Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Self-Segregation in Schools: Is it Healthy?
I was shocked when I read an article in The Boston Globe about self-segregation at UMass of Amherst. The residence halls even have nicknames. such as "Chinatown" because of it's large Asian population, and "the Projects," due to a great concentration of African-American students. There is also a cluster for Native Americans, and one for those "seeking multi-cultural
experience."
This profound separation of different types of people it seems was not soley a decision made by the students but by school policy. The policy having been put in place, "as a means of providing comfort and comradeship on an overwhelmingly white campus."Officials can't say just when it began but did say that racial tensions escalated "after the beating in 1986 of Yancey Robinson, an African-American student from Springfield, after a World Series game."
Now however, the school wants to change things and make the living arrangements more integrated, and so as of the 2006 fall semester students will no longer be able to choose to live with other students based on race, or ethnicity. They can though, "choose to live with others who share their academic interests."
"There's nothing healthy about segregation,' said Michael Gargano, vice chancellor of student affairs and campus life. 'Students who come to the university need to be exposed to different opinions and ideas. When you have segregated pockets in our residence halls, we are allowing students to shut themselves off, and then they are missing out." And not only was it the residence halls but up until five years ago the school held "seperate orientations for minorities" and they were assigned "to separate academic advising offices."
What is the students reaction to this change? Some gain comfort from being with those who can best relate to them. "We are like family!, said Nisha Mungroo, a sophmore who added, "You come here and find comfort in your community. Then you find comfort at UMass."
Another student, Anton Pires, a freshman lived in "the Projects" for a semester but then moved to another residence wanting to gain some diversity in his living situation. "It can be good to be with people who have had the same struggles as you, people you can be more open with,' said Pires, a native of Cape Verde. ' But I didn't want to close myself off to people. I wanted to get a different feel."
Kerri-Ann Eldridge, a white freshman said, "Things would be better here if people were more mixed" She added, "Society is mixed, this school should be mixed." Her friend Josh Clark, an Asian-American student, didn't see things the same way and responded to her comment by saying, "You're just saying that because you're white!" He then continued, "The school doesn't tell anyone where to live - it gives students the option. And some students need that. It's comforting."
Come September their comfort will be gone and the question will be how they deal with it. Perhaps, they'll learn now to mix but if not once they are out in the real world they will no longer have a choice. Real life is about mixing and hopefully those that now are so vehmenent about keeping their comfort will allow themselves to be pleasantly surprised that people don't have to have the same color skin, or ethnicity to find common ground or comfort.
*Quotes are taken from The Boston Globe article, "Out of the comfort zone", dated March 12, 2006, and written by Sarah Schweitzer
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Is Nothing Sacred?
Monday, April 17, 2006
Is Nothing Sacred?
The congregation of the Westboro Baptist Church took it upon themselves at the April 2nd funeral service of Cpl. David A. Bass, a 20 year-old marine killed in Iraq, to picket the service adding to the grief of his loved ones and out-right leaving others at a loss for a word that sufficiently expressed this blatant showing of disrespect. All the while, they hid behind their First Amendment rights to speak their mind as they carried signs saying "Thank God for Dead Soldiers," and voiced to the bereaved and anyone else who'd listen that "God is killing soldiers to punish America for condoning homosexuality." The small fundamentalist group has since last summer been sending contingents of six to twenty members to funerals just like that of Cpl. Bass.
The reaction by many is that this is "cruel and unpatriotic", and has set off a feeling of outrage in the grass-roots community and a "flurry of laws seeking to restrict demonstrations at funerals and burials." Indiana Republican representative Steve Buyer who is among those trying to get such a Congressional bill passed said, "Repugnant, outrageous, despicable, do not adequetly describe what I feel they do to these families," and then added that, "They have a right to freedom of speech. But someone also has a right to bury a loved one in peace."
Recently nine states including Indiana have passed such a law, and twenty-three more will soon be voting on similar bills. In the case of Congress, they will be addressing the legislation in May.
So as to not impede anyone's first amendment rights the state bills and laws have been carefully worded. On average they seek to keep demonstrators one hundred to five hundred feet from the entrance of the funeral home or cemetary, and allow the protests but only one hour before the service and one hour after it has concluded. "A funeral home seems high on the list of places where people legitimately could be or should be protected from unwanted messages," said Michael C. Dorf who teaches constitutional law at Columbia University.
