The New York Times has a feature story today about one of my Cotillion sisters, Jane Novak and her blogging crusade to help Yemeni journalist, Abdulkarim al-Khaiwani. Mr. al-Khaiwani's fate rests in the hands of a corrupt Yemeni government which jails journalists who photograph violence and let terrorist members of Al-Qaeda go free. His sentence could come as early as Wednesday.

Ms. Novak, working from a laptop in her Monmouth County living room “while the kids are at school,” has started an Internet petition to free Mr. Khaiwani. She has enlisted Yemeni politicians, journalists, human rights activists and others around the globe. Her blog goes well beyond the Khaiwani case and has become a crucial outlet for opposition journalists and political figures, who feed her tips on Yemeni political intrigue by e-mail or text message.

She says her campaign is a matter of basic principle. “This is a country that lets Al Qaeda people go free, and they’re putting a journalist on trial for doing his job?” she said. “It’s just completely crazy.”

It is insanity, indeed.

Jane is a courageous blogger and I'm in complete awe of her strength and determination for this worthy cause. Way to go, Jane! My prayer is that her crusade for Yemeni rights continues to be fruitful and makes a difference for al-Khaiwani.

You too can help. Sign the petition today!