News~
--New Mexico is the first to offer marijuana for medical use. With a great number of restrictions they are allowing non profit organizations to grow the plant.
--The Freakonomics blog from the NY Times discusses how greeting norms change around the world. To kiss or not kiss is the question...AND how the old ways may even be offensive.
--Google is NOT ruining the planet. According to Wired Magazine, the numbers that calculate the energy from your Google searches are barely a fraction considering the amount of gas the U.S. uses in a day. These facts are contrast to a claim made by Harvard physicist.
--AND, a 107-year-old woman in China has decided it's time for her to get married. Having never vowed under holy matrimony, this lovely lady would like to take the burden off her nieces and nephews and take to being on her own w/ a husband.
Blogs~
--Tyler's newest blog on Man of Depravity discusses the idea of Churches acting like Clubs. There is an isolated "join us" or "stay away" attitude that many churches carry and then there are those that seem to move toward one goal whether or in or "out" of that particular club. It's an interesting topic, nonetheless.
--Leah, from A Little of Me, recently completed a week's worth of blogging observing a week in her shoes. She took pictures of her feet through out the day w/ the various activities she's participated in. She has challenged ME to do so as well. I told her she might not get a week out of me, but certainly I will do a day. SO- look for a blog, coming soon, entitled "A Day in My Shoes."
Recommended Read~
--I just finished Into the Wild. It is a beautiful story about Chris "Alex" McCandless, who wandered for two years and after spending 4 mo. in Alaska, he died. The book is written from the perspective of the journalist who covered the story. Hopefully, I might watch the movie soon.
--Currently I am reading a book called Ishmael, recommended to me by blog buddy, Amos. The writing is fascinating and thrilling and I can't put it down. I will share some thoughts on this soon.
Finally~
A note on Gaza: Obviously this is a distressing situation. Knowing what the absolute best solution is can be tough. Both Hamas and Israel are responsible for the destruction of so many people. It's un-nerving and wrong. Hopefully a complete cease-fire will occur soon. At this point, it is probably best the President-elect has not said much on the subject. And politically, there is a fine line b/t becoming an outside "police force," and an "ally"- only b/c what ends up happening is a friendship with the Government rather than really assisting the suffering population. In the mean time, and despite all the descruction happening, I posted a recent story from Current TV...there is a movement and cause among the youth in the Middle East of both persuasions coming together. So make sure to check out Peace Going Green and be encouraged, at least for a few minutes.
--The Freakonomics blog from the NY Times discusses how greeting norms change around the world. To kiss or not kiss is the question...AND how the old ways may even be offensive.
--Google is NOT ruining the planet. According to Wired Magazine, the numbers that calculate the energy from your Google searches are barely a fraction considering the amount of gas the U.S. uses in a day. These facts are contrast to a claim made by Harvard physicist.
--AND, a 107-year-old woman in China has decided it's time for her to get married. Having never vowed under holy matrimony, this lovely lady would like to take the burden off her nieces and nephews and take to being on her own w/ a husband.
Blogs~
--Tyler's newest blog on Man of Depravity discusses the idea of Churches acting like Clubs. There is an isolated "join us" or "stay away" attitude that many churches carry and then there are those that seem to move toward one goal whether or in or "out" of that particular club. It's an interesting topic, nonetheless.
--Leah, from A Little of Me, recently completed a week's worth of blogging observing a week in her shoes. She took pictures of her feet through out the day w/ the various activities she's participated in. She has challenged ME to do so as well. I told her she might not get a week out of me, but certainly I will do a day. SO- look for a blog, coming soon, entitled "A Day in My Shoes."
Recommended Read~
--I just finished Into the Wild. It is a beautiful story about Chris "Alex" McCandless, who wandered for two years and after spending 4 mo. in Alaska, he died. The book is written from the perspective of the journalist who covered the story. Hopefully, I might watch the movie soon.
--Currently I am reading a book called Ishmael, recommended to me by blog buddy, Amos. The writing is fascinating and thrilling and I can't put it down. I will share some thoughts on this soon.
Finally~
A note on Gaza: Obviously this is a distressing situation. Knowing what the absolute best solution is can be tough. Both Hamas and Israel are responsible for the destruction of so many people. It's un-nerving and wrong. Hopefully a complete cease-fire will occur soon. At this point, it is probably best the President-elect has not said much on the subject. And politically, there is a fine line b/t becoming an outside "police force," and an "ally"- only b/c what ends up happening is a friendship with the Government rather than really assisting the suffering population. In the mean time, and despite all the descruction happening, I posted a recent story from Current TV...there is a movement and cause among the youth in the Middle East of both persuasions coming together. So make sure to check out Peace Going Green and be encouraged, at least for a few minutes.
thanks for the link ash. looks like some good stuff to check out here.
ReplyDeleteno problem! it's what we're here for, eh?
