Category Archives: Uncategorized

More on Hemming and going in…

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I wanted to elaborate a little more on my post yesterday on Alan Hemming and going in.

I was afraid that my comment might come across as US being the guys-on-a-white-horse, here to save everyone.  No. No. No.  That would be self-righteous.  And if you’ve read my blog for any length of time, you know by now I don’t think we’re any more special than anyone else.  We have our faults, too.

But when those who want peace and are being pummeled by ones feeding the dark side, then I think anyone whom is capable, should go in and help.

And then leave when those that are there are capable of holding their own….and leave them to govern themselves as they see fit.

 

R.I.P Alan Henning

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I admire Alan Hemming, too. It took courage to go in despite the threat. I think people mostly want to be able to help themselves, but when the dark forces are overwhelming, they need help from the outside. (and then we need to back off and let them find their own autonomy.)

Andy's avatarCity Jackdaw

So the news broke that everybody had been dreading: Alan Henning had been killed in the most hideous way by his Islamic State extremist captors.

Here in Manchester  we heard the condemnations from an international perspective, and the response from a national perspective, but also we witnessed the local reaction, as Alan came from Manchester, or to be more precise, Salford. Among the many comments that came pouring out, amidst the anger and upset, were the platitudes for a man who died doing what he was most passionate about-helping those in need. In a vigil at the local church, Reverend Cyprian Yobera told the congregation “In one way you could look at it that Alan was taking some light to a dark place….”

Family, friends, colleagues and strangers waxed lyrical in heartfelt tributes to a man who had gone to Syria on an aid mission, a man who was moved…

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Steepest cost in $4 billion plan to rebuild Gaza Strip likely political will to make it happen

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The article doesn’t go far enough–who will get the $$$ for construction? Why does this feel like deja vu with the citizens given those awful pre-fab boxes that were also given to the survivors of Katrina? The materials used made them ill. I don’t understand why they would be used again, especially when there are alternatives, such as earthships that can be constructed cheaply, quickly, and provide space to grow one’s food and harvest water?

WATCH: ‘Anaconda’ dancer from Alberta wows Ellen with her moves

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…and here it starts with sexualizing young girls. This particular dancer was not overt, but come on, “Anaconda” is for adults, not eleven year old girls.
Related to this, I was flipping through the channels, when Dance Moms was on. What I saw in the few minutes I watched was absolutely appalling. These young girls are dressed up in skimpy costumes, wearing heavy makeup, and gesturing sexually. WTH?
When a mother objected to the overt sexuality of the costumes/dance, the instructor insisted if the girl wanted to “compete” she had to do it this way….*everybody* was doing it this way and her competition would be stiff. The mother caved in. Recently, there was a festival in our area where girls were vying for princess and queen of the festival. There was a picture of a young girl in heavy makeup. She looked to be a freshmen in high school. I was shocked to read in the article that she was….
…eight years old. Eight freaking years old and heavily made up to look like she was past puberty and a young woman instead of a little girl. Makes me sick with disgust. I don’t know what parents are thinking anymore.