Justice... on the Light Side. In our Resources section below there is a background piece on Climate Change and an tip sheet on caring for the Earth. Make a difference today for Mother Earth. | |
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New On Our Website |
Does God like dandelions? Check
out this humorous reflection on God and our lawns by clicking here.
Remember
- Our website is interactive. We'd like to hear from you! Just get a password and you can enter into current discussions with other MSJC members or start a new discussion. NOTE - if you are using the AOL browser, you can view the website but may not be able to enter any of the discussions with that browser.
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| Everyday Justice
July's Reflection comes from Andrea Stiles.
"This weekend at Mass there was a teenager wearing a shirt asking "What is your passion?" I looked and knew immediately mine is social justice. And at this point in my life with an 8 month old and 3 year old, I often ask myself how do I live out this passion?"
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Alternatives to Violence
We invite you and your community to participate in the People's Peace Initiative. Get involved today! For more information click here. | |
 Death Penalty
Impending Executions
Be an advocate for those facing execution in July by clicking the links below.
July 9-13: Elijah Page, SD - ACT NOW!
July 10: Rolando Ruiz, TX - ACT NOW!
July 24: Lonnie Johnson, TX - ACT NOW!
July 26: Darrell Grayson, AL - ACT NOW!
MSJC Co-sponsors the Annual Fast and Vigil (June 29-July 2)
The Annual Fast and Vigil to abolish the death penalty was recently conducted at the US Supreme Court. Once again, the MSJC was joined by dozens of other organizations and individuals as co-sponsors. Read more about the Fast and Vigil by clicking here.
Supreme Court Blocks Execution of Mentally Ill Killer In one of its final decisions of the 2006-07 term, the United States Supreme Court overturned the death sentence of a delusional murderer. While declining to lay out a new standard for competency in capital cases, it did find that existing protections had not been afforded. Read more about this case on the Issue Team's Web page under Death Penalty Files by clicking here. |
Ecology & Environment 
Healthy Lawn Care
Conserving energy by taking natural care of our lawns and landscapes can help lesson the impacts of global warming through reducing carbon emissions of machinery and increasing plant uptake of carbon dioxide and reducing energy expended in chemical additives in fertilizers and pesticides. Try this:
1. Mow Less Area. Decrease lawn area by planting gardens and using more area for native plant landscaping.
2. Mow Less Often. A taller lawn is healthier and has less water loss and better aeration.
3. Improve Air Quality. Use electric mowers and tools or, better yet, hand tools. Gas mowers emit over 10 times as much hydrocarbon as a typical car and weedeaters 21 times more. On hot days these can also contribute to ozone and other negative impacts on human health.
4. Water deeply but not often. Rely on rainwater as much as possible to help preserve our valuable water resources. If you need to water, it's better to water deeply to encourage root growth, in the early morning so you don't lose water through evaporation.
For details on these steps, and other lawn care tips see:
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 Sweatshop Labor Guatemalan Sweatshop Workers Need Your Help
Please write Ms. Daisy Fuentes asking that she use her celebrity status and public voice to bring an end to the abuse of young women who are locked in sweatshops across Central America. We can work together with Ms. Fuentes to turn the Fribo factory where her clothing line is sewn from an abusive sweatshop into a model factory. To use a model letter to write to Ms. Fuentes click here. To read more about the Fribo factory conditions click here. |
 Adele Social Justice Project
Successful Adele Social Justice Project (ASJP) weekend held in the St. Louis Metro Region on June 15-17
An empowering ASJP Immersion weekend was hosted at the Marianist Volunteer Program (MVP) Community Hubbard House in East St. Louis IL. Fifteen young adults participated including twelve currently living in or moving to the St. Louis area. To view some pictures and to read more about this experience click here. |
| MSJC Steering Committee
Join in the Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America
MSJC has endorsed Catholic Charities' new campaign. In response to this endorsement, each month MSJC will share new resources and actions to take to reduce poverty. This month check out the 20 Things You Can Do to Reduce Poverty by clicking here. Consider praying each day for those living in poverty. |
 Act Now! Be an Advocate for Justice
Senate Fails to Pass Comprehensive Immigration Reform Thank you for your work and efforts on the immigration issue. However, according to various reports, it is unlikely that the Senate will return to immigration this year and uncertain if the House will take the issue in the near future. To read more about the Washington Post article about this issue click here. To read MSJC's Statement on Immigration click here.
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Events
Hiroshima and Nagasaki Anniversaries - Aug. 6 & 9
"Those who cannot remember the past are doomed to repeat it." (George Santayana) Don't forget these important dates. Presbyterian Peacemaking Program offers a number of resources including prayers and reflections. To get these materials click here. |
| Resources - Know any good ones? Share them with us.
Education for Justice Resources
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| A Thought to Ponder
This is now. Now is all there is.
Don't wait for Then;
strike the spark, light the fire.
Rumi | |
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