Lauren Bush Lauren, FEED Projects CEO, Talks Ending World Hunger

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Founded in 2007, FEED Projects is the vision of CEO Lauren Bush Lauren. While a student at Princeton University, Lauren traveled the world as the U.N. World Food Programme Student Ambassador witnessing the effects of world hunger firsthand. She came back to the U.S. inspired to take a leading role in the fight. She joined HuffPost Live to discuss her advocacy.

"It's a birth lottery," Lauren said. "Depending on where you're born, you literally could be born into a life where you don't know where your next meal is coming from."

The granddaughter of President George H.W. Bush, Lauren hasn't merely rested on her laurels. To date, FEED has provided over 75 million meals globally through the sale of consumer goods like the "1" bag that feeds one child in school for an entire year for every bag sold.

A millennial herself, Lauren describes her products as keeping in line with her generation's consumption patterns. "I think it's part of the ethos of consumers nowadays," she said, "especially from millennials and young people who really want to do good through their consumer dollars, through their purchases. FEED is just one outlet to do that."

To hear more from Lauren Bush Lauren on world hunger and social entrepreneurship, watch the full clip HERE.

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New 'Hunger Games: Catching Fire' International Trailer Asks 'Would You Like To Be In A Real War?'

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Destruction is nigh once again in the newly released international trailer for "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire." The clip's menacing tone announces a further emphasis on the dystopian elements found in the popular trilogy's second entry.

Like the first version, the trailer announces an impending war, with President Snow (Donald Sutherland) asking Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) whether she's prepared for a "real war." That leaves a rebellion brewing as Panem prepares for the Quarter Quell, or the 75th Annual Hunger Games.

"Catching Fire" hits theaters Nov. 22.

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NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 20: Actors Jennifer Lawrence and Liam Hemsworth attend the Cinema Society & Calvin Klein Collection screening of 'The Hunger Games' at SVA Theatre on March 20, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 20: Actress Jennifer Lawrence attends the Cinema Society & Calvin Klein Collection screening of 'The Hunger Games' at SVA Theatre on March 20, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 20: Actress Jennifer Lawrence attends the Cinema Society & Calvin Klein Collection screening of 'The Hunger Games' at SVA Theatre on March 20, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 20: (L-R) Liam Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson, Director Gary Ross and Jennifer Lawrence attend the Cinema Society & Calvin Klein Collection screening of 'The Hunger Games' at SVA Theatre on March 20, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 20: Actress Jennifer Lawrence attends a special signing event to promote their new movie 'The Hunger Games' at Barnes & Noble Union Square on March 20, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 20: Actor Josh Hutcherson and actress Jennifer Lawrence attend a special signing event to promote their new movie 'The Hunger Games' at Barnes & Noble Union Square on March 20, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 20: Actor Liam Hemsworth attends the Cinema Society & Calvin Klein Collection screening of 'The Hunger Games' at SVA Theatre on March 20, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 20: Actress Jennifer Lawrence attends the Cinema Society & Calvin Klein Collection screening of 'The Hunger Games' at SVA Theatre on March 20, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 20: Actor Stanley Tucci (L) attends the Cinema Society & Calvin Klein Collection screening of 'The Hunger Games' at SVA Theatre on March 20, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 20: Actor Josh Hutcherson attends the Cinema Society & Calvin Klein Collection screening of 'The Hunger Games' at SVA Theatre on March 20, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 20: Actor Liam Hemsworth attends the Cinema Society & Calvin Klein Collection screening of 'The Hunger Games' at SVA Theatre on March 20, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 20: Liam Hemsworth and Jennifer Lawrence attend the party following a screening of 'The Hunger Games' hosted by The Cinema Society and Calvin Klein Collection at The Top of The Standard on March 20, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 20: Liam Hemsworth, Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson attend the party following a screening of 'The Hunger Games' hosted by The Cinema Society and Calvin Klein Collection at The Top of The Standard on March 20, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 20: Jennifer Lawrence attends the party following a screening of 'The Hunger Games' hosted by The Cinema Society and Calvin Klein Collection at The Top of The Standard on March 20, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 20: Zoe Kravitz attends the party following a screening of 'The Hunger Games' hosted by The Cinema Society and Calvin Klein Collection at The Top of The Standard on March 20, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 20: Bridget Moynahan attends the Cinema Society & Calvin Klein Collection screening of 'The Hunger Games' at SVA Theatre on March 20, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 20: (L-R) Liam Hemsworth, Isabelle Fuhrman, Josh Hutcherson, Director Gary Ross and Jennifer Lawrence attends the Cinema Society & Calvin Klein Collection screening of 'The Hunger Games' at SVA Theatre on March 20, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 20: Director Gary Ross attends the Cinema Society & Calvin Klein Collection screening of 'The Hunger Games' at SVA Theatre on March 20, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 20: Tony Danza attends the party following a screening of 'The Hunger Games' hosted by The Cinema Society and Calvin Klein Collection at The Top of The Standard on March 20, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 20: Actress Abigail Breslin attends the Cinema Society & Calvin Klein Collection screening of 'The Hunger Games' at SVA Theatre on March 20, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 20: Josh Hutcherson attends the Cinema Society & Calvin Klein Collection screening of 'The Hunger Games' at SVA Theatre on March 20, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 20: Marisol Thomas and Rob Thomas attend the party following a screening of 'The Hunger Games' hosted by The Cinema Society and Calvin Klein Collection at The Top of The Standard on March 20, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 20: Alexi Ashe and Seth Meyers attend the party following a screening of 'The Hunger Games' hosted by The Cinema Society and Calvin Klein Collection at The Top of The Standard on March 20, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 20: Cuba Gooding Jr attends the party following a screening of 'The Hunger Games' hosted by The Cinema Society and Calvin Klein Collection at The Top of The Standard on March 20, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 12: Actress Jennifer Lawrence arrives to the premiere of Lionsgate's 'The Hunger Games' at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on March 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 20: Stanley Tucci (C) and guests attend the party following a screening of 'The Hunger Games' hosted by The Cinema Society and Calvin Klein Collection at The Top of The Standard on March 20, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 12: Actress Elizabeth Banks arrives to the premiere of Lionsgate's 'The Hunger Games' at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on March 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 12: Actress Jennifer Lawrence arrives to the premiere of Lionsgate's 'The Hunger Games' at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on March 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