The church headed by Rev. Fred Phelps, which "is not affliated with the mainstream Baptist church" first gained public notice in Wyoming at the 1998 funeral of Matthew Sheppard
The congregation is small with most of it's seventy-five memebers being of relation to Rev. Phelps, and has been demonstrating for the last decade outside office buildings and by going to gay funerals. Right or wrong those were tolerated. However, since members began appearing at the funerals of soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan last year The Southern Poverty Law Center, has put it on it's watch list."
The church takes the bible in an extremely literal manner. "God is punishing this nation with a grievous, smiting blow, killing our children, sending them home dead to help you connect the dots," said Shirley Roper-Phelps who concluded her statement saying, "This is a nation that has forgotten God and leads a filthy manner of life." Meanwhile, Johnathan Anstey a close friend of Bass's tried to reign in his anger. "It's hurtful and it's taking alot of willpower not to go down there and stomp their heads in. But I know that David is looking down and seeing me and he would not want to see that."
Thursday the House and Senate unanimously approved the bill and it now only needs the signature of the Governor to make it illegal for demonstrators to be within five hundred feet of a memorial, burial or funeral service. Perhaps not much comfort for the Bass' but for those in the future it's a chance to mourn their loved ones without the additional pain such demonstrators inflict. After reading about this I had to wonder about the old "if the shoe was on the other foot" proverb. How would they feel if another hate group targeted the funerals of their loved ones. Would it open their eyes at all or would they just refuse to see it as the same thing that they do to others. I'm no fan of the war or any war for that matter, but if someone gives their life for me whether for reasons I agree with or not they should be honored and respected. Some things are sacred and should not be muddied by ignorance, bigotry, or hatefullness.
*Quotes are from The New York Times article "Outrage at Funeral Protests Pushes Lawmakers to Act" dated April 17, 2006 and written by Lizette Alvarez
Is Nothing Sacred?
The congregation of the Westboro Baptist Church took it upon themselves at the April 2nd funeral service of Cpl. David A. Bass, a 20 year-old marine killed in Iraq, to picket the service adding to the grief of his loved ones and out-right leaving others at a loss for a word that sufficiently expressed this blatant showing of disrespect. All the while, they hid behind their First Amendment rights to speak their mind as they carried signs saying "Thank God for Dead Soldiers," and voiced to the bereaved and anyone else who'd listen that "God is killing soldiers to punish America for condoning homosexuality." The small fundamentalist group has since last summer been sending contingents of six to twenty members to funerals just like that of Cpl. Bass.
The reaction by many is that this is "cruel and unpatriotic", and has set off a feeling of outrage in the grass-roots community and a "flurry of laws seeking to restrict demonstrations at funerals and burials." Indiana Republican representative Steve Buyer who is among those trying to get such a Congressional bill passed said, "Repugnant, outrageous, despicable, do not adequetly describe what I feel they do to these families," and then added that, "They have a right to freedom of speech. But someone also has a right to bury a loved one in peace."
Recently nine states including Indiana have passed such a law, and twenty-three more will soon be voting on similar bills. In the case of Congress, they will be addressing the legislation in May.
So as to not impede anyone's first amendment rights the state bills and laws have been carefully worded. On average they seek to keep demonstrators one hundred to five hundred feet from the entrance of the funeral home or cemetary, and allow the protests but only one hour before the service and one hour after it has concluded. "A funeral home seems high on the list of places where people legitimately could be or should be protected from unwanted messages," said Michael C. Dorf who teaches constitutional law at Columbia University.
The church headed by Rev. Fred Phelps, which "is not affliated with the mainstream Baptist church" first gained public notice in Wyoming at the 1998 funeral of Matthew Sheppard
The congregation is small with most of it's seventy-five memebers being of relation to Rev. Phelps, and has been demonstrating for the last decade outside office buildings and by going to gay funerals. Right or wrong those were tolerated. However, since members began appearing at the funerals of soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan last year The Southern Poverty Law Center, has put it on it's watch list."
The church takes the bible in an extremely literal manner. "God is punishing this nation with a grievous, smiting blow, killing our children, sending them home dead to help you connect the dots," said Shirley Roper-Phelps who concluded her statement saying, "This is a nation that has forgotten God and leads a filthy manner of life." Meanwhile, Johnathan Anstey a close friend of Bass's tried to reign in his anger. "It's hurtful and it's taking alot of willpower not to go down there and stomp their heads in. But I know that David is looking down and seeing me and he would not want to see that."
