Elizabeth_Espinosa's Blog

Hi friends...this week we're getting back into serious mode...so as some of you may already know I am a big advocate for the rights of the developmentally delayed.  As the sibling of a disabled brother, I get it, and know firsthand how enormous the struggle can be.  As such this week, I am urging you to help a Torrance mother of a special needs 15 year old boy who sadly ( and to my outrage!) was raped in a school bathroom...this mother needs to reach out to other special needs parents whose son/daughter has been sexually abused and/or has issues the disabilities commission should KNOW ABOUT and DO SOMETHING ABOUT  The opportunity is here, so let's get the word out there please, the disabilities commission will be taking testimony from families with all types of concerns for their disabled child/adult...it's taking place next week...please help spread the word here is the info families need!!!...

When: Thursday , May 24th,  2007 *9:00 AM - 1:00 PM *

Where: LA City Hall 200 N. Spring St. L.A., CA 90012-- inside Rm. 350 Public Works Room ***entrance is on Main Street

So, do you know anyone?  This is a reminder that we as a community can help by being vigilant neighbors, classmates, shoppers (whoosh, I have seen things and stopped them or called the p.d. for help).  Remember, we are one community, regardless of religion, race, or creed.

Take care!

Marches, protests, banners....those are all words to describe what has happened in Los Angeles the last couple of days. Of course I am talking about the immigration reform rallies we have seen across the country... My assignment has been "student walkouts"...I have to tell you the kids I have talked to so far (most from Roosevelt High) have been very reasonable. They are passionate about their beliefs and although most are not as articulate as they could be about the issue, you have to give them credit for having an opinion. Yes, some just walk out to walk out, that's clearly inappropriate, but there are those who want to learn and really make a difference. In that spirit, I want to share with you my award "Woman of the Year" by the Mexican American opportunity Foundation (MAOF) last week. Please click here to link up to the story...

Elizabeth is seen here with the First Lady of Mexico, Margarita Zavala.

Elizabeth is photogenic with Corina Villaraigosa.

I want to thank everyone who was kind and loving enough to congratulate me for this award. Even though the award was given to me, I believe it also belongs to every person who has touched my life and helped me get ahead in my darkest moments. Often times we think we are self sufficient and don't need anyone to get ahead, but as I stated so in my address at the MAOF luncheon, a crowd of over 1200 people , at one point or another we will all need one another. It's not rocket science, it's not charity, it's simply the way things are--like it or not.

So on this note...talk to me, tell me your thoughts on the student marches and what you feel students should do the effect change...

Also, who are you thankful for? And what awards have you earned that you are proud of?

Talk to you soon...

Cho...the VIrgina Tech Campus massacre gunman....is the media giving him too much recognition for his actions? Is showing his video, and pictures on television justified in the name of braodcast journalism?  Are we glorifying this guy because there is video and pics of him to show...is it right?  Do you want to see it?  And if so, why should you?  Is there anything to gain from it?  Could we be inadvertently encouraging another "Cho" out there to create his own massacre?  WHAT DO YOU THINK?? Today, without saying names...a LAPD officer and I discussed the case...he brought up an interersting point...he wonders why the country does not focus on the real issue behind these types of killings...and that is---mental health!  If Cho was a mental health patient, where was the healthcare system to catch him? Shouldn't they be involved in the "solution"?? Again, whatdo you think...patiently waiting... EE. :)

