Those of us who contributed money over the months so that Massachusetts woman Lyndsey Medeiros could afford cataract surgery for her pet turkey, Jerry, received the sad news today that Jerry passed away after complications from the surgery.
Medeiros and her family, no doubt, have had to endure months of anger and failed attempts at humor from dimwits who think they're wildly clever when they suggested keeping Jerry "warm" in an oven set to 450 degrees. (These are the same people who write "People Eating Tasty Animals" and think they're Jonathan Swift.)
The Medeiros family deserves our credit for their consistency and selflessness, and -- it bears repeating -- while the people who spend hundreds or thousands of dollars buying flat-screen TVs and sports cars for themselves have every right to do so, they also have no ground to stand on when they accuse Lyndsey of "wasting" money by helping a pet -- including a pet they themselves don't have the presence of mind to find worthy.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Sunday, February 14, 2010
A Call to Be Grateful
I will reiterate my thoughts from last year at this time, as well as add some wise words from a speech I heard a few years back, with things for all of us to think about.
"Happy Valentine's Day to those of you who have a special someone to spend it with. While you're staring at each other across the candlelit table, remember those who've spent every February 14 of their quiet lives alone. There are those who've just suffered through a divorce and those who are finding themselves without someone for the first time in a while, but there are also those for whom romance and dating and true love have always been mere widespread rumors. Some are teenagers; some are inhabiting college dorm rooms; some are in their 40s or 50s. Keep them in mind on this day, and you will treasure what you have more."
Think about this: Should you find it hard to get to sleep tonight --
Just remember the homeless family who has no bed to lie in.
Should you find yourself stuck in traffic; Don't despair. There are people in this world for whom driving is an unheard of privilege.
Should you have a bad day at work, think of the man who has been out of work for the last three months.
Should you despair over a relationship gone bad, think of the person who has never known what it's like to love and be loved in return.
Should you grieve the passing of another weekend, think of the woman in dire straits, working twelve hours a day, seven days a week, for $15.00 to feed her family.
Should your car break down, leaving you miles away from assistance -- think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk.
Should you notice a new gray hair in the mirror, think of the cancer patient in chemo who wishes she had hair to examine.
Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering what is life all about, asking "What is my purpose;" -- be thankful, there are those who didn't live long enough to get the opportunity.
Should you find yourself the victim of other people's bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities -- remember, things could be worse -- you could be them.
"Happy Valentine's Day to those of you who have a special someone to spend it with. While you're staring at each other across the candlelit table, remember those who've spent every February 14 of their quiet lives alone. There are those who've just suffered through a divorce and those who are finding themselves without someone for the first time in a while, but there are also those for whom romance and dating and true love have always been mere widespread rumors. Some are teenagers; some are inhabiting college dorm rooms; some are in their 40s or 50s. Keep them in mind on this day, and you will treasure what you have more."
Think about this: Should you find it hard to get to sleep tonight --
Just remember the homeless family who has no bed to lie in.
Should you find yourself stuck in traffic; Don't despair. There are people in this world for whom driving is an unheard of privilege.
Should you have a bad day at work, think of the man who has been out of work for the last three months.
Should you despair over a relationship gone bad, think of the person who has never known what it's like to love and be loved in return.
Should you grieve the passing of another weekend, think of the woman in dire straits, working twelve hours a day, seven days a week, for $15.00 to feed her family.
Should your car break down, leaving you miles away from assistance -- think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk.
Should you notice a new gray hair in the mirror, think of the cancer patient in chemo who wishes she had hair to examine.
Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering what is life all about, asking "What is my purpose;" -- be thankful, there are those who didn't live long enough to get the opportunity.
Should you find yourself the victim of other people's bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities -- remember, things could be worse -- you could be them.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Haiti/Dominican Republic S.O.S.
Pick one.
www.foodforthepoor.org
www.redcross.org
www.salvationarmy.org
www.foodforthepoor.org
www.redcross.org
www.salvationarmy.org
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Jesus: "Happy Holidays" Is Just Fine, Folks
This was passed along to me in an e-mail. It was a change of pace from the other forwards I get on subjects such as these. By the way, I believe the reference to someone having a conniption over the Bush White House's "Happy Holidays" cards is rooted in fact.
Letter from Jesus about Christmas
It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Now, having said that, let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.
Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.
