Given some of the frustration I've seen here (and felt myself) with the unpredictable behavior of the TSA and others in charge of our security, I thought you all might enjoy this essay. Although I have much respect for Dr. Rice and feel for those "roughed up" by the Sudanese security folks who probably were just thugs, I do believe that those at the highest levels of government or business are insulated and have lost touch with what it feels like tho be an average Joe trying to get back to Mom's house for the family reunion.

Enjoy!
Randy

Condi's Rage

Just because our officials will feel a fraction of what we do on a daily basis, doesn't mean that they'll come rushing to our aid when we need them. Dr. Rice can complain and have her entourage treated special, but I doubt it raises her concern for the rest of us.

I actually have a TSA story now! When I was getting on a plane for my honeymoon, I was actually selected for additional screening. When I overheard a big male TSA employee muttering about getting to have "all the fun," my mind immediately flashed to the news articles about women getting felt up by the screeners. I gave a look to my husband, but luckily was escorted over to a female employee who was nice and quick.

When I got to my honeymoon destination and looked inside my checked luggage, I noticed that the new travel steamer and iron that I purchased to steam and press my wedding gown was missing. I didn't think it was desirable enough to steal, but it still ticks me off. Good thing I carried on all my jewelry.

Another African country another situation involving commercial flights. In Niger a drought has reduced the already second poorest nation to mass starvation with an estimated 175,000 children near death. The U.N. is trying to raise a pitiful 30 million dollars in food aid, but predicts a 2 month delay until supplies can begin delivery. We spend more than that before breakfast in Iraq and our services are bloated with excess C130s a senator imposed on them in another pork barrel fiasco. Reality is Niger has no strategic or economic importance compared even to the warload bully boys of Somalia, except perhaps a unknown potential Mozart or Einstein slipping into final sleep from septicemia while flies crawl over his face.I WILL NOT FLY UNTIL PLANES LAND THERE WITH RELIEF. I'll walk first, just like a refugee.

Chris -

That's one of the best posts I've seen in a long time.

Indeed, dedicating a fraction of the money being spent on Iraq toward making lives in Niger and dozens of other places better would make the world so much safer, so much better off in the long run.

Unfortunately money in of itself is not always the answer for many poverty/famine stricken areas. Too often, local/national politics or ethnic/religious prejudices/persecution play a significant role. Many well-intentioned efforts to get food, money and basic living supplies to the innocent populace are blocked, by corrupt government officials or local ethnic/religious fractions. Tons of food and medicine has literally rotted or gone bad, sitting in the cargo holes of ships, planes and trucks, while thousands, if not millions have died. These are very complex issues that neither throwing monies, starting wars, political upheavals or best of intentions will solve.

Pete

Pete, you are right and I agree. But There comes a point when the cumulative effects of stupidity leave one ashamed of being part of a worldwide community that can do better <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

It is my belief it starts with the individual, I can affect the greatest change through my actions, good or bad. A form of personal responsibility, so to speak. The collective members of the world are diverse on so many levels; it is hard to imagine that they could agree on anything and yet we as a world body have managed to survive numerous wars, famines, disease outbreaks and a whole host of other events.

The collective world, acting in harmony for what is best, is in its’ historical infancy. The “failure” of the League of Nations and the current problems existing within the United Nations can be viewed as failures or on the other hand, as early attempts/experiments to have issues/disputes resolved through collective consultation, rather then war.

I believe, we as a people will mature and resolve our differences/problems through collective collaboration. But just as these issues/problems did not develop overnight, neither will the solutions.

When I made my first trip to Ecuador, I realized our efforts were mere band-aids on many deep-rooted problems. How could our 10-15 minute visit with a patient really fix their problem, as it was a problem of great complexity in nature? I thought back to one of the many stories/parables I have been exposed to over the years and remembered the story of the “Starfish”. I am sure the story has been told in many forms, but the bottom line, it makes a difference to the one person you are trying to help.

Just my 2 cents.

Pete

For those who do not know of the story, there are hundreds of variations, here are but a couple (I have no associations with these groups):

Starfish Story

Starfish Story

I actually said that we should spend money to make things better (not on unnecessary war, on graft, or on food rotting in ports). My point stands, and while I don't diminish the complexity of the issues, we could do way better than we are.

Your point about each individual making a difference is also an excellent one, Pete.