Do you know where Uganda is on a map? Have you heard of the LRA? Do you know who Rosetta is? Well...Uganda is a small East African country...LRA stands for the Lord's Resistance Army, a rebel group led by a former altar boy who abducts children to turn them into child warriors...and Rosetta, she is simply a 17 yr old from La Crescenta High who's never been to Africa.....so what do all these things share in common?? Rosetta is committed to saving as many Ugandan children as possible, you see, as we speak, everyday for the past 20 years the LRA has virtually hunted down children in northern Uganda as young as 5 yrs old...rebel leaders barge into their villages, rape the women and even little girls, murder anyone who gets in their way, and then force little boys to slaughter their parents with their own hands. It's hard to forget the stories I heard from LRA refugees who after they are forced to kill their parents with a machete, were told in some cases to eat part of their remains as part of their indoctrination into their new life as a warrior with the LRA. It is sickening to hear, to utter...but friends, this is what life has been like for almost 20 yrs in northern Uganda and STILL, so many of us don't even know what or where is Uganda! Hey, I was there...before travelling there in Sept. of 2005, I also was ignorant to this crisis. And Rosetta is soo cool in my book, because at age 17 she has done her own research about Uganda and the kids...and get this, she started her own school club called "Save Uganda" to raise money for the kids who manage to escape and need money for food and rehabilitation from years of physical and mental trauma. I am so humbled! Finally, I challenge you to spread the word, everybody needs to know about these "Invisible Children"..which if you get a chance you should also check out, a great documentary on the crisis shot and produced by unsuspecting high school students who ventured off into Africa clueless of the plight of these Ugandan children and their families. In case you missed the story on Rosetta and her mission to make a difference, check out the story here...I know the facts are brutal to even listen to, but it is a reality for thousands of LRA child warriors.

Here you see a picture of one shelter in northern Uganda where little ones walk to and from their villages for safety, hoping to avoid being kidnapped or murdered by LRA rebels. Don't be fooled by my smile, it was soo painful to be there...these children are all alone...sleeping on dirty rags as a "mattress" on the concrete...no electricity....no food....and the stench inside, so pungent its hard to breathe...amongst it all look at their little faces, some are still smiling...they are so precious and will always remain in my heart!

Here are huts where some of the "luckier" families live...inside there is absolutely nothing... this is what I call surviving...

They may already have died.. we met these beautiful women of northern Uganda dying of Aids at a Catholic Relief Services hospice..they were making beaded bracelets to help raise funds to keep the facility open...

This ad really boggles my mind...talk about another world...can you imagine having to be on the look out for land mines? We sure take a lot for granted...

There is soo much more...but I hope you are inspired to make a difference whether its sending money to a non-profit, or simply talking to your neighbor about this...we all can make a difference.

If you have any similar experiences I would love to hear from you and see your pictures!! Thanks!

EE

Did you hear?? Halliburton may be moving its headquarters to Dubai! I was just there...

Ok, so this photo of me on a "rickshah" was taken in Taxila, Pakistan...just before traveling to Dubai.

And this photograph is of my henna tattoo drawn on my left hand while visiting Lahore, Pakistan. We will definitely talk about these adventures at another time..(especially the "rickshah" trip..those things are fun, and the cab driver as you see in the pic, he was enjoying being a passenger for once!)

... Ok, but on a serious note...please follow this link for the full story... we gotta talk about the Halliburton drama.


Nice Porsche huh...there is a lot of money in Dubai!

This guy I thought was too cool...I had to snap an impromptu pic of his "sheik-ness"...

The word about Dubai is that it is considered to be the "Las Vegas" of the Middle East.

It's very different than your traditional Islamic nation...you see in Dubai one example is how hotel restaurants and nightclubs sell alcohol (remember in the Muslim world, alcohol is prohibited).

Just look at the architecture of the mosques...they are simply breathtaking!

Ok, now look at a map, and you'll find Dubai is situated very close to several Middle Eastern countries the U.S. Government considers an enemy or an ally of Al Qaeda. Do you think Halliburton, who has a military contract with the U.S. Government may be getting to close for comfort with our "opponents"? The other question many ask is whether Halliburton is simply trying avoid U.S. laws, including tax laws? I am curious to know what you think? And if you are concerned, are you doing anything about it? Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!

P.S. We rented a car while out there..sorry folks, traffic jams exist in all parts of the world
...but nice highways, oh and driving was NO more treacherous than driving in downtown LA. :)

Cheers

-ee

jet blue story

This really makes me re-consider traveling to the East Coast during winter.