Dictator of New Guinea among top ten worst perpetrators of human rights abuses

It saddens and angers me that our government selectively castigates countries that commit major human rights abuses based on how much oil they supply us. Equatorial Guinea is one of the 10 worst countries in re: human rights abuses (read NYT article by clicking here). Money from oil goes directly to the family of the dictator of 30 years. On the other hand, I still drive, thereby indirectly supporting our oil policies.

Not surprising (an excerpt):

“You can have a debate about every one of the statistics,” Ambassador Alberto M. Fernandez said. The American presence here is discreet but vital, and Mr. Obiang professes great love for the United States. Chevron, Marathon Oil and Noble Energy have substantial interests in Equatorial Guinea, onshore and off, and American oil workers are easily spotted at the diminutive airport at the edge of town. The sea around Bioko Island, where Malabo, the capital, is located, is dotted with telltale flares from oil company installations.

The presence of M.P.R.I., the Virginia military security company led by the retired general Bantz M. Craddock, the former supreme allied commander in Europe, has raised eyebrows among human rights groups and local dissidents. The State Department vetoed the company’s work here because of Equatorial Guinea’s poor human rights record , but finally acceded under President Bush in 2005 amid promises of reform by Mr. Obiang’s government, according to Human Rights Watch.

Lizzy's video adventures and a short multi-media film of Madaleine Sorkin sending Freeline, 13b, R

I'm getting more and more excited about creating videos. I don't know much yet, but I just spoke with my friend Scott Simper. He's selling me one of his previous-used camera set-ups so that I can really get after it. I'm very excited, and am planning on reading various books that he suggested and also taking a class at Metro State this fall, if possible. Life is good.

Lizzy's life

I'm currently working with various clients on a variety of interesting projects. I'm setting up the entire social media program for a Denver-based bank; I'm working on sending emails and will be doing some website work for the Vajra Vidya Center in Crestone; I'm working with the marketing director of a Front Range-based climbing gym to help them develop a social media/online web presence and strategy; and I just jumped in last minute to help out the Lyons Outdoor Games with their social media efforts.

What I have learned is that it takes a while to build a solid social media fan base. People (including myself) often think that if you build it, people will come. And, that is true to some extent. However, there are a whole lot of steps in between building it and enticing people to join. You have to develop a reasonable traditional marketing/PR plan that supports your social media efforts; and your social media and traditional marketing/PR have to be inextricably intertwined. The messages that you send must be consistent across the board...

Ok, so that's what I'm preaching these days. If you want to read more about my business and check out what's happening with The MAD Tour, visit my work blog or website.

Here are some fun photos of the past few days. Mad and I just set out on our road-trip, fund-raising adventure for Girls Education International. We started out by driving 25 hours from Boulder to the New River Rendezvous. We didn't do a show there; we just wanted to climb and hang out with friends. Now we are in North Carolina, visiting her uncle and aunt. Tomorrow we have the first of a series of five shows. We planned to do six shows initially, but one has fallen through. I'm OK with five. It actually seems like quite a lot to do five, despite the fact that we have an entire month in which to do the shows. I think the reason is we are traveling a heck of a lot (four days on either end plus a full week with family leaves only 2.5 weeks for the shows and climbing). In addition, I have to work with my new clients (which I am very excited about, but which does take up time :)

Anyhoo, here are photos...
(#1: Jeff & Madaleine at Jeff's tiny cabin by the New River Gorge; #2: Madaleine and Maura of Water Stone Outdoors; #3: my van's tire suspended over a ditch just after Madaleine ran it into a ditch and just before Jeff pulled it out with his Subaru, ripping off the siding and denting the bumper. Bleh; #4: Madaleine somewhere in Indiana; #5: The MAD Tour promo poster).

Madaleine Sorkin slide show tour, Girls Education International Fundraiser & other cool things I'm up to...

I woke up super early this morning to put new social media icons on my business website. I become slightly obsessive when trying to figure out how to make all the pieces fit together with my new business: facebook fan page with social media icons, links from my site that open in new pages, html, css... There are so many pieces to the puzzle. But, I think this is the perfect business for me. I'm constantly multi-tasking!

In other news, Madaleine and I are about to set out on a multi-media slideshow tour to raise funds for Girls Education International. I'm not going to put too much info on this blog because I'm writing a bunch on my fan page, the Girls Ed facebook fan page, and my twitter page. So, if any family/friends are interested, become a fan of my page! Click here, and then click the "like" button. Thanks!

Check out these new handycons that I downloaded for free. They are now placed on my site. I'm finally using Twitter regularly, and I just recently created my fan page.