One in every 8 babies in the United States is born premature. A study conducted by Thomson Healcare in 2001 found that premature babies are fourteen times as costly as healthy, full-term babies. First year health costs for premies were in excess of $41,000, while first year health costs for full-term babies were under $3,000. Every year over 550,000 uninsured women give birth in the United States, many of whom would rather forgo doctor visits and expensive medication, then shell out cash for care (and the social costs are tremendous). Even insured parties are angry with the current system. Here is what one unsatisfied customer had to say in response to a New York Times Online debate on health care

“He began sexually abusing each daughter when she was about six, beginning with fondling, then kissing her genitals, and then moving on to oral and vaginal sex. One of his daughters began sleeping under her bed to get away from him. They did not notify the police. Throughout this entire span, Ray was very active in the Church and had constant callings.” In an all-male church and a strongly patriarchal community, complaints from women will typically get an extremely unfavorable reaction from both family and the clergy. The extensive political and religious networks of LDS have made reporting, tracking, and mitigating violence and sex crimes difficult. Shame and guilt keep victims from coming forward…

The first time I read about maternal mortality in TIME – a story about Fatmata Conteh of Siera Leonne who bled to death from a tear in her cervix during childbirth – I was inspired to start a very special project called Artists for Moms, which I hope will help raise awareness of high maternal mortality rates in third-world countries (among other issues) with the help of the global artist community. Most of us know the love of our mothers; some of us know the feeling of emptiness at having lost her or having never met her. A mother should not die because she is too poor or too uneducated – Artists for Moms aims to unite the artist community for the purpose of spreading the message of hope through artwork.

Deep thanks to everyone who signed the Petition for the release of two American journalists, Euna Lee and Laura Ling, who were in North Korea in march shooting a documentary when they were arrested on charges of illegal entry. The two women had been inmates at a “political offense village” – a place which utilizes a number of inhumane correctional methods, such as beatings, maiming, and forced exercise – and have been released today, Tuesday August 4th, 2009. Thanks to the efforts of former President Bill Clinton and the ‘kind heart’ of the capricious and sour little Kim Jong Il, the two women can return to their families safely and in one piece.

Yes! You too can have this face of pure accomplishment. Aren’t you glad that you didn’t give up after reading the intro? Starting a website can be a wonderful experience of self-discovery and personal growth, but as I learned very early on, you have to venture out of your comfort zone to really get what you want (and if you don’t at some point go red in the face and try to throw your computer out the window, you’re not really learning). Don’t get discouraged! This is why I’m putting all of the information you need to get started in one place – so, let’s begin with some common vocabulary and requirements…

If you’re Googling steps on how to start your own website, you’re probably already tearing out your hair over the plethora of outdated or confusing information that’s floating around out there, and you’re most likely ready to give up your hopes of ever running a successful non-profit .org or .net to save the unicorns, feed the frogs, or prevent nuclear winter; at this point, your eyes are bleeding, and you have the biggest urge to kill the internet. Don’t give up! There are ways to start your own website (without weird extensions, or a ton of flashing ads from your “sponsors”) that are fairly easy, though granted, you’ll have to put up some cash, and really commit to a long-term learning project.

“We’ll be able to get homeowners in em’ for half the cost, it’s a more effective use of our donor funds,” stated Burt Green, the executive director of Habitat Charlotte in reference to the unique non-new construction projects he has been spearheading. Habitat Critical Home Repair (HCHR) was launched in 2007 and serves economically disadvantaged homeowners in Charlotte, working intensively with families to conduct urgent home repairs. Volunteering this month is an exciting opportunity to learn more about Habitat and the different ways we serve families in need.