8 men, 3 seconds and 1 voice

i know i'm one of about 2 billion people either attending or watching these concerts today, and probably just one of hundreds of thousands who have added this to their blogs or websites or whatever. all the same...

some interesting (and shocking) statistics that i've learned while on my couch today:
-6000 people die every day in africa due to the aids virus.
-every 3 seconds a child dies as a result of extreme poverty.
-almost half the world's population lives on less than $2 a day.
-12 million african children are orphans because of the aids virus.
-6 million children in developing countries die each year, mostly due to hunger related causes.
-850 million people go to bed hungry - every day.
-by directing an additional one percent of the U.S. budget toward providing the most basic needs – and fighting the corruption that wastes precious resources –– we can help transform the futures and hopes of an entire generation in the poorest countries (hence the name of the organization).
-the basic health and nutrition needs of the world's poorest people could be met for an additional $13 billion a year. animal lovers in the u.s. & europe spend more than that on pet food each year.

please visit the following links. watch the videos, read the information, sign the petitions, make your voice heard and ask the men in charge of the g8 conference to end world poverty and create a level economic playing ground.

one.org
one campaign video
live8.org
make trade fair
net aid
data.org
oxfam
make trade fair
bread for the world
g8

this weekend we (americans anyway) celebrate our independence. next week 8 men have the ability to give independence to billions of people. independence from debt. independence from poverty. please make sure that at this time next year, they have reason to celebrate as well. where you were born shouldn't decide whether you live or die.