ReplyDelete"Both Hamas and Israel are responsible for the destruction of so many people".
ReplyDeleteIn the past 8 years, Hamas is responsible for the deaths of roughly 20 Israeli civilians. This is certainly deplorable....But..... in the past 3 weeks, the Israelis have slaughtered roughly 1,000 Palestinians (half of which are women and children) and wounded several thousand more, not to mention the massive infrastructural damage and the 3 year long blockade, which has had its own decimating humanitarian ramifications. I don't think there is much equivalence here.
adam, you do realize that israel doesn't really let the media in when it concerns its numbers, right? not only that, but i have reports that come into work that are proof that hamas tries to get their own people killed for publicity's sake statements made by the hamas leader that we don't air....even the unchr commissioner recently said that gaza is the only place where it's refugees cannot flee. i'm not talking about strictly israeli's here, it doesn't matter who is getting hurt, palestinians or israelis there's comparative #s getting hurt from both sides and you have to willing to recognize that....IF you're a true humanitarian.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I cant decipher any general point, statement or assertion here. Umm, I said in my comment above, all civilian causalities are horrible. And the slaughtering of 1200 Palestinians, not to mention 5,000 wounded (many of whom will die in the upcoming weeks) is simply unjustifiable. And, frankly, who gives a shit about your reports that Hamas is trying to exploit civilian deaths? As if the Israelis aren't hijacking this whole situation for political reasons and propagandistic victories. I mean, a major pretext for the war (sorry if this contradicts your "reports"), was to get in one last massacre before Israel's best buddy Bush left office. And of course, Israeli politicians, like Tzipi Livni and Ehud Barak, mounted this attack to gain pre-election favor.
ReplyDelete"adam, you do realize that israel doesn't really let the media in when it concerns its numbers, right?"
Again, this doesn't really make any sense. If you are suggesting that the Israelis have not reported on the amount of Israeli casualties, well, then you are flat wrong. It has been sedulously reported in every media outlet in existence on the planet earth that 13 Israelis have been killed since hostilities began on Dec. 27th. 10 soldiers, 3 civilians.
"even the unchr commissioner recently said that gaza is the only place where it's refugees cannot flee."
Do you know why???? BECAUSE THE ISRAELIS ARE BLOCKADING THE ENTIRE GAZA STRIP. This has nothing to do with Hamas.
And just to recapitulate, there are not "comparative #'s getting hurt", indeed, this numbers are INCOMPARABLE.
you miss what i'm saying whether it's israel killing palestinians or hamas killing thier own people, both are taking part in the deaths of so many.
ReplyDeletewhat i don't understand is how you wish to glorify hamas by saying they're not perpetrating violence....that's astounding.
but a humanitarian does NOT under any circumstances point fingers one way or another. a humanitarian rushes in and assists when and where they can to help the VICTIMS not rant about political policies.
also, you'd be amazed at what the media does NOT show....behind the scenes, it's a radical process.
"what i don't understand is how you wish to glorify hamas by saying they're not perpetrating violence....that's astounding. "
ReplyDeleteThis is completely nonsensical. I have never attempted to glorify Hamas or deny that they are perpetrating violence. This is a common canard that is often utilized to discredit those who are acerbic in their criticism of Israeli policy. But its not going to work with me. I don't support Hamas or their actions. I understand where they are coming from in many respects. But, I have never attempted to glorify violence.
You are missing the point and I really don't understand why you keep talking about the philosophy behind humanitarianism, it is really ancillary to this discussion. Of course humanitarian organizations frequently "point fingers". Thats why they issue reports about war crimes. Go to Amnesty International, OxFam, B'tselem, Human Rights Watch or the ICRC websites. They issue condemnations, in other words "point fingers", at those who perpetrate human rights violations quotidianly.
"who gives a shit about your reports that Hamas is trying to exploit civilian deaths? As if the Israelis aren't hijacking this whole situation" AND "This has nothing to do with Hamas" -your comments...
ReplyDeletefirst off, you keep complaining no one is doing anything about the humanitarian crisis. so adam, that's what i'm addressing, what it is to be a humanitarian....esp. for someone who claims to believe in Cross, our view of what humanitarianism IS must change. Jesus never got involved in the politics and always stayed neutral. instead, he healed the sick, made the blind see and fed the hungry. that is my attitude.
now i've seen you condemn them, but your statements above are glorifying hamas. who gives a shit? i do. i don't see it black and white, i see grey...and both are equally responsible and in retrospect, they have been since father Abe moved into the land. peace begins from the ground up..not from lofty politics down.
i'm not going to argue w/ you until kingdom, that's not why i brought attn to the issue at all...and frankly i don't care to. i wanted to draw attn to the video i posted to show that there IS some good happening in the midst of the mess. and that, adam? is where it will rest here.