Torture, marriage, and children

So I stayed up late last night doing some research and Nightline came on. So I ended up watching a horrible torture video smuggled out of the Mideast. It was so horrible, I expected to hear lots about it today, or at least read lots about it--but no one seems to care very much. Most of the "comments" were "lefts" and "rights" trying to make it about America somehow. A man was terribly tortured. The police helped in the torture. It was over a value of 5000 dollars. Why would we make it about us? Can't we just be thankful that we don't live in a country that condones that kind of behaviour? Can't we come together to denounce torture and work as one to make sure that countries that turn a blind eye to torture hear loud and clear that we will fight for human rights everywhere.

So what was on the "news" today? Beauty queen says she lost a crown because she doesn't believe in gay marriage. Really? Does 3% of our society now dictate who becomes a beauty queen? Even though she is voicing what most of our country not only believes, but continues to vote to keep as law--that marriage is between a man and a woman-- she doesn't get to have the crown?! Crazy!

Children. I spend a lot of time taking care of sick kids. I have a child who has such a severe peanut allergy he eats in the Principal's office. I guess that is why I react to stories about people losing their children. How do you ever get over losing a child? ER had their finale. (I watched most of their shows since the first program--except when they were focusing on a few story lines I found too offensive to watch.) Before their finale they had the "best of" all the episodes. I realized that every episode that had really stuck with me, that I had cried large tears over, (unashamedly) were episodes about children and mothers dying. So why do I watch these shows that evoke such emotion. I think it lets some of my pent up fears over losing one of my children have a healthy place to vent....it makes me give my kids an extra hug, one more kiss, and remind myself that everyday with them is precious. Every moment is a gift.

Are Ethics Alive?

So I was checking on my public library web site to see if I had missed the annual book sale---and of course, I had, but I came across this article. How great is this!

"A Conscientious Library Patron and a Grateful LibraryThe Associated Press is reporting a great story about a now-famous library patron and an appreciative library.Pilot Chelsey “Sully” Sullenberger landed a US Airways plane in the Hudson River on January 15 without loss of life. He was not able, however, to save from the river a book that he had checked out from the University of California State University, Fresno, through his local library in Danville.Conscientiously he contacted library officials asking for an extension and waiver of overdue fees.Officials from Fresno State’s library not only waived the late and replacement fees; they also replaced the book and inserted in it a sticker noting that it was dedicated to “Sully.”The book was about professional ethics. source: www.nbcbayarea.com/news/us_world/Library-Waives-Fee-for-Sullys-Waterlogged-Book.html