4/6/10
Models of Social Entrepreneurship
Big results from microcredit
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3/23/10
Magic and Larry - A Great Friendship Behind Rivalry and Limelight
"Magic and Bird a Courtship of Rivals" - HBO is airing an inspiring show on two of the biggest basketball starts ever: Magic Johnson and Larry Bird."Courtship of Rivals hits all the right historical notes and then some, even examining the Larry Bird culture wars as a function of Reagan-era politics. In passing, it brings up perspectives you'd love to hear more about: that Magic and Bird are more similar than is regularly acknowledged, or the two ushered in a new era by finally synthesizing NBA strategy with ABA flare. Yet, by presenting the Greatest Basketball Story Ever Told as a struggle, and then bond, between two strong personalities, you end up realizing that Larry Bird and Magic Johnson made history -- not the other way around."
2/11/10
Capitalism With Conscience - Oakley and Lance
When Parnell—then CEO of Oakley, Inc., the prominent southern California eyewear maker and one of Armstrong’s sponsors—learned of Armstrong’s dilemma, he directed Oakley’s insurance provider to cover Armstrong as an Oakley employee. The provider balked, citing Armstrong’s cancer as a “preexisting condition,” but Parnell informed them that if they did not cover the illness, his firm would take its business elsewhere. The insurer then agreed - Read Velonews Article
1/22/10
Invincible
During the Christmas Holidays I was able to spend a few days with my friend Sam, a former Pastor from Yale University. Sam, a veteran of the Infantry, helped Italian villagers during post-WWII reconstruction, and spent most of his life helping the poor and needy in his community, as a leader of the YMCA and the United Church of Christ.
On a rainy afternoon of December 26, Sam and I tried to decide where to go – kind of an awkward day, with most acquaintances and friends already having plans with families. We were talking about my last couple of years in hell. He was moved by my description of my sister’s courage fighting a "monster" disease for almost 4 years. Despite pains and setbacks, she was able to compose music, write books, help people in similar situations and conduct a semi-normal life with her loving husband. We talked about the end of my marriage, after almost 18 years, and my efforts to refocus my life and be a good father to my children. Suddenly an idea jumped at me. I proposed to go to a local movie theater for the showing of Clint Eastwood’s latest film, Invictus, a movie on Nelson Mandela’s early years as President of South Africa.
Our friendship goes back to 1989, when he helped me with my research work for a thesis on racial discrimination and protest movements in the U.S. He opened doors for me to talk to the Dean of Yale Law School, former Black Panther activists and members of the Kennedy Administration, including Burke Marshall, RFK's right-hand at Justice. I owe him a great master thesis that earned rave reviews at my college in Urbino, Italy. More importantly, I owe him 22 years of great friendship, even if keeping in touch has been a challenge sometime.
On a rainy afternoon of December 26, Sam and I tried to decide where to go – kind of an awkward day, with most acquaintances and friends already having plans with families. We were talking about my last couple of years in hell. He was moved by my description of my sister’s courage fighting a "monster" disease for almost 4 years. Despite pains and setbacks, she was able to compose music, write books, help people in similar situations and conduct a semi-normal life with her loving husband. We talked about the end of my marriage, after almost 18 years, and my efforts to refocus my life and be a good father to my children. Suddenly an idea jumped at me. I proposed to go to a local movie theater for the showing of Clint Eastwood’s latest film, Invictus, a movie on Nelson Mandela’s early years as President of South Africa.
The movie was excellent. It revolved around how Nelson Mandela joined forces with the captain of South Africa's rugby team to help unite their country. Newly elected President Mandela was faced with a nation racially and economically divided in the wake of apartheid. Believing he could bring his people together through the universal language of sport, Mandela rallied South Africa's rugby team during the 1995 Rugby World Cup Championship match.
Driving home after the movie we shared our thoughts about the film and what meant to us. To me, meant resurrection, coming back from life’s pains and adversities, sticking to principles and becoming a role model for others. Mandela was able to walk alive from 27 years of confinement in a small prison cell. He led his Country out of apartheid and brought democracy and freedom to people who never experienced it before.
Driving home after the movie we shared our thoughts about the film and what meant to us. To me, meant resurrection, coming back from life’s pains and adversities, sticking to principles and becoming a role model for others. Mandela was able to walk alive from 27 years of confinement in a small prison cell. He led his Country out of apartheid and brought democracy and freedom to people who never experienced it before.
