Joe Biden and a member of "ONE" --just a nice story...

[1corona4u]

I attended an event with Senator Biden was at Jamison’s Irish restaurant in downtown Waterloo, IA, this week. The room was filled with supporters as they sat around tables eating lunch. The senator walked around greeting people before taking the podium. He talked about how America has the potential to change the world, and his foreign policy experience. “We do not have to make up crisis, because they are already there,” the senator said.

When it was time to ask questions, I raised my hand and he handed me the microphone. It was my first encounter since he went on “On The Record” . First, I thanked him for his commitment to fighting poverty, malaria, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. I also shared with him the fact that after the Rwandan genocide that took the lives of almost 1 million people including my parents, another genocide is currently taking place in Darfur, then I asked him what he would do to stop it.

He told me that he has traveled abroad more than any other candidate has, including Chad and Sudan, and that he has seen the suffering first hand. He told the story how he was able to get women together in Chad to hear their stories. “When I asked if they knew anyone who had been raped, the answer was shocking, they all raised hands,” the senator said. He told the audience that he wrote the International Violence Against Women Act to protect abused women who cannot defend themselves.

Before leaving for an interview, he posed for a picture and said that he is always happy to see ONE members in the audience because “you represent the reality.”

-Natalie Sugira

http://www.one.org/blog/2007/12/13/waterloo-and-biden-too/

[livvy]

1. It is a nice story, and again shows his compassion for others. n/t

[bunkerbuster1]

2. I'll say it again--I'd be proud to vote for him for President

He's really come a long way in my eyes, in this campaign.

[ginchinchili]

3. Thanks for sharing, 1corona4u.

Do you know what ONE is an acronym for, if it is? I think something about Sen. Biden that rarely gets mentioned but is an important part of the man is his striking ability to empathize with people. Some insight into this characteristic of his was shown during the Iowa debate when Biden was asked about his New Year's resolution. He said that every year he resolves to remember the hard times during the good so that he always retains that perspective. He quite a guy.

[1corona4u]

4. I'm not sure it has an acronym, but here is their website

http://www.one.org/

And their about us page;

ABOUT ONE

ONE is Americans of all beliefs and every walk of life - united as ONE - to help make poverty history. We are a campaign of over 2.4 million people and growing from all 50 states and over 100 of America's most well-known and respected non-profit, advocacy and humanitarian organizations. As ONE, we are raising public awareness about the issues of global poverty, hunger, disease and efforts to fight such problems in the world's poorest countries. As ONE, we are asking our leaders to do more to fight the emergency of global AIDS and extreme poverty. ONE believes that allocating more of the U.S. budget toward providing basic needs like health, education, clean water and food would transform the futures and hopes of an entire generation in the world's poorest countries.

ONE is nonpartisan; there's only one side in the fight against global AIDS and extreme poverty. Working on the ground in communities, colleges and churches across the United States, ONE members both educate and ask America's leaders to increase efforts to fight global AIDS and extreme poverty, from the U.S. budget and presidential elections to specific legislation on debt cancellation, increasing effective international assistance, making trade fair, and fighting corruption. Everyone can join the fight. The goal of ending poverty may seem lofty, but it is within our reach if we take action together as one. You can start now by joining the ONE Campaign and pledging your voice to the fight against extreme poverty and global AIDS.

[ginchinchili]

5. I like that. Thanks.

I think the world needs more extra-political organizations to help fight many of our problems.

[1corona4u]

6. Check your PM...

[Bucky]

7. That's a great moment in a historical campaign. Thanks. But I wanna know...

What are you doing that other hand we can't see?

Uh huh, right...

[skipos]

8. Kick. nt

[jillan]

9. That part about the rape victims is frightening

“you represent the reality.”

He's such a good guy.

[gateley]

10. Really nice story -- thanks! nt

[democrat2thecore]

11. Great story from the campaign trail! -nt