Nothing has pleased me of late to the degree that news regarding the release of American Journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee has.  It is just the breath of fresh air and freedom that we need in this world right now. 

Welcome back to the land of the living ladies.  No matter what the circumstances we should be satisfied with this fortunate and historic milestone event.  It seems that it was not likely to have happened without the intervention of former president Bill Clinton.  He apparently met with high ranking North Korean officials in Pyongyang.  Whilst requesting the release of Laura and Euna, he had conveyed a message of apology to Kim Jong-Il.  Clinton’s message of apology must have been quite sincere for it to have had the profound effect that it did.  There ws also some bantering about how to improve the relationship between North Korea and the United States. 

For this situation to have unfolded this way it tells me two things - One is that there is little or no commonality between Barack Obama and Kim Jong-Il and it also tells me that Kim Jong-Il has a ’soft spot’ for Bill Clinton.  Honestly though -  It doesn’t matter!  The most optimal possible conclusion to this horrendous situation has occurred and my soul is singing. 

My heart is with the people who had to miss these wonderful individuals for the duration of their imprisonment In North Korea.  Congratulations to you on having them back.  Sigh - it pulls on my heartstrings as if they were my own.  In a way they are, my thoughts were with you often as they are today. 

Welcome home Euna and Laura - I can’t believe it!  I’m sure there will be plenty of hugging and kissing happening in those families.  Thank God for those that take a stand - Like everybody that did their part to free these ladies, and most of all Bill Clinton - most admirable of an act sir, you most certainly have my respect!

CNN Article

Today I read an article concerning a shooter who had opened fire on a backyard cookout in Baltimore Maryland on July 27th.  There is no suspect or recognized motive for this crime.  As the shooter targeted a specific home, we can assume it’s likely that he/she held a grudge against the residents there.  Instead it’s also possible that the location was chosen due to there being a relatively large crowd.  The report of how many were wounded in the attack varies.  At least 7 people were wounded.  One of the wounded was a toddler, 2 years old, another a young pregnant woman. 

We are lucky concerning the lack of any serious injuries.  But for me this situtation raises some questions about our society, where these types of activities illustrating individuals as crying out for attention are becoming a regular event. 

What would cause someone to do this?  Stress combined with a weakened mind seems the most likely answer.  Man the human brain is such a puzzle.  Those that seem in need of emotional care often seem unable to recognize it.  It would be logical to think “Gee, I feel like getting a gun, going down to the park and opening fire; I must be mentally unwell. I will seek help.”  This would be in an ideal world where individuals could always see the illness within their minds - It wouldn’t likely happen in our world anyway even if people could recognize what was happening… You see in our world we are heavy-handed with labeling.  People would not seek help so that they could avoid being labeled loony… People around them would probably say “Once a loony always a loony,” many would be reluctant to supply an individual with work after seeking help. 

Gossiping about those with problems and labeling in our society seem typical learned social behaviours.  With all of the goings on in the world it ain’t helping things any.  Well, doncha think?

MSNBC Article

CBS Article

This is not news - 30,000 children die each day.  This means that every 3.5 seconds of each of our days, somebody loses a child (or another child).  Over the span of a year this figure sums up to over 10 million children dying globally.  Many of these deaths are the result of poverty as well as easily preventable disease and illnesses.  Even though the powerful statistic is heart-wrenching it rarely gets media attention.  The reasoning behind this is likely due to the fact that the statistic has kept at a relatively consistent level for so long that it is something that we have globally accepted as a norm.  It is outrageous that this mind-boggling statistic is for the larger part paid no attention.  The media ignores it almost entirely. 

The only time the issue of global child poverty and deaths is referred to on a large scale is at massive concerts and occasional other global events.  Events attempting to draw attentions to this cause manage only to do so for as long as they are current news.  Once the event ends so does media coverage.  The United Nations does help in the way that they can - This issue is fourth on their list of Millennium Development Goals.