To Sam, the film meant defying injustice and bringing freedom and democracy to millions of people. He visited South Africa during the Apartheid and experienced first-hand the ugliness of discrimination. He described the great changes the Country benefited from in the last 17 years.
Invictus sends more than one message but they’re all on target. Strength, courage, perseverance, leadership and humanity: Nelson Mandela’s outstanding life meant so many things to so many people. That is the power of a man whose head was bloody but unbowed under the bludgeonings of chance (Invictus). Nelson Mandela led his people yesterday - his example is leading me today.
Stefano
1/19/10
Trying to Save Lives in Port-Au-Prince
Doctors Without Borders (MSF), the highly respected international medical humanitarian organization has been in Haiti for years. Their help is needed now more than ever.
Wall Street Journal Op-Ed: Trying to Save Lives in Port-Au-Prince - by: Jeanne Cabeza and Michelle Chouinard, Wall Street Journal
Doctors Without Borders in Haiti: Why Couldn't They Land? - by: Mona Gable, The Huffington Post
12/30/09
Situation in Iran - A Message From Sting
Amnesty International Bulletin Posted by Amnesty International USA
I was shocked to hear reports that Iranian security forces arrested 29 mothers and their supporters who were silently mourning children killed in post-election violence this summer.
These Mourning Mothers gather peacefully each week to call for an end to widespread human rights abuses and justice for their dead children.
The disturbing news of their arrest brought to mind profound memories of the Mothers of the Disappeared in Chile and Argentina. Like the courageous mothers in Iran, the Mothers of the Disappeared faced threats and harassment for seeking justice for their children kidnapped during the Dirty Wars in Chile and Argentina.
My song "They Dance Alone" is dedicated to the Mothers of the Disappeared. I had the honor of performing it with them in 1988 during Amnesty International's Human Rights Now! Tour.
Dancing on stage with the Mothers of the Disappeared in Chile and Argentina was one of the most moving moments of my career.
I am heartbroken to see that once again others have to face the anguish that the Mothers of the Disappeared endured. I am compelled to speak out again. I hope you will too: http://bit.ly/7tgwQt
What gives me hope is knowing that Amnesty International is fighting on behalf of the Mourning Mothers and others threatened with abuse in Iran and around the world.
As you read this, Amnesty International is investigating and reporting on the human rights situation in Iran. It's publishing the names of prisoners of conscience and documenting the use of brutal force to crush dissent -- even as it continues to respond to human rights emergencies across the globe.
The people of Iran deserve to speak peacefully without fear. Show them they are not alone. Donate to Amnesty International today. Click here: http://bit.ly/7tgwQt
Sincerely,
Sting
11/27/09
A Site with a Cause
Almost 4 years ago, my 36-year old sister, Barbara, discovered to have ovarian cancer. Her life and the lives of those close to her changed forever. Since th
at day in July 2006, we have traveled along a route of sudden turns, real hopes, false hopes, illusions, disillusions, laughs, cries and a lot of learning. The purpose of my
new blog – or site – is the one of becoming a meeting point for people going through the same tough journey. A place where we can share information, links and stories about people like my sister and their families.
The symbol of New Life is a “stem”. Stems hold flowers together and bring nutrients and new cells to them. All the experts seem to agree that stem cell research is the future in the fight against
cancer. Hope that, one day, a “new life” will start, is what keeps warriors like Barbara fighting.
11/2/09
No Separation
"…Oh God, what if we harm these whales? What if we did that, oh God, what if we arm this coast? What if we did that? Then directly in front of me, about a hundred yards out, a lone whale 
gave me for spouts. Silence. A minute afterwards, off to my left, a whale rolled over in the ocean four times. And then there was nothing. I knelt there for the longest time. I felt as if I was bleeding from an open wound. I felt my heart was completely open and had merged with those of the whales. There was no separation between us. I remained in that open state of intense compassion for a long time, feeling as if I were in a great cathedral. I knew that I would never be the same again." -Presence, P. Senge, O. Sharmer, J. Jaworski, B. Flowers
gave me for spouts. Silence. A minute afterwards, off to my left, a whale rolled over in the ocean four times. And then there was nothing. I knelt there for the longest time. I felt as if I was bleeding from an open wound. I felt my heart was completely open and had merged with those of the whales. There was no separation between us. I remained in that open state of intense compassion for a long time, feeling as if I were in a great cathedral. I knew that I would never be the same again." -Presence, P. Senge, O. Sharmer, J. Jaworski, B. Flowers
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