Here in St.Louis, the horror of the earthquake in Haiti and its toll on people is featured daily in local newspapers, on radio and television. Synagogues, churches, schools and The Symphony Orchestra, along with supermarkets, restaurants and other specialty shops are raising money for the rescue effort.
Families seeking news about missing relatives use cellphones, or twitter or anything that could help bring them word of what is happening. Some get good news. Some get news of incomprehensible loss. Organizations, such as "Meds and Food for Kids" and "Wings of Hope" and others stationed here in St. Louis are working to get through with relief efforts. None of this is unique or exceptional. The whole world has come together to help lessen the awful plight of people without resources who have been hit by the full fury of nature.
In doing so, Haiti, in its hour of need, has made all of us citizens of the global community.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010
P. T. BARNUM AND THE WORLD'S TALLEST BUILDING
In 1881 P.T. Barnum, co-founder of the Barnum and Bailey Circus, coined the phrase, "There's a sucker born every minute."
On January 4, 2010, the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, 160 floors high in Dubai, Arab Emirates opened to much hoopla. It has all the amenities one could imagine for luxurious living. Fifty-four elevators, reaching speeds of 40 miles per hour take visitors up to the observation deck for views that reach 60 miles. Since its opening, more than 10,000 people have come to see it and take the ride to the observation deck for which there is a hefty charge.
Ten days later, after its glitzy opening, another report was much grimmer. Occupancy in other buildings in the area is down, planned construction site machinery are still, and much of the landscaped areas are overgrown. One visitor, unfazed by the telltale signs of down turn explained that Dubai's success comes from risk taking and that won't change.
That's when I remembered Barnum's famous quote: "There's a sucker born every minute."
On January 4, 2010, the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, 160 floors high in Dubai, Arab Emirates opened to much hoopla. It has all the amenities one could imagine for luxurious living. Fifty-four elevators, reaching speeds of 40 miles per hour take visitors up to the observation deck for views that reach 60 miles. Since its opening, more than 10,000 people have come to see it and take the ride to the observation deck for which there is a hefty charge.
Ten days later, after its glitzy opening, another report was much grimmer. Occupancy in other buildings in the area is down, planned construction site machinery are still, and much of the landscaped areas are overgrown. One visitor, unfazed by the telltale signs of down turn explained that Dubai's success comes from risk taking and that won't change.
That's when I remembered Barnum's famous quote: "There's a sucker born every minute."
Thursday, January 7, 2010
GUNS: PROTECTORS OR DESTROYERS?
This morning, January 7, we awoke to a bright sun shimmering on the snow and ice and with the news that a man with a shotgun and a hand gun had walked into a large electrical supply complex, shot five people, killed three and may have shot himself. The news broke so fast, that we are uncertain about numbers, motives or even who the perpetrator is/was.
When I listen to arguments that it is un American or against the Constitution to want to curtail the sale of weapons to private citizens, I listen in disbelief. Webster Groves, once a quiet suburban area, home to 23,000 plus people, has now lost lives and a way of life because somehow a gun was in the wrong man's hands.
Yet, we continue to accept the unacceptable ownership of weapons which can turn a quiet snowy morning into a morning of horror.
When I listen to arguments that it is un American or against the Constitution to want to curtail the sale of weapons to private citizens, I listen in disbelief. Webster Groves, once a quiet suburban area, home to 23,000 plus people, has now lost lives and a way of life because somehow a gun was in the wrong man's hands.
Yet, we continue to accept the unacceptable ownership of weapons which can turn a quiet snowy morning into a morning of horror.
Monday, December 28, 2009
ALIEN PLANET AND THE NEW YEAR
My grandchildren zoom around face book, twitter and other technology as if they were on skate boards. They urge me to learn how to use the new technology. Even though all this seems like a link to an Alien Planet to me, they helped me set up my blog.
As a result, I have been able to keep up with friends, colleagues and family around the country, Paris, Denmark and with new friends here in the mid west. My list of readers has grown since I started. Frequently and infrequently I hear from readers by email, sometimes in appreciation, sometimes with a critique.
I take you, my reader seriously and feel a special kinship with you for the small and large events each of us experienced during 2009. I hope I have put a human face on events that may at times have seemed to large to encompass within this small blog.
Thank you for the time you share with me. May the New Year be a good one for you and yours.
As a result, I have been able to keep up with friends, colleagues and family around the country, Paris, Denmark and with new friends here in the mid west. My list of readers has grown since I started. Frequently and infrequently I hear from readers by email, sometimes in appreciation, sometimes with a critique.
I take you, my reader seriously and feel a special kinship with you for the small and large events each of us experienced during 2009. I hope I have put a human face on events that may at times have seemed to large to encompass within this small blog.
Thank you for the time you share with me. May the New Year be a good one for you and yours.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
2010? ASK THE QUESTION!
This morning, radio BBC carried a panel of journalists, academicians and pundits. The panel reviewed the significant events of 2000 and commented on what issues we will need to deal with in 2010 and the future.
