"You've got to stand for something     or you'll fall for anything." — Aaron Tippin         The older and more experienced I get, the more I'm ready to speak out on issues that are important to me — to take a stand. Following are links to organizations I support and folks that speak the same language I do. The Carter Center Waging Peace. Fighting Disease. Building Hope. The Carter Center, in partnership with Emory University, is committed to advancing human rights and alleviating unnecessary human suffering. Founded in 1982 by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, the Atlanta-based Center has helped to improve the quality of life for people in more than 65 countries. The Giraffe Project Giraffe Heroes are people who stick their necks out for the common good. The nonprofit Giraffe Heroes Project tells their stories on podiums, in materials for schools and in the media. Giraffe Heroes are models for the rest of us. Here are a few of their stories. Pax Christi USA The national Catholic peace movement, reaching more than half a million Catholics in the United States. Members include more than 130 bishops, 800 parish sponsors, 650 religious communities, and 300 local groups.