eMediaNews is committed to serving the public cause through creating awareness of various social issues. We look forward to developing this section in addition to launching a future "sister site" called www.SocialIssues.com Contributions to this project are welcome.
Fitting into our election coverage theme this month...

eMediaNews features organizations that promote involvement in transforming American government.

HEADLINE NEWS President Clinton mixed some business into a private family vacation in the Adirondacks on Saturday, signing into law a bipartisan bill which he called an "important step in the fight against AIDS." The new law authorizes $300 million for AIDS prevention and education programs, $60 million for the development and delivery of vaccines and $60 million for international tuberculosis control. It also establishes the World Bank AIDS Trust Fund, which will provide grants to countries hit hardest by the epidemic. RELATED: U.S. Export-Import Bank plans to offer Africa $1 billion to fight AIDS in sub-Saharan nations More Info

NEWSWEEK MAGAZINE posted on line a controversial article yesterday about Christine Maggiore. She and others are a different kind of AIDS activist—one who tells people to forget safe sex and stop taking their lifesaving drugs. HIV = AIDS DISBELIEVERS More Info

How Maggiore's book "What If Everything You Thought You Knew About AIDS Was Wrong?" conflicts with information on HIV from the National Institutes of Health More Info

RELATED: AP reports Third of HIV patients forgo care Study finds many infected Americans lack time, money More Info

Reforming Politics & Government The Center for Responsive Politics 1320 19th Street, NW, Suite 620 Washington, D.C. 20036 (202) 857-0044

The Center for Responsive Politics is a non-partisan, non-profit research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics, and its effect on elections and public policy. The Center conducts computer-based research on campaign finance issues for the news media, academics, activists and the public at large. The Center's work is aimed at creating a more educated voter, an involved citizenry and a more responsive government. The Committee for a Unified Independent Party, Inc. www.cuip.org The Committee for a Unified Independent Party, Inc. (CUIP) is a non-partisan, non-profit organization that promotes political reform and ending the partisan, negitive culture of politics. We introduced H.R. 2864, the Same Day Voter Registration Act of 1999, and are currently in the midst of a campaign to open the presidential debates to third party candidates. Founded in 1994 by long-time independents Lenora Fulani and Jacqueline Salit, we believe that third parties have a crucial role to play in promoting and championing political reforms.

Common Cause 1250 Connecticut Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20036 (202) 833-1200. Common Cause is a nonprofit, nonpartisan citizen's lobbying organization promoting open, honest and accountable government. Supported by over 250,000 members in every state across the nation, Common Cause represents the unified voice of the people against corruption in government and big money special interests.

The Faith & Politics Institute 110 Maryland Ave., NE, Suite 304 Washington, DC 20002 (202) 546-1299

The Faith and Politics Institute was established in 1991 as an interfaith, nonpartisan organization. Since its inception, the Institute has brought to Capitol Hill an exceptional combination of theological perspective, spiritual sensitivity and political experience. The mission of the Institute is to provide occasions for moral reflection and spiritual community, drawing inspiration from a range of religious traditions.

Government Accountability Project 1402 Third Ave., Suite 1215 Seattle, WA 98101 (206) 292-2850 Seattle Office (202) 408-0034 Washington, DC Office

The Government Accountability Project, a nonprofit organization founded in 1977, protects "whistleblowers" who witness and report wrongdoing on the job and in the workplace. The organization provides support and resources to defend these brave individuals against harassment, intimidation, demotion and dismissal.

Institute for Justice 1717 Pennsylvania Ave, NW , Suite 200 South Washington, DC 20004-2505 (202) 955-1300

Founded in 1991, the Institute for Justice is the nation's only libertarian public interest law firm. They pursue cutting-edge litigation in the courts of law and in the court of public opinion on behalf of individuals whose most basic rights are denied by the State-rights like economic liberty, private property rights and the right to free speech not only on paper but also on the Internet.

Liberty Hill Foundation 2121 Cloverfield Blvd., Suite 113 Santa Monica, CA 90404 (310) 453-3611

Liberty Hill Foundation promotes progressive social change by funding grassroots community organizations in Los Angeles that empower the disenfranchised and challenge the institutions and attitudes which create economic, social and racial inequalities. Liberty Hill also provides technical assistance to community organizations, convenes progressive activists around critical issues and represents these interests within the larger philanthropic community.

The Oaks Project 1750 Ocean Park Blvd., Suite 200 Santa Monica, CA 90405 (310) 392-0522

The Oaks Project is an organization dedicated to taking regular people-from all walks of life and at all levels of experience-and training them in the strategies, tactics, arts and means of building political power. Through the Oaks Project, citizens learn about law and government, mass media and street smarts, history and technology, political strategy and corporate structure, and how to use these tools to keep our political system and politicians accountable.

The Preamble Center 1737 21st Street, NW Washington, DC 20009 (202) 265-3263

The Preamble Center is an independent research and public education organization based in Washington, D.C. Preamble works in partnership with a broad network of academics, policy professionals and community leaders to promote vigorous public dialogue about the economic problems confronting America's working families and to encourage the development of serious, workable solutions.

Public Campaign 1320 19th Street NW, Suite M-1 Washington, DC 20036 (202) 293-0222

Public Campaign is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to sweeping reform that would dramatically reduce the role of special interest money in America's elections and the influence of big contributors in American politics. Public Campaign lays the foundations for reform by working with various organizations, particularly citizen groups around the country that are fighting for change in their states.

Public Citizen 1600 20th Street, NW Washington, DC 2009 (202) 588-1000

Founded by Ralph Nader in 1971, Public Citizen is the consumer's eyes and ears in Washington. With the support of more than 150,000 people like you, we fight for safer drugs and medical devices, cleaner and safer energy sources, a cleaner environment, fair trade and a more open and democratic government.

Third Millenium's Neglection 2000 Project 121 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 505 New York, NY 10013-1510 (703) 582-8269 Email

Third Millenium, a national Generation X nonpartisan, nonprofit advocacy group, was launched in 1993 by young adults to offer solutions to long-term problems facing the United States. Their goal is to redirect the country's attention from the next election cycle to the next generational cycle, and to inspire young adults to take action. In 2000, Third Millenium's "Neglection 2000" project is an effort to help draw attention to the cycle of mutual neglect that exists between adults 18-34 and political candidates and to develop strategically viable political ways for campaigns to reach out to young adults.

United for a Fair Economy 37 Temple Place, 2nd Floor Boston, MA 0211 (617) 423-2148

United for a Fair Economy is a national, independent, nonpartisan organization that spotlights the dangers of growing income, wage and wealth inequality in the United States and coordinates action to reduce the gap. They provide popular education resources, work with grassroots organizations, conduct research and support creative and legislative action to reduce inequality.