If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:
1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know: they tell Me all the time.
2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.
3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up... It will be nice hearing from you again.
4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.
5 . Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.
6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.
7. Instead of nitpicking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families
8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary -- especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.
9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.
10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.
Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember :
I LOVE YOU,
JESUS
Letter from Jesus about Christmas
It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Now, having said that, let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.
Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.
If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:
1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know: they tell Me all the time.
2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.
3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up... It will be nice hearing from you again.
4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.
5 . Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.
6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.
7. Instead of nitpicking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families
8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary -- especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.
9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.
10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.
Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember :
I LOVE YOU,
JESUS
Monday, December 14, 2009
Woods Saga Reminds Us of Domestic Violence Double Standard
In response to Christine Flowers's fine piece highlighting the disparity with which many treat female-on-male violence as opposed to male-on-female violence, I wrote to her, and a later version of it ran in the Philadelphia Daily News on December 9:
http://www.philly.com/dailynews/opinion/20091209_Letters__Christine_s_right_about_domestic_violence.html
I THANK Christine Flowers for her op-ed on Elin Nordegren and Tiger Woods.
Though we don't know what did and didn't happen, it's sickening to see all the responses saying that violence is deserved (or even humorous) if the recipient is male. More than 250 studies indicate that women initiate domestic violence against men approximately as often as the reverse occurs.
Too many people don't treat it seriously enough, arguing that men are usually stronger and bigger, but this difference often works to women's advantage, as men are told never to strike a woman (some say "even in self-defense"), giving abusive women the idea that they have carte blanche. Domestic violence is not about size, strength, or gender.
http://www.philly.com/dailynews/opinion/20091209_Letters__Christine_s_right_about_domestic_violence.html
I THANK Christine Flowers for her op-ed on Elin Nordegren and Tiger Woods.
Though we don't know what did and didn't happen, it's sickening to see all the responses saying that violence is deserved (or even humorous) if the recipient is male. More than 250 studies indicate that women initiate domestic violence against men approximately as often as the reverse occurs.
Too many people don't treat it seriously enough, arguing that men are usually stronger and bigger, but this difference often works to women's advantage, as men are told never to strike a woman (some say "even in self-defense"), giving abusive women the idea that they have carte blanche. Domestic violence is not about size, strength, or gender.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Woman Smeared for Helping the "Wrong" Type of Animal
For the Thanksgiving season's prime example of hypocrisy, we look at the silly furor that followed a New England woman's good deed towards a much-maligned creature. Lyndsey Medeiros, of Rehobeth, Massachusetts, had rescued a turkey from ending up deceased and stuffed on someone's table. She named her new friend "Jerry" and then realized he had a cataract problem. So, just as people might do for a cat or dog, Medeiros opted for surgery, but needed a little financial assistance to do so.
Well, out of the alleys came nasty comments from people completely up in arms that someone would adopt a turkey, let alone that anyone would contribute to helping with surgery. It highlights the extremely inconsistent way we deal with animals. I doubt anyone would be suggesting we kill Milo the cat or Scruffy the dog to feed a hungry family, but this is exactly the "solution" many numbskulls took the time to write.
The only reason the image of having a turkey in one's house as a pet would strike anyone as bizarre is because people aren't used to it. I sponsored an Indonesian child through Childreach a few years ago (contrary to the claim that animal-lovers don't also care about human beings), and was told that, when I write letters or send pictures to him, I should avoid sending any photos of someone lovingly holding a pet, because their culture views animals differently from ours. In other words, they would find it bizarre that anyone here would take an animal into the home, and raise him/her lovingly as a pet -- including cats and dogs -- because they're not used to it. Now, if we adopted the philosophy of Jerry's critics, the fact that Indonesians think we're crazy for caring about some animals means we shouldn't be doing it.
The more I think about this, the more I realize HOW hypocritical Jerry's critics are. I'd bet that few to none of these people give to the homeless. I'd also bet that a good number of them would gladly donate if someone's newly rescued cat or dog needed eye surgery, and the total could go two or three times $2,600. I'd ALSO bet that most of them have flat-screen TVs or swimming pools or three-hundred-dollar jackets. Chances are, nobody gave them any crap about spending all that money when they could have been using it to feed the hungry and to house the homeless. Fine.