Thursday the House and Senate unanimously approved the bill and it now only needs the signature of the Governor to make it illegal for demonstrators to be within five hundred feet of a memorial, burial or funeral service. Perhaps not much comfort for the Bass' but for those in the future it's a chance to mourn their loved ones without the additional pain such demonstrators inflict. After reading about this I had to wonder about the old "if the shoe was on the other foot" proverb. How would they feel if another hate group targeted the funerals of their loved ones. Would it open their eyes at all or would they just refuse to see it as the same thing that they do to others. I'm no fan of the war or any war for that matter, but if someone gives their life for me whether for reasons I agree with or not they should be honored and respected. Some things are sacred and should not be muddied by ignorance, bigotry, or hatefullness.
*Quotes are from The New York Times article "Outrage at Funeral Protests Pushes Lawmakers to Act" dated April 17, 2006 and written by Lizette Alvarez
Will This Banner Get It's Chance To Wave
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Will This Banner Get It's Chance To Wave
The United First Parish Church, in the heart of Quincy, MA wants to hang a 34 foot by 4 foot banner from it's columns saying, "People of Faith for Marriage Equality". However, the idea was "nixed" by the town's historical district committe. Not due to bias against lesbians and gays according to reports but because they say it would take away the beauty of the structure. The vote within the committee was a very close 3-2, and the church intends to now take it's case to the city's zoning board of appeals as the size is a major factor in the decision to not allow it to be hanged. Anthony Ricci, a member of the Historic commission "suggested hanging the banner in the portico of the church, a spot that could be easily seen from the street but wouldn't be hanging from the church's columns." (1)
It seems the banner issue here isn't a new one as last year a number of The United Church of Christ congregations in the south shore region, "hung streamers and banners as part of the national denomination’s ‘‘God is still speaking’’ outreach campaign." (2)
"The project drew wider attention when some TV networks refused to air an ad that featured a gay couple along with minorities, youths, the elderly and heterosexual couples. Local UCC churches have taken their banners down. "(2)
Other comments made about the current banner from those in the clergy outside of Quincy bely the ideas that; first they shouldn't be political, and also that people have alot of opinions but that isn't a reason to put that opinion on a banner.
Yet, in a very political stance one temple did put up a banner last year. The congregation, "erected their pro-Israel banner in much the same spirit as the UCC project, as ‘an open yet important statement’ that liberal and conservative members could agree on."(2)
It will be intersting to see what happens with the zoning committee, and the church can take this to court if it so chooses.
Paul Wilczynski, one of the parishioners at the meeting on the issue said, "I'd hate to leave this room tonight feeling that our ability to send a faith-based message will be impeded by the fat that we're in a historical building."(1)
(1)http://ledger.southofboston.com/articles/2006/02/28/
news/news01.txt
(2) http://www.patriotledger.com/articles/2006/03/02/
news/news04.txt
Will This Banner Get It's Chance To Wave
The United First Parish Church, in the heart of Quincy, MA wants to hang a 34 foot by 4 foot banner from it's columns saying, "People of Faith for Marriage Equality". However, the idea was "nixed" by the town's historical district committe. Not due to bias against lesbians and gays according to reports but because they say it would take away the beauty of the structure. The vote within the committee was a very close 3-2, and the church intends to now take it's case to the city's zoning board of appeals as the size is a major factor in the decision to not allow it to be hanged. Anthony Ricci, a member of the Historic commission "suggested hanging the banner in the portico of the church, a spot that could be easily seen from the street but wouldn't be hanging from the church's columns." (1)
It seems the banner issue here isn't a new one as last year a number of The United Church of Christ congregations in the south shore region, "hung streamers and banners as part of the national denomination’s ‘‘God is still speaking’’ outreach campaign." (2)
"The project drew wider attention when some TV networks refused to air an ad that featured a gay couple along with minorities, youths, the elderly and heterosexual couples. Local UCC churches have taken their banners down. "(2)
Other comments made about the current banner from those in the clergy outside of Quincy bely the ideas that; first they shouldn't be political, and also that people have alot of opinions but that isn't a reason to put that opinion on a banner.
Yet, in a very political stance one temple did put up a banner last year. The congregation, "erected their pro-Israel banner in much the same spirit as the UCC project, as ‘an open yet important statement’ that liberal and conservative members could agree on."(2)
It will be intersting to see what happens with the zoning committee, and the church can take this to court if it so chooses.