The discussion dealt with the global economy, this country's use of the military in the middle east, and the steps we need to take to assure our safety. But what it came down to was the question, how do we protect ourselves from those whose ideas and actions would do us harm, while not forgoing our own ideals? It seems to me that raising the question would serve us well.
In this age of terrorism, how do we protect ourselves? Do we abandon law and our ability to change laws that are ill conceived? Do we substitute might for right? Do we replace thoughtful deliberation for quick fixes?
Examining such questions could provide us with a steady compass to take us to 2010 and help us understand, we are not alone in this age of terrorism.
The discussion dealt with the global economy, this country's use of the military in the middle east, and the steps we need to take to assure our safety. But what it came down to was the question, how do we protect ourselves from those whose ideas and actions would do us harm, while not forgoing our own ideals? It seems to me that raising the question would serve us well.
In this age of terrorism, how do we protect ourselves? Do we abandon law and our ability to change laws that are ill conceived? Do we substitute might for right? Do we replace thoughtful deliberation for quick fixes?
Examining such questions could provide us with a steady compass to take us to 2010 and help us understand, we are not alone in this age of terrorism.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
HOLIDAY LESSON ON DIAMOND ST.
When I was a child my family lived on Diamond Street in Philadelphia. Different faiths,ethnic shops and markets were in the neighborhood. I think about Diamond Street at this time of the year because of a lesson I learned there so long ago.
My family celebrates Hanukkah. We lived next door to a neighbor who celebrated Christmas. During one Hanukkah, our neighbor invited us to come in and see her Christmas decorations. The tree was upstairs, but its lovely smell filled the house.
The tree stood in a corner. The branches beautifully trimmed with sparkling ornaments. Beneath its branches was an entire village with lighted houses, people, and moving trains. There was even a circus with animals and a working Ferris wheel. There were two dolls wrapped for my sister and me. It was a dazzling sight.
Even though I thought there could be nothing more beautiful than my twinkling Hanukkah lights, or as exciting as the story my father told, when we came home I asked my mother why we did not have as beautiful decorations as our neighbor. She explained there are many different faiths, each one beautiful in its own tradition.
The lesson I learned from her on Diamond street has served me well all these years. I can enjoy, respect and admire the tradition of other faiths without abandoning my own, especially at this time of the year.
My family celebrates Hanukkah. We lived next door to a neighbor who celebrated Christmas. During one Hanukkah, our neighbor invited us to come in and see her Christmas decorations. The tree was upstairs, but its lovely smell filled the house.
The tree stood in a corner. The branches beautifully trimmed with sparkling ornaments. Beneath its branches was an entire village with lighted houses, people, and moving trains. There was even a circus with animals and a working Ferris wheel. There were two dolls wrapped for my sister and me. It was a dazzling sight.
Even though I thought there could be nothing more beautiful than my twinkling Hanukkah lights, or as exciting as the story my father told, when we came home I asked my mother why we did not have as beautiful decorations as our neighbor. She explained there are many different faiths, each one beautiful in its own tradition.
The lesson I learned from her on Diamond street has served me well all these years. I can enjoy, respect and admire the tradition of other faiths without abandoning my own, especially at this time of the year.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
TWO MEN ON SOCIETY'S FRINGES
Two men living on the fringes of society, were depicted in the December 22nd edition of the New York Times. Ironically, one was famous and lived in luxury, the other was unknown and with little more than the cloths on his back.
I was struck by the irony because of the riveting front page photo of Anthony Marshall, 85 years-old, as he heard his sentencing in a New York courtroom for "syphoning millions from his mother, Brook Astor." The camera showed a defeated, bitter man.
While on the editorial page, "Appreciation" was given for Ben Kennedy. Verlyn Klinkenborg wrote that the little known Kennedy died just before reaching his 87th birthday in his subsidized housing in Helena, Mont. The writer went on to say, because of Kennedy's appearance,one "could be forgiven for thinking he was a street person." Yet, he was mourned and remembered for the way he helped others.
Two men, one alive, used to a life of luxury and scorned by others. The other, making do with little, sharing what he had with others and seen as a benefactor in death. Ironically, both living on the fringes of society.
I was struck by the irony because of the riveting front page photo of Anthony Marshall, 85 years-old, as he heard his sentencing in a New York courtroom for "syphoning millions from his mother, Brook Astor." The camera showed a defeated, bitter man.
While on the editorial page, "Appreciation" was given for Ben Kennedy. Verlyn Klinkenborg wrote that the little known Kennedy died just before reaching his 87th birthday in his subsidized housing in Helena, Mont. The writer went on to say, because of Kennedy's appearance,one "could be forgiven for thinking he was a street person." Yet, he was mourned and remembered for the way he helped others.
Two men, one alive, used to a life of luxury and scorned by others. The other, making do with little, sharing what he had with others and seen as a benefactor in death. Ironically, both living on the fringes of society.
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