by Michael Chernis

I am neither a registered Democrat nor Republican, but rather an Independent who has voted in every Presidential election since I first was eligible in 1988.  I actually voted for a Bush for President once, though not the one who got in as a legacy.  I give this disclaimer to show that I try to think for myself and am not a dogmatic follower of either major political party, both of which I fear are run by corrupt and extreme elements that are out of touch with the mainstream, in hopes that maybe you may give what I have to say some consideration and not write me off as a “Liberal” whatever that means.

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Today is the 7th anniversary of September 11th.  It’s hard to know the best way to honor the day, the people and our country, especially as we move forward and try to make our country a better place to live.  

But I thought the video below and the Take Action links that follow would be a good way to start.  The clip is meant to inspire.  It features Phillipe Petit, the fames Frenchman who did a wire walk between the two towers. His act was one of wonder and he himself had great respect for the towers he dreamed of walking between.  He really saw the beauty in them and he sought to bring that beauty to others with his death defying act.

It may seem silly in light of the seriousness of September 11th, but I firmly believe that this is not a day to sit with the fear that so often is talked about when we hear 9/11, it is instead a day to remember that acting, that inspiring others, is one of the most heroic things one could do. It is a day to move forward.  

The links that follow are for you to take that inspiration and act.  More than just a day of discussion this should be a day of action.  So pick an issue close to your heart and take some internet time to click you way to making the world just a little bit better this September 11th.

takepart to help with the climate crisis.

takepart to take a stand against torture.

takepart to help the homeless.

takepart to speak out against immigrant detention centers and to speak up for immigrant rights.

takepart to help stop the genocide in Darfur.

takepart to work towards a world with better food for everyone.

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Trakr, the hero rescue dog who sniffed out survivors from the ruins of the World Trade Center after 9/11, has won a competition to be cloned. The German Shepherd was picked as the “most clone-worthy” dog in a contest presenting dog owners with an opportunity to clone their pet, free of charge by the California company BioArts International. Trakr and his owner James Symington were among the first search and rescue teams to arrive on the smoldering site of Ground Zero on September 11, 2001. The pair also found the last human survivor at the scene of the disaster, located under 30 feet of wreckage.

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On Wednesday The New York Times (and many other news outlets) reported on an immigration/borders story that I worry many folks missed. The below paragraph really says it all:

Securing the nation’s borders is so important, Congress says, that Michael Chertoff, the homeland security secretary, must have the power to ignore any laws that stand in the way of building a border fence. Any laws at all. Last week, Mr. Chertoff issued waivers suspending more than 30 laws he said could interfere with “the expeditious construction of barriers” in Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas. The list included laws protecting the environment, endangered species, migratory birds, the bald eagle, antiquities, farms, deserts, forests, Native American graves and religious freedom. [The New York Times]

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The TakePart Top 10 Weekly Roundup is a compilation of the week’s most notable stories from our entertainment-meets-social-action blogging network. Check out our most popular articles of the week on a variety of subjects, as well as a few TakePart blogger favorites.

Katie:

Dean Karmen Shows Steven Colbert How To Filter Water

St Patricks Day Goes Green with Green Beer: Top 10 Eco Beers

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Nicole:

East Meets West at Dubai Art Fair, But Shadow of Migrant Labor Remains

TakePart’s “I Am Voting For” Campaign Wants You To Vote the Issues

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Giulia:

Simon Cowell Gives Big

Scarlett Johansson Dates For Charity

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Gina:

Top 10 Easter Films

Top 10 Films That Have Helped to Frame the War in Iraq

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Kerry:

Aqua Colbert Massage In a Bottle

Dakota the Mummified Duckbilled Dinosaur Gets Its Rocks Off

Today, March 19, marks the 5 year anniversary of the war in Iraq. Regardless of how you personally feel about the war, one thing that’s have been positive and necessary over the past 5 years, are the many films and other forms of media being made that deal with the war and work to inform us as a public. So as to encourage folks to spend some time reflecting on our current situation I present you with the Top 10 Films That Have Helped to Frame the War in Iraq.

Some of these films deal directly with the conflict, others with ideas of war in general and some with what led us to war and what has happened since. All of these movies are available on Netflx and many should be in your local video stores - so and rent one today:

1. Iraq in Fragments, directed by James Longley

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