Paul Wilczynski, one of the parishioners at the meeting on the issue said, "I'd hate to leave this room tonight feeling that our ability to send a faith-based message will be impeded by the fat that we're in a historical building."(1)
(1)http://ledger.southofboston.com/articles/2006/02/28/
news/news01.txt
(2) http://www.patriotledger.com/articles/2006/03/02/
news/news04.txt
New Orleans history take another hit........
Friday, March 24, 2006
New Orleans history takes another hit with the passing of a local music legend
Ever since Hurricane Katrina hit I've been thinking quite often of my one and only trip there twelve years ago, and most specifically hearing the legendary Preservation Hall Band. They play in a tiny little building and you have to stand in the back and wait your turn to sit on the floor infront around them. It's cramped and I was sweaty and had a sore backside by the time you've had your turn, but to hear a legend it was a small price to pay and I left feeling I was taking a small piece of history with me.
Yesterday, I read in the New York Times that last friday Narvin Kimball, the last of the original members of the Preservation Hall Band passed away ending a legacy. He was 97 years old. The two most prominent feelings I had upon reading this were that I was glad I'd been afforded the chance to view this amazing part of New Orleans musical history and also I was saddend for those who would never get the chance.
He died at his daughters' home. He and his wife were staying with her since just after Hurricane Katrina hit the area. He was known for his banjo playing and also for his singing. (1)"Mr. Kimball's vocal renditions of 'Georgia on My Mind' always brought standing ovations," said Preservation Hall's director, Ben Jaffe. "He was really our last connection to a bygone time in the history of New Orleans."
(1)"He made his first banjo with a cigar box, stick and string." In the 1920's he began his career with the Fate Marable Band, and recorded his first record with Columbia Records in 1928. The Gentlemen of Jazz also known as the Preservation Hall band due to the name of the dwellling they played in was formed by him in 1961. His last performance with the band was in 1999 for PBS.
(2)"The band has been referred to by one music critic as "a bridge across the ages - a link between the present day and the heyday of traditional New Orleans music." In the hearts of jazz fans lies the feverent hope that the new members will continue to uphold the tradition started by this legendary Bourbon Street band so that this precious link isn't severed.
(1)http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/21/arts/music/21kimball.html
(2) http://www.brevard.edu/news/archives/2003/articles/
preservation.htm
New Orleans history takes another hit with the passing of a local music legend
Ever since Hurricane Katrina hit I've been thinking quite often of my one and only trip there twelve years ago, and most specifically hearing the legendary Preservation Hall Band. They play in a tiny little building and you have to stand in the back and wait your turn to sit on the floor infront around them. It's cramped and I was sweaty and had a sore backside by the time you've had your turn, but to hear a legend it was a small price to pay and I left feeling I was taking a small piece of history with me.
Yesterday, I read in the New York Times that last friday Narvin Kimball, the last of the original members of the Preservation Hall Band passed away ending a legacy. He was 97 years old. The two most prominent feelings I had upon reading this were that I was glad I'd been afforded the chance to view this amazing part of New Orleans musical history and also I was saddend for those who would never get the chance.
He died at his daughters' home. He and his wife were staying with her since just after Hurricane Katrina hit the area. He was known for his banjo playing and also for his singing. (1)"Mr. Kimball's vocal renditions of 'Georgia on My Mind' always brought standing ovations," said Preservation Hall's director, Ben Jaffe. "He was really our last connection to a bygone time in the history of New Orleans."
(1)"He made his first banjo with a cigar box, stick and string." In the 1920's he began his career with the Fate Marable Band, and recorded his first record with Columbia Records in 1928. The Gentlemen of Jazz also known as the Preservation Hall band due to the name of the dwellling they played in was formed by him in 1961. His last performance with the band was in 1999 for PBS.
(2)"The band has been referred to by one music critic as "a bridge across the ages - a link between the present day and the heyday of traditional New Orleans music." In the hearts of jazz fans lies the feverent hope that the new members will continue to uphold the tradition started by this legendary Bourbon Street band so that this precious link isn't severed.
(1)http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/21/arts/music/21kimball.html
(2) http://www.brevard.edu/news/archives/2003/articles/
preservation.htm
Where for art thou Alan?
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Where for art thou Alan?
