News Flash

Hear ye, hear ye. Citizens for Global Solutions is a grassroots organization working to promote peace and security, international justice, democratic institutions, and environmental protection. The group's current efforts include working to reform the UN, pushing for global abidance by the laws of the newly established International Criminal Court, and influencing U.S. foreign policy. Global Solutions recently held the first of what will hopefully be many contests calling for flash-animated public service announcements. The winners have been chosen and are linked below. Entrants came from all walks of life and covered every global issue under the sun in some wickedly creative ways. For all the entries, click here, otherwise the top four are linked below.

The $1,000 first place award went to UC Davis freshman John Cooney, who did some nice work about global warming using simple black and white and a soundbyte from The Postal Service, pop group du jour. Incidently, The Postal Service was involved in a minor governmental scuffle about a year ago after the U.S. Postal Service sent a cease-and-desist letter over the use of the name. A band member was quoted in Pitchfork as saying, "I'm sure if it were up to [John] Ashcroft bands like the Dead Kennedys, Bush, Anthrax, the Presidents Of The United States Of America, and classic '80s indie outlet I.R.S. would have to pack it up, too. It just goes to illustrate the misplaced priorities of this administration." Both sides struck a stupid, if you ask me, bargain, but hey . . . whatever. Let me get back on point before this turns into a rant (although I do love the idea of Ashcroft taking on the Dead Kennedys. Wouldn't that be a hoot but only if Jello Biafra were still a member. Remember when he ran for president? He's got chutzpuh!)

Second place was a tie between Columbian artist Ana Torres's entry on genocide and an ode to global citizenship by Roman Sandoval of Edinboro, Pennsylvania. Last, but definitely not least, check out the anti-deforestation piece turned in by Daniel Meiling from Churchville, New York. It's a dark, yet simple and entertaining affair.

Enjoy!