Steve and Brian run the website Alive in Baghdad, a foundation dedicated to getting video cameras in the hands of Iraqis, and allowing those Iraqis to tell Iraq’s story. It is a novel idea in a world that presumes to intelligently cover news from thousands of miles away, often in front of a condescending, scenic backdrop.

What began with a trip to Baghdad, during which Brian endeavored to help bring the Iraqi public’s message to the US, has now developed into a global phenomenon, spurring Alive In projects in Mexico and beyond. Now, hundreds of thousands of people watch the videos shot by Iraqis on the ground in Iraq, but the cost has been both financially, and personally great; people close to the site have died, and financially, the site will not much longer survive.

Steve recognizes the obvious Catch-22 in charging for news, and for that the site will always be free. But donations are required and currently, the duo struggles to inspires its viewers to donate to the site. Brian says, obviously somewhat annoyed with apathy, “Just admit what it is you want to support,” be it a website,
political party, or other cause. We will not charge, Steve says, “because the information deserves to be seen, and it will be seen.”

With just the support of just a fraction of its viewers, the website will thrive, and one gets the sense that Steve and Brian will do whatever it takes.

In a rare personal plea from this writer: give them money! They truly deserve it. www.aliveinbaghdad.org.

Maura Policelli, chief of staff for U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ 8th), has been working on Capitol Hill for twelve years, and seems to have lost none of her passion for public service. “A lot of people are cynical about our government,” says Maura, “but I’m still in awe of our democracy.” Maura continually
appreciates the opportunity to take part in the inner workings of the United States government. Although the pay is hardly equivalent to the private sector, Maura seems perfectly content with where she is. “We’re debating really important issues,” she says, “and making very consequential decisions here.”

Maura hopes the salaries of public servants do not discourage young people from entering the Washington D.C. job force; it is one of the sacrifices made to take part in governing a country as diverse as the United States. “Not many people get to see the inside of our government,” Maura says. “From road maintenance, to the quality of our air, to the quality of our schools, people come here to fight for their passionate views. We care very much about the policies of our country.” Maura says that hard workers, good writers and team players all have the opportunity to advance rather quickly through the Washington ranks.

To see what Rep. Giffords and her staff are doing in Washington, visit: http://giffords.house.gov/

John Powers, founder of the Alliance for Sustainable Colorado, recognizes the extent to which Earth is in danger. Fear of overwhelming odds, however, does not imbue, in John, the apathy, towards natures, so prevalent in American society. In an age where Green Building has become a talking point in American politics, John is doing, and has done, a lot more than talking. The Alliance’s largest accomplishment, a renovated warehouse built in 1907, lies 18 blocks from the state capitol in downtown Denver, and houses numerous non-profits that share John’s commitment to green business.

The building is a symbol of more than John’s commitment to the environment. It is the permanent home of many non-profits, groups that often notoriously lack the financial stability to inhabit quality office space. In giving these groups a place, and a place to be proud of, John has also inspired a sense of community. This community, or alliance, works to eliminate the concept of special interests, hoping to place a larger scale environmental movement in everyone’s interest. Having been inspired by the strong sense of heritage in European communities, John hopes to instill, in his community, the same reverence for the past, in hopes of inspiring expectation and hope for the future. “You gotta protect this stuff,” John says of Earth’s natural resources, “Not because it’s worth money, but because it lets us live.”