Today reality hit. No more FOMC (Federal Open Market Committe) meetings with Alan Greenspan reporting on taxes. No more decisions by Alan making us sigh in relief at no change, or grit our teeth at yet another raise. How many times this man has been blessed or cursed externally or internally especially by those who live and die by the market-traders,brokers- who have to scramble depending on the news to either buy or sell is unknown but no doubt the number is either awe inspiring or enough to make you cringe depending on the news he had to give us. I know since I was one of those who waited with baited breath to see what fate Mr. Alan G would cast upon my livelyhood with just a few mere words. It would be hard to dispute that few other people or events had the impact that this man did when he would say "no change" or "1/4 percent raise" in taxes.
No matter what he announced though it was hard not to respect the man and his no-bull attitude. Even though I haven't worked in the field for a number of years the news that he was being replaced still tugged at me, but he will remain a fixture no doubt and will not be disappearing just ask Walmart who he's speaking out against in pertainance to their wanting to own an Industrial Loan Corporation, which he feels shouldn't be allowable. "Greenspan urged Congress to close a regulatory loophole that lets businesses own an Industrial Loan Corporation (ILC), a type of bank operated for specifice purposes , such as processing payment." Hopefully this is proof that he will continue to stir the pot.
As the title of one link for a story about the premier of Ben Bernanke and the markets response stated, "the market yawned". Maybe because the news wasn't surprising...maybe because the reponse was predictable...maybe it had nothing to do with Alan Greenspan. After all can a market miss a man? That would be silly wouldn't it. Still, it's undeniable that after many years of service to the financial community Alan will be missed, and it will be quite some time before I for one don't do a double take when I see Mr. Bernanke sitting in that seat.
The quote about Walmart is taken from the following article:
www.usatoday.com/money/industries/ retail/2006-01-26-wal-mart-usat_x.htm?POE=MONISVA - 49k
Where for art thou Alan?
Today reality hit. No more FOMC (Federal Open Market Committe) meetings with Alan Greenspan reporting on taxes. No more decisions by Alan making us sigh in relief at no change, or grit our teeth at yet another raise. How many times this man has been blessed or cursed externally or internally especially by those who live and die by the market-traders,brokers- who have to scramble depending on the news to either buy or sell is unknown but no doubt the number is either awe inspiring or enough to make you cringe depending on the news he had to give us. I know since I was one of those who waited with baited breath to see what fate Mr. Alan G would cast upon my livelyhood with just a few mere words. It would be hard to dispute that few other people or events had the impact that this man did when he would say "no change" or "1/4 percent raise" in taxes.
No matter what he announced though it was hard not to respect the man and his no-bull attitude. Even though I haven't worked in the field for a number of years the news that he was being replaced still tugged at me, but he will remain a fixture no doubt and will not be disappearing just ask Walmart who he's speaking out against in pertainance to their wanting to own an Industrial Loan Corporation, which he feels shouldn't be allowable. "Greenspan urged Congress to close a regulatory loophole that lets businesses own an Industrial Loan Corporation (ILC), a type of bank operated for specifice purposes , such as processing payment." Hopefully this is proof that he will continue to stir the pot.
As the title of one link for a story about the premier of Ben Bernanke and the markets response stated, "the market yawned". Maybe because the news wasn't surprising...maybe because the reponse was predictable...maybe it had nothing to do with Alan Greenspan. After all can a market miss a man? That would be silly wouldn't it. Still, it's undeniable that after many years of service to the financial community Alan will be missed, and it will be quite some time before I for one don't do a double take when I see Mr. Bernanke sitting in that seat.
The quote about Walmart is taken from the following article:
www.usatoday.com/money/industries/ retail/2006-01-26-wal-mart-usat_x.htm?POE=MONISVA - 49k
Katrina's Wake Up Call
Saturday, February 11, 2006
Katrina's Wake Up Call
I've been reading over the last few days articles in the NY Times about Michael Brown's comments about the failure of the President and other organizations within the gov't to react sooner after being told the night before the storm hit that the levee had broken and NO was at serious risk of flooding.
He resigned early on in the days following the tragedy due to pressure and now says he was a "scapegoat" for all that went wrong during that crucial time during those hours just before and after the storm hit. Is he angry? Is this why he's pointing the finger now at the President and others to take up the responsibilities they did not when this occured. The fact that he can't remember the details of who he talked to make one a bit unsure of his motives. However, he's admited his mistakes publicly in the ordeal so perhaps he just wants it known that all that went wrong wasn't his doing and wants acknowledgement of this fact to be made by the parties in question.
