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psycho_tabby had her 21st birthday party on New Year's Eve. There was chocolate cake. Also prawns on sticks, a multitude of spiders lurking in a suspicious manner over our heads (I was worried it was going to turn into a scene from Harry Potter) and there was Dee! Home from Canada! And 21. And my friends were there. And Dee's nice family. And sparklers! I had much fun :)And then there was the inevitable discussion about the updated death toll and how countries should be donating more...
And look! They are. And maybe it is a bit of a pissing contest, as the article says, but I have to think that it's because the scale of the tragedy just keeps escalating. The newspaper this morning proclaimed "127 000 dead, that number to double."
zebra363 said "Anyone with your DVD collection isn't in a postion to criticise." And she has a damn good point. And makes it in detail here. Go read it. Embrace the guilt. (The rest of this post is a sort of in response.)I love my DVD's. They bring me joy. Like Zebra, I donated what I thought was a decent amount of money, and on the way home from the bank I wondered if all those boxed DVD set's I snapped up from Amazon UK because they were half price had arrived yet. And realised that I had spent more on myself this Christmas than I had donated. A sobering realisation. Tomorrow I will go back to the bank and give a hell of a lot more. But give up everything beyond necessities? I don't want to do that. I am trying to find a justification for this but there isn't one. At the risk of sounding dramatic I know that if I could end world hunger at the cost of my life I would not hesitate. Maybe it's the sheer scope that is too overwhelming. Starvation, disease, human rights abuse, the destruction of the environment, species becoming extinct every day, inhumane treatment of animals...
How do you decide what's most important?
The decision I made many years ago was to pick a cause to 'join', if you like, and I chose Amnesty International. Should I feel guilty that the thought of victims of torture, and the horrific abuses which too many women and girls in are forced to endure, stir me more than thoughts of children starving?
And now I've been jolted out of my complacency. *glares at Zebra*
Maybe I'll think of something profound when I'm not so tired.
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I pretend to myself that my consumer life-style helps keep me happy enough with my job. Certainly going out for nice meals is my reward for myself for long shifts at Geraldton emergency dept.
I could do my job and focus on its inherent rewards, and the goal at the end of it all (being able to join up with Medicin Sans Frontieres and go somewhere useful), but I'm weak, and haven't yet mastered the other goal - happiness purely from within, not from external pleasures.
None of us live noble lives. But I think there's still hope if we can respond, even temporarily, to external events whether it be donating for the current photogenic disaster, or personal activism/increased awareness of environmental footstep after watching "The Corporation", to use my personal examples. Sure I forgot the needs of others when I hit the shops this week. I'm unlikely to change my whole life all at once, but a string of small changes does build up with time.
Also harping on about the needs of the poor vs the wants of the rich (a sign outside a church I saw in October) pricks us all with guilt, and may encourage a little change here and there.
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I am trying to find a justification for this but there isn't one is right, but most people go to any lengths to pretend that there is. I'm not giving up my possessions any time soon either, but at least we're being honest about our choices and doing something.
Amnesty International isn't a lesser cause - I just picked hunger as the most basic example.
but I like you even more now. but I like you even more now.
Re: but I like you even more now. but I like you even more now.
I was scared!
Re: but I like you even more now. but I like you even more now.
Eek - yes, I deserve to be called on that! Actually, that's why I'm usually afraid to raise serious issues with people I care about. That's another interesting moral question, though. How much can you disagree with someone and still consider them a friend, without your continued friendship effectively condoning whatever it is you disagree strongly about? Should you stick around and hope you can influence them slightly, or at some point do you have to say "sorry, I am so opposed to your views on XYZ that I really want nothing more to do with you?".
That There Might Be Giants Song "Your Racist Friend" comes to mind.
Re: but I like you even more now. but I like you even more now.
Eventually they seemed to get the point. I have a fond memory of the five of us watching 'Edward II' together. They claimed they enjoyed it. *eg*
So, go the attempted influence I say.
Remember when I said that if someone pisses me off usually I don't say anything? That absolutely does NOT apply to racism or homophobia.
Shortly after I moved in with Dragonfly she hosted a games night for some friends of hers from work. While people were still arriving and D was puttering about in the kitchen (as she does), I had the Sydney Mardi Gras on mute in the background. Well. This was the cue for some offensive remark from some guy. It didn't go down well. I'm sure Dragonfly remembers back on that night fondly *eg*
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I also meant to say:
There's a billboard on Albany Highway I drive past all the time which says something like "Remember it is by faith you are saved, not by works." It never fails to raise my blood pressure as I pass it. It seems to say that it's fine if you never lift a finger to help anybody, so long as you have "faith". If that's really what it means, that has to be the biggest cop-out of all time.
Can I ask a quick medical question, K? I've been painting the trim & interior doors in my house. Is it bad to leave turpentine to dry on your hands?
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And I think I have similar problems with the attitudes of some Christians...
Remember Voltaire - I disagree with what you say, but will defend to the death your right to say it.
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Like when I chastised a kid at work the other day for using a racially derogative term.
Or any time someone expresses homophobia.
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In Geraldton in late October one of the nurses made a purse-lipped comment about how "those gays shouldn't parade down the street like that". I didn't directly harass her, but I did start carrying on about how affirming it is for isolated gays/lesbians/queers to see others on the TV being out and proud, and how if it prevented one suicide, then it's worth it.
She shut up, but I'm not sure if she's convinced. She certainly doesn't make homophobic comments to me any more. But by my terms, she should be allowed to voice her opinions safely.
I struggle with that.
Not justifying