Here is a block quote from a UNICEF report:

“The continuation of this suffering and loss of life contravenes the natural human instinct to help in times of disaster. Imagine the horror of the world if a major earthquake were to occur and people stood by and watched without assisting the survivors! Yet every day, the equivalent of a major earthquake killing over 30,000 young children occurs to a disturbingly muted response. They die quietly in some of the poorest villages on earth, far removed from the scrutiny and the conscience of the world. Being meek and weak in life makes these dying multitudes even more invisible in death”

So I am bringing something to you that is not news.  Why?  I know that there are some people that look to help out with causes.  There are those of you that are still trying to figure out things in your life that may be nudged into making a positive move.  There are children out there starving, dying, having to work to support themselves and/or their families.  Children are suffering with diseases that we can help them prevent.  Some of you are more creative than I… Ask yourself what can you do to help this massive world issue?  Remember the law of attraction!  All positive energy comes back to us many times over.  Help me bring attention and solution to this catastrophe.  I do all within my means to help, my heart bleeds that I cannot do more.   If you can’t afford to donate to a charity organization, then spread the reminder of this serious world issue.  Thank you.

Global Issues

I have just finished reading an article.  At first glance the title told me that it was likely nothing serious.  It was called ‘Saudi man arrested after boasting about sex on TV’.  My mind quickly analysed what the article was likely about.  My assumption was that in Saudi Arabia such activity as speaking publicly about sex is frowned upon and as a warning they arrested someone.  Slap on the hand, let him go - end of story sort of deal.

 When when I got to reading it became clear what had occurred.  So many changes going on in the world now.  We see so many people in the middle east nations displaying contempt for the old ways and mentalities.  They seem ready to forge a new way.  This young man probably took the world climate as a sign that it was as good a time as any to do his interview.  One may question the wisdom, maturity, and dignity of talking about ones sex life on TV and it certainly isn’t admirable.  Still in a free world we can’t always say what is right for others.  Obviously we cannot consider Saudi Arabia ‘free’.

Much of the Saudi public expressed outrage at his appearance on TV based on the content of his verbal presentation.  Do they not realize by them ‘turning him in’ that they are propagating so much of what is wrong in their country.  I am sure it’s not desirable to live in a nation where your every move is judged and restricted by laws of religion.  He has been arrested because under Shariah law you cannot speak publicly of sex and you cannot engage in pre-marital sex.  This man Mazen Abdul Jawad spoke of many sexual conquests including losing his virginity to a neighbor when he was fourteen. 

Even though he was arrested, this seems like a step in moving forth.  Nothing will ever change if the preliminary steps are not taken.  The Saudi public was likely more irritated by the content of his interview than by any actual ’sin’ - it would indeed irritate especially in a country where these things are not commonly done.  It would be really simple to grasp at old mechanisms such as censorship and prohibition to stop this new activity.  Methinks that censorship and restriction (especially on religious grounds) has served it’s function long enough and that it’s days are coming to an end.  It has not yet been decided what type of punishment Mazen Abdul Jawad will receive for his TV appearance. 

Maybe some of their people have been indoctrinated into belief that censorship is a good thing - But is it?  This is the same country where recently Wajeha al-Huwaider told us how the activities of women are so severely restricted and women are treated as property.  Now we see it illustrated that their nation really needs to wake up and smell the coffee.  With this situation it becomes clear that they suppress the rights of all citizens with their religion as law, yet they are much harder on women. 

Their older citizens grew up with religious rationalization and justification mumbo jumbo as law and are willing to accept it.  The younger ones are consistently exposed to all forms of stimuli and knowledge that the previous generations were not - such as Internet and all of the social media applications that go along with that.  They are indeed exposed to a whole world that their ancestors were not.  I have no idea what they can see on TV there… But whatever input they are exposed to, there is no doubt they see the rest of the world enjoying many freedoms that they do not.  How do you think that would go over with you?

When you read the article I have referred to (link at top), you will see that in Saudi Arabia there is no discernable difference between law and religion.  There is no freedom of religion there and their law (Shariah) is based on that imposed religion (Islam).  I felt a question mark looming over my head when reading the words ‘religious police’ in the CNN article.  This subject matter for the most part doesn’t directly affect North Americans - yet indirectly it does.  World peace begins with the peace of all nations.  All nations need to be aware of what is going on all over the world.  We need to be prepared to aid our brethren in other countries in paving their way to national well being.  All nations need support to eliminate these prejudices created by religion from within their own boundaries.  They should be free to celebrate individual differences and choices.  

