Poverty Rates -- Curious where MI and OH rank?

I really appreciate the collation of data by the site, Kaiser State Health Facts. As you can see from visiting the above link, there are a number of ways to view the information on the left hand side.

Regardless, what we are viewing is the fact that rates and of poverty are increasing. Not an easy thing to see or witness, regardless of how its presented.

Where are the Auto Jobs?

As one would suspect, the situation of the major automotive companies (Ford, GM and Chrysler) is of tremendous interest to many Jesuits, partners and institutions in the Ignatian family.

Attached to this is a link to a diagram that shows the number of jobs that could be affected by a dissolution of the automakers.

Jesuits Issue Urgent Appeal for Zimbebwean Assistance!

The new Zimbabwe provincial, Fr Stephen Buckland, SJ, has issued an urgent appeal for aid to starving Zimbabweans. Buckland is trying to get two shipments of food, valued at just over $300,000 each, to the country before Christmas. So far, the British Province's Jesuit Missions has helped raise enough funds for the first shipment, and has made a significant contribution toward the second shipment.

"While the protracted political continue, most ordinary Zimbabweans are starving," explained Fr Tim Curtis, SJ, director of Jesuit Missions. "Their currency is worthless and their salary does not even pay their bus fare to get to work." Buckland's inaugural homily as provincial stressed the need for Jesuits to respond to this hunger, instability and unrest, violence, and poverty in Zimbabwe. [Independent Catholic News, 6 August 2008]