globalbriefs
News and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work together in
building a healthier, stronger society that works for all.
Summer Kickoff Mark Twainism
Get Outdoors Day Invites Family Fun America’s Diverse Capacities Overcome Crises
The 2009 Get Out- To paraphrase Mark Twain’s joke about his own reported death, “News
doors Day (GO-Day), of America’s inevitable decline is greatly exaggerated,” writes Steve
on June 13, builds Yetiv, a professor of political science at Old Dominion University, in
on last year’s pilot Norfolk, Virginia. While the country’s problems are serious, he cites six
program to recon- reasons why America’s leading role on the world stage isn’t over.
nect thousands of First, Yetiv observes, the United States still has the most competi-
Americans, especially tive economy in the world, hosting 153 of the Fortune Global 500
urban youths, with companies; Japan has 64 and China just 29. Our country also remains
the great outdoors. a major international power broker, leading the International Mon-
Scores of expert-guid- etary Fund, World Bank and World Trade Organization. Our military is
ed fishing, kayaking, unparalleled; one index is its high-tech advantage. Further, America has
rafting, hiking, mountain biking, wall climbing, allies in NATO, the European Union, the G-7 industrialized countries
geocaching (GPS-based treasure hunting) and and elsewhere. Meanwhile, the United States continues to attract the
wildlife activities will introduce people to their best workforce, as the world’s best and brightest seek to learn, work
city, state and national parks and nearby wildlife and live here.
refuges. Finally, this Fourth of July, citizens can celebrate that American
Metropolitan areas, accessible by ideals are becoming universal. Slowly but surely, self-government, free
public transportation and walking, encourage enterprise and individual liberty are gaining ground around the world.
GO-Day visits by those unfamiliar with avail- The U.S.-based Freedom House, an international nongovernmental
able recreation in public lands and waters. It’s organization, conducts research and advocacy on democracy, politi-
the perfect start to affordable, summer-long fun. cal freedom and human rights. A century ago, just two of every 10
countries scored a six or higher on Freedom House’s democracy scale,
See events list at NationalGetOutdoorsDay.org. which ranges from 10 (completely democratic) to minus 10 (completely
Locate various parks online by searching “Find a autocratic). In 2007, nearly six in 10 made the grade.
state park” and “Find a national park” or “Find a
wildlife refuge.” Source: Steve Yetiv, The Christian Science Monitor
8 Northern & Central New Mexico
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