It is interesting also how those who most vigorously attacked him back in September (Democrats) are now saying he was used as a "scapegoat" and are sympathetic to his situation. But then politics is a strange business so while it's possible they realized they judged him to harshly they may also have an ax to grind about the failure of those higher up to accept accountability.
Whatever the reasons there is and has been little doubt in many people's minds that much could've been done sooner to exacerbate the extent of if nothing else the number of lives lost. Mayor C. Ray Nagin of New Orleans admitted that he had a mandatory evacuation planned to start getting people out on Saturday - two days before the hurricane hit - but it wasn't put into motion until Sunday. The President was at his ranch,the Vice President was fly-fishing in Wyoming and the chief of staff was in Maine even though they knew what a threat the storm was to the people in NO. And the people that were able to get to relative safety before the storm hit at the Convention Center had inadequate food and water,"FEMA had planned to have 360,000 ready-to-eat meals delivered to the city and 15 trucks of water in advance of the storm. But only 40,000 meals and five trucks of water had arrived."
As was reported in one of the articles I read "It has been known since the earliest days of the storm that all levels of government — from the White House to the Department of Homeland Security to the Louisiana Capitol to New Orleans City Hall — were unprepared, uncommunicative and phlegmatic in protecting Gulf Coast residents from the floodwaters and their aftermath."
Hopefully, if nothing else a lesson will be learned by all involved so that the next time they will react sooner, and pull together to avoid extra unneccessary suffering and loss by the victims.
Quotes are from the following article: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/10/politics/10katrina.html?pagewanted=2&th&emc=th
Katrina's Wake Up Call
I've been reading over the last few days articles in the NY Times about Michael Brown's comments about the failure of the President and other organizations within the gov't to react sooner after being told the night before the storm hit that the levee had broken and NO was at serious risk of flooding.
He resigned early on in the days following the tragedy due to pressure and now says he was a "scapegoat" for all that went wrong during that crucial time during those hours just before and after the storm hit. Is he angry? Is this why he's pointing the finger now at the President and others to take up the responsibilities they did not when this occured. The fact that he can't remember the details of who he talked to make one a bit unsure of his motives. However, he's admited his mistakes publicly in the ordeal so perhaps he just wants it known that all that went wrong wasn't his doing and wants acknowledgement of this fact to be made by the parties in question.
It is interesting also how those who most vigorously attacked him back in September (Democrats) are now saying he was used as a "scapegoat" and are sympathetic to his situation. But then politics is a strange business so while it's possible they realized they judged him to harshly they may also have an ax to grind about the failure of those higher up to accept accountability.
Whatever the reasons there is and has been little doubt in many people's minds that much could've been done sooner to exacerbate the extent of if nothing else the number of lives lost. Mayor C. Ray Nagin of New Orleans admitted that he had a mandatory evacuation planned to start getting people out on Saturday - two days before the hurricane hit - but it wasn't put into motion until Sunday. The President was at his ranch,the Vice President was fly-fishing in Wyoming and the chief of staff was in Maine even though they knew what a threat the storm was to the people in NO. And the people that were able to get to relative safety before the storm hit at the Convention Center had inadequate food and water,"FEMA had planned to have 360,000 ready-to-eat meals delivered to the city and 15 trucks of water in advance of the storm. But only 40,000 meals and five trucks of water had arrived."
As was reported in one of the articles I read "It has been known since the earliest days of the storm that all levels of government — from the White House to the Department of Homeland Security to the Louisiana Capitol to New Orleans City Hall — were unprepared, uncommunicative and phlegmatic in protecting Gulf Coast residents from the floodwaters and their aftermath."
Hopefully, if nothing else a lesson will be learned by all involved so that the next time they will react sooner, and pull together to avoid extra unneccessary suffering and loss by the victims.
Quotes are from the following article: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/10/politics/10katrina.html?pagewanted=2&th&emc=th
Five Days In Bangladesh
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Five Days In Bangladesh
I watched clips from a documentary that aired in New Zealand recently yesterday. The show was narrated by Lucy Lawless who is from NZ but is also known here for having her own show "Xena" and for those unfamiliar with that vehicle perhaps for her recurring role of Maddie Reardon in two CBS movies: Locusts, and Vampire Bats. I was able to view the clips which showed the entire documentary through a website which gives updates on what Lucy is doing.
