GeishaKat's Blog

I read with interest the CNN news article regarding this Hadron Collider that may, or may not, bring our world to an end today, or in the near future. As I scanned the story, it suddenly came to mind that all this money is such a waste. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m all for research and science; all that knowledge amazes me. But, just think what good this $3.8 billion would have done for so many of this world who are starving, homeless, dying because they can’t afford medical care. That’s just naming 3 of the major problems this 3.8 billion could have gone a long way to solving.

Today our United States alone faces a crises around every corner. From a growing population of homeless to the fact that way to many working people have NO medical insurance because companies can no longer afford the premiums and the employee is no better off. There is the housing problem, people losing homes through bankruptcy and foreclosures. And of course, the price of oil is a constant concern. And there are many problems we all know about that I have not listed. And yet, this Hadron Collider was way more important than any of these. So important in fact that 1200 US contributors chose to give $531 million to build it.

Of course, there’s the rationalization of the project - Such as it “will provide scientists with much greater power than ever before to smash the components of atoms in a bid to see how they are made.” And, the scientists on this project make statements like "I think it's a very important project," "It's mostly out of scientific curiosity, what is the universe made of? How does it work? What are the rules? That's very exciting and it's important to advance our knowledge," There was even a rap video made about it.

I wonder what statement the homeless man at the local shelter would have to give on this subject? How important is this smashing of components to him?  Or, the family who is moving in with relatives because their own home was sold at auction? How important is this smashing of components to them?  Or the working man who just found out his wife has cancer but they can’t afford the treatment due to lack of medical insurance? Will this atom smasher help cure her?  Or the 3rd world country, just wiped out by the most recent typhoon or hurricane? What are the rules here? Will this collider block the next wave?  Will it help restore the destruction?

Like I said, I’m all for science, increasing one’s knowledge. I’m just confused as to how much more important this power to smash a component of atom has become over the importance of our own human race and the caring of one human for another.

My sister sent me this today.  Her thoughts.  I felt it was something very much worth passing along.  Just a reminder for those who sometimes forget.

Our whiny selves

This morning I was reading the news online,  as I do every day.  I happened to click on pictures that someone had posted of Haiti.  I was thinking to myself,  "oh how awful" ,  but then,  I stumbled across a picture that made me realize just what a very selfish, whiny person I really am.

The picture was of a woman,  standing alone,  with water halfway up her legs.    She was standing in front of  what I presumed to be her home,  or somebody else's home.  It was basically what we here in America would refer to as a "shack" or a hut.  I've seen storage buildings much larger than that hut.   She had beside her,  floating on the water,  a wash tub.  In that wash tub,  there was a precious bundle,  carefully tied up with a piece of cloth.  That was her possessions that she was trying very hard to preserve from the flood. 

For me,  it was like a slap across the face.  We here in America are SO blessed and yet,  we whine about what we have or don't have,  or wish we did have.   Even the people fleeing from Gustav in the southern states,  took more with them than what this woman will probably ever have in her entire existence.  Yet we whine.

I complain because we're out of bread.  I live close enough to the Walmart that I could walk if I had to and buy a loaf of bread.  A loaf of bread for this woman would probably be a weeks wage.    I complain because I looked in the storage under the bathroom sink and I only have 2 jugs of detergent left.   This woman has probably had very little detergent to use in her life.  I complain because the coffee is on the top shelf in the cabinet and I have to drag a chair to stand on to get it down.  This woman would love to just have a place to sit down at the moment and have a cup of coffee.   Everywhere she looks there is water.   

Tonight,  I will lay my head down on a soft pillow, in a king sized bed,  and will cover up with clean sheets in an air conditioned room.  My dogs will be lying on the floor beside me on their clean sheepskin rugs and blankets and dream of whatever it is that dogs dream of.   Where will the woman in this picture sleep tonight?  I'm sure that for her,  what my dogs are sleeping on would be a soft bed for her.  Why is it that my dogs are in a much better position than this human being?  It doesn't seem fair does it?  I know that when I wake up in the morning,  there will be fresh coffee,  and a nice breakfast for me to eat.  I won't worry about whether or not I'm going to eat.  I will have to make the choice of what I'm going to eat.  What will she eat?  Where will she eat?  Will she even have something to eat?

I'm not sure that when I lay down in my bed tonight that I will be able to sleep.  I think the hopeless face of this woman will probably haunt me for a long time.  I hope that it haunts me long enough to make me remember every day of my life to thank God for where I live.  For my home,  for my family,  for the pointless number of shoes hanging on my closet door,  for the pots, pans and dishes I take for granted every day.

We are blessed.  When we stop and take stock,  we have nothing to whine about,  nothing to complain about.  We may not be rich by others standards,  but somewhere in Haiti is a woman who would love to have just a tenth of what we have. 

