Lack of Conversation
Two recent events have parallels. Karl Rove meets Sheryl Crow and Mike Daisey meets Christian Fundamentalists.
How did civil conversation and debate die?
Immigrants
Being an immigrant myself, this Rocketbooom vlog about a man with a big heart in Australia resonates deeply with me. Every immigrant has needed a helping hand and sometimes just a smile to make their day. In this case, some Afghan refugees arrive on an Australian’s farm, and he welcomes them into his life and helps them grow new roots. He says:
I find it a bit funny that the Australian Government likes to look good overseas, and signs all these United Nations agreements, but when the people actually come here looking for assistance, we lock them up in detention. To me, I don’t think you can play both sides of the fence. You either have to say you are going to support them, or you are not.
I wonder what the US is doing about Iraqis seeking asylum in the US. This NY times article states:
While as many as several thousand Iraqi refugees were typically admitted annually in the years of Saddam Hussein’s rule before the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, only 466 have been resettled here since the American invasion in 2003.
What a stark contrast between what the US has done compared to this single Australian who helped so many.
On a side note, today I will take Isamu to the vet to get neutered. It is an overnight stay, and I had to hide his food for the night. Poor guy was starving this morning and a little grouchy.
Want versus Need
Very cool product from Alesina Designs. They say:
Why does this glass have a hole?
The small hole divides the volume of glass into two parts: “need” (below the hole) and “want” (above the hole).
The user would have to be careful while filling the glass and cover the hole with her/her thumb while drinking, thus one could put a stop to waste (in the global sense) with one’s own hands.
How situation has not changed but worsened since 2002
Bill Clinton on Letterman back in 2002… I wish more of our presidents were so articulate and thoughtful in analyzing the issue.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLPpINP5B2w