In it she spends five days in different parts of Bangladesh to show how the poverty over there affects the people and in particular the lives of the children. Young kids working harder in one day than any of us will ever work to help put just one meal on the table for themselves and their family while also attending school for a few hours a day. That's all many of them have if they are lucky. One meal a day usually rice, and very small portion at that.
Perhaps this is nothing new but watching the people and how they try to survive and the pride they have...one family made a small feast for Lucy which cost them a weeks wages, which she of course didn't want them to spend on her but she didn't refuse because she didn't want to offend them. At this same home she held a small child in her lap who is very sick and probably has little time left in his life, and she after giving him back to his mother moved away from them as she began to cry while her translator stayed with them. I've never seen anyone in this type of documentary break down on camera but she did. It was heartbreaking scene to watch as she talked to the camerman as she cried about how little he weighed compared to her own 5 year old son and how because he sucks on his hand it's rotting.
She herself has sponsored a child there since 1996 who is now 15 and very healthy and happy and has she feels a bright future, so she's now sponsoring a little girl and she visited both of them at the end of the documentary which was nice as it gives hope that any of us can make a difference in a child's life there if we chose to do so by giving up just one thing...one luxury that we don't need...not even anything big like a car but small things. One person I know who saw this gave up her NetFlix account and getting coffee each day before work so she could put the money toward sponsoring a child herself.
It just opened my eyes alot about how much we here take for granted as it opened her eyes even further than they were as being a sponsor for ten years she did have an idea what things were like, but hearing about it and seeing it up close and personal are two different things.
For anyone who's interested here's the address of the site where you can see the clips: http://www.lucylawless.info/documentaries/world-vision/index.php
One last note. After seeing this and thinking about the live chat the class had last night about ads during the Super Bowl I couldn't help but think of how much good it would do if they had even just one spot during an event like this for what's going on over there. 90 million people would be made aware. Sure I know that it may dampen the mood, but isn't there room for awareness even if it's just for 30 seconds instead of having spots like this air in the middle of the night when only a fraction of people are awake.
Five Days In Bangladesh
I watched clips from a documentary that aired in New Zealand recently yesterday. The show was narrated by Lucy Lawless who is from NZ but is also known here for having her own show "Xena" and for those unfamiliar with that vehicle perhaps for her recurring role of Maddie Reardon in two CBS movies: Locusts, and Vampire Bats. I was able to view the clips which showed the entire documentary through a website which gives updates on what Lucy is doing.
In it she spends five days in different parts of Bangladesh to show how the poverty over there affects the people and in particular the lives of the children. Young kids working harder in one day than any of us will ever work to help put just one meal on the table for themselves and their family while also attending school for a few hours a day. That's all many of them have if they are lucky. One meal a day usually rice, and very small portion at that.
Perhaps this is nothing new but watching the people and how they try to survive and the pride they have...one family made a small feast for Lucy which cost them a weeks wages, which she of course didn't want them to spend on her but she didn't refuse because she didn't want to offend them. At this same home she held a small child in her lap who is very sick and probably has little time left in his life, and she after giving him back to his mother moved away from them as she began to cry while her translator stayed with them. I've never seen anyone in this type of documentary break down on camera but she did. It was heartbreaking scene to watch as she talked to the camerman as she cried about how little he weighed compared to her own 5 year old son and how because he sucks on his hand it's rotting.
She herself has sponsored a child there since 1996 who is now 15 and very healthy and happy and has she feels a bright future, so she's now sponsoring a little girl and she visited both of them at the end of the documentary which was nice as it gives hope that any of us can make a difference in a child's life there if we chose to do so by giving up just one thing...one luxury that we don't need...not even anything big like a car but small things. One person I know who saw this gave up her NetFlix account and getting coffee each day before work so she could put the money toward sponsoring a child herself.
It just opened my eyes alot about how much we here take for granted as it opened her eyes even further than they were as being a sponsor for ten years she did have an idea what things were like, but hearing about it and seeing it up close and personal are two different things.
For anyone who's interested here's the address of the site where you can see the clips: http://www.lucylawless.info/documentaries/world-vision/index.php
One last note. After seeing this and thinking about the live chat the class had last night about ads during the Super Bowl I couldn't help but think of how much good it would do if they had even just one spot during an event like this for what's going on over there. 90 million people would be made aware. Sure I know that it may dampen the mood, but isn't there room for awareness even if it's just for 30 seconds instead of having spots like this air in the middle of the night when only a fraction of people are awake.
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