Getting the ball rolling...

I think the first thing we have to do is to pick an issue that we are absolutely convinced is an important issue in the world. Once we establish that, then we know we'll be dedicated to it and not let it fall by the wayside. It could be local or global. Obviously local has some advantages. Then I think we need to do some research on what's been done (e.g., Lawrence has mad homeless info :D). To develop a new platform on the issue we need to know what's worked and what hasn't. The following should look familiar--it's mostly stuff we learned in 565:

Some local issues: homelessness (& mental health & drug abuse), lives lost on Mex/CA border, reproductive health care, kids susceptible to gangs/gang violence, obesity/diabetes, health disparities, lack of health coverage, infectious diseases (eg, among prisoners)

Global issues: water scarcity, information technology (eg cell phones and internet for rural areas), educating women and children, migrant workers

These are just a few, I'm sure we can come up with more. It depends on where the passion lies. I am very interested in the number of deaths incurred along the Mexico/CA border. I read an account that said in one month (last August, I think) about 40 people died. That's shocking to me. Something's not right. Of course, in a place like the US, these issues are already getting way too much publicity, so much that the real issue itself has been totally obscured. That's something to contend with.

What do you guys think? Just wanted to put something out there, however random, to bounce off of...