In the first half, Sam and Becky interview Zack Kopplin. Zack Kopplin came out swinging onto the national stage as a senior at the Baton Rouge Magnet High school, fighting the Louisiana Science Education Act, a pro-creationism law essentially banning evolution science in schools. Since then, he has become something of a media sensation as a major force for science education advocacy. He has also founded the “Second Giant Leap” project, calling for increased funding for pure science in all levels of society.
In the second half of the show, Sam and Becky hang out with new host Mike W., catching up on current events and taking a few phone calls. Sam mentions the sobering facts regarding Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda, and promised links to organizations accepting donations for relief and rebuilding efforts:
- Foundation Beyond Belief’s Humanist Crisis Response, is in the midst of a fund drive from which all donations will be directed to the Filipino community-based relief organization Citizens Disaster Response Center.
- Philippines Atheists and Agnostics Society is accepting monetary and in-kind donations. They are led by Dr. Tess Termulo, an emergency room internist.
- You can give online to The American Red Cross, or earmark check donations “Philippines Typhoons and Flood” via local chapters. Funds will assist victims in the Philippines, Laos, and Vietnam as they recover from the Pacific typhoon.
- Doctors Without Borders / Medicins Sans Frontieres is preparing for work in Leyte Province, the area first hit as the typhoon came ashore, and where many medical facilities have been destroyed or damaged.
- The Philippine Red Cross is accepting donations for Typhoon victims and those still recovering from last month’s magnitude 7.2 earthquake, who are now experiencing flood and food shortages.
- The World Food Programme needs help getting high-energy biscuits to the 2.5 million people in need of emergency food assistance.
- The International Rescue Committee has been on the ground for several days providing immediate support.
- The National Alliance for Filipino Concerns, of NAFCON, continues to raise funds for those affected by the earthquake and the also-devastating Typhoon Santi, both of which occurred in October, and whose victims are now plagued by the aftermath of Haiyan/Yolanda.
- ChildFund International is focusing on creating child-centered spaces and psychosocial support for kids affected by death and displacement. While ChildFund was started by a Presbyterian minister and was known for some time as the Christian Children’s Fund, the organization altered its name in 2009 to better align with its secular mission, which includes no religious affiliation or dogma.