Liam Hemsworth in Dolce & Gabbana

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 12: Actress Amy Paffrath arrives to the premiere of Lionsgate's 'The Hunger Games' at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on March 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

Actress Brooke Bundy arrives for the premiere of Lionsgate's 'The Hunger Games' at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on March 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. AFP PHOTO/JOE KLAMAR (Photo credit should read JOE KLAMAR/AFP/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 12: Actor Stanley Tucci arrives to the premiere of Lionsgate's 'The Hunger Games' at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on March 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 12: Actors Josh Hutcherson (L) and Jennifer Lawrence attend 'The Hunger Games' Los Angeles Premiere on March 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Mark Davis/Getty Images)

Actor Cody Simpson arrives for the premiere of Lionsgate's 'The Hunger Games' at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on March 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. AFP PHOTO/JOE KLAMAR (Photo credit should read JOE KLAMAR/AFP/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 12: (L-R) Actors Josh Hutcherson, Jennifer Lawrence and Liam Hemsworth arrive at 'The Hunger Games' Los Angeles premiere held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on March 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, United States. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Actress Garcelle Beauvais arrives for the premiere of Lionsgate's 'The Hunger Games' at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on March 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. AFP PHOTO/JOE KLAMAR (Photo credit should read JOE KLAMAR/AFP/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 12: Actress Odette Annable arrives to the premiere of Lionsgate's 'The Hunger Games' at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on March 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 12: TV personality Kelly Osborne arrives to the premiere of Lionsgate's 'The Hunger Games' at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on March 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 12: Actor Zachary Gordon arrives to the premiere of Lionsgate's 'The Hunger Games' at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on March 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 12: Actor Toby Jones arrives to the premiere of Lionsgate's 'The Hunger Games' at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on March 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 12: Actress Isabelle Fuhrman arrives to the premiere of Lionsgate's 'The Hunger Games' at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on March 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 12: Actress Willow Shields arrives to the premiere of Lionsgate's 'The Hunger Games' at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on March 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 12: Author Suzanne Collins arrives to the premiere of Lionsgate's 'The Hunger Games' at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on March 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 12: Actor Benjamin Bratt arrives to the premiere of Lionsgate's 'The Hunger Games' at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on March 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 12: Actress Garcelle Beauvais arrives to the premiere of Lionsgate's 'The Hunger Games' at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on March 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 12: Actor Kevin McHale arrives to the premiere of Lionsgate's 'The Hunger Games' at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on March 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 12: Actor Woody Harrelson arrives to the premiere of Lionsgate's 'The Hunger Games' at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on March 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 12: Producer Ninia Jacobson arrives to the premiere of Lionsgate's 'The Hunger Games' at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on March 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 12: Actress Leslie Mann arrives at 'The Hunger Games' Los Angeles premiere held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on March 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Mark Davis/Getty Images)

Actress Kalia Prescott arrives at the premiere of Lionsgate's 'The Hunger Games' at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on March 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. AFP PHOTO/JOE KLAMAR (Photo credit should read JOE KLAMAR/AFP/Getty Images)

TV Personality Kendall Jenner arrives at the premiere of Lionsgate's 'The Hunger Games' at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on March 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. AFP PHOTO/JOE KLAMAR (Photo credit should read JOE KLAMAR/AFP/Getty Images)

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Medea Benjamin: Americans on Long-Term Hunger Strike to Close Gitmo Prison

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Unreported in the mainstream press is the long-term hunger strike by a group of Americans in solidarity with the hunger strikers in Guantanamo prison. The fasters include CODEPINK cofounder Diane Wilson (on a water-only fast since May 1), Veterans for Peace member Brian Wilson (May 12), and former president of Veterans for Peace, Elliott Adams. Below is an interview with Elliott Adams, who began his hunger strike on May 17.

Why did you decide to take this dramatic action, which entails such personal sacrifice?

