Here are a few things I've been thinking of today:
1. Last Friday they had the Rubber Ducky Derby, which is a fundraiser for the Special Olympics, in the plaza outside of my building. I was walking to work and they had this huge, inflated rubber duck up (I called Mark immediately), and later on in the morning we kept hearing all sorts of quacking. Wacky.
2. The plaza and sidewalks in front of my building are popular places for all sorts of other stuff, too - it's also been used for protests lately. Last Friday afternoon there were a bunch of people protesting the Olympics and signs that read "Free Burma" and other stuff like that. Today there are people with Georgian flags and "Stop Russia" signs.
3. Completely unrelated is the fact that it seems much harder to adopt a pet than it is to have a child. Imagine how many unfit parents would be prevented from even becoming parents if they had to be interviewed, were subject to home visits, etc., before they got pregnant (this is no reflection on any of you, it just came up again on a list serve I belong to - someone's going through the pet adoption process and is frustrated).
4. Air conditioning - yes, we really have only run ours for 32.5 hours this year. That's the good part about having a ground floor apartment that doesn't get direct sunlight!
About Me
- Viki
- I'm a singer by night, HR person by day, have some super cool kitties, and love coffee, chocolate (99% cocoa rocks!), wine, and cheese. My current favorite musical works are Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto #2, and Handel's Let the Bright Seraphim.
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7 comments:
why does anyone waste their time protesting. they'd be better off WORKING instead of marching and donating some money to larger organizations that have more pull for their cause.
why are American's in America (i.e. not Russia) protesting Russia invading Georgia? why do they feel the need to meddle in other's business that they don't actually know the business in which they're meddling. And if you're going to protest, do it in a sensible location. Like some place where those affected will know and be able to appreciate it. Do they think they're making an impact? Do they think the Russians know they are protesting anything? Do they think the Russians even CARE what they think? Is their PROTESTING even helping a single Georgian? Otherwise, like Karen said, get to work! Stop living off my income and help yourself.
Geez. I used to think I was sooo smart. But I think my view of "success" is wrong. Why am I not out doing whatever the heck I WANT, and getting my life funded by your tax dollars?!??
Is it harder to adopt a pet or adopt a child? I suspect it's harder to adopt a child. I don't think it's fair to liken adopting an animal to getting pregnant. It is my understanding that human adoption involves interviews, home visits, etc, too. Even if there are 12 people who might be a good fit for the dog, or child, why not give it to the ones that seems to be the best fit? Sucks for the other 11, but it's not aout the other 11 - it's about the 1 adoptee and what's best for them.
Well, the protests have been very small and peaceful, and in front of my building is actually a really good one - very busy avenue in a very large city, around the corner from NBC studios and next to WGN radio.
On the kids thing, I meant having one's own child, not adopting one - I know that's a long and difficult process.
I guess the time that I have been in the privilege of a AC might add up to about 10 hours maximum, including time spent in shops. :)
If they wish to protest, let them protest. I guess they got what they wanted now that we are all thinking about them.
Also, I don't think that such great issues as wars and the subjugation of others is only left to those who are actively part of the struggle/issue. It is good to show your solidarity to oppressed people and not only shoving money into the mouths of big organizations, hoping for the best. If it weren't for those who protest (even if there is only a minimal chance of really changing something) we wouldn't have all the freedoms we have now.
And for the issues at hand, I have noticed the protests for freeing Burma or stopping Russia, here and elsewhere in the world. I am sure that if I did, many others did as well.
I don't have an issue with people protesting. I think it is one way to get information out about your "cause". At the same time, I believe all protests should be peaceful. I think it is a good way to raise awareness so maybe more people will donate $$ or time to the cause which will in turn hopefully cause change. And again like Katrin said, we are talking about them now.
I would like to see a giant rubber ducky. A wedding I was invited to recently (but was unable to attend) was a pool wedding with a rubber ducky theme. Wish I could have seen that!!
In my opinion, protesting should be done locally. Why protest in America what Russia is doing to Georgia? Now, if America was going after Georgia, it'd make more sense. Protests of this sort do not seem to be PRODUCTIVE or effective. Why don't they appeal to the Russian govt for their actions?
To me, this sort of protest is more of a "look at me supporting a cause" sign. Nothing is resolved from the protest.
In NE Portland they are protesting a planned parenthood office being built in one spot. Now THAT is a productive protest - the people who can do anything about it are watching it. And it is a peaceful protest.
And, when the homeless got pissed off that the city kept trying to force them further out of town (actually, I believe, essentially telling them to "go home"), they protested by setting up shop in front of city hall. I agreed with that form, and found it highly amusing - the homeless from all over congregating in a few blocks THERE - productive! (and, for the most part, peaceful.)
Truth be told, I don't think the American govt should interfere with the Russia/Georgia thing and tell them what to do. I think that is for international organizations. (I think the US govt butts into waaaay too much in stuff that isn't their business, then gets too far in and can't get out.) Yup. I'm selfish. Help your own before you preach to others how they should behave - stop being a hipocrite. If you want to help, open up your country (and house!) to refugees and treat them like your own.
I read that the US is sending military for "humanitarian aid" and relief and help to the victims. Note: I 100% support this. This is the kind of support I think countries SHOULD be lending each other. Not going in with guns to push their own agendas (and no, I am not just talking about the Iraq/Afganistan dealio).
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