We are so blessed.  We really are.

I am mystified by this whole case.  How can this "mother" refuse to help find her daughter?  She claims the child is close to home, she knows where she is, who has her.  Perhaps that is more true than we know.  Perhaps the child is buried close to home.  Perhaps in the back yard of the grandparents.  Perhaps the child is now in God's care.

This is my opinion folks.  I can not be objective in favor of this woman who refuses to cooperate with law enforcement.  This fantasy tale of intrigue that the child's life is in danger if she tells anything; the supposed death threats against the family.  I felt no sorrow for Casey Anthony as I looked at the picture of the big smile on her face in the news story on myfoxtampabay.com website this morning.

I still pray for this baby who has been lost in all this.  It's obvious that the media has turned it's attention to the mother and grandparents.  But, isn't that what the mother and grandparents want?  It's called "wag the dog".

 

Just wondering......

Okay, a tax hike on gas is necessary because of rising road improvement cost?  All I can say is...Hey you guys up there...here's something you may not have thought of??  As gas prices continue to increase, many of us will be unable to afford the fuel to drive our cars....So, you won't need to improve the roads.

I was just wondering.....do you people in congress pay for your own gas?  Or, do we, the general public pay for that?  I know there is some free medical for you guys; so I wondered if the gas was free too?

Just thought I would ask that question because it sure sounds like some body up there doesn't care that I just paid a total of $40 to fill up my tank with mid-grade that only cost me $20 just a few months ago; and $10 a couple of years ago.   My husband is lucky, he can use regular grade in his truck.  But even that has doubled..or has it trippled?  I have really lost count.

Like I said.....just wondering...

Did I read that story correctly?  An 11 year old girl, home alone?  Okay, Dad made it home in time--this time.  This 11 year old CHILD was lucky this home invasion didn't turn into something much worse.  Mom, Dad, why was this 11 year old CHILD home alone?  Just curious.  Was the babysitter late? 

I just read the article about the 11 year old child that killed herself playing this "choking game" that seems to be the rage among our young adults.  I want to say something, but what?  I want to ask, "Who started this game in the first place?"  "Where are the parents?"  "Have we raised a generation of idiots?"  But, as I sit here with  these questions in my mind, I am so saddened by this whole scenario.  If I'm not mistaken, this same game killed another child not long ago.  It's the same story, no one believes anything bad will happen.  The same remarks, "Oh, I won't get hooked by just trying it once."..."Oh, I'll stop long before I black out."  I'm so sorry for the parents of these children....of this little girl.

Perhaps all I can say is, parents, talk to your children, show them the article, take them to the funeral, let them see first hand what happens in the real world.

 

When I read this story, it sickened me.  This morning I am still outraged at this senseless act by these teens.  Something to do "just for fun".   I wonder what else they do "just for fun"?  I believe part of their punishment, if there is any, should be to completely clean up and restore the sites they destroyed.  Make monetary restitution to the families that will now have to repair, or replace, headstones and remembrance figures.  Yes, that sounds like a pretty good punishment to me.  As for the parents of these teens?  The monetary restitution should most assuredly come from your pockets.  Hey, why were these teens not being monitored?  Same story as all the rest I'm betting.  The parents had no idea where they were. 

Just a quick note from this side of the Bay....Whether you oppose this new stadium or not...if your local government wants it...you WILL have a new stadium....There was  opposition to the new stadium in Tampa......voters showed that opposition at the polls....Hey....we now have a new stadium...It's a political/economic decision in the end.....but hey...you go ahead and show your support or opposition and enjoy that new stadium.

I just read the news article regarding the capsizing of a boat that held 9 people....included in that number was an infant and a small child.  It was reported that NO ONE ON BOARD was wearing a life jacket.  Luckily no one was drowned.

Parents...where was your thinking caps??  My husband has one very important rule on our boat...every child MUST WEAR A LIFE JACKET THE ENTIRE TIME THEY ARE ABOARD.  As for the infant??  Well, I can only say in my opinion that infant should NOT have been aboard.

There was no report on the size of the overturned craft; however, another important note to those who decide to go boating -- Captains - KNOW THE CAPACITY - Don't carry more passengers than you have proper seating.

Okay, that's my sermon on this.  Sadly, many do not realize the importance of boating safety.  Especially where small children are concerned.

How sad the violence displayed by the children of this 21st century.  Where do we put the blame?  The parents?  The teachers?  I say both.  The parents for not properly guiding the child in the right direction in the first place.  The teachers for not having the ability to stand up to these "thugs" and take charge of their classrooms.

These girls, and boys, should ALL be treated as adults in the justice process.  After all, they want to be treated as adults in daily life.   The parents should be required to stand beside them at the defense table and share in whatever punishment is handed down.