But then this woman adopts an animal they don't personally deem worthy of our compassion, and all of the sudden they start "caring about the homeless." Hard to believe.
Well, out of the alleys came nasty comments from people completely up in arms that someone would adopt a turkey, let alone that anyone would contribute to helping with surgery. It highlights the extremely inconsistent way we deal with animals. I doubt anyone would be suggesting we kill Milo the cat or Scruffy the dog to feed a hungry family, but this is exactly the "solution" many numbskulls took the time to write.
The only reason the image of having a turkey in one's house as a pet would strike anyone as bizarre is because people aren't used to it. I sponsored an Indonesian child through Childreach a few years ago (contrary to the claim that animal-lovers don't also care about human beings), and was told that, when I write letters or send pictures to him, I should avoid sending any photos of someone lovingly holding a pet, because their culture views animals differently from ours. In other words, they would find it bizarre that anyone here would take an animal into the home, and raise him/her lovingly as a pet -- including cats and dogs -- because they're not used to it. Now, if we adopted the philosophy of Jerry's critics, the fact that Indonesians think we're crazy for caring about some animals means we shouldn't be doing it.
The more I think about this, the more I realize HOW hypocritical Jerry's critics are. I'd bet that few to none of these people give to the homeless. I'd also bet that a good number of them would gladly donate if someone's newly rescued cat or dog needed eye surgery, and the total could go two or three times $2,600. I'd ALSO bet that most of them have flat-screen TVs or swimming pools or three-hundred-dollar jackets. Chances are, nobody gave them any crap about spending all that money when they could have been using it to feed the hungry and to house the homeless. Fine.
But then this woman adopts an animal they don't personally deem worthy of our compassion, and all of the sudden they start "caring about the homeless." Hard to believe.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Happy Halloween
My two favorite holidays of the year are Independence Day and Halloween. I usually shake my head with befuddlement when I hear about parents or schools "doing away with" Halloween because of its supposed pagan origins. The pagans also gave us the idea for a Christmas tree; let's see if those parents and schools hold true to their principles in a couple of months.
Some dislike Halloween's backdrop, citing "horror stories" (tee hee!) about people wearing fake knives "through" their hearts or dressing up as scary monsters in front of children, but Halloween doesn't have to be about that at all.
I'm 36, and I've gotten dressed up just about every year. Wanna know my costumes? A painter, a baker (a few times), a turtle, a cockroach (a friendly-looking one), Bert from SESAME STREET, a train engineer, a scarecrow, a farmer, and, last year, Joe the Plumber (my first political costume). Not a frightening get-up in the bunch (unless, perhaps, you're a crow).
It's not a holiday for everybody, of course, but many people like having fun with it, putting together a costume, trying to guess who everyone else is supposed to be, bobbing for apples (in the pre-H1N1 years), and going through cornfield mazes. See, folks? No need to sacrifice a chicken for Satan at all in order to enjoy All Hallow's Eve.
Some dislike Halloween's backdrop, citing "horror stories" (tee hee!) about people wearing fake knives "through" their hearts or dressing up as scary monsters in front of children, but Halloween doesn't have to be about that at all.
I'm 36, and I've gotten dressed up just about every year. Wanna know my costumes? A painter, a baker (a few times), a turtle, a cockroach (a friendly-looking one), Bert from SESAME STREET, a train engineer, a scarecrow, a farmer, and, last year, Joe the Plumber (my first political costume). Not a frightening get-up in the bunch (unless, perhaps, you're a crow).
It's not a holiday for everybody, of course, but many people like having fun with it, putting together a costume, trying to guess who everyone else is supposed to be, bobbing for apples (in the pre-H1N1 years), and going through cornfield mazes. See, folks? No need to sacrifice a chicken for Satan at all in order to enjoy All Hallow's Eve.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Goose, Gander: The Media's Selective Outrage; Racism vs. Legitimate Criticism
Published today in The Philadelphia Inquirer. It appeared much as I sent it in, and so I will provide it for you here:
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/opinion/20090922_Letters_to_the_Editor.html?viewAll=Y&text=
For eight years, the most despicable things were said about President George W. Bush, who was slammed as a liar, a moron, a Nazi (or Hitler himself), and Satan. All who reelected him in 2004 were dismissed as idiots.