What is happening in Guantanamo is despicable. Just think about it: 86 prisoners are cleared by the government -- the Department of Defense, Justice, and Homeland Security over a year ago, and they're still being held. Many of them have been held for over 11 years!

Now the prisoners' access to their attorneys has also been reduced. They have a new rule that to meet with their attorneys, they have to go through a draconian search process, which includes people touching their genitals and anus, violating their religion.

The prisoners in Guantanamo are desperate. They see no sign that they will ever get out of that place. They've tried the legal route but now realize that even though the government has decided not to charge them and admits that they're not a threat to U.S. national security, they're still going to be held. The only way they can see to get out is to starve themselves. That is a level of desperation that Americans don't understand. And instead of releasing them or giving them trials, the government is brutally force-feeding them.

It's disgusting. It's a violation of our moral and religious principles, international law, national law; it's a violation of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the things that are supposed to define America. It goes against the very principles I thought the American flag stood for when I was a young man.

I just can't sit and enjoy my life when my country is doing such terrible things to these people. It's up to us to force our government to get them out of there.

How are you feeling physically? Have you lost a lot of weight?

I'm losing one to one and a half pounds every day. I got rid of excess fat, and I can physically see my muscles deteriorating. I feel tired at times.

As soon as you start a long-term fast, your electrolytes get out of balance; you face potential heart problems. Once you start digesting the body a little bit, you immediately face potential kidney damage. The reduced diet may lead to nerve damage. It can be a very high-risk thing to be doing. There is also the aspect that it is uncomfortable not to eat.

But these are tiny things compared to what those men at Guantanamo are experiencing.

Have you done any hunger strikes in the past?

This is the first indefinite one I've done. The last one I had to stop after nine days due to health problems.

How long are you planning to continue the hunger strike? What will convince you to start eating again?

My hunger strike is open-ended. I don't know when we'll see significant motion but I need to see some real action, not just nice words.

What has been the reaction of your family and friends?

Most of the people who love me think it's crazy; it's wrong; it's stupid. Fortunately, my wife is still putting up with me. She's been very patient for many, many years.

How do you feel about the fact that dozens of hunger strikers are being force-fed every day?

It's really simple: it's torture. So says the American Medical Association, the World Medical Association, and anybody with a conscience. To force-feed a conscious person is torture.

What do you think President Obama should be doing?

He should start by invoking the national security waiver that allows him to release the 86 prisoners who have been cleared for release. He needs to stop talking and take action.

It reminds me of when George McGovern ran for president in 1972. People said to him, "You're in favor of getting out of Vietnam, but that's a really complicated issue. How do you do that?" His answer was, "I'd try ships and planes." It's time we start getting people out -- on ships and planes.

Do you see similarities between the way prisoners in Guantanamo are treated and prisoners in the U.S. are treated?

Yes, absolutely. In both cases, we have situations that are immoral. Here in the U.S. we've been holding prisoners in solitary confinement, 24 hours a day by, for decades! It's as wrong as what's happening at Guantanamo, just a different flavor of torture and abuse.

Do you think military courts can provide Guantanamo prisoners with a fair trial?

No, of course not -- that's why they created the military courts. In an extreme hierarchy like the military, you cannot have a fair trial. The judge, the prosecutor, the jury -- everybody is subject to what they're told. That's the way it works. It's like saying the Spanish Inquisition or Salem Witch Hunt held fair trials. The whole idea of a military trial is an oxymoron.

More importantly, our civilian court system works. We have certainly tried and handled in our court system people far worse than those at Guantanamo. We can handle it. We can give them a fair trial.

Why do you think President Obama is not releasing those prisoners in Guantanamo who have been cleared for release?

Somewhere in the hierarchy of the Democrat party, someone is thinking it will cost votes. They calculate that if they release the cleared prisoners, the Republicans will call them soft on terrorists. That is why we have to build grassroots support for releasing the prisoners. We have to make it a good political move for them. We have to force our government to do what's right.

What do you say to Americans who think the Guantanamo prisoners are "the worst of the worst" and should stay there?

I don't think those people know much about these prisoners. I think they ought to educate themselves, and then they'll discover that it's pure hogwash -- these people are not the worst of the worst. I can guarantee you the U.S. prisons hold people far worse than those at Guantanamo, people so fundamentally mean you wouldn't even believe it. I'm not saying all of the people at Guantanamo are saints, but to say that they are the worst of the worst is a misunderstanding. In fact, our own government has determined that the majority of them should be cleared because they represent no threat to U.S. society.

How do you think the situation at Guantanamo is seen overseas, particularly in the Muslim world?

People all over the world have lost respect for us because they see us violating the principles we are supposed to stand for and the principles of international law. In the eyes of the world, Guantanamo delegitimizes the government, the country, and even you and me because we're paying for it. That's why I think Guantanamo is a risk to our national security.

It's also a violation of the American dream, the "grand experiment" that President Abraham Lincoln referred to. We can't sit idly by while that experiment is ruined.

Medea Benjamin is cofounder of www.codepink.org and www.globalexchange.org. To help shut down Gitmo, go to www.closegitmo.net.

Follow Medea Benjamin on Twitter: www.twitter.com/@medeabenjamin

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