12/12/05: As the weather got colder and colder, I decided to make a commitment to wearing more layers of clothing as an alternative to turning up the heat. For me, this was an energy-saving measure and not a cost-saving measure because all utilities are included as part of my rent.
12/13/05: I learned that Congress was discussing $35-50 billion in budget cuts, and that the planned cuts would have a huge negative impact on low-income families and other vulnerable groups through reductions in Medicaid, food stamps, and child care benefits. I called my Senators and Congresswoman to let them know that I opposed cuts to such critical social services.
12/14/05: I e-mailed my Senators asking them to oppose the immediate renewal of the Patriot Act, which would make permanent some of its restrictions on our civil liberties - even though these restrictions were created in the wake of 9/11 and designed to be temporary. The Patriot Act was originally pushed through Congress without a full consideration of its effects, and so it seems especially irresponsible to reauthorize these measures without substantial discussion.
>> In the news: Reauthorization fails, Patriot Act temporarily extended for six months (Washington Post 12/22/05)
12/15/05: As a Christmas present to a good friend, I donated money to the Human Rights Campaign as a way of supporting him and some of the ideals he stands for. As the nation's largest GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender) civil rights organization, HRC "works to advance equality based on sexual orientation and gender expression and identity to ensure that GLBT Americans can be open, honest and safe."
>> Find out how HRC has rated your congressional representatives
12/16/05: As a follow-up to yesterday's action, I signed the Human Rights Campaign's Million for Marriage petition to support the right of every American to marry, regardless of sexual orientation. Gay marriage is a pivotal GLBT civil rights issue, and is one that I feel strongly about.
>> Learn more about the HRC Marriage Project, including the "Top 10 Reasons for Marriage Equality" and "Answers to Questions About Marriage Equality"
12/17/05: I needed a costume for a holiday party (an "ugly holiday sweater party"), but I did not own the appropriate clothing. So instead of buying such a sweater and wearing it once, I made my costume as a way of being more environmentally responsible. (My homemade holiday sweater received high acclaim, by the way!)
12/18/05: I e-mailed the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, the organization that runs the D.C.-area's public transportation system, to let them know that I support their Joint Development Program. Within this program, the WMATA will seek out public and private partnerships in order to develop the areas around seven Metro facilities using "smart growth" principles. I first learned about this idea of transit-oriented development from the Coalition for Smarter Growth, which believes that this manner of growth will help to prevent urban sprawl from worsening in the D.C. area.
>> See 12/9 for more