Did R. Danielle Egan ("Racism underlies rage at Obama presidency," Wednesday) or Tony Auth (cartoon, Thursday) decry these attacks with equal zeal? Did they balk when people portrayed Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice as a Stepin Fetchit character, joked about giving Bush more pretzels so he would choke to death, or prayed that Vice President Dick Cheney would suffer one final heart attack?
Is this what we have to look forward to for the next 3 1/2 years? Anyone who points out ACORN's shenanigans, disagrees with massive government spending (from both parties), or questions changes in health care is being called a racist. This is a blatant attempt to change the subject and to intimidate decent people into remaining quiet.
Are there racists in this world? Yes, too many of them, and they come in all colors. But suggesting that any criticism of President Obama is racially based is utterly reprehensible.
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/opinion/20090922_Letters_to_the_Editor.html?viewAll=Y&text=
For eight years, the most despicable things were said about President George W. Bush, who was slammed as a liar, a moron, a Nazi (or Hitler himself), and Satan. All who reelected him in 2004 were dismissed as idiots.
Did R. Danielle Egan ("Racism underlies rage at Obama presidency," Wednesday) or Tony Auth (cartoon, Thursday) decry these attacks with equal zeal? Did they balk when people portrayed Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice as a Stepin Fetchit character, joked about giving Bush more pretzels so he would choke to death, or prayed that Vice President Dick Cheney would suffer one final heart attack?
Is this what we have to look forward to for the next 3 1/2 years? Anyone who points out ACORN's shenanigans, disagrees with massive government spending (from both parties), or questions changes in health care is being called a racist. This is a blatant attempt to change the subject and to intimidate decent people into remaining quiet.
Are there racists in this world? Yes, too many of them, and they come in all colors. But suggesting that any criticism of President Obama is racially based is utterly reprehensible.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Eight Years.
Many, many people have their personal 9/11 stories. Here are mine.
-- Just hours after the attacks, I began thinking of the man who operates a convenience store near my house. I had interviewed him for a research paper I was working on in college -- one that contrasted the management and operation styles of local convenience stores. Because he is of Middle-Eastern descent, I started to worry that some violent, terribly misguided goofball would show up and begin starting some trouble. I headed up that way.
When I arrived, there were only a few customers in the store, and the man's wife was returning from a pharmacy across the street, where she had purchased a portable television (no doubt to keep abreast of the incoming news). I was unsure of how, exactly, I was going to suggest that they close down their store or take similar precautions without coming across as insulting or needlessly alarming.
The customers had all left, and I was about to say something when the man said, "Did you want anything? Because we're about to close." I sympathetically told him he was probably doing the right thing, and then made my exit.
-- On that September 11, there was a blood drive scheduled at a nearby church, one at which I had planned to donate that day, anyway. Well, in part because of the news flooding in throughout the day, and the Red Cross pleading for help, by the time I got there the place was packed. A local school group was in line -- whether or not they would have been there under normal circumstances I do not know -- and the queue weaved up the stairwell and out the door. I hadn't gotten near the front of the queue when a volunteer said, "Sorry. We've had so many people come in that we're out of supplies."
Probably a problem they wish they had every day, huh?
-- Just hours after the attacks, I began thinking of the man who operates a convenience store near my house. I had interviewed him for a research paper I was working on in college -- one that contrasted the management and operation styles of local convenience stores. Because he is of Middle-Eastern descent, I started to worry that some violent, terribly misguided goofball would show up and begin starting some trouble. I headed up that way.
When I arrived, there were only a few customers in the store, and the man's wife was returning from a pharmacy across the street, where she had purchased a portable television (no doubt to keep abreast of the incoming news). I was unsure of how, exactly, I was going to suggest that they close down their store or take similar precautions without coming across as insulting or needlessly alarming.
The customers had all left, and I was about to say something when the man said, "Did you want anything? Because we're about to close." I sympathetically told him he was probably doing the right thing, and then made my exit.
-- On that September 11, there was a blood drive scheduled at a nearby church, one at which I had planned to donate that day, anyway. Well, in part because of the news flooding in throughout the day, and the Red Cross pleading for help, by the time I got there the place was packed. A local school group was in line -- whether or not they would have been there under normal circumstances I do not know -- and the queue weaved up the stairwell and out the door. I hadn't gotten near the front of the queue when a volunteer said, "Sorry. We've had so many people come in that we're out of supplies."
Probably a problem they wish they had every day, huh?
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