On Animals... I'm a huge animal lover and after an animal rights project and a friendship with someone very special, I realized what before I was blind to. I am a vegetarian now, after learning about the cruel conditions animals are put in before they are carelessly slaughtered. I feel it is inhumane to treat an animal so dirty just because we can. It is scientifically proven that being a vegetarian can not only be healthy, but even more healthy for people. I am aware that things may have been different in the stone age, but now we have the ability and the capacity to stop all this cruelty. I feel it is our place to take a stand and have a voice for the voiceless. I am also appalled by the animal testing that is done. You may think I'm talking about just monkey and AIDS research, but animal testing is a lot more than just that. Did you know that shampoo, deodorant, make up, hairspray, and other cosmetics and toiletries are tested on animals? The tests range from skin and eye tests, to animals being forced to consume large amounts of products (for example: shampoo) until it kills them. And no, animal testing is not just monkeys, rats, and mice, all types of animals are used. They use dogs, cats, bunnies (especially albino rabbits for the eye testing cause they do not have tear ducts to cry away the chemicals), almost any animal you can think of. There is a way you can help prevent this. Please (if you feel the need to) check your make up, shampoos, shaving cream, etc for the words "Not tested on animals." If it does not say that, it is. You will be surprised just how many products actually are. Some products I use that are animal friendly are: Herbal Essences, The Body Shop, Bath and Body Works, Clairol Daily Defense, Tom's, Burt Bee's, etc. I know most people don't agree with me but if you are interested in more information I have added some links. Okay, I'll get off my soapbox... for now!

DATA is a new non-profit organization which aims to raise awareness about three things: the crisis of unpayable DEBTS the urgent need for more and better foreign development assistance, especially to fight AIDS, the unfair TRADE rules which keep AFRICA poor and marginalized. Today debt payments, dwindling development assistance and unfair trading rules are destroying schools and hospitals and encouraging the spread of diseases like HIV/AIDS. But the solutions are within our grasp. DATA believes that a package of more enlightened assistance for Africa is vital for tackling poverty and strengthening DEMOCRACY, ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY in Africa. We have to act urgently, creatively and together in order to fight extreme poverty in Africa. Politicians say they want to do more to help the world's poor but they cannot ­ because they say they do not hear about this issue from taxpayers, voters and consumers in developed countries. Whether you are the President of the United States, an AIDS activist, TV producer, office worker, soccer mom, rock star, priest, Pope or student, YOU can make a difference.

Do you think sexual preference has anything to do with the ability to have compassion and to be a great parent??? Meet the Loftons