1. When I pass the "Brothers' Heating and Cooling" billboard on a 60ยบ morning: Said billboard features a bright red LED of the current temperature and a picture of two goofy looking men wearing down jackets and earmuffs and saying, "Brrrr... it could always be better." I laugh every time, because it's rarely cold enough here for that billboard to make any sense.
2. When I pass the "MyTV12" sign: This one points to the infamous 485/77 interstate bottleneck and says, "My Traffic Jam." I spend a lot of time glaring at that sign while waiting to merge.
3. When a woman in a Subaru Outback-type, crunchy-granola-girl hatchback cuts me off in traffic: Her only bumper sticker? A blue box that says (in white letters) "Teach Peace!" She is doing a tremendous job of that with her driving.
Unfortunately, these moments often strike me while I'm driving, which does not lend itself to safe or unblurry photography. But use your imaginations and smile with me.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Thursday, March 08, 2007
I suspect ...
A friend of mine gave me a card last week for my birthday. It read: "I once tried a dessert called 'Death by Chocolate,' but it only made me stronger."
I laughed, but not as hard as I did when I read her comment inside.
"I suspect you have already tried this challenge ..."
I laughed, but not as hard as I did when I read her comment inside.
"I suspect you have already tried this challenge ..."
Saturday, June 24, 2006
Resurrected?
So ... this blog has been dead for about a year. I wanted to blog but I was a little too paranoid about saying something that would get me fired. Also, I just wanted to write about whatever was on my mind. Then I decided that what I needed was a JOURNAL. If you want to write without fear of the wrong person reading your work, you don't post it on the net. Duh. So this blog has really just become a place holder. I have a myspace blog that isn't as pretty, but easier to manage. If you know me and want to see what's up, go to myspace.com/k10burke. Otherwise, this page exists mostly so I can read and post to other blogs. But since no one has ever read this page, I don't think anyone will be too heartbroken.
Sunday, July 03, 2005
LIVE 8
I'm not sure what to think about LIVE 8. It's a great way to get the average Westerner concerned about the crushing poverty that a large part of the world experiences. But will more money help?
Over the last few decades, affluent governments have given billions of pounds, francs, dollars, rubles, livres, etc.--just to the African continent alone. But how much difference has it made? Often that money ends up lining the pockets of dictators and a small band of high-level officials. Instead of using foreign aid to help build national infrastructure, agriculture, education, health and economy, these "leaders" use the money to fund new stadiums, government ministry buildings and other projects. They award contracts to contractors, and then line their own pockets with kickbacks from the contractors. Meanwhile, their countrymen starve.
Does this mean that the affluent nations should stop helping the impoverished? Absolutely not. But they should find a way to build in some accountability to lending process. I know that the aid is usually contingent on long-term plans, but does anyone check to see the results of these plans? Is there any form of accounting for how the money is spent? I can't spend $15 at work without presenting a reciept. If I don't show receipts, I don't see any more money. Why isn't anyone applying this standard to foreign aid?
I haven't paid much attention to LIVE 8, other than to wonder about how the money raised will be spent? Will it go to international non-governmental organizations who tend to use funds more effectively? And if so, will the national governments undermine the work of these NGOs?
Here's a couple of links to the sources for this ramble:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/documentary_archive/4104164.stm
http://slate.com/id/2121864/
In my limited experience, it seems that the best way to help people is not give their government the money. Give it to the people, more directly. Build a hospital and train the people who live by it to be doctors and nurses. Take agricultural supplies and train the people who are starving. Build a school and teach teachers. The list goes on. I wish I knew how to fix these problems immediately. All I can say is that we can each do something. Sponsor a child so that they can attend school. GIve money to an NGO that builds and supports hospitals, schools or other needed facilities. Every time you feel yourself being overwhelmed by need, do something to help one person--and try to do it effectively. Governments are pretty terrible at that, but private organizations seem to do a better job.
Final note: If you think Christianity is part of the problem in Africa, I dare you to go to a church-sponsored hospital in a third-world country. Then go to a public hospital. The differences will be startling. I have been overwhelmed by the commitment and compassion of African Christians. It shames me, really.
Over the last few decades, affluent governments have given billions of pounds, francs, dollars, rubles, livres, etc.--just to the African continent alone. But how much difference has it made? Often that money ends up lining the pockets of dictators and a small band of high-level officials. Instead of using foreign aid to help build national infrastructure, agriculture, education, health and economy, these "leaders" use the money to fund new stadiums, government ministry buildings and other projects. They award contracts to contractors, and then line their own pockets with kickbacks from the contractors. Meanwhile, their countrymen starve.
Does this mean that the affluent nations should stop helping the impoverished? Absolutely not. But they should find a way to build in some accountability to lending process. I know that the aid is usually contingent on long-term plans, but does anyone check to see the results of these plans? Is there any form of accounting for how the money is spent? I can't spend $15 at work without presenting a reciept. If I don't show receipts, I don't see any more money. Why isn't anyone applying this standard to foreign aid?
I haven't paid much attention to LIVE 8, other than to wonder about how the money raised will be spent? Will it go to international non-governmental organizations who tend to use funds more effectively? And if so, will the national governments undermine the work of these NGOs?
Here's a couple of links to the sources for this ramble:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/documentary_archive/4104164.stm
http://slate.com/id/2121864/
In my limited experience, it seems that the best way to help people is not give their government the money. Give it to the people, more directly. Build a hospital and train the people who live by it to be doctors and nurses. Take agricultural supplies and train the people who are starving. Build a school and teach teachers. The list goes on. I wish I knew how to fix these problems immediately. All I can say is that we can each do something. Sponsor a child so that they can attend school. GIve money to an NGO that builds and supports hospitals, schools or other needed facilities. Every time you feel yourself being overwhelmed by need, do something to help one person--and try to do it effectively. Governments are pretty terrible at that, but private organizations seem to do a better job.
Final note: If you think Christianity is part of the problem in Africa, I dare you to go to a church-sponsored hospital in a third-world country. Then go to a public hospital. The differences will be startling. I have been overwhelmed by the commitment and compassion of African Christians. It shames me, really.
Saturday, July 02, 2005
Janus-The First Post
I'll start by laying out the basic idea behind this blog. Sometimes I'll post. Sometimes I won't.
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