They should stop holding their people back with restrictions of religion.  Not only is their way not a good long term strategy as the world is getting wiser - It illustrates them as of a ‘hillbilly’ backwoods sort of mentality in the world arena.  No of course I am not at all inferring that people of Saudi Arabia are less of intelligence than we.  Actually I am saying that the old ways - at the risk of repeating myself - feel like they are on their very last legs; and that they should move on now while the timing is right.

Perhaps it is time that in Saudi Arabia they begin to manage the nation by means of laws of justice rather than by religious ones.  If Islam weren’t the law in Saudi Arabia, I truly believe that because it is what those people know as their religion, it would likely remain the religion of preference.  It seems for their religion to thrive there much longer - many updates are needed now.  

How did their religion evolve to replace justice?  How could a religion not be a matter of choice?  How can you celebrate a religion that is not of your choice?  How can you celebrate a religion that takes away the freedoms that put you in line with the global norm?  How can you celebrate a religion that as a woman illustrates you as being so much less than a man?  How can you celebrate a religion that suggests and in some regions insists that as a woman you wear heavy coverings in such a hot region?  How can you celebrate a religion that as a nation has taken away your voice?  These  are some logical questions that I have… And my final one is this… If Saudi Arabia wants Islam to be the religion of choice, why do they not begin a new evolution of Islam - One that all people would be proud to celebrate as their own?  I dunno, just asking…

An example of how much things need to change in Saudi Arabia

Another example

And yet another - Sigh

Ugh, one thing that sucks about blogging news… is the news.  Not always but there are times that when reading the details puts my heart, spirit, and mind collectively in turmoil.  The story of Tony Alamo required addressing.  If you read articles about his crime history, you will see that he was a very nasty man right across the board.  He had been charged with transporting five under-aged girls across state lines for sex.

Alamo accessed these young girls through his Arkansas church.  His followers have told us how he controlled people of his church in an extremely domineering manner.  His approach to ‘preaching’ was to brainwash followers to believe him as being both a Godlike figure and a prophet of God - And by disobeying him they would both disappoint God and incur Alamo’s wrath.  A woman telling why she stayed says he brainwashed her into believing he administered to them in the ways of the Lord.  When she believed she was being wronged she was told not to question what the lord asked of her. 

One woman recounts that she once told Alamo to stop during his recounting of a sexual experience with a new 8 year old ‘wife’.  He got really angry at her and told her not to question the Lord.  Such a grave injustice and horror against the girl, yet to be recounted and defended in the name of the Lord.  News articles tell of how he commonly bragged of his marriage to a 17 year old minor and that he was still evading the law in doing so.  He was 59 at the time of that marriage.

Alamo had been guilty of many injustices during his years with the church.  He transported young under-age girls across state lines for sexual purposes, he raped under-aged girls (children), he was guilty of tax evasion, he underpaid church workers; and he managed his ‘church’ as a cult through deprivation, brainwashing, and iron fisted tactics which included beatings.  One woman explained that she hadn’t ever gone to the authorities with her story of abuse because she had grown up in the church and was indoctrinated with the idea that the justice system was evil - And that by keeping his story quiet she was doing right by standing in God’s courtroom.  Hmm - I’m seeing who they refer to when they say ‘God’…

Alamo was found guilty on 10 counts of transporting under-aged girls across state lines for sexual purposes.  He will surely be in prison for the rest of his natural life as each count can carry up to 10 years prison sentencing and $250,000.00 in fines.  His sentence is yet to be decided.  Having read his story I see that he is a self-absorbed narcissist pedophile.  No matter how long his sentence - it’s not enough.  In a strange way I got a kick out of his conspiracy theorist defense ideal.  He says he was framed by both the U.S. government and the Vatican - as if he is sooo important!  I think it would serve this devil of a ‘God’ well to sit in a prison cell and think about what he has done.  Nah maybe not… these types never see the light, do they?  To him it’s all a big joke - visible in his courtroom jester-like behavior.

Let’s see if in jail he can convince other convicts that he is a prophet of God, and that it’s in their best interests to do his bidding.  If not, in jail he may just get his just desserts.  Don’t make me spell it out but he raped all those young girls against their will…  Just make sure you don’t drop the soap Tony.  And one more thing, take a jar of Vaseline or two - methinks them folks won’t be thinking you’re anything special… They will probably think you need to be taught a lesson or two…   Oh God!

Fox Article

MSNBC Article